JP2007259301A - Network device and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by making it easy to recognize the correspondence relation of a communication terminal and a communication port. <P>SOLUTION: In an integrated management device TM, as the name of a communication port 2<SB>2</SB>selected on the basis of name allocation data received from a display controller CV, a control part 1 which is a name allocation means allocates the text data of a character string ("child room") included in the name allocation data and stores it in a storage part 5 (11). Thereafter, when abnormality is generated in the communication port 2<SB>2</SB>, since the control part 1 reads the name ("child room") allocated to the communication port 2<SB>2</SB>from the storage part 5 and notifies the display controller CV of it as specified information, a user easily recognizes the correspondence relation of the communication terminal and the communication port 2<SB>2</SB>. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device that constitutes a communication system together with a plurality of communication terminals installed in a house, and to the communication system.

  In recent years, unauthorized programs such as viruses and worms and unauthorized access called DoS (Denial of Services) have been rapidly increasing with the spread of the Internet. For example, personal computers connected to the Internet have Security functions such as a function to detect malicious programs such as viruses and worms (so-called virus check function) are indispensable. In addition, data transmission functions are added to devices such as refrigerators and television receivers, and each device is connected to a transmission line such as a communication cable, and packets are exchanged or transmitted between individual devices via the transmission line. Each device is controlled from an external communication network (such as the Internet) connected to the road (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in a communication system such as a computer network, it is generally performed by the user himself / herself judging and setting the necessity of processing for packets (mainly security processing such as virus check). In a communication system including the above-described devices, a device having a security function and a device having no security function are mixed, and a network device that performs processing related to security is required in place of a device having no security function.

Such a network device includes, for example, a plurality of communication ports to which a communication cable is connected, a communication unit that performs data communication from the communication port via the communication cable, and monitors the status of data communication for each communication port to detect illegal data. A communication port control means for blocking or restricting a communication port through which communication is performed and a communication terminal such as a personal computer are notified of specific information for specifying a communication port blocked or restricted by the communication port control means. Notification means. That is, when unauthorized data communication is performed at any communication port, the network device blocks or restricts the communication port and notifies the communication terminal of specific information on the communication port. Alternatively, the user can be notified of the restriction by the specific information.
JP 2001-350676 A

  However, since a conventional network device uses a simple number as identification information for identifying a communication port, the user can deal with a communication port and a communication terminal (equipment) connected to the communication port. There was a problem that it was difficult to understand and the convenience was low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a network device and a communication system in which the correspondence relationship between a communication terminal and a communication port is easily understood to improve convenience.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a network device that constitutes a communication system together with a plurality of communication terminals installed in a house, and a plurality of communication terminals to which the communication terminals are connected via a transmission line A communication port, communication means for performing data communication from the communication port via the transmission path, and name assignment means for assigning a name to each communication port are provided.

  The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, further comprising operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input, wherein the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to the operation input received by the operation input receiving means. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to data transmitted from the communication terminal and received by the communication means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to the data only to the communication port that has received the data.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the name assigning means is connected to the name assigned to the communication port and the communication port in response to a request from the communication terminal. Name assignment information including at least the type of communication terminal is transmitted to the communication means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sixth aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of communication terminals installed in a home, the network device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, and a communication port of the network device provided in the home. And a communication system including one or more information outlets for detachably connecting the communication cable serving as the transmission path, wherein the information outlet accepts an operation input and transmits data corresponding to the operation input. The name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to the data transmitted from the information outlet and received by the communication means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since an arbitrary name can be assigned to the communication port by the name assigning means, the correspondence between the communication terminal and the communication port can be easily understood and the convenience can be improved.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the name of the communication port is assigned using the operation input receiving means provided in the network device, the name assigning operation is simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 3, for example, the name of the communication port can be assigned from a remote place by using a communication terminal (personal computer) having an operation input receiving means such as a keyboard, so that the name assignment operation can be performed. It becomes even easier.

  According to the invention of claim 4, by limiting the communication ports to which names are assigned, it is possible to prevent an unintended name from being assigned by mistake.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when assigning a name using a communication terminal, refer to name assignment information including at least the name assigned to the communication port and the type of the communication terminal connected to the communication port. This makes it easier to assign names.

