JP2009225481A - Communication apparatus, communication control method and communication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus, communication control method, and communication control program in which a load on the side of an electrical apparatus is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: An adapter 102 which connects an electrical apparatus 106 and an ECHONET network, includes: an apparatus object storage section 131 which stores object configuration information of the electrical apparatus 106 to be connected in advance; an object configuration confirmation section 122 which confirms whether the object configuration information stored in the apparatus object storage section 131 beforehand matches with object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical apparatus 106; and a network participation processing section 124 which connects the electrical apparatus 106 and the ECHONET network to communicate with each other if the object configuration confirmation section 122 confirms that the pieces of object configuration information match with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication control method, and a communication control program that connect an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other.

  In recent years, home network systems such as home bus standards HBS and ECHONET (Energy Conservation and Homecare Network) standards have been developed. This home network system forms a home network that connects various home appliances, home appliances and control devices in a home with each other via a home communication line, and organically links each device, By connecting the outside network and the home network to each other and instructing driving from home terminals to home appliances, etc., we will try to provide energy saving and elderly care and provide a safe and comfortable life. System.

  In a conventional ECHONET standard home network system, an electrical device includes a communication interface compliant with the ECHONET standard, and each electrical device is controlled by a controller connected via the communication interface (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2002-342185 A

  However, not all electrical devices have a communication interface that conforms to the ECHONET standard. Therefore, adapters have been developed for connecting electrical devices that do not have the communication interface described above to ECHONET. With this adapter, it is necessary to generate an object corresponding to the electrical device. Therefore, a method of setting at least one or more object generation information prepared in advance in the electrical device in the adapter according to a procedure conforming to the ECHONET standard is conceivable. In this case, the object generation information and the information are set in the adapter. Therefore, there is a problem in that the load on the electric device side becomes large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication control method, and a communication control program that can reduce the load on the electric equipment side.

  The communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that connects an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other, and includes object configuration information storage means for storing object configuration information of the connected electrical device, and the object The object configuration information is matched by the confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the object configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device, and the confirmation unit. Then, if confirmed, a connection means for connecting the electrical device and the network so that they can communicate with each other, a property value storage means for storing a property value representing an attribute of the object, and a property value from the electrical device. In response to a setting request, the property value stored in the property value storage means is set. And a property value setting means for.

  According to this configuration, the object configuration information of the connected electrical device is stored, and whether or not the stored object configuration information matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device. When it is confirmed that the object configuration information matches, the electric device and the network are connected to be communicable with each other.

  As described above, the object configuration information of the connected electric device is stored in the communication device, and is acquired from the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side and the connected electric device. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information matches, the load on the electric equipment side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  In the above communication device, whether or not to notify when the state of the electrical device changes is set in advance in the property, and there is a change in the property value set by the property value setting means. And when it is a property to be notified when the state of the electric device changes, a message generation unit that generates a message for transmitting the value of the property, and a transmission unit that transmits the message generated by the message generation unit It is preferable to further comprise.

  According to this configuration, in the property, whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes is set in advance, the value of the set property has changed, and the state of the electrical device has changed. If it is a property to be notified on the network in the case, when the electrical device notifies the communication device of a change in state, if it is notified without determining whether to transmit to the network, the communication device determines, A message for transmitting the property value is generated, and the generated message is transmitted.

  Therefore, even if the electrical equipment is not particularly conscious of transmission due to a change in the property value, the communication device configures the necessary property value as a message and transmits it to the network, thereby transmitting it to the other network. It is possible to notify the electric device that the state of the electric device has changed.

  In the communication apparatus, the setting request is provided with notification designation information indicating that the property value is notified regardless of the setting of whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes. Preferably, the message generation unit determines whether to generate a message for transmitting the property value based on the notification designation information.

  According to this configuration, the setting request is provided with the notification designation information for notifying the property value regardless of the setting of whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes. It is determined whether or not to generate a message for transmitting the property value based on the information.

  Therefore, by sending a setting request with notification designation information attached, it is possible to send a property value that the electrical device has determined that notification is necessary even if there is no change in status by judging the presence or absence of the notification designation information in the communication device. A trusted message can be generated and sent over the network.

