JP2008299800A - Network equipment maintenance management system, network equipment maintenance management method, and network equipment maintenance management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network equipment maintenance management method capable of knowing surely the absence of a user, and capable of executing automatically maintenance work at proper timing. <P>SOLUTION: The presence of the user in network equipment is detected by a human detection sensor and an illuminance sensor provided in the network equipment, and a firmware update request message is transmitted to a maintenance management server when the user is absent and an updating request implementation flag is 1. The maintenance management server checks whether a new firmware for the network equipment is registered in a firmware control database or not, and transmits an update confirmation message including downloaded side information of the new firmware, to the network equipment, when the firmware is old. The network equipment downloads the firmware to be updated, referring to the downloaded side information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device maintenance management system, a network device maintenance management method, and a network device maintenance management program for performing maintenance of information equipment from a remote location using sensor information.

  In order to maintain and manage a large number of network devices mainly in companies, it is widely performed to rewrite settings, update software, and firmware from a remote management terminal connected to the network.

  On the other hand, in recent years, network devices such as routers have also spread in general private homes, and users can update firmware via the network. However, in this case, it is common for the user to update the firmware by explicitly performing an operation.

  For example, in the following Non-Patent Document 1, a notification is automatically displayed when an update is necessary, but a slight amount of work is required to download and install an update file.

More recently, home appliances such as TVs and VCRs are also connected to the network, allowing users to update their firmware. However, it is not realistic for users to manually perform maintenance work including firmware rewriting of all these devices so that many users do not apply PC software patches. It is desirable to have a system to maintain and manage the system.
“Updated to the latest iPod software”, Apple Japan, Inc., [Search May 30, 2007], Internet <URL; http: // www. apple. com / jp / ipod / download />

  In companies, etc., since the information management department manages the network devices in the company collectively, it is possible to notify the user in advance that maintenance will be performed at a specific date and perform maintenance work all at once. .

  On the other hand, in a general private house, it is almost impossible to have all users refrain from using network devices at a specific time. For this reason, it is often the case that a user manually downloads and updates a file only by notifying that new firmware is provided by e-mail or the like. Recently, file downloads are automatically performed depending on device settings, and the intention to update is confirmed. In some cases, the device is completely automatically restarted. One example is an automatic update function such as “Microsoft Windows XP” (registered trademark). However, when confirming the intention each time, many users do not perform the update work and often continue to use the device in a state where there is a problem in operation or security. In addition, when updating completely automatically, a serious problem may occur depending on the type of device, such as suddenly becoming unusable during some work.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to reliably grasp that a user is absent and to perform a maintenance operation automatically at an appropriate timing, and a network device maintenance management system An object of the present invention is to provide a device maintenance management method and a network device maintenance management program.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, a sensor for detecting the presence of a person is provided in a network device, and information indicating the presence of a person based on sensor information or sensor information is transmitted in real time or at regular intervals. By providing this function, the server is notified that there are no people around the network device, and this information can be used to trigger the server to download the firmware to the network device if the network device firmware is an older version. By sending a prompt message and following the message, the network device downloads the firmware so that the network device can be maintained when the user is absent.

  Alternatively, a server that recognizes that there are no people around the network device sends a message to the network device confirming whether it is okay to update the firmware, and if there is no response for a certain period of time, downloading and updating the firmware By carrying out the operation, it was possible to more reliably grasp the absence of users and maintain network devices.

  In addition, by transmitting the network device user's mobile phone operation information and location information to the server together with the sensor information attached to the network device, the user's status can be grasped more reliably and at an appropriate timing. Maintenance work can now be performed.

  That is, the network device maintenance management system according to claim 1 is a network device maintenance management system including a network device and a management server connected via a predetermined communication network, and the network device is a human presence. Detection means for detecting presence / absence, update stop determination means for determining stop of firmware update, information transmission means for transmitting information of the detection means and update stop determination means to the management server, and in accordance with an instruction from the management server Means for downloading and updating firmware, and the management server registers information on new firmware of the network device, and analyzes the information transmitted from the network device to update the firmware to the network device. It is characterized by having means to give instructions .

  The network device maintenance management system according to claim 2 is the network device maintenance management system according to claim 1, wherein the management server includes a communication control unit that transmits and receives a message to and from the network device, and a message configuration unit that configures a message to be transmitted to the network device. And a message analysis means for analyzing the received message, a user management database for storing owner information of the network device, and a firmware management database for storing information on registered firmware. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the network device maintenance management system according to the second aspect, wherein the network device has an update request execution flag for determining whether or not to update the firmware, and the information transmission means of the network device includes: Means for detecting the absence of a person by the detecting means and transmitting firmware update request information when the update request execution flag is 1, and issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server; When firmware update request information is received from a device, it is checked whether or not new firmware for the network device is registered. If registered, update notification information including firmware download source information is registered in the network device. Send the network equipment down Means for updating by over de, upon receiving the update notification information from the management server is characterized by updating to download the firmware with reference to the download source information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network device maintenance management method in which a network device and a management server are connected via a predetermined communication network, and the network device includes a detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of a person, firmware update An update stop determining means for determining stop, and a means for downloading and updating firmware, wherein the management server stores a database in which information on the network device and firmware is stored, and an instruction to update the firmware on the network device Network device maintenance and management method in a system having a means for issuing a network device, wherein an update request execution flag for determining whether or not to update firmware is 1, and means for detecting the presence or absence of the person is a network device When it detects that there are no people around Transmitting firmware update request information to the management server, and whether the management server receives firmware update request information from the network device, whether new firmware for the network device is registered in the database If the network device receives the update notification information from the management server, the update notification information including firmware download source information is transmitted to the network device. And downloading and updating firmware with reference to the download source information.