  According to the invention of claim 6, a general-purpose communication terminal such as a personal computer is normally connected to a communication port of a network device by connecting a communication cable to an information outlet installed in a house. Yes, it is possible to assign the name of the communication port from a remote location using such an information outlet, and the assignment work of the name is further simplified.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the technical idea of the present invention is applied to a housing equipment monitoring control system that controls and monitors housing equipment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The housing equipment monitoring and control system (communication system) of the present embodiment includes a plurality (three in the illustrated example) in which the controllers C1, C2, and C3 installed in the house control and monitor the housing equipment as shown in FIG. Subsystems SS1, SS2, and SS3, and a controller Cn (n = 1, 2, 3) of each subsystem SSn via a transmission line (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable) ( Integrated management device TM) and a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) connected to the integrated management device TM via a LAN cable. Controller C, integrated management device TM, and terminal device use general-purpose communication protocols (TCP / IP, UDP, HTTP, etc.) Constitute a home network was. This home network is a local area network (LAN) compliant with the 100BASE-TX (IEEE 802.3u) standard, and includes a controller Cn and a terminal device (personal computer PC and display control device) of each subsystem SSn corresponding to a communication terminal. CV) is connected to the integrated management device TM corresponding to the network device by star wiring. Further, the integrated management device TM includes an Internet connection device MD such as an ADSL modem, a cable modem, or an ONU (Optical Network Unit) according to the type of a line (telephone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet. The home network is connected to the Internet, which is an external network, through a communication cable (usually a LAN cable) and the Internet connection device MD.

  Further, a center device (center server) SV installed at a remote place away from the house is connected to the home network through the Internet, and a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone MP, which can be connected to the Internet, as will be described later. By performing data communication via the Internet between a portable terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and the center device SV, for example, control and monitoring of house facilities from the outside using a mobile phone MP It can be performed. The center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function. The center device SV is a message addressed to the controller Cn transmitted from a terminal device such as the mobile phone MP or the like or a terminal device not belonging to the home network from the controller Cn. It has a function to relay a message to be transmitted. However, since the portable terminal device and the center device SV having the Internet connection function as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of the detailed configuration are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the integrated management device TM, which is a network device, includes a plurality of communication ports 2 _i (i = 1, 2,...) To which the controller Cn of the subsystem SSn is connected via a LAN cable. The transmission path between the communication port 3 to which the Internet connection device MD is connected via the LAN cable and the communication ports 2 _i , 3 is switched, the packet transferred between the communication ports 2 _i , 3 is discarded, and the communication port 2 _i Or a packet processing unit 4 that executes processing such as blocking or restriction of 3 (hereinafter referred to as packet processing), and a function of switching the transmission path by controlling the packet processing unit 4 with the CPU as a main component (path switching) Function), virus check and filtering functions for packets (network security function), subsystem A control unit 1 having a configuration management function (described later), a controller Cn, a MAC (Media Access Control) address and network address (private IP address) of the Internet connection device MD, and a control related to each subsystem SSn And a storage unit 5 for storing information and monitoring information. The communication ports 2 _i and 3 include a modular jack to which an RJ-45 modular plug provided at the end of the LAN cable is detachably connected. The packet processing unit 4 includes a large number of switch elements. When the switch element is driven by the path switching function of the control unit 1, any one communication port 2 _i or 3 and one or more other communication ports The transmission path between 2 _{i and} 3 is switched, or the network security function of the control unit 1 has caused an abnormality (for example, an inflow or outflow of illegal packets or a large amount of packets that may interfere with the network). The communication port 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted. Storage unit 5 is a nonvolatile memory, controllers Cn and the terminal device and connected to the communication port 3 Internet device MAC address or a network address of each communication port 2 _i of MD is connected to each communication port 2 _i , 3 are stored in correspondence with each other. However, since a method for acquiring the MAC addresses of the controller Cn and terminal devices connected to the communication ports 2 _i and 3 and the Internet connection device MD is well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the controller 1 automatically assigns network addresses of the controllers Cn and terminal devices, that is, private (or local) IP addresses by using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Yes. However, since automatic assignment of network addresses using DHCP is also well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 1 monitors the address (MAC address) of the transmission destination of the packet that enters the packet processing unit 4 from the communication ports 2 _i and 3, for example, the transmission destination of the packet that has entered from the communication port 3. against a MAC address that stores the address in the storage unit 5, the controller Cn and the terminal device MAC address coincident with the destination address (e.g., the controller C1) communication ports are connected to 2 ₁ and the communication port 3 and only controls the packet processing unit 4 as a transmission path is formed, so it sent the packet to the communication port 2 ₁ through the formed transmission paths between the (path switching function). Further, the control unit 1 constantly monitors packets passing through the communication ports 2 _i and 3, discards abnormal packets, or controls the packet processing unit 4 as described above to cause a communication port in which an abnormality has occurred. 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted (network security function). Further, the control unit 1 is equipped with a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and uses UPnP to detect a device in UPnP as described later using UPnP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol). Each controller Cn corresponding to this device is automatically detected.

  By the way, the integrated management device TM is configured by housing the above-described parts in a box-shaped housing (not shown) made of a synthetic resin molded product, and the housing is installed on a wall surface in the house. It can be stored in a distribution board (residential board). However, the structure of the housing is an example, and it is not always necessary to be housed in a housing board.