Further, in the communication apparatus, the message generation unit generates an individual message for transmitting one property value by one message when one notification designation information exists, and the notification designation information is When two or more exist, it is preferable to generate a composite message for transmitting two or more property values in one message.

  According to this configuration, when one piece of notification designation information exists, an individual message for transmitting one property value by one message is generated, and when two or more pieces of notification designation information exist, two or more A composite message for transmitting the value of the property in one message is generated. Therefore, it is possible to easily specify the transmission of individual and composite messages from the electric device.

  The communication control method according to the present invention is a communication control method for connecting an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other using a communication device, wherein the communication device is an object of the electrical device to be connected. Whether the object configuration information storage step for storing configuration information matches the object configuration information stored in the object configuration information storage step by the communication device and the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device. A confirmation step for confirming whether or not, when the communication device confirms that the object configuration information matches in the confirmation step, the connection step for connecting the electrical device and the network so that they can communicate with each other, and the communication Property in which the device stores the value of the property that represents the attribute of the object Comprising a storage step, the communication apparatus receives a setting request from said electrical device property value, the property value setting step of setting the value of the property stored in the property value storing step.

  According to this configuration, the object configuration information of the connected electrical device is stored, and whether or not the stored object configuration information matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device. When it is confirmed that the object configuration information matches, the electric device and the network are connected to be communicable with each other.

  As described above, the object configuration information of the connected electric device is stored in the communication device, and is acquired from the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side and the connected electric device. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information matches, the load on the electric equipment side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  A communication control program according to the present invention is a communication control program for a communication device that connects an electric device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other, and stores object configuration information of the connected electric device. A means for confirming whether the object configuration information stored in the object configuration information storage means matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device, and the confirmation means, When it is confirmed that the object configuration information matches, a connection unit that connects the electrical device and the network so that they can communicate with each other, a property value storage unit that stores a property value representing an attribute of the object, and the electrical unit When a property value setting request is received from the device, it is recorded in the property value storage means. To function the communication device as the property value setting means for setting the value of which are have properties that are.

  According to this configuration, the object configuration information of the connected electrical device is stored, and whether or not the stored object configuration information matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device. When it is confirmed that the object configuration information matches, the electric device and the network are connected to be communicable with each other.

  As described above, the object configuration information of the connected electric device is stored in the communication device, and is acquired from the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side and the connected electric device. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information matches, the load on the electric equipment side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the object configuration information of the electric device to be connected is stored in the communication device, and is connected to the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information acquired from the electric device is the same, the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrical device configures the necessary property value as a telegram and transmits it on the network without being particularly conscious of the transmission due to the change in the property value. It is possible to notify that other electrical devices provided on the network have changed the state of the electrical device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is necessary to notify that even if there is no change in the state by determining the presence or absence of the notification designation information in the communication device by sending the setting request with the notification designation information. A message for transmitting the property value determined by the device can be generated and transmitted on the network.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily specify the transmission of individual and composite messages from the electric device.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the object configuration information of the electric device to be connected is stored in the communication device, and is connected to the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information acquired from the electric device is the same, the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the object configuration information of the electric device to be connected is stored in the communication device, and is connected to the object configuration information stored on the communication device side instead of the electric device side. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information acquired from the electric device is the same, the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

  In addition, the communication device stores property values representing object attributes. When a property value setting request is received from an electric device, the stored property value is set. The property value can be transmitted and received between the network and the communication device, and the load on the electric device side can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the home network system by one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adapter shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the communication processing of the adapter shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the object structure information request | requirement command transmitted to an electric equipment from an adapter. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adapter which concerns on a property value setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the property value setting process of the adapter shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the property value setting / notification request command transmitted to an adapter from an electric equipment.

  Hereinafter, a home network system using a controller which is a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the home network system includes a controller 101, a plurality of adapters 102 to 105, a plurality of electrical devices 106 to 109, and a home communication line 110. The controller 101, the plurality of adapters 102 to 105, the plurality of electric devices 106 to 109, and the in-home communication line 110 are installed in a general house, an apartment house, or the like. The controller 101 is communicably connected to the electric devices 106 to 109 via the home communication line 110 and the adapters 102 to 105, and controls the operations of the electric devices 106 to 109 using the control information. The adapters 102 to 105 are communication devices for connecting the electrical devices 106 to 109 that do not have the communication interface of the transmission medium defined by ECHONET so that they can communicate with each other. The adapter 102 will be described later with reference to FIG. The electrical devices 106 to 109 can be connected to a home network including not only so-called home appliances but also sensors and meters (for example, gas meters, water meters, and power meters) that measure and detect residential equipment and living environments. In this specification, the term “electrical device” is used as a generic term for these devices. Further, FIG. 1 shows that the adapters 102 to 105 and the electric devices 106 to 109 are electrically connected. The adapter 102 in the present embodiment is detachable and physically connected to the electric device 106. Has been.

