JP2014186432A - Electronic apparatus and script generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user of an electronic apparatus to expand features of the electronic apparatus using a script for feature expansion, even when the user does not have knowledge of the script language and debug.SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus includes: script execution means that executes a script described in prescribed script language; and customization means that acquires, as a description example in the script language, a sample script of a processing procedure for causing the electronic apparatus to implement a new function, customizes it according to a setup content of parameters for causing the electronic apparatus to implement a unique function, and generates and stores the feature expansion script of the self apparatus. The script execution means executes the feature expansion script generated by the customization means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for realizing functional expansion of an electronic device.

  In a relay device such as a router, data transfer control is realized by operating a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in accordance with a program called firmware. For this reason, in the past, when performing a function expansion to add a new function to this type of relay device, it was essential to update the firmware, but in recent years, the function expansion has been realized without updating the firmware. Various techniques have been proposed. For example, function expansion without updating the firmware is performed by causing the computer to execute a function expansion script in which a processing procedure for realizing a new function in a computer such as a control unit of the relay apparatus is described using a predetermined script language. Is achieved.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 10-500510

  When extending the function of a relay device using a function expansion script, the user of the relay device prepares the function expansion script by himself such as creating a function expansion script for realizing the desired function in the relay device. There is a need to. However, it is often difficult for a general user to create a function expansion script. This is because creation of a function expansion script requires knowledge of the script language used for the description and knowledge of the algorithm.

  It has also been proposed to distribute a description example of a script for function expansion in a script language (hereinafter referred to as a sample script) so that the function of the relay device can be expanded without writing the function expansion script from scratch. . This is because if the sample script distributed in this way is rewritten according to the setting contents of the respective relay device, a function expansion script for the relay device can be obtained. However, it may be difficult for general users to rewrite the sample script according to the settings of their relay device, and the function expansion script created by rewriting the sample script will not function as expected. It is also difficult for a general user to perform a debugging operation for verifying whether it is realized or whether an unexpected failure is caused. This is not a problem specific to a relay device having a script execution function, but is a problem common to electronic devices that have a script execution function and can be expanded by a function expansion script.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if a user of an electronic device having a script execution function does not have knowledge about a script language or debugging, the function expansion script is used to The purpose is to provide a technology that enables function expansion.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a script execution means for executing a script described in a predetermined script language in an electronic device that realizes a function unique to the electronic device according to a preset parameter, and the electronic device A sample script which is a description example of the processing procedure for realizing a new function in the script language is acquired, and customization according to the setting content of the parameter is applied to the sample script, and the function expansion script for the own device Customizing means for generating an electronic device, wherein the script execution means executes the function expansion script generated by the customization means.

  As a specific example of such an electronic device, transfer control means for executing transfer control of data transmitted from one of the first communication network and the second communication network to the other according to a preset parameter. As a means for realizing the function specific to the apparatus, and further, script execution means for executing a script described in a predetermined script language, and a processing procedure for realizing a new function in the relay apparatus according to the script language Customizing means for obtaining a sample script that is a description example, and performing customization according to the setting contents of the parameters that define the transfer control to the sample script to generate a function expansion script for the own device, and The function execution script generated by the customization means can be executed by the script execution means. Relay device according to claim, and the like. In such a relay apparatus, processing for customizing a sample script and generating a function expansion script for the relay apparatus is executed by the relay apparatus. For this reason, it is not necessary for the user of the relay device to rewrite the sample script, and no particular problem occurs even if the user does not have knowledge about the script language or algorithm or debugging technology. As another aspect for solving the above-described problem, an aspect in which a program for causing the control unit of the relay device to function as each of the above-described units is conceivable. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that allows a task to be automatically executed by a computer to be easily defined via an interactive user interface. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a sample script. It is not a technique for customizing and generating a function expansion script, but is a completely different invention from the present invention.

  By the way, in the sample script, a comment (addressed to the viewer of the source code of the function extension script) is urged to set a new parameter prior to the execution of the function extension script generated by customizing the sample script. There may be a case where a character string (hereinafter referred to as a comment character string) is included. When such a sample script is manually customized by a user to generate a function expansion script and execute it on an electronic device, the comment character string is deleted at the time of customization, and the function expansion script is executed. Prior to the start, it was necessary to set parameters according to the comment represented by the comment string. Therefore, if the sample script contains a comment character string that prompts you to set a new parameter prior to the execution of the extension script generated by customizing the sample script, The comment character string may be deleted, and the customization unit may be caused to execute a process for setting a new parameter in accordance with the comment represented by the comment character string prior to the execution of the function expansion script by the script execution unit. According to such an aspect, even if the user does not have knowledge about the script language or algorithm and debugging technology, and also does not have knowledge about environment setting such as setting of a new parameter, the function can be expanded. It is possible to realize the function expansion of the electronic device used by the user script.