  Next, each subsystem SSn will be described.

  The sub-system SS1 includes a lighting equipment, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a housing facility (equipment device) Xm (m = 1, 2,...) Such as an electric lock, and a controller (hereinafter, facilities) that controls and monitors the facility device Xm. It is referred to as a device controller.) C1 and a current measuring device D that measures a current used in a house. Here, the equipment device controller C1 holds a large number of web pages (web page group) for displaying the names and operation states of the equipment devices X1 to X4 under its control with characters and symbols, and the terminal device. A function (web server function) that selects (applies to) a terminal device through a home network by selecting an appropriate web page from the web page group in response to a request from the user.

  Moreover, the current measuring device D measures the current flowing into the main breaker housed in the residential distribution board (house board), and when the measured value (current used) exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, It has a function (demand control function) to send an equipment stop (power off) command to the equipment controller C1 or to turn off the equipment X3 or X4 under its control to prevent excessive use of power. ing. However, the current measuring device D is not necessarily required to have the control and monitoring functions for the equipment devices X3 and X4, and the equipment device controller C1 may be equipped with the demand control function. Further, the current measuring device D is not an essential constituent element, and may be a subsystem SS1 that does not include the current measuring device D.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the subsystem SS2 includes one or more types of security devices Y1 and Y2 that detect the occurrence of abnormality in the house, and a security receiver SR that collects detection information of each security device Y1 and Y2. The security system includes a controller (hereinafter referred to as a security controller) C2 that receives detection information collected by the security receiver SR and transmits the received detection information through a home network using a response message.

  For example, the security device Y1 is a crime prevention device that detects a human intrusion into a monitoring area by detecting a heat ray radiated from a human body, detects whether a crescent lock installed in a window is unlocked, and detects whether a window is opened or closed. Has a function to transmit the detection information to the security receiver SR as a wireless signal (or wired signal) when an abnormality (intrusion of a person, unlocking of a crescent lock, etc.) is detected by the sensor. ing. The security device Y2 is equipped with a sensor for disaster prevention that detects fire by detecting smoke and heat, and gas leak detection by detecting city gas or LP gas. A function of transmitting the detection information to the security receiver SR by a wireless signal (or a wired signal) when a leak is detected.

  The security receiver SR collects detection information by receiving wireless signals (or wired signals) transmitted from the security devices Y1 and Y2, and further processes corresponding to the detection information, for example, fire, gas leakage or suspicious Processing to sound an alarm sound to inform the family of the occurrence of an abnormality such as an intruder, and to transmit detection information such as the type and location of the detected abnormality to the security controller C2 by wireless signal (or wired signal) I do. Here, a unique identification code (ID) is assigned to the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security receiver SR can identify the detection information of the individual security devices Y1 and Y2 by the identification code. Further, the security receiver SR has two operation states, ie, a warning state in which detection information is collected from the security devices Y1 and Y2 and a non-warning state in which detection information is not collected as described above. For example, a wireless transmitter (not shown) 2) are selectively switched between a warning state and a non-warning state. However, a unique identification code is also assigned to the wireless transmitter, and the wireless transmitter to which an identification code other than the previously registered identification code is assigned cannot switch the operating state.

  The security controller C2 receives the detection information received from the security receiver SR as a response message to the terminal device through the home network (or home network and external network) (alarm function), and receives a control request message from the terminal device A command (switching command) is sent to the security receiver SR to switch the operating state (warning state or non-warning state) of the security receiver SR, or the alarm sound from the security receiver SR is stopped. When a monitoring request message is received from the terminal device, a command is sent to the security receiver SR to notify the operating state (warning state or non-warning state) of the security receiver SR, and a response to the control request or monitoring request (Receiving security Function to transmit a message towards the terminal device which is the source of the request message vessels sounding status of operating conditions or audible alarm SR, etc.) with a (control monitoring). In addition, the security controller C2 holds a large number of web pages (web page group) for displaying the operating state of the security receiver SR under its control with characters and symbols, and responds to requests from the terminal device. Accordingly, it has a function (web server function) of selecting (appropriating) an appropriate web page from the web page group and providing (distributing) it to the terminal device through the home network.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-system SS3 detects a camera-equipped doorphone slave unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a doorphone slave unit) DS installed outside the dwelling unit and a heat ray radiated from the human body to enter the monitoring area. A call function for making a call between the sensor camera SC that detects the intrusion of a person and picks up an image of the monitoring area at the time of the intrusion detection, and the intercom unit DS installed in the dwelling unit, and the intercom unit DS and the sensor camera SC. Interphone master unit IM having a function of displaying a captured image, and receiving an image captured by door phone slave unit DS and sensor camera SC from interphone master unit IM and transmitting the received image to center device SV through an external network Controller (hereinafter referred to as an image transfer controller) C3.