  The network device maintenance management method according to claim 7 is the network device maintenance management method according to claim 6, wherein the step of downloading and updating the firmware includes information for confirming whether update is possible or not after receiving the update notification information. A step of presenting for a predetermined time, and a step of determining whether or not an update stop has been determined by the update stop determining means of the network device within the predetermined time, and executing the download if the determination is not made. It is characterized by that.

  According to the upper apparatus configuration, it is possible to reliably grasp the absence of the user and automatically maintain the network device from a remote location.

  The network device maintenance management system according to claim 4 is the network device maintenance management system according to claim 3, wherein the user management database stores location information of the network device and location information of a mobile phone owned by the user of the network device, The management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network, and the means for issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server is a user of the network device when the new firmware of the network device is registered. A means for obtaining a distance between a position stored in the database and the current position of the mobile phone owned by the user, and transmitting the update notification information when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; In the following cases, update stop information is transmitted instead of the update notification information.

  The network device maintenance management system according to claim 5 is the network device maintenance management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the user management database stores mobile phone number information of a user of the network device, and the management server stores a predetermined telephone number. The mobile phone is connected to the mobile phone via a network, and the mobile phone includes update stop determining means for determining stop of firmware update of a network device, and the means for issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server is the network When new firmware of the device is registered, means for calling the mobile phone owned by the user of the network device to notify the update confirmation information, and within a predetermined time after the mobile phone receives the call Means for determining whether or not an update stop decision has been made from the update stop decision means of the mobile phone, When the mobile phone does not receive a predetermined time or when the update stop decision is not made within a predetermined time after reception, the update notification information is transmitted, and when the update stop decision is made, the update notification information is Instead, the update stop information is transmitted.

  The network device maintenance management method according to claim 8 is the network device maintenance management method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the database stores location information of the network device and location information of a mobile phone owned by a user of the network device, The management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network, and the step of transmitting the update notification information is performed when the new firmware of the network device is registered. A step of obtaining a distance between a position stored in the database and a current position, and transmitting the update notification information when the distance is a predetermined value or more, and when the distance is a predetermined value or less. Instead of the update notification information, update stop information is transmitted.

  The network device maintenance and management method according to claim 9 is the network device maintenance management method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the database stores the mobile phone number information of a user of the network device, and the management server stores a predetermined telephone number. The mobile phone is connected to the mobile phone via a network, and the mobile phone includes update stop determining means for determining stop of firmware update of the network device, and the step of transmitting the update notification information is performed by registering new firmware of the network device. If the mobile phone is owned by the user of the network device and notifies the update confirmation information, the mobile phone is updated within a predetermined time after the mobile phone receives the call. Determining whether or not an update stop has been determined by the stop determination means, and the mobile phone receives a predetermined time. Or when the update stop decision is not made within a predetermined time after reception, the update notification information is transmitted, and when the update stop decision is made, the update stop information is used instead of the update notification information. It is characterized by transmitting.

  According to the said structure, a user's state can be grasped | ascertained more reliably and a maintenance operation | work can be performed at an appropriate timing.

  The network device maintenance management program according to claim 10 is characterized in that the computer is a program for executing the steps according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

More specifically,
In a network device maintenance management system consisting of a network device and a management server, it has a human sensor, an illuminance sensor, a button and a speaker, and a function for transmitting the information acquired by the human sensor, the illuminance sensor and the button to the server, Management having a function of reproducing sound according to an instruction, a plurality of network devices having a function of downloading and updating firmware according to an instruction from the server, and a function of analyzing sensor information and issuing an instruction to update the firmware to the network device It is assumed that the network device maintenance management system is configured by servers.

  The management server includes a communication control unit that transmits and receives messages to and from the network device, a message configuration unit that configures a message to be sent to the network device, a message analysis unit that analyzes the received message, and network device owner information And a firmware management database for storing registered firmware information.

  The network device has an update request flag for determining whether or not to update the firmware, the presence sensor of the network device detects the absence, the output value of the illuminance sensor is less than a certain value, and the update request flag is 1. In addition, firmware update request information is transmitted from the network device to the management server. The management server that has received the firmware update request information checks whether new firmware of the network device is registered, and if registered, transmits update notification information including firmware download source information to the network device. The network device that has received the update notification information downloads the firmware with reference to the firmware download source information. After the download is completed, the network device restarts and updates its own firmware.

  Also, the network device that has received the update notification information presents text, images, audio, video, and information that combines these to confirm whether the program may be updated by the display unit. The update notification information is presented for a certain time. If the network device button is pressed during that time, the network device stops displaying the update notification. If the network device button is not pressed during that time, the network device downloads firmware from the server. After the download is completed, the network device restarts and updates its own firmware.