  In addition, as a specific description mode of the sample script, the value of a parameter for realizing a function specific to the electronic device or a new parameter value determined according to the setting content of the parameter is described in the value. Instead of this, there is a mode in which different identifiers (for example, character strings) are described for each parameter. When such a sample script is manually created by a user and a function expansion script is generated, an operation of rewriting these identifiers to values of corresponding parameters has been performed. In order to enable automatic generation of a function extension script from such a sample script, the customization means acquires parameter definition data that associates the identifier included in the sample script with the parameter indicated by the identifier together with the sample script. The identifier included in the acquired sample script may be rewritten to the parameter value indicated by the identifier according to the contents of the parameter definition data, and the process of generating the function expansion script may be executed.

  In the parameter definition data, an identifier corresponding to a new parameter determined according to the setting content of the parameter for realizing the function unique to the electronic device has a plurality of different calculation methods for the value of the new parameter. If the data is associated, the customizing unit may calculate the new parameter value by any one of these multiple calculation methods. For example, when the electronic device is a relay device, as an example of a plurality of types of calculation methods, parameters already set in the relay device are matched with each other, and new parameter values are calculated (or specified) based on the matching result. And a method of calculating (or specifying) a new parameter value by analyzing the flow of data communication executed via the relay device. Even when a new parameter value cannot be identified from the mutual relationship between parameters already set in the relay apparatus, the parameter value may be identified by paying attention to the flow of data communication. For this reason, according to this aspect, it is expected that the frequency of occurrence of problems such as the inability to calculate new parameter values at all can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an electronic device that realizes a specific function according to a preset parameter, and has a function of executing a script described in a predetermined script language. The acquisition unit acquires the parameter obtained by the acquisition unit that communicates via the communication network with the sample script that is a description example in the script language of the processing procedure for realizing the electronic device with a new function. There is provided a script generation device comprising: a generation unit configured to generate a function expansion script for the electronic device by performing customization according to the parameter.

  Even in such an aspect, even if a user of an electronic device having a script execution function does not have knowledge about a script language or debugging, the function of the electronic device can be easily expanded using the function expansion script. It becomes possible. A specific example of the script generation apparatus is a sample script distribution apparatus that has a storage unit that stores a sample script and distributes the sample script to an electronic device via a communication network. For example, when a parameter for realizing a function specific to the electronic device is acquired from the electronic device, the function generated by customizing the sample script according to the parameter acquired from the electronic device instead of the sample script The process of distributing the extension script is executed. When the electronic device is a relay device such as a router, the terminal device under the relay device may play the role of the script generation device. More specifically, the sample script acquired via the relay device is customized according to the parameters acquired from the relay device to generate a function expansion script for the relay device, and the processing given to the relay device It is executed by the terminal device. As another aspect of the present invention, an aspect of distributing a program that causes a general computer such as a personal computer to function as the acquisition unit and the generation unit may be considered.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system 1 containing the relay apparatus 10 which is one Embodiment of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sample script stored in a sample script distribution device 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a relay device 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting menu screen displayed on the display part of the computer apparatus for performing various setting work with respect to the relay apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence in the communication system 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a communication state monitoring function which is a new function given to the relay device 10.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system 1 including a relay device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 is an information system in a company, for example. This communication system 1 is configured by connecting a head office LAN (Local Area Network) laid in the head office of the above company and a branch side LAN laid in a branch of the same company to a wide area network such as the Internet. . As shown in FIG. 1, the head office LAN is connected to a wide area network via a relay device such as a router, and the branch side LAN is connected to a wide area network via a relay device 10.

