JP2006172416A - Network household electric appliance controller and network system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network household electric appliance controller capable of integrally controlling not only a common property defined by an already normalized standard specification but also an individual property defined for each appliance. <P>SOLUTION: The controller A is constructed of a means recognizing a group and a class from starting time announcements for appliances B1-Bn, a means reading a definition file matching the recognition result, generating an object OBJ0 necessary for general control, and dynamically taking it in, a means querying the appliances B1-Bn about individual information by means of the object OBJ0, a means reading the definition file matching the individual information of the appliances B1-Bn, generating objects OBJ1-OBJn necessary for individual control on the appliance, and dynamically taking them in, and a means performing individual control on the appliances B1-Bn by using the objects OBJ1-OBJn. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network home appliance controller that performs overall control of a network home appliance that constructs a home network, and a network system using the controller, and in particular, a unified control application for network home appliances produced by a plurality of manufacturers. And the business model based on this.

  In recent years, a network composed of AV [Audio Visual] devices compatible with HAVi [Home Audio / Video interoperability] and HBS [Home Bus System], which is a home bus standard for home automation, jointly established by multiple companies. Network based on ECHONET [Energy Conservation and HOmecare NETwork], which is a network standard using power lines and wireless in the home advocated by the Echonet Consortium established by multiple companies, etc. Practical use of home networks composed of Internet home appliances is in progress.

  Among such home appliances, AV-type home appliances that handle music, movies, games, etc. for entertainment purposes have a lot in common with the operation system of each device, and the user interface is relatively unified. . Therefore, if the above specifications are defined, it is possible to provide a multi-vendor compatible unified control application relatively easily.

  On the other hand, in a home network that targets equipment-related home appliances (so-called white goods), each device requires its own user interface, such as an air conditioner or a washing machine. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to create a unified control application as compared to an AV home network.

  In the previous ECHONET specification, in view of the above-mentioned problems, a method for building and managing a unified system of white goods is adopted. Specifically, a large grouping is performed according to the usage and usage environment of home appliances, and the types and forms of home appliances are defined within the group, and each is positioned and managed as an object.

  The ECHONET group includes “Sensor-related equipment group”, “Household / equipment equipment-related group”, “Cooking / housework-related equipment group”, “Health-related equipment group”, “Management / operation related equipment group”, etc. There is.

  Under the above group, home appliances belonging to each are defined. For example, in the “air conditioning related equipment group”, almost all equipment manufactured and sold in Japan, such as “home air conditioner”, “cool air fan”, “fan”, “ventilator”, “air cleaner”, etc. Is defined. In ECHONET, these definitions are called classes.

  Internet home appliances compliant with the ECHONET specification are required to incorporate the above-described group and class identification codes, and the group codes and class codes can be read directly from the devices through the network.

  Furthermore, each class has an attribute identifier called EPC (Echonet Property Code), and an identification code expressing the attribute of each home appliance is assigned. Each EPC defines an attribute value called EDT (Echonet Property Value Data). Generally, each EPC defines its own EDT.

  For example, the class “household air conditioner” has an EPC “operation mode”, and the EPC defines “cooling”, “heating”, “dehumidifying”, “fan”, and “automatic”. Has been. Similarly, the class “washing machine” has an EPC “washing setting”, and EDTs “washing start”, “washing suspension”, and “washing stop” are defined in the EPC.

  As described above, networking of household white goods is the first to be achieved by commercializing based on common communication specifications among domestic household electrical appliance manufacturers. Currently, the infrastructure is gradually being prepared, centering on the ECHONET specification.

  As a conventional technique related to the present invention, a home network gateway device is disclosed and proposed that takes out the device identification information and the download destination of screen creation information from the device and creates a WEB screen of the server (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  Further, as another conventional technique related to the present invention, a data processing device (for example, Patent Document 2) that places various contents on a public Internet server and charges a user according to the use status of the data. And a remote control service providing device for home appliances using a WEB page (for example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3318289 JP 2001-175605 A JP 2003-337772 A

  Certainly, if a control application is built based on the unified specifications of white goods home appliances represented by ECHONET, multi-vendors of white goods home appliances as far as the basic operations common to each device are concerned. Can be realized.

  However, in the control application based on the conventional specifications of Internet home appliances, multi-vendorization can be realized only for common properties (attributes) specified in the unified specifications, and it is not necessarily complete. There was a face I couldn't say.