  In addition, the management server that has received the firmware update request information checks whether new firmware of the network device is registered. If registered, the location information of the mobile phone of the network device owner and the installation of the network device are further registered. When the position information is compared and the distance is more than a certain distance, update notification information including firmware download source information is transmitted to the network device. The network device that has received the update notification information presents text, an image, a sound, a video, and information that combines these to confirm whether the firmware can be updated by the display unit. The update notification information is presented for a certain time. If the network device button is pressed during that time, the network device stops displaying the update notification. If the network device button is not pressed during that time, the network device downloads firmware from the server. After the download is completed, the network device restarts and updates its own firmware.

  The management server that has received the firmware update request information checks whether new firmware for the network device has been registered, and if so, calls the mobile phone of the network device owner. A message will inform you of the firmware update, and when you want to cancel, you will be prompted to press a specific button within a certain time. When the button is pressed, the server recognizes the tone signal and transmits an update stop message to the network device. The network device that has received the update stop message stops the update process for a certain period of time. If the button is not pressed, update notification information including firmware download source information is transmitted to the network device. The network device that has received the update notification information presents characters, images, sounds, videos, and information combining these that confirm whether the program may be updated by the display unit. The update notification information is presented for a certain time. If the network device button is pressed during that time, the network device stops displaying the update notification. If the network device button is not pressed during that time, the network device downloads firmware from the server. After the download is completed, the network device restarts and updates its own firmware.

  In addition, when the presence sensor of the network device detects the absence, the output value of the illuminance sensor is equal to or smaller than a certain value, and the update request flag is 1, the firmware update request information is transmitted from the network device to the management server. The management server that has received the firmware update request information checks whether new firmware for the network device has been registered, and if so, calls the mobile phone of the network device owner. A message will inform you of the firmware update, and when you want to cancel, you will be prompted to press a specific button within a certain time. When the button is pressed, the server recognizes the tone signal and transmits an update stop message to the network device. The network device that has received the update stop message stops the update process for a certain period of time. If the button is not pressed, update notification information including firmware download source information is transmitted to the network device. The network device that has received the update notification information downloads firmware from the server. After the download is completed, the network device restarts and updates its own firmware.

(1) According to the invention described in claims 1 to 10, without causing the user of the network device to feel inconvenience that the work is interrupted, and without noticing that the device is being maintained and managed, It is possible to automatically maintain and manage network devices from a remote location.
(2) According to the inventions described in claims 4, 5, 8, and 9, by using information such as the position and number of the mobile phone, it is possible to grasp the state of the user more reliably and appropriately. Maintenance work can be performed at a reasonable timing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows an example of a network equipment maintenance management system according to the present invention, and is a system configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment thereof. In FIG. 1, 11 is a communication network, 12 is a network device, 13 is a network device maintenance management server (a management server of the present invention; hereinafter referred to as a maintenance management server), and 14 is a user.

  The network devices 12, 12... And the maintenance management server 13 are connected via the communication network 11.

  The network devices 12, 12... Include not only routers and computers but also home appliances (TV, DVD recorder, refrigerator, etc.) having a network communication function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the network devices 12, 12... Includes a CPU 21, a storage unit 22, a network unit 23 (communication control unit 23a, network IF 23b), an audio output unit 24, a human sensor 25, an illuminance sensor 26, An update stop button 27 (update stop determination means) for outputting an update stop determination signal and a bus 28 connecting them are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance management server 13 includes a communication control unit 31, a message analysis unit 32, a message configuration unit 33, a main control unit 34, a database management unit 35, a firmware management database connected to the communication network 11. 36, and a user management database 37.

  Examples of messages exchanged between the maintenance management server 13 and the network devices 12, 12,... Are as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration example of the firmware management database 36 and the user management database 37.

  6 is an operation sequence in the case where the firmware of the network devices 12, 12,... Has not been updated with the latest version.

  7 is an operation sequence when the firmware of the network devices 12, 12,... Is old and needs to be updated.

  In these drawings, the network devices 12, 12... Periodically check the information acquired by the human sensor 25 and the information acquired by the illuminance sensor 26.

  Here, the human sensor 25 outputs, for example, 1 when the presence of a person is detected, and 0 when not detected. The human sensor 25 includes various types such as a device that captures a moving heat source and a device that uses a camera image, and any of them may be used as long as it has a function of determining whether a person is in the vicinity. The illuminance sensor 26 has a function of converting ambient brightness into a numerical value and outputs it, and outputs a large value when it is brighter and a small value when it is dark.

  The update cancel button 27 outputs, for example, 1 by a button operation (for example, a pressing operation) when the update stop is determined, and outputs 0, for example, when it is not determined.

  The storage unit 22 of the network device 12 stores a management program for determining whether or not to make a firmware update request to the maintenance management server 13, output values of the human sensor 25, the illuminance sensor 26, and the update stop button 27, There is a temporary storage area for recording an update request execution flag for determining whether to execute an update request by 1 or 0.