  The relay device 10 is, for example, a router, and is connected between the personal computer PC1 or PC2 connected to the branch side LAN and the WWW server device connected to the Internet or the PC3 connected to the head office side LAN. It performs transfer control of data transmitted and received in accordance with IP (Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). In the relay device 10, the transfer control is realized by operating a control unit configured by a CPU or the like according to firmware. Further, the relay apparatus 10 has a script execution function for executing a script described using a predetermined script language (Lua in the present embodiment). For this reason, the user of the relay apparatus 10 causes the relay apparatus 10 to execute a function expansion script describing a processing procedure for realizing a new function in the relay apparatus 10 in the script language. Can be extended. The reason why Lua is adopted as the script language in the present embodiment is that the processing load of script execution processing is small compared to other script languages such as Perl and Java (registered trademark), and it is suitable for incorporation into a router. .

  A user of the relay device 10 (for example, a branch LAN operation manager) can obtain a sample script, which is a description example of the function expansion script, by downloading from the sample script distribution device 20 connected to the wide area network. it can. The sample script distribution device 20 is a WWW server device that is operated and managed by a company that manufactures and sells the relay device 10. The sample script distribution device 20 stores in advance a sample script created by the manufacturer / seller. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a sample script stored in the sample script distribution device 20. In this sample script, various parameters for defining data transfer control in the relay device (LAN interface number and IP address range assigned to the personal computer under the LAN interface (for example, communication to each personal computer by DHCP) When assigning an address, an identifier indicating the parameter is described in place of a specific value of the parameter at a location where the DHCP scope setting number) is quoted.

  For example, in the sample script shown in FIG. 2A, an identifier “PRM_STR_SWITCH_USING_LAN_IFNUM” is described in place of the LAN interface number of the communication interface unit that functions as the LAN interface on the local network side and implements the switch control function. Has been. In addition, the identifier “PRM_NUM_DHCP_SCOPE_LANIF1” in the sample script of FIG. 2A indicates the DHCP scope setting number of the LAN interface on the local network side. Each line below the identifier “@ CFG @” in the sample script shown in FIG. 2A is a comment character that prompts the user to set the parameters shown in each line before executing the function expansion script. Is a column.

  As described above, in the sample script, identifiers indicating the parameters are described in place of the specific values of the various parameters that define the data transfer control. Further, as shown in FIG. In some cases, a comment character string that prompts the user to be included is included. For this reason, the sample script acquired from the sample script distribution device 20 cannot be directly executed by the relay device 10 as a function expansion script. Conventionally, the user of the relay apparatus 10 uses a text editor or the like to rewrite each identifier in the sample script with the value of the corresponding parameter, deletes the comment character string, and adds a parameter indicated by the comment character string. I had to do the work.

For example, the LAN interface number of the communication interface unit functioning as the LAN interface on the local network side and realizing the switch control function is “1”, and the setting number of the DHCP scope of the LAN interface on the local network side is “5”. In some cases, it is necessary to rewrite the sample script as shown in FIG. 2B to obtain a function expansion script, and to add the setting shown in FIG. 2C to the setting file of the relay device 10. There wasn't. However, as described above, these operations are difficult for general users. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the relay device 10 is caused to execute processing for rewriting the sample script according to the parameter that defines data transfer control in the own device, deletion of the comment character string, and additional setting indicated by the comment character string. This solves the above problem.
Hereinafter, the relay apparatus 10 that clearly shows the features of the present embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the relay device 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the relay device 10 includes a control unit 100, a first communication interface (hereinafter “I / F”) unit 110, a second communication I / F unit 120, and an external device I / F unit 130. , A storage unit 140, and a bus 150 that mediates data exchange between these components. The control unit 100 is a CPU, and executes a program stored in the storage unit 140 (more precisely, the non-volatile storage unit 144 included in the storage unit 140) as a control center of the relay device 10. Function. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, two types of programs, that is, a communication control program 144a that is firmware of the relay apparatus 10 and a function expansion program 144b are stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 144 in advance.

  The first communication I / F unit 110 is a NIC (Network Interface Card), and is connected to the branch side LAN in FIG. The first communication I / F unit 110 receives a packet transmitted from the branch side LAN and delivers it to the control unit 100, while sending a packet delivered from the control unit 100 to the branch side LAN. Similarly to the first communication I / F unit 110, the second communication I / F unit 120 is a NIC and is connected to a wide area network. The second communication I / F unit 120 receives a packet transmitted from the wide area network and delivers the packet to the control unit 100, while transmitting the packet received from the control unit 100 to the wide area network.