  The controller 101 is communicably connected to the server 200 via the outside communication line 300. The server 200 is configured by a known server computer or the like, and provides basic information and the like of the plurality of electric devices 106 to 109. The server 200 reads basic information of the corresponding electrical device from the built-in memory in response to a request from the controller 101, and transmits the basic information to the controller 101 using the communication processing unit 201. The basic information is information relating to the function of the electrical device defined for each electrical device in order to control the operation of the electrical device. Basic information of various electric devices is stored in advance in a memory as a database, and the contents are updated as appropriate.

  The out-of-home communication line 300 is an out-of-home communication network using an exchange line such as a telephone line and a digital line or a dedicated line. The outside communication line 300 is not particularly limited to the above example, and various wide-area networks can be used. A dedicated line, another public line, the Internet, or the like may be used. Any of these methods may be used. The home communication line 110 may use either a wired or wireless system, and the adapter 102 and the controller 101 may be connected wirelessly.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the adapter 102 shown in FIG. Since the adapters 103 to 105 have the same configuration as the adapter 102, the description thereof is omitted. The adapter 102 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a communication processing unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

  The adapter 102 is communicably connected to the electric device 106 and is communicably connected to the controller 101 via the home communication line 110. The adapter 102 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), gateway, operation unit, liquid crystal display device, and the like, and a predetermined program is executed by the CPU or the like. , Function as a communication processing unit 11, a control unit 12 and a storage unit 13. Note that the operation unit and the liquid crystal display device do not have to be provided unless particularly necessary.

  The control unit 12 executes predetermined communication middleware by a CPU or the like, thereby allowing an IF (interface) information recognition unit 121, an object configuration confirmation unit 122, an object operation setting unit 123, a network entry processing unit 124, and an object configuration additional setting. The unit 125 functions.

  The IF information recognition unit 121 requests IF information from the electric device, and recognizes the transmission speed to the electric device according to a response from the electric device. When the IF information recognizing unit 121 recognizes the transmission speed to the electric device, transmission / reception with the electric device thereafter is performed at the transmission speed.

  The object configuration confirmation unit 122 confirms whether the object configuration information related to the device object stored in advance in the device object storage unit 131 matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device 106. Note that a device object is a logical model of information held by an electric device, control items that can be operated, etc., and information, control items, etc. held by each electric device are defined as properties. .

  The object action setting unit 123 sets action attributes of each property of the device object. The operation attribute includes whether or not to notify other nodes other than the own node where the adapter 102 and the electric device 106 exist when the state of the electric device changes.

  When the object configuration confirmation unit 122 confirms that the object configuration information matches, the network entry processing unit 124 connects the electrical device and the network so that they can communicate with each other.

  In the normal operation state, the object configuration addition setting unit 125 receives a setting request from the electric device 106, and additionally stores the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131.

  The communication processing unit 11 is realized by executing predetermined communication middleware, lower-order communication software, and adapter communication software by a CPU or the like, and controls communication with the controller 101 via the in-home communication line 110 and also performs electrical communication. Controls communication with the device 106.

  In the present embodiment, ECHONET communication middleware and lower-layer communication software in the known ECHONET standard are used as the communication middleware and lower-layer communication software of the communication processing unit 11 and the control unit 12. The electric device 106 does not have a communication interface standardized by ECHONET, but has adapter communication software standardized by ECHONET that enables communication with the adapter 102. The adapter 102 has this adapter communication software.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a storage device such as a memory card, for example, and includes a device object storage unit 131. The device object storage unit 131 stores in advance object configuration information related to a device object of the electric device 106 connected to the adapter 102.