  The outputs of the human sensor 25 and the illuminance sensor 26 are stored in a temporary storage area of the storage unit 22 via the bus 28, and the CPU 21 executes a management program similarly recorded in the storage unit 22, The output value of the illuminance sensor 26 and the update request execution flag are periodically checked.

  The management program for the network device 12 determines that the firmware can be updated when the following three conditions are met.

  1) The output value of the human sensor is 0 (the presence of a person is not detected).

  2) The value of the illuminance sensor is below a certain value X (the room lamp is not on).

  3) An update request execution flag is set.

  It is assumed that the update request execution flag is standing when the network device 12 is activated.

  When the above conditions are met, the network device 12 transmits a firmware update request message to the maintenance management server 13. The firmware update request message includes a transmission source IP address, an ID number indicating the type of the network device 12 (device type ID), and firmware version information of the network device 12.

  The message analysis unit 32 of the maintenance management server 13 analyzes the received firmware update request message, acquires the transmission source IP address, device type ID, and firmware version information, and passes them to the main control unit 34. The main control unit 34 searches the firmware management database 36 by the device type ID using the database management unit 35 and acquires the latest firmware version information registered in the maintenance management server 13. Next, the main control unit 34 compares the firmware version information of the network device 12 acquired earlier with the latest firmware version information, and determines whether the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest, as shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 13 determines that the current firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version and does not need to be updated. Then, a reply message (update stop message; update stop information) is configured in the message composition unit 33 and transmitted to the network device 12.

  Upon receiving the update stop message, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the network device 12 from continuously sending firmware update request messages to the maintenance management server 13 in a situation where there is no person around the network device 12 for a long time.

  If the firmware of the network device 12 is not the latest, as shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 13 determines that the update is necessary, and sends a reply message (update confirmation message; Update notification information) is configured and transmitted to the network device 12. The update confirmation message includes the latest firmware download information.

  The network device 12 that has received the update confirmation message downloads the latest firmware file based on the download information included in the update confirmation message. Here, the file download source may be the maintenance management server 13 or a firmware download dedicated server prepared separately. After the download is completed, the network device 12 performs a firmware update operation. This includes a method of dynamically updating the network device 12 while it is activated, a method of restarting after replacing the firmware, and any method that can be updated. After the firmware update, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

  When the firmware update stop operation is performed on the network device 12 side (in the above example, when the update stop button 27 is pressed within 10 seconds), the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 time).

(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the configuration of the device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and FIGS. 1 to 6 are used in the same manner as the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows an operation sequence when the firmware of the network device is old and needs to be updated, but the user stops updating.

  FIG. 9 shows an operation sequence in the case where the firmware of the network device is old and needs to be updated, and the user does not cancel the update.

  In these drawings, the network devices 12, 12... Periodically check the information acquired by the human sensor 25 and the information acquired by the illuminance sensor 26.

  Here, the human sensor 25 outputs, for example, 1 when the presence of a person is detected, and 0 when not detected. The human sensor 25 includes various types such as a device that captures a moving heat source and a device that uses a camera image, and any of them may be used as long as it has a function of determining whether a person is in the vicinity. The illuminance sensor 26 has a function of converting ambient brightness into a numerical value and outputs it, and outputs a large value when it is brighter and a small value when it is dark.

  The update cancel button 27 outputs, for example, 1 by a button operation (for example, a pressing operation) when the update stop is determined, and outputs 0, for example, when it is not determined.

  The storage unit 22 of the network device 12 stores a management program for determining whether or not to make a firmware update request to the maintenance management server 13, output values of the human sensor 25, the illuminance sensor 26, and the update stop button 27, There is a temporary storage area for recording an update request execution flag for determining whether to execute an update request by 1 or 0.

  The outputs of the human sensor 25 and the illuminance sensor 26 are stored in a temporary storage area of the storage unit 22 via the bus 28, and the CPU 21 executes a management program similarly recorded in the storage unit 22, The output value of the illuminance sensor 26 and the update request execution flag are periodically checked.

  The management program for the network device 12 determines that the firmware can be updated when the following three conditions are met.

  1) The output value of the human sensor is 0 (the presence of a person is not detected).

  2) The value of the illuminance sensor is below a certain value X (the room lamp is not on).

  3) An update request execution flag is set.

  It is assumed that the update request execution flag is standing when the network device 12 is activated.

  When the above conditions are met, the network device 12 transmits a firmware update request message to the maintenance management server 13. The firmware update request message includes a transmission source IP address, an ID number indicating the type of the network device 12 (device type ID), and firmware version information of the network device 12.

  The message analysis unit 32 of the maintenance management server 13 analyzes the received firmware update request message, acquires information included in the message, and passes it to the main control unit 34. The main control unit 34 searches the firmware management database 36 by the device type ID using the database management unit 35 and acquires the latest firmware version information registered in the maintenance management server 13. Next, the main control unit 34 compares the firmware version information of the network device 12 acquired earlier with the latest firmware version information, and determines whether the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 13 determines that the current firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version and does not need to be updated. A reply message (update stop message; update stop information) is formed and transmitted to the network device 12.

  Upon receiving the update stop message, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the network device 12 from continuously sending firmware update request messages to the maintenance management server 13 in a situation where there is no person around the network device 12 for a long time.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is not the latest, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 13 determines that the update is necessary, and causes the message composition unit 33 to construct a reply message (update confirmation message; update notification information). To the network device 12. The update confirmation message includes the latest firmware download information.