  The external device I / F unit 130 exchanges data with an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an external device such as a serial console according to a predetermined protocol (USB or RS-232C). belongs to. For example, when a USB memory is used as an external device, the external device I / F unit 130 may be configured with a USB interface. When a serial console is used as an external device, an external device is used with a serial interface such as an RS-232C interface. The device I / F unit 130 may be configured. The external device I / F unit 130 is for giving various instructions and data to the relay apparatus 10 from an external device connected to the external device I / F unit 130.

  The storage unit 140 includes a volatile storage unit 142 and a nonvolatile storage unit 144 as shown in FIG. The volatile storage unit 142 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used by the control unit 100 as a work area when executing various programs. The volatile storage unit 142 stores data (for example, a routing table) that is referred to when performing data transfer control. On the other hand, the nonvolatile storage unit 144 is a hard disk or a flash memory. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the nonvolatile storage unit 144, in addition to the communication control program 144a and the function expansion program 144b described above, a setting menu screen for setting the operation of the relay device 10 using a browser is displayed. HTML data to be represented (not shown in FIG. 3A) and a setting file 144c are stored. When a serial console is connected to the external device I / F unit 130 and operation setting is performed by operating the serial console, the HTML data need not be stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 144.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting menu screen in the present embodiment. The setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit of the personal computer of the download destination by causing the browser to interpret the HTML data downloaded from the relay device 10. On the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4, by clicking the virtual buttons B01, B02, and B03 with a mouse, etc., it is possible to instruct minimization, maximization, and destruction of the setting menu screen as in the case of a general browser screen. .

  In the area A01 of the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4, setting items for the communication control function realized by the control unit 100 of the relay device 10 according to the communication control program 144a are arranged. Each of these setting items includes a parameter. Are associated with link information for instructing the control unit 100 to change the information. On the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4, by clicking these setting items with a mouse, etc., the control unit 100 is instructed to change the corresponding setting items in the same manner as in a general browser screen, and the corresponding parameters are updated. Can be made.

  In the area A02 of the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4, a function expansion menu for realizing function expansion of the relay apparatus 10 is displayed using an inline frame or the like. More specifically, the function expansion menu is displayed according to the HTML data downloaded from the sample script distribution device 20 separately from the HTML data downloaded from the relay device 10. The sample script distribution device 20 stores HTML data representing a function expansion menu for a sample of a function expansion script that can be distributed by the sample script distribution device 20. The HTML data stored in the non-volatile storage unit 144 of the relay device 10 is embedded with link information that instructs the browser to which the HTML data is downloaded to download the HTML data of the function expansion menu. . The personal computer that has downloaded the HTML data of the setting menu screen from the relay device 10 downloads the HTML data of the function expansion menu from the sample script distribution device 20 according to the link information embedded in the HTML data, and obtains the HTML data. As a trigger, the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. Therefore, when a company that manufactures and sells the relay device 10 starts distributing a new sample script, the sample script is stored in the sample script distribution device 20, and information about the sample script is posted. What is necessary is just to update the HTML data of the function expansion menu to the thing, without updating the HTML data (HTML data of the setting menu screen) stored in the relay device 10, or updating the firmware of the relay device 10. The new function can be used by the user of the relay device 10.

  In the function expansion menu displayed in the area A02 of FIG. 4, the user is permitted to use the function for each function expansion script sample (ie, expandable function) that can be distributed by the sample script distribution apparatus 20 Radio buttons for enabling the function and detailed explanation of the function are posted. The radio button for instructing the user to use the extended function is associated with link information to a sample of a script for function expansion that causes the control unit 100 to realize the extended function, and the radio button is clicked with a mouse or the like. Can instruct to download the sample script. A personal computer that is instructed to download a sample script of a new function by operating the function expansion menu accesses the sample script distribution device 20 according to the link information and downloads the corresponding sample script. Then, the personal computer transmits the sample script to the HTML data distribution source (the relay apparatus 10 in this embodiment) on the setting menu screen, and instructs to customize and execute it.