  In this way, by configuring the device object with a removable storage device such as a memory card, the device object corresponding to the connected electrical device can be easily stored in the adapter 102.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 13 is configured by a storage device such as a memory card. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and may be configured by a rewritable storage device such as an EEPROM. Often, device objects corresponding to each electrical device are stored in the server 200, and the adapter 102 may download the device objects from the server 200 via the controller 101 and the communication line 300 and store them in the storage unit 13. Good.

  Next, the operation of the adapter 102 configured as shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining communication processing of the adapter 102 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the operation of the adapter 102 is described, but the same operation is performed for the other adapters 103 to 105.

  In step S <b> 1, the IF information recognition unit 121 uses the communication processing unit 11 to request IF information from the electrical device 106 using a predetermined communication method. Specifically, the IF information recognition unit 121 requests IF information from the electrical device 106 at a transmission rate of 9600 bps. In the ECHONET standard, transmission speeds of 9600 bps and 2400 bps are recommended, so that the adapter 102 and the electric device 106 in this embodiment communicate at any transmission speed.

  In step S21, the electric device 106 accepts the IF information request. In step S21, when the communication method is the same, the electric device 106 responds to the IF information request. That is, when the transmission speed of the interface of the electric device 106 is 9600 bps, the electric device 106 responds to the IF information request and transmits the IF information to the adapter 102.

  Here, when the transmission speed of the interface of the electric device 106 is, for example, 2400 bps other than 9600 bps, the electric device 106 does not transmit IF information. The IF information recognizing unit 121 requests IF information at a transmission rate of 2400 bps after making a request for IF information at a transmission rate of 9600 bps and receiving no response from the electrical device 106 after a predetermined period, for example, 300 msec. When there are a plurality of communication speeds other than 9600 bps and 2400 bps, the IF information recognition unit 121 requests IF information by sequentially changing the transmission speed until there is a response from the electrical device 106.

  In step S <b> 2, the communication processing unit 11 receives IF information transmitted from the electrical device 106. In step S <b> 3, the IF information recognition unit 121 determines whether the connection with the electric device 106 has been successful. That is, if there is a response of IF information from the electrical device 106, the IF information recognition unit 121 recognizes the communication method based on the IF information, and thereafter performs communication using that method. If there is a response to the IF information request from the electric device 106 and it is determined that the connection is successful (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and there is no response to the IF information request from the electric device 106. If it is determined that the connection has failed (NO in step S3), the adapter 102 cannot recognize the communication method of the electric device 106 and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 4, the object configuration confirmation unit 122 requests object configuration information from the electrical device 106 using the communication processing unit 11. In step S <b> 23, the electric device 106 receives the object configuration information request from the adapter 102. In step S <b> 24, the electric device 106 transmits an object configuration information response of the electric device 106 to the adapter 102.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration of an object configuration information request command transmitted from the adapter 102 to the electrical device 106.

  4 indicates a control code (head code), CN indicates a command number code, FN indicates a frame number, DL indicates a data length code, FD (0) indicates an object mounting status, and FD (1) indicates an object configuration number, FD (2) indicates the number of electrical device mounted objects, and FD (3) indicates a storage area for electrical device mounted object codes.

  The object configuration confirmation unit 122 notifies the electrical device 106 of the object configuration information held by itself in a message (object configuration information request) transmitted when confirming the configuration of the object. As this object configuration information, code data indicating a plurality of held objects (in the case of FD (2) and FD (3) in FIG. 4), or specific code information that uniquely defines the object configuration (FD (1) in FIG. 4).

  When the electric device 106 also holds a specific code that uniquely defines the object configuration, the electric device 106 stores the specific code information (FD (1)) in the received object configuration information request message. By comparing the value with the value held by itself, it is possible to easily compare the contents of the structure even when the object is composed of a plurality of objects.

  The configuration indicated by the specific code information (FD (1)) may include the configuration of the installed property in addition to the object class information.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S <b> 5, the communication processing unit 11 receives the object configuration information response transmitted by the electrical device 106. In step S <b> 6, the object configuration confirmation unit 122 determines whether or not the received object configuration information matches the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131 in advance. That is, the object configuration confirmation unit 122 determines whether or not the object configuration information of the electrical device stored in advance in the adapter 102 is compatible with the object configuration of the electrical device 106 connected to the adapter 102. If it is determined that the received object configuration information matches the object configuration information stored in advance in the device object storage unit 131 (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined that they do not match. Then (NO in step S6), the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, the process ends when it is determined that the object configuration information received from the electrical device 106 and the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131 in advance do not match. The invention is not particularly limited to this, and an object generation unit is provided in the control unit 12 of the adapter 102, and it is determined that the received object configuration information does not match the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131 in advance. Then, the object generation unit may generate new object configuration information based on the object configuration information received from the electrical device 106 and store the new object configuration information in the device object storage unit 131.