  The network device 12 that has received the update confirmation message emits an update confirmation voice from the voice output unit 24. Here, the update confirmation voice is a voice such as “Communication cannot be performed for about one minute due to firmware update. If you postpone the update, press the update stop button within 10 seconds”. Note that the content of the update confirmation voice described here is only an example. If the content of the firmware update and the operation to be performed when the update is canceled (firmware update stop operation) is included, other expressions are used. But it ’s okay.

  When a firmware update stop operation is performed on the voice on the network device 12 side as shown in FIG. 8 (in the above example, when the update stop button 27 is pressed within 10 seconds), the network device 12 Lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the firmware update cancel operation is not performed on the network device 12 side (in the above example, when the update cancel button 27 is not pressed for 10 seconds), the network device 12 is included in the update confirmation message. Download the latest firmware file based on the downloaded download information. Here, the file download source may be the maintenance management server 13 or a firmware download dedicated server prepared separately. After the download is completed, the network device 12 performs a firmware update operation. This includes a method of dynamically updating the network device 12 while it is activated, a method of restarting after replacing the firmware, and any method that can be updated. After the firmware update, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

(Example 3)
In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the user of the network device 12 has a mobile phone, and the maintenance server has a communication function with the mobile phone. 5 is used in the same manner as in Example 1.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a network device maintenance management system according to the third embodiment. 10, the network devices 12, 12... And the maintenance server 40 are connected via the Internet 41, and the maintenance server 40 is further connected to the fixed telephone network 42 and the mobile phone network 43 and can communicate with the mobile phone 44. It has become.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the maintenance management server 40 of the third embodiment. 11 is different from FIG. 3 in that a telephone line control unit 45 for connecting the fixed telephone network 42 and the main control unit 34 is provided, and the other configuration is the same as FIG.

  FIG. 12 shows an operation sequence when the firmware of the network device 12 is old and needs to be updated, but the network device 12 and the mobile phone 44 are within a certain distance.

  FIG. 13 shows an operation sequence when the firmware of the network device 12 is old and needs to be updated, and the network device 12 and the mobile phone 44 are separated by a certain distance or more.

  It is assumed that an application for detecting the state of the mobile phone 44 (hereinafter referred to as a state detection application) is installed and activated on the mobile phone 44. The state detection application has a function of periodically transmitting information such as the state of the mobile phone 44 (during charging, manner mode, etc.) and the location of the mobile phone 44 (in the case of a mobile phone with GPS) to the server.

  The maintenance management server 40 also includes an address of the installation location of the network device 12, some ID for identifying the mobile phone 44 (for example, UTN number) and some ID for identifying the network device 12 (for example, a MAC address), the state of the mobile phone 44, A user management database 37 including the location of the mobile phone 44 is provided.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the network device 12 determines that the firmware can be updated when the following three conditions are met.

  1) The output value of the human sensor is 0 (the presence of a person is not detected).

  2) The value of the illuminance sensor is below a certain value X (the room lamp is not on).

  3) An update request execution flag is set.

  It is assumed that the update request execution flag is standing when the network device 12 is activated.

  The network device 12 transmits a firmware update request message to the maintenance management server 40 when the above conditions are met. The firmware update request message includes a transmission source IP address, an ID number indicating the type of the network device 12 (device type ID), and firmware version information of the network device 12.

  The message analysis unit 32 of the maintenance management server 40 analyzes the received firmware update request message, acquires information included in the message, and passes it to the main control unit 34. The main control unit 34 searches the firmware management database 36 by the device type ID using the database management unit 35 and acquires the latest firmware version information registered in the maintenance management server 40. Next, the main control unit 34 compares the firmware version information of the network device 12 acquired earlier with the latest firmware version information, and determines whether the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 determines that the current firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version and does not need to be updated. A reply message (update stop message; update stop information) is formed and transmitted to the network device 12.

  Upon receiving the update stop message, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the network device 12 from continuously sending firmware update request messages to the maintenance management server 13 in a situation where there is no person around the network device 12 for a long time.

  If the firmware of the network device 12 is not up-to-date, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 searches the user management database 37 by the terminal ID using the database management unit 35, and determines the location of the network device installation location. The position of the corresponding mobile phone 44 is acquired. When the distance between the network device 12 and the mobile phone 44 is a certain value (for example, 100 m) or more (in FIG. 13), the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 is not near the network device 12. The firmware update process is continued.

  On the other hand, when the distance is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (in FIG. 12), it is determined that there is a user near the network device 12, and the message composing unit 33 returns a reply message indicating that the updating process is to be stopped (FIG. 4). The update cancel message) is configured and transmitted to the network device 12. The subsequent operation is the same as the operation of the network device 12 that has received the update stop message as shown in FIG.

  When the network device 12 and the mobile phone 44 are separated from each other by a certain distance (FIG. 13), the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 determines that updating is necessary, and sends a reply message (update confirmation message; Update notification information) is configured and transmitted to the network device 12. The update confirmation message includes the latest firmware download information.