  The intercom DS is equipped with a microphone for calling, a speaker and a camera for imaging a visitor, transmits the call voice collected by the microphone to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line, and interphone base unit IM A call function for ringing the call voice transmitted from the speaker via the call line, a call function for sending a call signal to the intercom base unit IM via the call line when the call button is pressed, and a camera ( For example, it has an image transmission function of transmitting an image captured by a CCD camera (outputting a moving image) to the interphone master unit IM via a communication line by frequency-modulating and multiplexing the image into a call voice. In addition, the sensor camera SC includes a heat ray sensor that detects the intrusion of a person into the monitoring area by detecting a heat ray emitted from the human body, a CCD camera that outputs a moving image, and the like, and is monitored via a signal line. It has a function of transmitting the image of the area to the door phone slave unit DS. In addition, the image transmitted to the door phone slave unit DS is transferred to the interphone master unit IM via the telephone line.

  On the other hand, the interphone base unit IM includes a microcomputer for controlling the whole, a DSP for voice processing, a microphone for calling, a speaker, a liquid crystal display for image display, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory for recording images and calling voice, and the like. When a call signal is received, a call is made between the speaker and the door phone cordless handset DS when the answer button is pressed during a certain period of time after or during the ringing of the ringing tone. A call function for transferring a call voice by forming a call path via a line, and an image picked up and transmitted by the intercom DS during the call (an image of the call partner) are frequency-demodulated to a liquid crystal display The function to display and the image captured by the doorphone slave unit DS or the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS when not in a call are frequency-demodulated to the liquid crystal display. A function to display (image monitor function) and a function to record an image and call voice transmitted from the intercom cordless handset DS via a call line in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory when a call signal is received during an answering machine setting ( An answering machine function), a function of recording an image captured by the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS via a telephone line in a non-volatile semiconductor memory (sensor camera recording function), and a doorphone slave unit DS It has a function (notification function for returning home) of notifying the return of a householder with a notification sound that can be distinguished from a normal ringing sound when a specific operation (for example, long press of a call button) is performed.

  Thus, when the visitor presses the call button of the door phone DS, a call signal is transmitted to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line by the call function that is always effective, and the interphone base unit IM calls from the speaker. When the sound is generated and the power is supplied from the interphone master unit IM via the communication line, the image transmission function of the door phone slave unit DS becomes effective, and the image captured by the camera of the door phone slave unit DS is displayed as the interphone. It is displayed on the liquid crystal display of base unit IM. Then, if a householder who confirms the visitor with the image displayed on the liquid crystal display presses the response button of the interphone master unit IM, a call path is formed between the doorphone slave unit DS and the doorphone cord DS by the call function. As a result, a loudspeaker call (hands-free call) using a speaker and a microphone can be performed between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS. It is possible to display an image transmitted from the network. However, the voice call and the image transmission between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS are ended when a predetermined time elapses after the response button is pressed or when the response button is pressed again. When the intrusion of the suspicious person in the monitoring area is detected, the image of the monitoring area captured by the sensor camera SC is transmitted to the interphone master unit IM via the doorphone slave unit DS and displayed on the liquid crystal display. However, since the interphone master unit IM, the door phone slave unit DS, and the sensor camera SC having the functions as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of detailed configurations are omitted.

  The image transfer controller C3 receives image data and voice data transmitted from the interphone master unit IM from the intercom master unit DS and the sensor camera SC to the interphone master unit IM and receives the received data in a predetermined compression method (for example, a moving image). And MPEG4, JPEG for still images, MP3 for audio, etc., and then a function (transfer function) for transferring a response message to the center device SV through the home network and the external network. A function for notifying the center device SV that the interphone master unit IM has recorded an image and a voice call when the answering machine function is valid (visitor notification function) through the home network and the external network, and a home return notification function, Notification of IM And a function of transferring a response message returned home notifies the center apparatus SV via the home network and an external network (return home notification forwarding function) when. The image transfer controller C3 holds a large number of web pages (web page group) disclosing a list of images recorded in the memory, and selects an appropriate web page in response to a request from the terminal device. The function (web server function) of providing (distributing) to the terminal device through the home network.