  Especially in Japan, each home appliance manufacturer is constantly differentiating by installing its own functions in its own equipment. For example, only EPC and EDT specified in ECHONET However, there is a problem that the function (that is, the original function for each device) desired to be pushed to the front of the device cannot be expressed.

  For this reason, the net home appliance controller has been created with different specifications for each manufacturer while conforming to the ECHONET specification. In other words, the company A's network home appliance controller is merely for overall control of a home network constructed by company A's internet home appliance, and all functions of company A's internet home appliance can be used. The current situation is that it is not possible to use all the functions of Internet home appliances.

  Note that the conventional technique of Patent Document 1 is merely a technique for extracting the device identification information and the screen creation information download destination from the device and creating a WEB screen of the server, and can solve the above problems. It was not a thing. In the prior art of Patent Document 1, since the screen generation information to be read is described in the HTML [Hyper Text Markup Language] format, it is necessary to create specific HTML information for a specific device, and the applicable model is There was a problem of being limited. Further, as described in paragraph [0064], the prior art of Patent Document 1 is a configuration in which a screen is constructed by downloading HTML information and a CGI [Common Gateway Interface] script for operation. There is a problem that a specific operation screen and CGI script must be prepared for the device, and the applicable models are limited as described above.

  In addition, even if a company that tries to release a product that complies with the above-mentioned common specifications to the general public appears, the company controls the network home appliances to be controlled and the home appliances to be controlled. There is also a problem that two Internet home appliance controllers to be marketed must be commercialized at the same time, and the threshold for new entry into the Internet home appliances is not necessarily low.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can control not only common properties defined by standardized standard specifications but also unique properties defined for each device. In addition, to provide a network home appliance controller and a network system using the network home appliance controller capable of constructing a business model that can expand the possibility of commercialization of the network home appliance only according to a predetermined specification. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the network home appliance controller according to the present invention is a network home appliance controller that performs overall control of a network home appliance that constructs a home network, and includes group information and class information notified by the network home appliance. Means for identifying the group and class to which the internet home appliance belongs from; means for reading and dynamically loading a first control object required for general control in the identified group and class; or the group and class Means for reading a first control object definition file corresponding to the first control object, generating the first control object from the first control object definition file, and dynamically capturing the first control object; and using the first control object, the net Means for inquiring the individual information on the home appliance; and the Internet home appliance notifies Means for reading and dynamically loading a second control object necessary for individual control of the network home appliance from another information, or reading a second control target definition file corresponding to the individual information, Means for generating and dynamically fetching the second control object from a control target definition file; and means for performing individual control of the internet home appliance using the second control object It is said. With such a configuration, new control objects and control target definition files that are updated daily can be used as a part of their own programs as necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to control not only common properties defined by the standardized standard that has already been standardized but also unique properties defined for each device.

  Note that the network home appliance controller having the above-described configuration includes a connection means to a wide area network, and downloads a second control object or a second control target definition file from a predetermined server via the wide area network. It is good to have a configuration to do. By adopting such a configuration, even if it is a network home appliance of a different manufacturer, by placing a control object or control target definition file for the network home appliance on the server, unique information from the controlled device And automatically download necessary control objects and control target definition files and incorporate them into the application. In addition, the memory capacity of the controller itself can be saved, and a new control object and control target definition file can always be provided.

  In addition, the network home appliance controller configured as described above includes means for storing position information in which the individual information of the network home appliance is associated with the location information of the second control object or the second control target definition file. It is good to have a configuration comprising. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the time required for searching for the control object and the control target definition file.

  Moreover, it is good for the internet home appliance controller which consists of the said structure to be the structure which downloads the said positional information regularly or as needed from a predetermined server via the said wide area network. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to always provide a new control object and control target definition file.

  In addition, the internet home appliance controller having the above-described configuration may be configured to include means for specifying whether or not the second control object or the second control target definition file is held in the controller. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to quickly read the control object and the control target definition file.

  Further, the network home appliance controller having the above configuration is based on means for notifying the control target network home appliance of individual identification information for uniquely identifying the second control object, and the individual identification information notified by the network home appliance. And a means for restricting reading of the second control object or the second control target definition file. With such a configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not a new control object needs to be constructed by inquiring individual identification information.

  In addition, the network home appliance controller having the above-described configuration has a configuration that includes a means for statically storing server address information limited as a download source of the second control object or the second control target definition file. Good. A network system according to the present invention includes a network home appliance controller having the above configuration; a network home appliance controlled by the network home appliance controller; and connected to the wide area network and statically connected by the network home appliance controller. And a server limited as a download source of the second control object or the second control target definition file based on the address information stored in.