  In the setting file 144c, specific setting values of the parameters are written in association with identifiers indicating various parameters (such as the LAN interface number described above) that define data transfer control in the relay apparatus 10. When it is necessary to set a new parameter prior to the execution of the function expansion script, the setting value of the new parameter may be added to the setting file 144c in association with an identifier indicating the parameter. The communication control program 144a causes the control unit 100 to execute transfer control processing for executing transfer control of data transmitted from one of the branch side LAN and the head office side LAN to the other according to various parameters written in the setting file 144c. It is a program to be executed. The control unit 100 starts execution of the communication control program 144a when the relay device 10 is turned on, and functions as transfer control means (FIG. 3B) for executing the transfer control processing. The transfer control process executed in accordance with the communication control program 144a is not particularly different from that in the conventional router, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The function expansion program 144b is a program that causes the control unit 100 to execute customization processing and script execution processing. In the present embodiment, the execution of the function expansion program 144b is also started when the relay device 10 is turned on. By executing the function expansion program 144b, the control unit 100 functions as a customization unit that executes the customization process and also functions as a script execution unit that executes the script execution process, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

  The customization process is a process that starts when a sample script and parameter definition data paired with the sample script are received from a subordinate personal computer. The parameter definition data is data distributed from the sample script distribution device 20 together with the sample script, and an identifier included in the sample script distributed together with the parameter definition data is associated with each parameter stored in the setting file 144c. It is data. As a specific example of such parameter definition data, data in which an identifier included in the sample script is associated with an identifier written in the setting file 144c in association with a specific setting value of the parameter indicated by the identifier. Is mentioned.

In the customization process, the control unit 100 generates a function expansion script for its own device by replacing the identifier included in the sample script with the parameter value stored in the setting file 144c in accordance with the parameter definition data. Stored in the sex storage unit 144. If the sample script includes a comment character string that prompts the user to set a new parameter (in the example shown in FIG. 2A, each line after @ CHG @), the control unit 100 determines that the comment A process of adding a new parameter to the setting file 144c according to the character string and a process of deleting the comment character string from the script in which the identifier and the parameter are replaced are also executed.
The above is the content of the customization process.

The script execution process is a process for executing a function expansion script. In this embodiment, Lua is adopted as a script language for describing a function expansion script. For this reason, script execution processing includes processing for converting instructions constituting each processing procedure described in the function extension script to be executed into intermediate code called bytecode, and processing for executing the bytecode by LuaVM. And are included. Various modes can be considered for the execution trigger of the script execution process. Specifically, the customization process is executed to generate a new function expansion script, or a predetermined event occurs such as an execution instruction is given from a subordinate personal computer.
The above is the configuration of the relay device 10.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in accordance with the procedure for realizing the function expansion of the relay device 10. When it is desired to expand the function of the relay device 10, the user starts a WWW browser on a personal computer (in this operation example, personal computer PC1) connected to the branch side LAN, and issues an instruction to download HTML data on the setting menu screen. give. The control unit of the personal computer PC1 transmits a request message Q100 requesting downloading of the HTML data to the relay device 10 according to the instruction (see FIG. 5). When receiving the request message Q100, the control unit 100 of the relay device 10 reads the HTML data from the nonvolatile storage unit 144 and returns a response message R100 in which the HTML data is written in the payload portion (see FIG. 5).

  When receiving the response message R100, the control unit of the personal computer PC1 reads the HTML data written in the payload of the response message R100, and starts display processing of the setting menu screen represented by the HTML data using a browser. As described above, link information for displaying the function extension menu is embedded in the HTML data in the area A02 of the setting menu screen. The control unit of the personal computer PC1 transmits a request message Q110 requesting downloading of HTML data of the function expansion menu to the sample script distribution apparatus 20 according to the link information (see FIG. 5). When receiving the request message Q110, the control unit of the sample script distribution apparatus 20 returns a response message R110 in which HTML data representing the function expansion menu is written in the payload part (see FIG. 5). The control unit of the personal computer PC1 displays the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit when the response message R110 is received and all the data necessary for displaying the setting menu screen is obtained (FIG. 5: Step S100). .

  The user who visually recognizes the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4 selects a function (function A and function B in FIG. 4) to be newly used by operating a radio button of the function extension menu, and the function extension. It is possible to instruct the control unit of the personal computer PC1 to download a sample of a function expansion script for realizing the above. The control unit of the personal computer PC1 generates a request message Q120 for requesting download of the sample script instructed to download by the user, and transmits the request message Q120 to the sample script distribution apparatus 20 (see FIG. 5). When the sample script distribution device 20 receives the request message Q120, the sample script distribution device 20 reads the sample script requested to be downloaded by the request message Q120 and the parameter definition data paired with the sample script from the storage unit of the own device. A response message R120 in which the parameter definition data is written in the payload portion is returned.