  In step S <b> 7, the object action setting unit 123 requests the electric device 106 to set the object action using the communication processing unit 11. In step S <b> 23, the electric device 106 receives the object operation setting request from the adapter 102. In step S <b> 24, the electric device 106 transmits an object operation setting response of the electric device 106 to the adapter 102.

  In step S <b> 8, the communication processing unit 11 receives an object action setting response transmitted from the electric device 106. In step S <b> 9, the object action setting unit 123 sets the action of the property constituting the object based on the object action setting received by the communication processing unit 11. The device object is composed of a plurality of properties. For example, when the electric device is an air conditioner, the properties of the air conditioner object include an operation state representing ON / OFF, an operation mode representing an operation state such as automatic, cooling, and heating operation, and a current value representing a currently set temperature value. There are a set temperature and a failure occurrence state indicating whether or not a failure has occurred.

  The property operations set by the object operation setting unit 123 include, for example, automatic announcement at the time of state change, Get / GetM automatic response, Set / SetM automatic response, Get / GetM adapter through, Set / SetM adapter through, and Get / GetM. There are six read notifications.

  The state automatic change announcement is automatically announced when the property value held by the adapter 102 is changed by the property value transmitted from the electric device 106 even if the announcement from the electric device 106 is not specified. Is the action.

  The Get / GetM automatic response means that when a property value read request is received from another node, the property value held by the adapter 102 is returned to the other node, and a read request is received from another node. This is an operation that does not notify the electric device 106.

  Set / SetM automatic response is a property value write request from another node, the property value held by the adapter 102 is returned to the other node, and the property for which the write request has been sent is returned. This is an operation to notify the electric device 106 later.

  In the Get / GetM adapter through, when there is a request for reading a property value from another node, the adapter 102 does not send back a response but notifies the electrical device 106 that there has been a read request from another node. It is.

  Set / SetM adapter through means that when there is a write request for a property value from another node, the adapter 102 does not send back a response but notifies the electrical device 106 that there has been a write request from another node. It is an operation to do.

  The Get / GetM read notification indicates that when a property value read request is received from another node, the property value held by the adapter 102 is returned to the other node, and a read request is received from another node. This is an operation to notify the electric device 106.

  The object operation setting unit 123 sets whether or not to perform the above-described operation for each property constituting the object. Note that the object motion setting unit 123 does not need to set all the motions described above, and may set only the motions that are necessary.

  In step S9, the object action setting unit 123 determines whether or not action settings for all the properties constituting the object have been completed. If it is determined that the operation setting for all properties has not been completed (NO in step S9), the process returns to step S7, and the object operation setting is performed again. If it is determined that the operation settings for all properties have been completed (YES in step S9), the apparatus enters a standby state until an object operation start request is received from the electrical device.

  In step S <b> 27, the electric device 106 requests the adapter 102 to start an object operation. For example, when the electric device 106 is an air conditioner and the power supply of the air conditioner is switched from on to off, the electric device 106 transmits a property value indicating that the operation state is off as an object operation start request.

  In step S <b> 10, the communication processing unit 11 accepts an object motion start request transmitted from the electrical device 106. In step S11, the network entry processing unit 124 enters the ECHONET network. By entering the ECHONET network, it becomes possible to access a node profile object representing node operation status, profile information and control as a node such as manufacturer information, device object list, and setting items.

  In step S12, the network entry processing unit 124 determines whether or not the ECHONET network has been entered. When it is not possible to enter the ECHONET network (NO in step S12), the process proceeds to step S10, and is in a standby state again until an object operation start request is received from the electric device. If the ECHONET network can be entered (YES in step S12), the normal operation state is entered. In the normal operation state, object control processing and the like are performed. Since this object control processing is publicly known, description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the object configuration addition setting unit 125 receives the setting request from the electric device 106 in the normal operation state, and additionally stores the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131. That is, the object configuration information stored in the device object storage unit 131 receives the setting request from the electric device 106 in the normal operation state, and the object configuration information is additionally stored. Object configuration information can be changed in accordance with changes in position or the like.