  With such a configuration, the second control object or the second control target definition file can be read only from a reliable download source, so that the safety can be improved.

  In addition, even in the case where only the home appliances are used, even if the second control object or the reading protocol of the second control target definition file is disclosed to expand the possibility of commercialization, the server is connected to the home appliances. If it is owned and operated by the controller manufacturer (or its subsidiary or affiliated company), it is possible to request a license agreement for use of the server from other manufacturers who manufacture only the home appliances. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the network home appliance controller can protect the company's rights or can return profits as a contract fee or the like.

  As described above, if the home appliance controller and the network system using the same according to the present invention, not only the common properties defined in the unified standard that has already been standardized, but also the unique properties defined for each device. The property can be controlled uniformly, and a business model that can expand the possibility of commercialization can be constructed by using only the home electric appliances conforming to a predetermined specification.

  Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in detail while exemplifying a case where the network home appliance controller according to the present invention is used as a home network integrated control unit compliant with the ECHONET specification.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of definition of group information (group code) and class information (class code) in the ECHONET specification, which is published on the ECHONET Consortium's website (http://www.echonet.gr.jp/) This is a partial excerpt of definition information.

  As shown in the drawing, in the ECHONET specification, a group code (0x00) is assigned to the category of “sensor-related device group”. In addition, a number of sensors such as a gas leak sensor (0x01), a security sensor (0x02), and an emergency button (0x03) are defined as classes belonging to the group. Further, a group code (0x01) is assigned to the category of “air conditioning related device group”, and a household air conditioner (0x30), a cold air blower (0x31), and the like are defined as the class. Similarly, a group code (0x02) is assigned to the category “household equipment group”, and an electric blind (0x60), an electric shutter (0x61), and the like are defined as the class. Each class has an attribute identifier called EPC as described above, and an identification code expressing the attribute of each device is assigned. Each EPC defines an attribute value called EDT. In general, each EPC defines its own EDT. In addition to this, many groups and classes are defined in the ECHONET specification, but details are omitted.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the ECHONET specification defines a “super class (base class)” having properties common to each class, among which the device switch status (ON / OFF), manufacturer code, product code Stipulates individual identification information. The super class described above is required to be installed in all devices conforming to the ECHONET specification. Therefore, the application can know the manufacturer that manufactured the device by making an inquiry to the super class of the network home appliance conforming to the ECHONET specification. However, some EPCs defined in the superclass are required to be installed, and some are optional (optional). For example, the manufacturer code of the device is essential, but the product code is not essential.

  The network home appliance controller according to the present invention specifies a controlled device by using the EPC defined in the super class, and individually reads a program module or a control target definition file according to the specification result. Thus, a manufacturer-specific control object is constructed and an application common to different manufacturers is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a home network provided with an internet home appliance controller according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the home network according to the present invention connects a network home appliance controller A (hereinafter simply referred to as controller A) having a common communication protocol and a controlled device B via a transmission path C. It is built by. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller A includes a gateway a7 which is a connection means to the Internet D (or other wide area network), and a control target definition file described later is transmitted via the Internet D. The service site E that is held is accessible. The connection relationship between the controller A and the service site E will be described in detail later.

  The controller A includes a controller control unit a1 that comprehensively controls its own operation, a communication control unit a2 that controls communication with the controlled device B, a communication interface a3 for establishing a connection with the transmission path C, a controller And a memory unit a4 used as a work area for various applications and objects executed by the control unit a1. The communication control unit a2 and the communication interface a3 are generally set to the same standard as that of the controlled device B.

  In addition to the main control application APP1, an object management application APP2 that is a characteristic part of the present invention is expanded in the memory unit a4. Further, in the memory unit a4, a default object OBJ0 for inquiring individual information when the controlled device B is specified is developed, and each time the controlled device B to be controlled increases, the control objects OBJ1, OBJ2, ..., OBJn is added dynamically. The control objects OBJ1 to OBJn are program modules prepared for each controlled device.

  The control objects OBJ1 to OBJn that are dynamically added are managed by the control object management application APP2, and are programmed by a so-called object-oriented language. Each control object OBJ1 to OBJn receives a command from the main control application APP1 via the control object management application APP2, and passes a specific command to the communication control unit a2. The command is transmitted to the transmission path C via the communication interface a3 and received by the communication interface b3 of the controlled device B. Thereby, the controlled device B performs an operation according to the command.