  The network device 12 that has received the update confirmation message emits an update confirmation voice from the voice output unit 24. Here, the update confirmation voice is a voice such as “Communication cannot be performed for about one minute due to firmware update. If you postpone the update, press the update stop button within 10 seconds”. Note that the content of the update confirmation voice described here is only an example. If the content of the firmware update and the operation to be performed when the update is canceled (firmware update stop operation) is included, other expressions are used. But it ’s okay.

  Although not shown in FIG. 13 for this sound, when the firmware update stop operation is performed on the network device 12 side as shown in FIG. 8 (in the above example, the update stop button is within 10 seconds). 27), the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the firmware update stop operation is not performed on the network device 12 side as shown in FIG. 9 (in the above example, the update stop button 27 is not pressed for 10 seconds). The network device 12 downloads the latest firmware file based on the download information included in the update confirmation message. Here, the file download source may be the maintenance management server 13 or a firmware download dedicated server prepared separately. After the download is completed, the network device 12 performs a firmware update operation. This includes a method of dynamically updating the network device 12 while it is activated, a method of restarting after replacing the firmware, and any method that can be updated. After the firmware update, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).
Example 4
In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the user 14 of the network device 12 has a mobile phone 44, and the maintenance server 40 has a communication function with the mobile phone 44. FIG. 4 to 6, 10, and 11 are used in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 shows an operation sequence in the case where the firmware of the network device 12 is old and needs to be updated, but the user 14 stops updating with the mobile phone 44.

  FIG. 15 shows an operation sequence in the case where the firmware of the network device 12 is old and needs to be updated, but the user 14 stops the update on the network device 12.

  FIG. 16 shows an operation sequence when the firmware of the network device 12 is old and needs to be updated and is updated.

  Further, the maintenance management server 40 has a user management database 37 including some ID (for example, UTN number) for identifying the mobile phone 44, some ID (for example, MAC address) for identifying the network device 12, and the phone number of the mobile phone 44.

  The network devices 12, 12... Periodically check the information acquired by the human sensor 25 and the information acquired by the illuminance sensor 26.

  Here, the human sensor 25 outputs, for example, 1 when the presence of a person is detected, and 0 when not detected. The human sensor 25 includes various types such as a device that captures a moving heat source and a device that uses a camera image, and any of them may be used as long as it has a function of determining whether a person is in the vicinity. The illuminance sensor 26 has a function of converting ambient brightness into a numerical value and outputs it, and outputs a large value when it is brighter and a small value when it is dark.

  The update cancel button 27 outputs, for example, 1 by a button operation (for example, a pressing operation) when the update stop is determined, and outputs 0, for example, when it is not determined.

  The storage unit 22 of the network device 12 stores a management program for determining whether or not to make a firmware update request to the maintenance management server 13, output values of the human sensor 25, the illuminance sensor 26, and the update stop button 27, There is a temporary storage area for recording an update request execution flag for determining whether to execute an update request by 1 or 0.

  The outputs of the human sensor 25 and the illuminance sensor 26 are stored in a temporary storage area of the storage unit 22 via the bus 28, and the CPU 21 executes a management program similarly recorded in the storage unit 22, The output value of the illuminance sensor 26 and the update request execution flag are periodically checked.

  The management program for the network device 12 determines that the firmware can be updated when the following three conditions are met.

  1) The output value of the human sensor is 0 (the presence of a person is not detected).

  2) The value of the illuminance sensor is below a certain value X (the room lamp is not on).

  3) An update request execution flag is set.

  It is assumed that the update request execution flag is standing when the network device 12 is activated.

  When the above conditions are met, the network device 12 transmits a firmware update request message to the maintenance management server 13. The firmware update request message includes an ID number (terminal ID) unique to the transmission source network device, a transmission source IP address, an ID number indicating the type of the network device 12 (device type ID), and firmware version information of the network device 12. It is.

  The message analysis unit 32 of the maintenance management server 13 analyzes the received firmware update request message, acquires information included in the message, and passes it to the main control unit 34. The main control unit 34 searches the firmware management database 36 by the device type ID using the database management unit 35 and acquires the latest firmware version information registered in the maintenance management server 13. Next, the main control unit 34 compares the firmware version information of the network device 12 acquired earlier with the latest firmware version information, and determines whether the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is the latest, as shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 13 determines that the current firmware of the network device 12 is the latest version and does not need to be updated. Then, a reply message (update stop message; update stop information) is configured in the message composition unit 33 and transmitted to the network device 12.

  Upon receiving the update stop message, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the network device 12 from continuously sending firmware update request messages to the maintenance management server 13 in a situation where there is no person around the network device 12 for a long time.

  When the firmware of the network device 12 is not up-to-date, the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 searches the user management database 37 by the terminal ID using the database management unit 35 and acquires the corresponding mobile phone number. Then, the telephone line control unit 45 calls an update confirmation phone to the mobile phone 44.