  As described above, the adapter 102 stores the object configuration information of the electric device 106 to be connected, the object configuration information stored on the adapter 102 side instead of the electric device 106 side, and the connected electric device 106. Since it is confirmed whether or not the object configuration information acquired from the information matches, the load required for processing on the electric device 106 side can be reduced.

  In addition, since the object configuration information of the connected electric device 106 is stored in the device object storage unit 131 in advance, the object configuration information stored in advance matches the object configuration information acquired from the electric device 106. It is not necessary to perform this confirmation on the electric device 106 side, and the load on the electric device 106 side can be reduced.

  Next, the property value setting process in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the adapter 102 related to the property value setting process. Since the adapters 103 to 105 have the same configuration as the adapter 102, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the same components as those of the adapter 102 shown in FIG.

  The adapter 102 illustrated in FIG. 5 functions as the communication processing unit 11, the control unit 12, and the storage unit 13 by executing a predetermined program by a CPU or the like. The control unit 12 functions as a property value setting unit 126 and a message generation unit 127 by executing predetermined communication middleware by a CPU or the like.

  The property value setting unit 126 receives a property value setting request from the electrical device 106 and sets the property value stored in the property value storage unit 132.

  If the property value set by the property value setting unit 126 is changed and the property is set to be notified when the state of the electrical device changes, the message generation unit 127 sets the property value. Generate a message to send the value. Also, the message generation unit 127 transmits the property value based on the notification designation information that notifies the property value on the ECHONET network regardless of the setting of whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes. It is determined whether or not to generate a message to do. Furthermore, when one piece of notification designation information exists, the message generation unit 127 generates an individual message for transmitting one property value by one message, and when two or more pieces of notification designation information exist, 2 A composite message for transmitting one or more property values in one message is generated.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a storage device such as a memory card, for example, and includes a property value storage unit 132. The property value storage unit 132 stores a property value indicating the attribute of the device object of the connected electrical device 106 in association with the property. For example, if the electrical device is an air conditioner, the property value storage unit 132 stores not only numerical values such as a set temperature, but also an operation state indicating ON / OFF, cooling, heating, automatic operation, and the like. The state of the electric equipment such as the operation mode is also stored. The communication processing unit 11 transmits the message generated by the message generation unit 127 on the ECHONET network.

  Next, the operation of the adapter 102 configured as shown in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the property value setting process of the adapter 102 shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the adapter 102, the same operation is performed for the other adapters 103 to 105.

  In step S <b> 51, the electric device 106 requests the adapter 102 for property value setting / notification. In step S <b> 31, the communication processing unit 11 accepts a property value setting / notification request from the electrical device 106.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration of a property value setting / notification request command transmitted from the electrical device 106 to the adapter 102. 7, STX indicates a control code (first code), CN indicates a command number code, FN indicates a frame number, DL indicates a data length code, FD (0) indicates an object code, and FD ( 1) indicates a property code for performing a property value setting / notification request, FD (2) indicates a property designation area to be notified to the outside regardless of the state change, and FD (3) is a property value storage area. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the message from the electric device 106 to the adapter 102, in addition to the conventional one in which different individual or multiple properties are specified each time, transmission is performed with the same specific property information configuration each time. It is also possible to specify transmission of individual messages and composite messages. As a result, the electric device 106 only has to transmit a telegram having the same configuration every time, and it is not necessary to change the configuration of the telegram according to the information to be transmitted, leading to load reduction.

  Note that the property value included in the property value setting / notification request from the electrical device 106 is given notification designation information for notifying the property value on the ECHONET network. That is, when the property value is notified on the ECHONET network, the flag (notification designation information) is set to “1”, and when the property value is not notified on the ECHONET network, the flag is set to “0”. The electric device 106 automatically transmits this property value setting / notification request to the adapter 102 every predetermined period, for example, every hour, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the property of the electric device 106 It may be transmitted every time.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step S32, the communication processing unit 11 responds to the property value setting / notification request. Here, when the communication processing unit 11 normally receives the property value setting / notification request, the communication processing unit 11 responds that the property value has been normally received. When the communication processing unit 11 does not normally receive the property value setting / notification request, the communication processing unit 11 To do. In step S <b> 52, the electrical device 106 receives the property value setting / notification response from the communication processing unit 11 of the adapter 102. Here, when the electrical device 106 receives a response indicating that the property value setting / notification request has not been normally received, the electrical device 106 requests the adapter 102 for property value setting / notification again.