  When receiving the response message R120, the control unit of the personal computer PC1 reads the sample script and parameter definition data written in the payload portion of the response message R120, and writes the sample script and parameter definition data in the payload portion. A request message Q130, which is a communication message and instructs execution of customization processing and script execution processing for the sample script, is generated, and the request message Q130 is transmitted to the relay device 10.

  When receiving the request message Q130, the control unit 100 of the relay apparatus 10 reads the sample script and parameter definition data written in the payload part of the request message Q130, and includes the above-described customization processing S110 (that is, included in the sample script). Generated by the customization process S110. The process of rewriting the identifier indicating the parameter being changed to the setting value of the parameter, the process of deleting the comment character string, and setting a new parameter according to the comment character string) A script execution process S120 for executing a function expansion script is executed. Thereby, the function expansion of the relay apparatus 10 is implement | achieved by the user.

  Here, as a new function given to the relay device 10 by executing the function expansion script, a resident function (an infinite loop is included in the processing procedure for realizing the function and the execution is stopped by interrupt processing or the like). And a turnaround type function (a function for ending the processing by storing or outputting the processing result). For example, as an example of the turnaround function, the setting contents of the setting file 144c and the operation log file of the relay device 10 are stored in a predetermined output destination (serial console or USB memory connected to the external device I / F unit 130, or And a function of outputting to a personal computer connected to the branch side LAN. By providing such a function, it is possible to output operation settings and operation log reports for the relay device 10, and it is easy to manage the operation of the relay device 10.

  On the other hand, as an example of the resident function, there is a communication state monitoring function whose processing procedure is shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. This communication state monitoring function monitors the communication state of data communication via the relay device 10 at regular time intervals (600 seconds in this embodiment), and starts QoS (Quality of Service) according to the monitoring result. This is a function of notifying (or stopping) and the monitoring result to a predetermined destination. As shown in FIG. 6, this communication status monitoring function calculates the number of times a ping packet is transmitted to a gateway device (not shown) of the branch side LAN (step SA100) and the number of response packets received in response to these ping packets. Processing for controlling start and stop of QoS according to the packet loss rate (steps SA110, SA120, SA150 and SA160), and processing for notifying data indicating the monitoring result to a predetermined destination by e-mail or the like (step SA130) This is realized by sequentially executing a process of sleeping for 600 seconds (step SA140). As another specific example of the resident type function, whether or not a specific communication log is output to the operation log file is monitored, notification processing is executed when the specific communication log is output, and again A mode of sleeping until the specific communication log is output is also conceivable. In the case of a resident function, a script execution process is executed by the control unit 100 for a function expansion script that realizes the function every time the relay device 10 is turned on (or reset). You can make it.

  An example of a sample of a function expansion script that causes the relay apparatus 10 to realize the communication state monitoring function is a sample script in which the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is described in Lua. Here, when the ping packet is transmitted to the gateway device, the communication address of the gateway device is required, but the communication address of the gateway device is generally different for each relay device. For this reason, in the sample script, an identifier indicating the communication address is described instead of a specific value of the communication address of the gateway device. The control unit 100 refers to the parameter definition data and the setting file 144c, replaces the identifier with the communication address of the gateway device, and generates and executes a function expansion script for the device itself.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the process of customizing the sample script for the own device and generating the function expansion script is executed by the control unit 100 of the relay device 10, so that the user of the relay device 10 can execute the script. Even without knowledge about languages and algorithms and debugging technology, it is possible to perform function expansion of the relay device 10 using a function expansion script.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment may of course be modified as follows.
(1) Although the application example of the present invention to the router has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention may of course be applied to a switching hub. In short, a function that is connected to the first and second communication networks and performs transfer control of data transmitted from one of the two communication networks to the other according to preset parameters, and a script execution function The present invention can be applied to any relay device provided. In addition, the application target of the present invention is not limited to a router or a switching hub, but includes a communication device (for example, a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone) provided with a communication unit that performs data communication according to a preset parameter, A portable or stationary game machine, an electronic musical instrument, or a so-called information home appliance may be used. In short, a means for realizing a specific function in accordance with a preset parameter (a means corresponding to the transfer control means in FIG. 3B), a game machine is set by interpreting and executing a game program. An electronic device having means for controlling display of a game screen and sound output control according to a parameter, means for generating musical sound data according to a user operation and a set parameter in the case of an electronic musical instrument, and a script If the electronic device includes an execution unit, the present invention is applied (that is, the customization unit is provided, and the script execution unit executes the script for expanding the function customized by the customization unit). The function expansion by can be realized easily.