  When the user 14 comes out to the mobile phone 44 that has received a call from the maintenance management server 40, the maintenance management server 40 emits an update confirmation voice by voice synthesis. Here, the update confirmation voice is a voice such as “Update the firmware of the network device. If you postpone the update, press the clear button within 10 seconds”. Note that the content of the update confirmation voice described here is only an example. If the content of the firmware update and the operation to be performed when the update is canceled (firmware update stop operation) is included, other expressions are used. But it ’s okay.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the firmware update stop operation is performed on the update confirmation voice in the cellular phone 44 (in the above example, the clear button (update stop determination means) is pressed within 10 seconds, and the tone signal is displayed. ), The main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 returns a reply indicating that the update stop operation has been performed to the message composition unit 33. A message (update cancellation message) is formed and transmitted to the network device 12.

  When the network device 12 receives the update cancellation message, it lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time. (Eg 24 hours).

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the mobile phone 44 does not receive the update confirmation phone for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), or after receiving and issuing an update confirmation voice, the update cancellation operation is performed for a certain period of time. If it is not confirmed (in the above example, the clear button is not pressed for 10 seconds), the main control unit 34 of the maintenance management server 40 configures a reply message (update confirmation message) indicating that the message composition unit 33 needs to be updated. To the network device 12. The update confirmation message includes the latest firmware download information.

  The network device 12 that has received the update confirmation message emits an update confirmation voice from the voice output unit 24. Here, the update confirmation voice is a voice such as “Communication cannot be performed for about one minute due to firmware update. If you postpone the update, press the update stop button within 10 seconds”. Note that the content of the update confirmation voice described here is only an example. If the content of the firmware update and the operation to be performed when the update is canceled (firmware update stop operation) is included, other expressions are used. But it ’s okay.

  When a firmware update stop operation is performed on the voice on the network device 12 side as shown in FIG. 15 (in the above example, when the update stop button 27 is pressed within 10 seconds), the network device 12 The update request execution flag is lowered for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, when the firmware update stop operation is not performed on the network device 12 side (in the above example, the update stop button 27 is not pressed for 10 seconds on the network device side), the network device 12 confirms the update. Download the latest firmware file based on the download information included in the message. Here, the file download source may be a separate download dedicated server. After the download is completed, the network device 12 performs a firmware update operation. This includes a method of dynamically updating the network device 12 while it is activated, a method of restarting after replacing the firmware, and any method that can be updated. After the firmware update, the network device 12 lowers the update request execution flag for a certain time (for example, 24 hours).

  When the network device 12 receives the update confirmation message, the latest firmware file may be downloaded unconditionally based on the download information included in the update confirmation message.

(Example 5)
In the fifth embodiment, the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined, and FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, and FIGS. 11 to 16 are used similarly to the first embodiment.

  That is, in the fifth embodiment, when the firmware of the network device 12 is not the latest, the processing for determining the distance between the mobile phone 44 and the network device 12 of the third embodiment and the mobile phone of the fourth embodiment Both the process of notifying the update confirmation to 44 is performed, and an update confirmation message or an update stop message is transmitted to the network device 12.

  Further, the network device maintenance management method of the present invention executes each process described in FIGS.

  Further, a program for causing a computer to execute the network device maintenance management method is constructed.

  In addition, the present invention can be realized by configuring a part or all of the functions of each means in the network device maintenance management system of the present embodiment by a computer program and executing the program using the computer. It goes without saying that the procedure in the network device maintenance and management method of the embodiment can be configured by a computer program, and the program can be executed by the computer, and the program for realizing the function by the computer can be read by the computer. Media such as FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk), MO (Magneto-Optical disk), ROM (Read Only Memory), memory card, CD (Compact Disk) -ROM, DVD (D digital Versatile Disk) -ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, HDD, removable disk, etc., and can be stored or distributed.

  It is also possible to supply a recording medium recording the program to a system or apparatus, and the CPU (MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and examples of the recording medium on which the program is recorded include CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD- There are RW, MO, and HDD.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be widely applied.

The block diagram of Example 1 of the network equipment maintenance management system of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the maintenance management server in Example 1 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of the message used with the network equipment maintenance management system of this invention. The table structure figure of the database in the network equipment maintenance management system of this invention. The operation | movement sequence diagram in case Example 1 of this invention when the firmware of a network apparatus is the newest. The operation | movement sequence diagram in case the firmware of the network apparatus in Example 1 of this invention is old. The operation | movement sequence diagram in case the firmware of the network apparatus in Example 2 of this invention is old (a stop operation | movement is implemented). The operation | movement sequence diagram in case the firmware of the network apparatus in Example 2 of this invention is old (stop operation is not implemented). The block diagram of Example 3 of the network equipment maintenance management system of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the maintenance management server in Example 3 of the network equipment maintenance management system of this invention. The operation | movement sequence diagram in the Example 3 of this invention when a network apparatus and a mobile telephone are within a fixed distance. The operation | movement sequence diagram in the Example 3 of this invention when a network apparatus and a mobile telephone are separated from the fixed distance more than a fixed distance. The operation | movement sequence diagram in Example 4 of this invention when the firmware of a network apparatus is old (it implements stop operation with a mobile telephone). The operation | movement sequence diagram in Example 4 of this invention when the firmware of a network device is old (a stop operation is implemented in a network device). The operation | movement sequence diagram in the Example 4 of this invention when the firmware of a network apparatus is old (stop operation is not implemented).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Communication network, 12 ... Network equipment, 13, 40 ... Maintenance management server, 14 ... User, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Memory | storage part, 23 ... Network part, 23a, 31 ... Communication control part, 24 ... Audio | voice output part , 25 ... Human sensor, 26 ... Illuminance sensor, 27 ... Update stop button, 32 ... Message analysis unit, 33 ... Message composition unit, 34 ... Main control unit, 35 ... Database management unit, 36 ... Firmware management database, 37 ... User management database, 41 ... Internet, 42 ... fixed telephone network, 43 ... mobile phone network, 44 ... mobile phone, 45 ... telephone line control unit.