  In step S <b> 33, the property value setting unit 126 sets the property value stored in the property value storage unit 132. That is, the property value setting unit 126 rewrites the property value stored in the property value storage unit 132 with the property value included in the property value setting / notification request sent from the electrical device 106. When the property value setting / notification request sent from the electrical device 106 includes a plurality of property values, the property value setting unit 126 rewrites all of the plurality of property values.

  In step S34, the property value setting unit 126 determines whether or not there is an announcement designation at the time of a state change as the property operation setting. Here, when the announcement designation at the time of state change is set in advance by the object motion setting unit 123 (YES in step S34), the process proceeds to step S35, and when there is no announcement designation at the time of state change (NO in step S34). Since it is not necessary to transmit the property value at the time of the state change to the ECHONET network, the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S35, the property value setting unit 126 determines whether or not the property value stored in the property value storage unit 132 has changed. When a plurality of property values are rewritten, the property value setting unit 126 determines whether or not the value has changed for each rewritten property value. If it is determined that the property value has changed (YES in step S35), the process proceeds to step S36. If it is determined that the property value has not changed (NO in step S35), the electrical device Since the state has not changed, there is no need to make an announcement, and the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S36, the message generation unit 127 generates an individual message for transmitting the value of one property whose state of the electrical device has changed to the ECHONET network with one message. When the state of the electrical device changes and there are a plurality of properties with an announcement designation at the time of the state change, the message generation unit 127 generates a message for each property individually.

  In step S37, the communication processing unit 11 transmits the individual telegram generated by the telegram generation unit 127 on the ECHONET network.

  In step S38, the communication processing unit 11 determines whether or not all the individual telegrams generated by the telegram generation unit 127 have been transmitted on the ECHONET network. If it is determined that all the individual messages have been transmitted (YES in step S38), the process proceeds to step S39, and if it is determined that all the individual messages have not been transmitted (NO in step S38), step Returning to S37, another individual telegram generated by the telegram generator 127 is transmitted on the ECHONET network.

  In step S39, the message generation unit 127 sets the property value setting unit 126 by determining whether there is a flag included in the property value setting / notification request from the electric device 106 and attached to each property value. It is determined whether or not there is at least one property that is designated for notification among the specified property values. Here, when there is at least one property designated for notification (YES in step S39), the process proceeds to step S40, and when there is no property designated for notification (NO in step S39), notification is made on the ECHONET network. Since there is no need, the process is terminated.

  In step S40, the message generation unit 127 determines whether the number of flags to be notified on the ECHONET network is one. That is, the message generation unit 127 determines whether the number of properties for which the flag is set to “1” is one, or two or more. If it is determined that the number of flags is one (YES in step S40), the process proceeds to step S41, and if it is determined that the number of flags is two or more (NO in step S40), Control goes to step S42.

  In step S41, the message generation unit 127 generates an individual message for transmitting the value of one property with a notification designation on the ECHONET network as one message. In step S42, the message generation unit 127 generates a composite message for transmitting two or more property values with notification designation on the ECHONET network as one message. Note that the frame structure of the individual message and the compound message in the present embodiment may be either an encrypted secure message format or an unencrypted (non-secure) plain message format.

  In step S43, the communication processing unit 11 transmits the individual message or the composite message generated by the message generation unit 127 on the ECHONET network.

  As described above, the adapter 102 stores the property value representing the attribute of the object. Upon receiving the property setting / notification request from the electric device 106, the stored property value is set. Instead of directly transmitting / receiving property values between the device 106 and the network, property values can be transmitted / received between the ECHONET network and the adapter 102, and the load on the electric device 106 side can be reduced. it can.