  Thus, the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn can be regarded as program modules that are dynamically linked to the main control application APP1. That is, the main control application APP1 can access the individual control objects OBJ1 to OBJn via the object management application APP2 which is a common interface of the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn, and perform different operations for each control target.

  The controlled device B is an internet home appliance such as a home air conditioner or a refrigerator. The device control unit b1 controls the operation of the device B, the communication control unit b2 controls communication with the controller A, and the transmission path C. The communication interface b3 for establishing the connection and a memory unit b4 used as a storage area for various pieces of device information.

  The memory unit b4 holds group information (group code), class information (class code), maker information (maker code), product information (product code), individual identification information, control state value, and the like. Of the above information, the group information, class information, manufacturer information, and product information are invariant values specific to the controlled device B, and therefore are generally non-volatile areas (ROM [Read Only Memory], etc.) of the memory unit b4. Non-volatile memory). On the other hand, the individual identification information and the control state value among the above pieces of information are variable values that change from time to time, and therefore generally in a volatile area (a volatile memory such as a RAM [Random Access Memory]) of the memory unit b4. Retained. The individual identification information is information given from the controller A for uniquely identifying each controlled device, and 0x0 is held as an initial value.

  The command transmitted from the controller A via the network is received by the communication interface b3 and given to the device control unit b1 via the communication control unit b2. Thereby, in controlled device B, operation according to a command is realized.

  When the controller A having the above configuration controls the controlled devices B1 to Bn, first, after establishing the default object OBJ0 and establishing communication with the device without knowing the group or type of the controlled devices B1 to Bn, The individual information is again inquired to the controlled devices B1 to Bn, and an appropriate control target definition file is read according to the contents, and instances of the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn are reconstructed. Hereinafter, the control sequence of the controlled device B by the controller A (control object construction sequence by the controller A) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The controlled devices B1 to Bn (the same configuration as the controlled device B in FIG. 3) transmit a startup announcement (S1) to the transmission path C upon startup. The transmission is performed by broadcast, multicast, or unicast specifying the controller A, and needs to reach the controller A. Note that the contents of the startup announcement (S1) include group information and class information of the controlled devices B1 to Bn.

  The controller A that has received the startup announcement (S1) checks the target device from the group information and class information included in the startup announcement (S1), and determines the default control target from the definition file database a5 (see FIG. 6). A definition file is read (S2).

  The default control target definition file may be a program module common to all models or a program module common to classes. What is important here is that the default program module that is read first allows the controller A to inquire the attribute information defined in the superclass for the controlled devices B1 to Bn.

  If the default program module is common to all models, it is not necessary to search for group information or class information, simply establish communication with the controlled devices B1 to Bn, and change the attribute information defined in the superclass. All you need to do is make an inquiry. However, when this method is adopted, the program module for the controlled device must be reconstructed at least once thereafter. This is because at this point, only the superclass function can be instantiated (substantiated), and the superclass instance (substance) is common to all models based on the class information received from the controlled devices B1 to Bn. This is because the device can be controlled only after it is determined that the object is acceptable and an instance of the object is generated based on the read default control target definition file.

  On the other hand, if the default program module is a common program module, then individual information (manufacturer information and product information) of the controlled devices B1 to Bn is inquired, and it is determined that only the common program module is sufficient. In this case, it is not necessary to reconstruct the program module for the controlled device thereafter.

  Note that the sequence of FIG. 4 shows only the case where the default program module is common to the class among the above two cases.

  After reading the default control target definition file, the controller A generates an instance of the default object OBJ0 (S3). As described above, when managing the attribute information of the controlled devices B1 to Bn, it is not necessary to prepare a program for each control target, and some common functions are handled collectively as the default object OBJ0 (super class). Program overhead can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 2, the superclass also includes an execution part (executable program). Specifically, the superclass includes group information, class information, manufacturer information, and products of controlled devices B1 to Bn. This includes information and individual identification information management programs and basic communication programs.

  The default object OBJ0 performs link processing with the controlled devices B1 to Bn immediately after the instance is generated (S4). Note that the above-described link processing specifically means that the address information of the controlled devices B1 to Bn included in the contents of the startup announcement (S1) is held in the object, and the controlled device that is in charge of itself. This is a process for determining.

  After creating the default object OBJ0, the controller A inquires of the default object OBJ0 about individual information of the controlled devices B1 to Bn (S5). Specifically, the manufacturer information and product information (see FIGS. 2 and 3) held in the controlled devices B1 to Bn are inquired.