  Next, the display control device CV will be described. The display control device CV is embedded in a wall surface in a house. As shown in FIG. 3, a microcomputer unit 50 having a microcomputer as a main component and a LAN cable of a home network are connected to the microcomputer unit 50. A LAN interface unit 51 for interfacing with a home network, a liquid crystal display 52a and a display unit 52 having LEDs (not shown) and their driver circuits, and a touch panel disposed on the screen of a pushbutton switch or liquid crystal display 52a. And a memory unit 54 for storing programs executed by a microcomputer and various data, and a speaker unit 55 having a speaker and a speaker driving circuit. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operating power to the microcomputer unit 50 and other units. A web browser is mounted on the microcomputer unit 50, and a web page provided from each controller Cn and the like and a web page stored in advance in the memory unit 54 (hereinafter referred to as a built-in web page) are reproduced by the web browser. In addition to displaying on the liquid crystal display 52a of the display unit 52, an operation input corresponding to the positional relationship between the position where the touch panel of the operation unit 53 is operated and the icon or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display 52a is accepted. That is, the microcomputer unit 50 is a web browser unit, and the operation unit 53 is an operation input receiving unit. In addition, alarm sound and voice message data are compressed and stored in the memory unit 54 in advance, and if the microcomputer unit 50 decompresses the data read from the memory unit 54 and outputs it to the speaker unit 55 as necessary. The alarm sound or voice message is sounded from a speaker.

  In this embodiment, a so-called web camera WC having a function (web server function) for distributing an image captured by itself via a home network is connected to the integrated management apparatus TM via a LAN cable (FIG. 2). reference). Such a web camera WC is well known in the art and compresses a captured image by a predetermined compression method (for example, MPEG4 for a moving image, JPEG for a still image, etc.) and distributes it through a network, or pans through a network. And remote control of tilt.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the integrated management device TM also has a web server function, and each controller Cn creates a web page (so-called portal site) that serves as an entrance to a web page group provided by the web server function. And provided (distributed) to terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) in the house through the home network. For example, the portal site created by the integrated management device TM is usually displayed on the liquid crystal display 52a of the display control device CV. In this portal site, a link to web content (web page group of each subsystem SSn) provided by each controller Cn is displayed as an icon, and if the touch panel is operated on any of the icons, the icon A web content transmission request message is transmitted from the display control device CV to the link destination URL (the IP address of the web page group held by each controller Cn) displayed in. Then, if the controller Cn that has received the transmission request message transmits a web page designated from among a group of web pages held by itself to the display control device CV, the web page of the controller Cn instead of the portal site. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 52a.

  Next, the operation in the case of controlling and monitoring the equipment device Xm using the display control device CV will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  First, when the operation button 53a of the operation unit 53 is pressed, the microcomputer unit 50 transmits a portal site transmission request message from the LAN interface unit 51 to the integrated management device TM (1). The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the message displays a portal site that displays icons indicating links to web pages of the subsystems SS1 to SS3, characters indicating the names of the individual subsystems SS1 to SS3, and the like. It is created in advance and stored in the storage unit 5. When the message is received, the portal site data is read from the storage unit 5 and transmitted to the display control device CV that is the transmission request source (2).

  The display control device CV displays the portal site on the liquid crystal display by opening the web page data (file) received from the integrated management device TM with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 (3). Then, if the touch panel is operated on the icon of the subsystem SS1 (4), the web address is linked to the link destination URL (IP address of the web page group held by the equipment controller C1) displayed by the icon. A web page transmission request message is transmitted by the browser (5). Then, when the equipment controller C1 that has received the transmission request message transmits the data of the web page held by itself to the display control device CV (6), the data (file) is opened by the web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50. As a result, the web page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (7). In this web page, characters indicating the names and installation locations of the equipment devices X1 to X4 included in the subsystem SS1 (for example, “living air conditioner”, “living lighting”, etc.), and the operation of each equipment device X1 to X4 Characters indicating the state, buttons corresponding to operations for inverting the operation states of the respective equipment devices X1 to X4, and the like are displayed, and other web pages are linked to these buttons. Therefore, it is possible to monitor (confirm) the operation state of each equipment device X1 to X4 from the information displayed on the web page (8).

  Here, in the case of performing control for reversing the operating state of any of the equipment devices Xm, for example, control for turning off the lighting equipment (equipment device X2) that is currently lit, the operation state of the equipment device X4 is reversed on the web page. The touch panel is operated on the button corresponding to the operation to be performed (9). Then, a message indicating that the button has been operated by the web browser, that is, a message (request message) for requesting to turn off the lighting device (facility device X2) is sent to the network address of the facility device controller C1 through the home network. It is transmitted (10). Then, the equipment controller C1 that has received this request message turns off the luminaire (facility equipment X2) (11). After that, the equipment controller C1 transmits web page data corresponding to the turn-off of the lighting fixture (facility equipment X2) to the display controller CV (12), and the web browser is executed by the microcomputer unit 50 of the display controller CV. By opening the data (file), another web page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 52a of the display unit 52 (13). In the said web page, the operation state of the lighting fixture (equipment apparatus X2) is changed from lighting to light extinction. However, when the control of the equipment device Xm fails for some reason, the equipment device controller C1 creates a response message indicating that the control has failed and transmits it to the display control device CV, and the display unit 52 (liquid crystal) of the display control device CV. An error message (characters indicating that the requested control of the equipment Xm has failed) is displayed on the display 52a).