Claims (10)

A network device maintenance management system comprising a network device and a management server connected via a predetermined communication network,
The network device is:
Detecting means for detecting presence / absence of a person, update stop determining means for determining stop of firmware update, information transmitting means for transmitting information of the detecting means and update stop determining means to the management server, and the management server Means for downloading and updating firmware according to instructions from
The management server
A network device maintenance management system comprising: means for registering new firmware information of a network device; and means for analyzing the information transmitted from the network device and issuing an instruction to update the firmware to the network device. . The management server
Stores communication control means for transmitting / receiving a message to / from the network device, message composition means for configuring a message to be transmitted to the network device, message analysis means for analyzing the received message, and owner information of the network device The network device maintenance management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a user management database; and a firmware management database that stores information on registered firmware. The network device has an update request execution flag for deciding whether to update firmware,
The information transmission means of the network device detects that no person exists by the detection means, and transmits firmware update request information when the update request execution flag is 1.
The means for issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server checks whether or not new firmware of the network device is registered when the firmware update request information is received from the network device. In this case, the network device transmits update notification information including firmware download source information,
3. The means for downloading and updating the network device downloads and updates firmware with reference to the download source information when receiving the update notification information from the management server. The network equipment maintenance management system described in 1. The user management database stores location information of a network device and location information of a mobile phone owned by a user of the network device, the management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network,
The means for issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server includes a location stored in the user management database of a mobile phone owned by a user of the network device when new firmware of the network device is registered. Has a means for determining the distance between the current position and
The network device maintenance according to claim 3, wherein the update notification information is transmitted when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and update stop information is transmitted instead of the update notification information when the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined value. Management system. The user management database stores mobile phone number information of users of network devices,
The management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network;
The mobile phone includes update stop determination means for determining stop of firmware update of a network device,
Means for issuing an instruction to update the firmware of the management server,
When new firmware of the network device is registered, means for calling the mobile phone owned by the user of the network device and notifying update confirmation information;
Means for determining whether or not an update stop decision has been made from the update stop determination means of the mobile phone within a predetermined time after the mobile phone has received the call;
When the mobile phone does not receive for a predetermined time or when the update stop decision is not made within a predetermined time after reception, the update notification information is transmitted, and when the update stop decision is made, the update notification information 5. The network device maintenance management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein update stop information is transmitted instead. A network device and a management server are connected via a predetermined communication network, and the network device downloads firmware, detection means for detecting presence / absence of a person, update stop determination means for determining stop of firmware update, and firmware Updating the network device, and the management server is a network device maintenance and management method in a system including a database storing information on the network device and firmware, and a unit for issuing an instruction to update the firmware to the network device. There,
When the update request execution flag for deciding whether or not to update the firmware is 1, and the means for detecting the presence / absence of the person detects that there is no person around the network device, the management server Sending firmware update request information;
When the management server receives firmware update request information from the network device, it checks whether or not new firmware of the network device is registered in the database. Sending update notification information including firmware download source information;
A network device maintenance management method comprising: a step of downloading and updating firmware by referring to the download source information when the network device receives the update notification information from the management server. The step of downloading and updating the firmware includes:
After receiving the update notification information, presenting information for confirming whether update is possible or not for a predetermined time;
Determining whether or not an update stop decision has been made from the update stop decision unit of the network device within the predetermined time, and executing the download if the decision is not made. The network device maintenance management method according to claim 6. The database stores location information of network devices and location information of mobile phones owned by users of the network devices,
The management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network;
The step of transmitting the update notification information includes:
If new firmware of the network device is registered, the step of obtaining a distance between a location stored in the database and a current location of a mobile phone owned by a user of the network device,
8. The update notification information is transmitted when the distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and update stop information is transmitted instead of the update notification information when the distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Network equipment maintenance management method. The database stores mobile phone number information of network device users,
The management server is connected to the mobile phone via a predetermined telephone network;
The mobile phone includes update stop determination means for determining stop of firmware update of a network device,
The step of transmitting the update notification information includes:
If new firmware of the network device is registered, calling the mobile phone owned by the user of the network device to notify the update confirmation information;
Determining whether an update stop has been determined from the update stop determining means of the mobile phone within a predetermined time after the mobile phone has received the call;
When the mobile phone does not receive for a predetermined time or when the update stop decision is not made within a predetermined time after reception, the update notification information is transmitted, and when the update stop decision is made, the update notification information 9. The network device maintenance management method according to claim 6, wherein update stop information is transmitted instead.   A network device maintenance management program, characterized in that the computer is a program for executing the steps according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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