  The default object OBJ0 that has received the inquiry for the individual information makes an individual information request (S6) to the controlled devices B1 to Bn in charge, and the controlled device from the individual information response (S7) returned by the controlled devices B1 to Bn. Individual information of B1 to Bn is received.

  The default object OBJ0 that has received the individual information of the controlled devices B1 to Bn notifies the controller A of the individual information as individual information notification (S8). Receiving the individual information, the controller A determines the control object definition file to be read from the contents of the individual information and reads it (S9), and again generates control objects OBJ1 to OBJn (S10). The default object OBJ0 is destructed (destroyed) in order to finish its role at this point (S11).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually showing the dynamic capture of the control object. As shown in the figure, the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn are instantiated inside the controller A and linked to the main control application APP1 when the control object management application APP2 reads the control object definition files FILE1 to FILEn. Note that the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn may be directly read as program modules and linked to the main control application APP1, but generally, from the viewpoint of scalability, the control object definition files FILE1 to FILEn are read and the controller A inside It is preferable to create an instance of the object.

  Returning to FIG. 4 again, the description of the control sequence by the controller A will be continued. The controller A takes in the generated control objects OBJ1 to OBJn as part of its own control program. At this time, the controller A generates a code for uniquely identifying the object and notifies the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn as individual identification information. (S12). The individual identification information is information held in a volatile area (see FIG. 3) of the memory unit b4 provided in the controlled devices B1 to Bn. For example, in the ECHONET specification, version 3.0 or later is essential information. Its mounting is specified. In addition to ECHONET, it is preferable that some identifier can be written through the network.

  The control objects OBJ1 to OBJn send instructions to the controlled devices B1 to Bn via the transmission path C so as to write the received individual identification information (S13). The controlled devices B1 to Bn that have received the instruction update their individual identification information (S14). Thereby, the controller A can construct a new control object by inquiring the individual identification information even if the same message as the start-up announcement (S1) is transmitted from the controlled devices B1 to Bn. It becomes possible to determine whether or not it is necessary.

  However, if there is no possibility that the volatile area of the memory unit a4 is cleared, the control object constructed in the volatile area of the memory unit a4 is predicated on the assumption that the controller A (or server) can actually stop. When reusing the control object, the control object must be serialized again using new individual identification information. Therefore, when reusing a control object, it is necessary to convert the control object into a readable / writable format and place it in a non-volatile area. Specifically, it is necessary to leave a control target definition file obtained by serializing the control object in a non-volatile manner in the form of a copy file. Note that the format of the copy file is the same as the original control target definition file (XML [eXtensible Markup Language] format described later). However, specific data is described there and stored in a location (nonvolatile area) different from the original volatile area.

  That is, if individual identification information already exists in the sequence, the copy file is read in step S9 described above, and the previous control object is reconstructed. As described above, in the controller A according to the present invention, it is not distinguished whether the control target definition file is read for the first time or whether it is a copy file in which individual information is subsequently written. When the individual identification information is returned, if the corresponding copy file is stored, it is read, and if not stored, the control target definition file is newly read.

  In this way, a control program module for each controlled device B1 to Bn is constructed in the controller A. Thereafter, when the controller A receives a control command (S15), the controller A executes the command for each of the related control objects OBJ1 to OBJn based on the control command (S16). Each control object OBJ1 to OBJn transmits a command (S17) and receives a command response (S18) to each controlled device B1 to Bn so that the controlled devices B1 to Bn can be actually controlled. become. The control objects OBJ1 to OBJn notify the controller A of such execution results in the form of command execution result transmission (S19), and the controller A that has received the notification notifies the controller A as a control result notification (S20). Inform the user. This informs the user that the control command has been successfully implemented.

  By adopting the object construction method as described above, the controller A can control any controlled device B1 to Bn as long as the program module is prepared. That is, with the controller A of the present embodiment, a new control object and a control target definition file that are updated every day can be used as a part of its own program as needed. Therefore, it is possible to control not only the common property defined by the unified standard already standardized, but also the unique property defined for each controlled device.

  It is important to implement the present invention that the control object definition files FILE1 to FILEn (or program modules) do not have to be placed in the controller A prior to the construction of the control objects OBJ1 to OBJn. . That is, the above-described default control target definition file (or program module) needs to be placed in the controller A, but the control target definition files FILE1 to FILEn (or program modules) for the controlled devices B1 to Bn. ) Has already been established with the controlled devices B1 to Bn, and the groups and types of the controlled devices B1 to Bn are already known, the location of the control target definition files FILE1 to FILEn. If it is clear, it is not necessary to be placed inside the controller A.