  Next, the operation in the case of controlling and monitoring the equipment device Xm from outside the house using a portable terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, if the web server function of each controller Cn always opens a port to the external network (Internet), for example, there is a high possibility that a malicious intruder will cause an abnormality in the system. In the embodiment, the web server function of each controller Cn normally polls the center device SV while closing the port, and the request message received from the portable terminal device is held in the center device SV. Then, the home network is protected by transferring the request message from the center apparatus SV at the time of polling by the controller Cn that is the destination of the request message.

  As described above, each controller Cn periodically polls the center device SV, and if the center device SV does not hold a request message from the mobile phone MP, the center device SV simply receives an acknowledgment (ACK). ) Is simply returned to the controller Cn. Here, the householder uses the mobile phone MP to send a request message (for example, a monitoring request message for the operating state of the lighting fixture) to the center device SV (1), and after the monitoring request message is held by the center device SV. When polled from the equipment controller C1 (2), the center apparatus SV transmits (transfers) the monitoring request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment controller C1 (3). The equipment controller C1 that has received this monitoring request message creates a monitoring response message indicating the current operating state (for example, lighting) of the luminaire (facility equipment X2) and sends it back to the center apparatus SV (4). The monitoring response message is transferred from the center device SV to the cellular phone MP (5), and the monitoring response message transferred from the sensor device SV is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the cellular phone MP, so that the operating state (lighting) of the lighting fixture is displayed. Can be confirmed.

  Further, the householder transmits a request message (for example, a control request message for turning off the lighting fixture) to the center apparatus SV using the mobile phone MP (6), and the equipment is stored after the control request message is held in the center apparatus SV. When polled from the controller C1 (7), the center apparatus SV transmits (transfers) the control request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment device controller C1 (8). The equipment controller C1 that has received this control request message turns off the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) (9). Thereafter, the equipment device controller C1 creates a control response message indicating that the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) is turned off, and sends it back to the center apparatus SV (10). The control response message is transferred from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP (11), and it is confirmed that the lighting fixture is turned off by displaying the control response message transferred from the sensor device SV on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone MP. it can. However, when it takes a considerable time (for example, several minutes) from sending the control request message to returning the control response message, a message indicating that the control request message has been received is sent from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP. It is desirable to send.

  Next, in the security system SS2, the operation when the security controller C2 obtains detection information indicating occurrence of an abnormality (for example, occurrence of fire or gas leakage or intrusion of a suspicious person) from the security receiver SR is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a sequence diagram.

  When an abnormality is detected in any of the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security controller C2 acquires detection information of the occurrence of the abnormality from the security receiver SR (1), the security controller C2 sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as cooperation) (Referred to as a message) and broadcast (broadcast) in the home network (2), and also send a message to the center device SV to report the occurrence of an abnormality (3).

  In the display control device CV that has received the cooperation message, the microcomputer unit 50 determines the content of the abnormality (for example, the occurrence of a fire or gas leak or the entry of a suspicious person) from the detection information included in the cooperation message received. , The alarm sound corresponding to the content (for example, a voice message such as “A fire has occurred. Please evacuate immediately.” Or “A suspicious person has entered.”) An alarm display corresponding to the content of the abnormality (for example, a message such as “A fire has occurred at XX” or “A suspicious person has entered XX”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 52a of the display unit 52. (4).

  In addition, the center device SV notifies the householder who is out of the house by sending the report message of the occurrence of abnormality received from the security controller C2 to the mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance (5). .

  On the other hand, other controllers that have received the cooperation message, that is, the equipment device controller C1 and the image transfer controller C3, determine the content of the abnormality that has occurred from the detection information included in the received cooperation message, and determine a predetermined rule. Accordingly, if necessary, a control operation corresponding to the content of the abnormality is executed (6). For example, when a fire is occurring, the facility equipment controller C1 can turn on the luminaire to facilitate evacuation. However, if a gas leak has occurred, there is a risk that the spark generated when the power source is turned on or off will ignite the leaked gas when the operating state of the equipment device Xm is switched. Even if a control request message is received, control for all the equipment devices Xm is invalidated.

  By the way, in the network security function of the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM, the user can implement network security for a general-purpose communication terminal such as a personal computer PC or a web camera WC. Network security for the controller Cn of SSn is implemented. Here, the network security function in the control unit 1 will be described in more detail.