  In addition, in the property, an operation of whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes is set in advance, the property value set by the property value setting unit 126 has changed, and the property of the electrical device has changed. If the property is a property to be notified on the ECHONET network when the state is changed, the electric device side can notify the communication device when the state change is notified without determining whether to transmit to the network. A message for transmitting the value of the property determined by the device is generated, and the generated message is transmitted.

  Therefore, even if the electric device 106 is not particularly conscious of transmission due to a change in the property value, the communication device 102 configures the necessary property value as a telegram and transmits it on the ECHONET network. It is possible to notify the other electrical devices 107 to 109 that the state of the electrical device 106 has changed.

  Further, the property setting / notification request from the electric device 106 includes notification designation information (flag) for notifying the property value regardless of the setting of whether to notify when the state of the electric device changes. Whether or not to generate a message for transmitting the property value is determined based on this flag.

  Therefore, by sending the setting request with the notification designation information, the value of the property determined by the electric device 106 that the notification is necessary even if there is no change in the status by determining whether the communication apparatus 102 has the notification designation information. Can be generated and transmitted over the ECHONET network.

  Furthermore, when one piece of notification designation information exists, an individual message for transmitting the value of one property with one message is generated, and when two or more pieces of notification designation information exist, two or more property A composite message for transmitting values in one message is generated. Therefore, it is possible to easily specify the transmission of individual and composite messages from the electric device 106.

  Note that the means described in this embodiment causes hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electrical / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like to cooperate. You may implement with the form of a program. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  A communication device, a communication control method, and a communication control program according to the present invention can reduce a load on an electric device side, and connect the electric device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other. It is useful as a communication control program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Communication processing part 12 Control part 13 Memory | storage part 101 Controller 102-105 Adapter 106-109 Electric equipment 110 In-home communication line 121 IF information recognition part 122 Object structure confirmation part 123 Object operation setting part 124 Network entry processing part 125 Object structure addition setting Unit 131 Device object storage unit 200 Server 201 Communication processing unit 300 Remote communication line

Claims (6)

A communication device that connects an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other.
Object configuration information storage means for storing object configuration information of the electrical equipment to be connected;
Confirmation means for confirming whether or not the object configuration information stored in the object configuration information storage means matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device;
When the confirmation unit confirms that the object configuration information matches, a connection unit that connects the electrical device and the network so as to communicate with each other
Property value storage means for storing a property value representing the attribute of the object;
A communication apparatus comprising: a property value setting unit that receives a property value setting request from the electric device and sets a property value stored in a property value storage unit. In the property, whether or not to notify when the state of the electrical equipment changes is set in advance,
If the property value set by the property value setting means is changed, and if the property is a property to be notified when the state of the electrical device is changed, a message generation means for generating a message for transmitting the property value When,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a message generated by the message generation unit. The setting request is given notification designation information for notifying the value of the property regardless of the setting of whether to notify when the state of the electrical device changes,
3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the message generation unit determines whether to generate a message for transmitting the property value based on the notification designation information.   The message generation means generates an individual message for transmitting one property value by one message when one piece of the notification designation information exists, and when two or more pieces of the notification designation information exist, 2 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a composite message for transmitting one or more property values in one message is generated. A communication control method for connecting an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other using a communication device,
An object configuration information storage step in which the communication device stores object configuration information of an electrical device to be connected;
A step of confirming whether or not the object configuration information stored in the object configuration information storage step matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device;
When the communication device confirms that the object configuration information matches in the confirmation step, a connection step of connecting the electrical device and the network so that they can communicate with each other;
A property value storing step in which the communication device stores a property value representing an attribute of the object;
A communication control method, comprising: a property value setting step in which the communication device receives a property value setting request from the electric device and sets the property value stored in the property value storing step. A communication control program for a communication device that connects an electrical device and a predetermined network so that they can communicate with each other.
Object configuration information storage means for storing object configuration information of the electrical equipment to be connected;
Confirmation means for confirming whether or not the object configuration information stored in the object configuration information storage means matches the object configuration information acquired from the connected electrical device;
When the confirmation unit confirms that the object configuration information matches, a connection unit that connects the electrical device and the network so as to communicate with each other
Property value storage means for storing a property value representing the attribute of the object;
A communication control program that receives a property value setting request from the electrical device and causes the communication apparatus to function as property value setting means for setting a property value stored in a property value storage means.

Images