  Furthermore, if the controller A has network connection means based on a general Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol and a gateway exists in the system and can be connected to the Internet, the control object definition file FILE1 FILEn need not be placed in the system, and control target definition files FILE1 to FILEn (or program modules) may be downloaded from a predetermined server via the Internet.

  As a result, the controller A can save the memory for holding the control object definition files FILE1 to FILEn, and can make a new control object definition file updated daily as a part of its own program as necessary. It is possible to use it, and even if it is an internet home appliance of a different manufacturer, by placing the control target definition file for the internet home appliance on the server of the service site, you can inquire individual information of the controlled device Thus, it becomes possible to automatically download the necessary control target definition file and incorporate it into the application.

  The operation of downloading the control target definition file from the service site will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the connection relationship between the controller A and the service site, and shows how the controller A controls the two controlled devices B1 and B2. In the following description, the controlled device B1 is a device in which the control target definition file is already installed in the controller A, and the controlled device B2 is a device in which the control target definition file is not installed in the controller A. Suppose that

  As shown in the figure, the controller A includes a definition file database a5 in which an installed control target definition file is stored, and a position information database a6 in which definition file position information indicating the location of the control target definition file is stored. And a gateway a7 that is a means for connecting to the Internet D, and is configured to be able to access the service site E via the Internet D. On the other hand, the service site E includes a definition file database e1 in which a control target definition file not mounted on the controller A is stored.

  First, the case where the controller A receives individual information from the controlled device B1 through the communication interface a3 will be described. In this case, the control object management application APP2 of the controller A searches the position information database a6, specifies the control object OBJ1 for the controlled device B1 and the control target definition file FILE1 necessary for its construction, and It knows that the control target definition file FILE1 is already held in its own definition file database a5. Therefore, the control object management application APP2 reads the control target definition file FILE1 from the definition file database a5, and constructs the control object OBJ1 as a program module for the controlled device B1. Thereafter, the controller A can issue a command to the control object OBJ1 to control the controlled device B1. The state of the controlled device B1 can be known by referring to the attribute information of the control object OBJ1.

  Next, a case where the controller A receives individual information from the controlled device B2 through the communication interface a3 will be described. Also in this case, the control object management application APP2 of the controller A searches the position information database a6 to identify the control object OBJ2 for the controlled device B2 and the control target definition file FILE2 required for its construction, and It knows that the control object definition file FILE2 is located at the service site E on the Internet D. Therefore, the control object management application APP2 accesses the service site E from the gateway a7 via the Internet D and establishes a network connection between them. After establishing the network connection, the control object management application APP2 acquires (downloads) the control target definition file FILE2 from the definition file database e1, and constructs the control object OBJ2 as a program module for the controlled device B2. Thereafter, the controller A can issue a command to the control object OBJ2 to control the controlled device B2. Note that the state of the controlled device B2 can be known by referring to the attribute information of the control object OBJ2.

  As described above, the controller A of the present embodiment registers the locations of the control target definition files in the position information database a6, so that the control target definition files FILE1 and FILE2 are held in the controller A. It is set as the structure which specifies. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to control the controlled devices B1 and B2 by a common operation regardless of whether the desired control target definition file exists inside or outside the controller A. Since the control object definition files FILE1 and FILE2 can be read quickly, the search time for the control object definition file can be shortened.

  In addition, the controller A of the present embodiment is configured to download the definition file position information from the server of the service site E periodically or as needed via the Internet D. With such a configuration, it is possible to always provide a new control target definition file.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a data format of position information indicating the location of the control target definition file. As shown in the figure, the position information of this embodiment is associated with a group code, a class code, a manufacturer code, a product code, and a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] format file address, and the manufacturer code and the product code. Thus, the location of the desired control target definition file can be searched.

  For example, for a controlled device whose manufacturer code is (0x0008) and product code is (0x33CC), the file specified from the address "http: //server/download/brind_maker008.xml" is the desired control target definition You can see that it is a file. Therefore, the controller A can acquire a desired control target definition file by directly reading the URL from the Internet.

  For controlled devices that have a manufacturer code of (0x0003) and are not assigned a product code, the file specified from the address "file: //home/conf/aircon.xml" is the desired control definition file. I understand that there is. Note that the case where the product code is not attached is assumed to be a controlled device of ECHONET specification that has already been commercialized, and there is no response even when the manufacturing code is inquired. In such a case, the default definition file is read on the assumption that the device does not have a special function and can be managed by the standard definition file of the class.