The control unit 1 performs packet filtering on a packet returned in response to periodic polling by each controller Cn. If the transmission source IP address does not match the IP address (global IP address) of the center device SV, the control unit 1 performs the packet filtering. By discarding, unauthorized access due to spoofing of the center device SV is prevented. In order to secure a communication band for each controller Cn, the control unit 1 uses a communication port 2 to which the communication terminal is connected when a general-purpose communication terminal (for example, a personal computer PC) downloads a large-capacity file. Limit _i bandwidth. Further, when the amount of broadcast packets or error packets passing through the communication ports 2 _i and 3 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 1 determines that the abnormality is present and blocks or restricts the corresponding communication ports 2 _i and 3. Further, when the communication port 2 _i , 3 is blocked or restricted, the control unit 1 blocks the name assigned to the communication port (for example, 2 ₂ ) that is blocked or restricted and the communication port 2 ₂ . Alternatively, a message notifying that the restriction is being executed is created and transmitted to the display control device CV. Then, in the display control device CV, inform the user by displaying the message received from the integrated management apparatus TM on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (family member) of the communication port 2 ₂ abnormal.

Here, when using a simple number as in the conventional example as the specific information for specifying the communication port 2 _2, the communication terminal to the user connected to the communication port 2 ₂ and the communication port 2 ₂ (controller However, in this embodiment, since arbitrary names can be assigned to the communication ports 2 _i and 3 in advance, communication with the communication terminal is possible. The correspondence relationship with the ports 2 _i and 3 can be easily understood, and convenience can be improved as compared with the conventional example. For example, the name “equipment controller” is assigned to the communication port 2 _i to which the equipment controller C1 is connected, or the name “living” is assigned to the communication port 2 _i to which the web camera WC installed in the living room is connected. Can be assigned. In addition to the notification of the abnormality of the communication port 2 _i as described above, for example, when a new communication terminal is added to the home network, the type of the added communication terminal (for example, the web camera WC) and the corresponding The name of the communication port 2 _i to which the communication terminal is connected may be transmitted from the integrated management device TM to the display control device CV. For example, if a web camera WC is newly connected to the communication port 2 _i to which the name “child room” is assigned, the message “Web camera is connected to the child room” is displayed on the display control device CV. Is displayed.

Next, the operation of assigning a name to the communication port 2 _i of the integrated management device TM as described above will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  First, when the microcomputer unit 50 pushes the operation button 53a of the operation unit 53 and transmits a portal site transmission request message to the integrated management device TM (1), the control unit of the integrated management device TM that has received the message. The portal site data is transmitted from 1 to the display control device CV (2).

  The display control device CV displays the portal site on the liquid crystal display by opening the web page data (file) received from the integrated management device TM with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 (3). When the touch panel is operated (selected) on the name assignment icon prepared on the portal site (4), a name assignment web page transmission request message is transmitted to the integrated management device TM ( 5). When the control unit 1 of the integrated management device TM that has received the transmission request message transmits the data of the name assignment web page to the display control device CV (6), the data (file) is transmitted by the web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50. ) Is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (7).

In this web page, the name already assigned and the type of communication terminal (controller Cn, terminal device, etc.) connected to each communication port 2 _i , as well as the housing equipment (equipment equipment Xm) subordinate to each controller Cn and as well as the type and correspondence between the communication port 2 _i of security equipment Yn, etc.) (name assignment information) is displayed in a list, buttons for selecting a communication port 2 _i name assignment object is displayed, on the button When the touch panel is operated to select any communication port (for example, 2 ₂ ) (8), the name input built-in web page stored in the memory unit 54 by the web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 Is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52. On this name input built-in web page, buttons B1 to B16 for receiving input of characters such as hiragana, katakana, and alphanumeric characters and an input character display area W for displaying the input characters are displayed using the touch panel of the operation unit 53. (See FIG. 8). For example, when the user operates the touch panel on the button Bk (k = 1 to 16) to input the characters “Kodomobeya” and further operates the touch panel on the “Kanji” button B14, the microcomputer unit 50 The hiragana of “Kodomobeya” is converted to “Kids' room” kanji by the Japanese input system installed. When the data of the name assigned (text data string and data indicating the selected communication ports 2 ₂ "nursery") is input accepted by the operation unit 53 (9), the microcomputer unit the name assignment data 50 is transmitted from the LAN interface unit 51 to the integrated management apparatus TM (10).

On the other hand, in the integrated management apparatus TM, as selected communication ports 2 ₂ name based on the name assigned data received from the display control device CV, string name assigning means serving controller 1 are included in the names assigned data The text data (“child room”) is allocated and stored in the storage unit 5 (11). Thereafter, when the abnormality in the communication port 2 ₂ occurs, read the name of the control unit 1 is assigned to the communication port 2 ₂ ( "children's room") from the storage unit 5, notifies the display control device CV as the specific information to order, correspondence between the communication port 2 ₂ is easily understandable to the user and the communication terminal. Note that the above-described name assignment process can also be executed by a terminal device other than the display control device CV, for example, a personal computer PC having an input means (keyboard) and a display means (display).