  By adopting such a configuration, if each manufacturer prepares a control target definition file at the same time as the production of the controlled device, the controller A of the present invention can be used regardless of the date of manufacture of the device or the manufacturer. The controlled device can be controlled.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the control target definition file. As shown in the figure, the control target definition file of this embodiment is described in the XML format. The number at the left end is a line number added for convenience of explanation, and is not included in the actual XML document.

  The first line is an XML declaration indicating that the following data is an XML document. In the second to third lines, an element “echonet_node” is defined, and “name”, “title”, “netID”, and “nodeID” are defined as attributes thereof.

  In the following 4th to 10th lines, an element “eoj (echonet object)” is defined, and attributes “group_code (group code)”, “class_code (class code)”, “instance_code”, “ “maker_code”, “product_code”, “name”, and “title” are respectively defined. Of these pieces of attribute information, portions indicating a group code, a class code, a manufacturer code, and a product code are used for specifying the controlled device as individual information (target identification code group) of the controlled device.

  Hereinafter, EPCs such as “switch”, “operation mode”, and “temperature setting” are defined in the 11th to 20th lines, the 21st to 32nd lines, and the 33rd to 41st lines.

  The above XML is not an object-oriented language but a data-oriented language. In other words, the object-oriented concept is used in the implementation part (application part) of the controller A according to the present invention, and XML that is compatible with the object-oriented language is used for the data handled there. . The reason why XML is compatible with object-oriented programs is that XML is good at expression in a hierarchical structure, and it matches well with object-oriented inheritance.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a business model using the network system according to the present invention, where company Y, which is not the manufacturer of controller A, does not newly commercialize its own controller and does not control it. The conceptual flow when only B is commercialized is shown.

  As shown in the figure, it is assumed that the controller A is commercialized by the company X, and the company X owns and operates the service site E under its own management. As shown in FIG. 6, the server at the service site E has a definition file database e1 in which a control target definition file FILE2 not installed in the controller A is stored. A control target definition file FILE2 is disclosed to A. As described above, the control target definition file FILE2 defines device monitoring, device control, cooperative operation of a plurality of devices, and the like for the controlled device B described therein.

  The controller A manufactured by Company X has means for statically storing server address information that is limited as a download source of the control target definition file FILE2. More specifically, the controller A is programmed so that the control target definition file FILE2 can be downloaded only from the server of the service site E. With such a configuration, the second control object or the second control target definition file can be read only from a reliable download source, so that the safety can be improved. Note that a definition file for the company's product is placed in advance on the server of the service site E.

  On the other hand, Company Y intends to commercialize a product that is effective as the controlled device B. However, if there is no controller A that controls or monitors the controlled device B, the company Y cannot be realized as a product.

  Here, the company X widely discloses the reading protocol of the control target definition file FILE2 on the server of the service site E and the like. With this information disclosure, Y company manufactures controlled device B that can be controlled by X company's controller A by mounting the read protocol of the controlled object definition file FILE2 and so forth on its controlled device B. Will be able to. Therefore, for Y company, only the controlled device B can enter the market. On the other hand, it becomes possible for the company X to improve the merchantability of the controller A as a control means for the controlled device B created by the company Y.

  By publishing the reading protocol of the control target definition file FILE2 and the like, Company X can obtain the above-mentioned merit, but it bears the risk that its technology will be used by competitors. However, if the server of the service site E from which the control target definition file FILE2 is downloaded is limited as in the network system of the present embodiment, the company X owns and operates the server. It is possible to protect the rights.

  For example, although the controlled device B manufactured by Y complies with the domestic home appliance standard specification (ECHONET specification in this embodiment), the function itself is unique and the control target definition file FILE2 is separately provided. Consider the case where controller A needs to be read.

  In such a case, in the network system according to the present embodiment, the control target definition file FILE2 necessary for controlling the controlled device B must be placed on the server of the service site E. Then, if company X does not conclude a commercial contract with its own company (that is, a server license agreement) for company Y that manufactures only controlled device B, its commercialization (for the server) It is possible to provide a restriction that the upload of the control target definition file FILE2 is not permitted. By providing such a restriction, it becomes possible for Company X to protect its rights or to return profits as a contract fee or the like. On the other hand, it is possible for Company Y to commercialize Internet home appliances in a short period of time, compared to developing its own controller from scratch and commercializing it.

  Thus, by placing the control target definition file FILE2 of the controlled device B on the public server and using the right to use the server commercially, it is advantageous not only for the company but also for other companies that commercialize the protocol. It becomes possible to provide a business model.

  In a conventional service that publishes content data on the Internet or the like and provides its use (see, for example, Patent Document 2), a user who actually uses the content data is charged. The network system protocol disclosure service according to the present invention is not visible to the end user, and charging and the like are assigned to the manufacturer that manufactures the controlled device B. Therefore, although it affects the cost of Internet home appliances, it is a system that can be operated without paying a pay-as-you-go bill that the user feels uncomfortable when operating the network system.

  Further, a remote operation service for home appliances using a conventional WEB page (see, for example, Patent Document 3) downloads and uses a control program from the WEB page, and is different from the conventional program distribution method. In contrast, the network system according to the present invention basically does not require downloading of the program, and the program incorporated in the controller A automatically downloads the definition file from a predetermined server on the Internet. In some respects, the configuration is clearly different.

  In addition, a general portal WEB page and a rental server are services that provide a so-called WEB page management location, whereas that of the network system according to the present invention is a service that provides a content data holding location. The structure is clearly different.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the network home appliance controller according to the present invention is used as an example of the home network overall control means compliant with the ECHONET specification has been described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is as follows. The present invention is not limited to the above, and can be widely applied to Internet home appliance controllers compliant with other specifications.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention in addition to the above embodiment.

  The present invention is a useful technique for improving the versatility of an internet home appliance controller.

These are the figures which show the example of 1 definition of the group information (group code) in ECHONET specification, and class information (class code). FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a super class. These are the system block diagrams which show one Embodiment of the home network provided with the internet home appliance controller based on this invention. These are the figures for demonstrating the control sequence (control object construction sequence) of the controlled apparatus B by the controller A. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing dynamic capture of a control object. These are the conceptual diagrams which show the connection relation of the controller A and a service site. These are format examples of position information indicating the location of the control target definition file. Shows an example of the control target definition file. These are figures which show an example of the business model using the network system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A Net home appliance controller a1 Controller control unit a2 Communication control unit a3 Communication interface a4 Memory unit a5 Definition file database a6 Location information database a7 Gateway B (B1 to Bn) Controlled device b1 Device control unit b2 Communication control unit b3 Communication interface b4 Device information storage unit C Transmission path D Internet E Service site e1 Definition file database APP1 Main control application APP2 Object management application OBJ0 Default object OBJ1 to OBJn Control object FILE1 to FILEn Control target definition file

Claims (8)

  A net home appliance controller that performs overall control of a net home appliance that constructs a home network, and means for identifying a group and class to which the net home appliance belongs from group information and class information notified by the net home appliance; Means for reading and dynamically fetching a first control object necessary for general control in the group and class, or reading a first control target definition file corresponding to the group and class, Means for generating and dynamically fetching the first control object from a control target definition file; means for inquiring individual information to the network home appliance using the first control object; and the network home appliance notifies The second control object necessary for individual control of the network home appliance from the individual information Means for reading and dynamically importing an object, or reading a second control target definition file corresponding to the individual information, and generating the second control object from the second control target definition file and dynamically An internet home appliance controller comprising: means for capturing; and means for individually controlling the internet home appliance using the second control object.   The second control object or the second control target definition file is downloaded from a predetermined server via the wide area network, and has a connection means to the wide area network. Internet home appliance controller.   3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for storing position information in which the individual information of the internet home appliance is associated with the location information of the second control object or the second control target definition file. Internet home appliance controller described in 1.   4. The network home appliance controller according to claim 3, wherein the location information is downloaded from a predetermined server via the wide area network periodically or as necessary.   5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for specifying whether or not the second control object or the second control target definition file is held in the controller. Internet home appliance controller.   Means for notifying individual home appliances to be controlled of individual identification information for uniquely identifying the second control object, and second control objects or second control targets based on the individual identification information notified by the net home appliances The network home appliance controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: means for restricting reading of the definition file.   6. The server according to claim 2, further comprising means for statically storing server address information limited as a download source of the second control object or the second control target definition file. Internet home appliance controller described in Crab.   8. A home appliance controller according to claim 7; a home appliance controlled and controlled by the home appliance controller; based on address information connected to the wide area network and stored statically by the home appliance controller A server limited as a download source of the second control object or the second control target definition file.

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