Further, the integrated management device TM is provided with operation input receiving means (such as a dip switch and a numeric keypad), and the control unit 1 assigns the name received by the operation input receiving means to the name of the communication port 2 _i and stores it in the storage unit 5. It doesn't matter if you do. In this case, it is possible to input an arbitrary character string using the Japanese input system as described above, but it is also possible to select from a plurality of name candidates prepared in advance using a dip switch. Absent.

Alternatively, based on device information acquired by the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM corresponding to a control point when a communication terminal (for example, a web camera WC or the like) corresponding to a UPnP device is connected to the communication port 2 _i. A name may be assigned to the communication port 2 _i to which the communication terminal is connected. For example, when the message “living” is included in the device information of the webcam WC that is assumed to be installed in the living room, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that receives the message from the webcam WC by UPnP The name “living” is assigned to the communication port 2 _i to which the webcam WC is connected. Similarly, when the controller Cn of the subsystem SSn is added to the system, model information (for example, “equipment controller”, “security controller”, etc. included in the device information received from the controller Cn corresponding to the UPnP device) The controller 1 of the integrated management device TM may assign the model name of the controller Cn as the name of the communication port 2 _i to which the controller Cn is connected.

By the way, in the communication terminal, a LAN cable connected to the communication port 2 _i of the integrated management device TM is wired behind the wall or the ceiling (a part of the controller Cn, the display control device CV, etc.) and the wall surface in the house. Some are connected to a modular jack of an embedded information outlet by a LAN cable. Such an information outlet 100 is well known in the art, and as shown in FIG. 9, a modular jack 101 to which a modular plug of RJ-45 is removably connected, a hook-type (prevention-type) outlet 102, and a so-called television outlet 103. In addition, the telephone modular jack 104 is embedded in the wall surface of the house using the mounting frame (see JIS C8375) and the connecting plate (see JIS C8316) 110 of the large-angle continuous wiring apparatus, and the integrated management device TM The LAN cable connected to the communication port 2 _i and wired on the back of the wall or the ceiling and the LAN cable connected to the personal computer PC, for example, are connected via the modular jack MJ. Therefore, in the case of a portable terminal device such as a personal computer (especially a notebook personal computer) PC, it can be connected to any of several information outlets 100 arranged in the house. Therefore, when assigning the name of the communication port 2 _i using the personal computer PC, if all the names including the communication port 2 _i to which the personal computer PC is connected via the information outlet 100 can be assigned, an unintended name is obtained. There is a risk of being assigned by mistake.

Therefore, when assigning names using a personal computer PC, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM can limit the communication ports 2 _i that can be assigned names to the communication ports 2 _i to which the personal computer PC is connected. As described above, it is possible to prevent an unintended name from being assigned by mistake. Specifically, a button or icon for selecting the communication port 2 _i is not displayed on the name assignment web page, and the control unit 1 automatically assigns a name to the communication port 2 _i to which the personal computer PC is connected. What is necessary is just to select to object.

The information outlet 100 is provided with operation input receiving means (DIP switch, numeric keypad, etc.) and communication means (LAN interface), and the communication means is connected to the modular jack 101 for the data of the name received by the operation input receiving means. The data is transmitted to the integrated management device TM via the LAN cable, and the received name is assigned to the name of the communication port 2 _i to which the information outlet 100 is connected and stored in the storage unit 5 in the control unit 1 of the integrated management device TM. You may make it.

It is a block diagram of the integrated management apparatus (network apparatus) in this embodiment. It is a system block diagram same as the above. It is a block diagram of the display control apparatus same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the name allocation procedure in the same as the above. It is explanatory drawing explaining the built-in web page for name input in the same as the above. It is a front view of the information outlet in the same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

TM Integrated management device (network device)
1 Control Unit 2 _{1 to} 2 _n Communication Port 3 Communication Port 4 Packet Processing Unit 5 Storage Unit

Claims (6)

A network device constituting a communication system together with a plurality of communication terminals installed in a house,
A plurality of communication ports to which the communication terminal is connected via a transmission line; a communication unit that performs data communication from the communication port via the transmission line; and a name assignment unit that assigns a name to each communication port. A network device. Comprising an operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input;
2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to the operation input received by the operation input receiving means.   2. The network apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to data transmitted from the communication terminal and received by the communication means.   4. The network device according to claim 3, wherein the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to the data only to the communication port that has received the data.   The name assigning means transmits name assignment information including at least the name assigned to the communication port and the type of the communication terminal connected to the communication port to the communication means in response to a request from the communication terminal. The network device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein A plurality of communication terminals installed in a home, the network device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, and a communication cable serving as a transmission path connected to a communication port of the network device provided in a home so as to be detachable. A communication system comprising one or more information outlets,
The information outlet receives operation input and transmits data corresponding to the operation input to the network device,
The communication system, wherein the name assigning means assigns a name corresponding to data transmitted from the information outlet and received by the communication means.

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