  For example, when the present invention is applied to a game machine, the volume balance (sound effect, speech and BGM volume balance) set by the user is stored for each game type, and the game is instructed to be executed by the user. It is conceivable to use a function expansion script that realizes the process of automatically adjusting the volume balance according to the type. In an action game or the like, it is preferable that the volume of sound effects or BGM is high, and in a role-playing game, it is preferable that the volume of speech is high, and the optimal volume balance often varies depending on the type of game. On the other hand, it is troublesome to reset the parameters that define the volume balance every time the game to be executed is changed. This is because such troublesomeness can be eliminated by performing function expansion using the function expansion script.

(2) In the above embodiment, the transfer control process, the customization process, and the script execution process are all executed by the control unit 100. The customization process is executed only when the function expansion script is acquired, so there is no problem. However, if the processing load of the script execution process is too large, the transfer control process will be hindered and packet loss will occur. There is a risk of malfunction. Therefore, when the newly added function is a resident type, the control unit 100 is caused to execute a process for limiting the execution so that the processing load of the script execution process does not exceed a predetermined threshold. Also good. Further, the threshold value may be dynamically updated according to the execution status of the transfer control process (that is, the processing load of the transfer control process). For example, the larger the processing load of the transfer control process, the smaller the threshold value (for example, the threshold value is set as an environment variable in the customization process, and the environment variable is updated according to the processing load of the transfer control process). is there. Furthermore, in order to prevent the above-described problems from occurring, a means for executing firmware and a means for executing customization processing and script execution processing may be provided separately.

(3) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a sample script is downloaded from the sample script distribution device 20 to the personal computer PC1 under the relay device 10 and the sample script is given to the relay device 10 from the personal computer PC1. However, instead of the request message Q120, a communication message for instructing the download of the sample script is transmitted from the personal computer PC1 to the relay apparatus 10, and upon reception of this communication message, the sample script distribution apparatus is sent to the control unit 100 of the relay apparatus 10. The sample script from 20 may be acquired (downloaded), and the customization process and the script execution process may be executed for the sample script. Also, a script generation device that communicates with the relay device 10 to obtain the setting file 144c, and customizes the sample script according to the parameters included in the setting file 144c to generate a function expansion script for the relay device 10 May be provided in the communication system 1 separately from the relay device 10. For example, the sample script distribution device 20 may serve as the script generation device, and the personal computer under the relay device 10 may serve as the script generation device.

  For example, when the sample script distribution device 20 also serves as the script generation device, the setting file 144c is acquired from the relay device 10, and the setting file 144c is added to the payload portion of the request message Q120 and transmitted. May be executed by the personal computer PC1, and the sample script distribution device 20 may be caused to execute a process of writing and returning the customized function expansion script in the response message R120 with reference to the setting file 144c. Also, two types of script distribution modes by the sample script distribution device 20 are prepared: a mode in which a sample script is distributed as it is and a mode in which a customized function expansion script is distributed. The former is free of charge for the relay device 10. It is also conceivable to allow the user to use the latter while paying for the latter. Whether or not the user can use the paid service may be determined by performing user authentication when receiving the request message Q110 (or Q120). On the other hand, when the personal computer under the relay device 10 also serves as the script generation device, a sample script is written in an external storage device such as a USB memory, and the external storage device is connected to the personal computer. A sample script may be given.

(4) In the above embodiment, as parameter definition data, identifiers written in the sample script as indicating each parameter, and identifiers written in the setting file 144c in association with specific setting values of these parameters The data which matched was used. However, when the same identifier as that in the setting file 144c is used as an identifier used when describing the sample script to indicate each parameter, it is not necessary to distribute the parameter definition data together with the sample script. Further, the identifier included in the sample script is not limited to the one indicating any parameter defined in the setting file 144c, but indicates a new parameter calculated according to the mutual relationship between these parameters. It may be. As an example of such a parameter, for example, when a filtering function (for example, a function for prohibiting external access by a personal computer included in a branch side LAN) is given to the relay apparatus 10 by a function expansion script, the filtering target The parameters for causing the relay device 10 to identify these devices are listed. Such parameters are not directly stored in the setting file 144c, but the LAN interface number of the branch side LAN is specified with reference to the setting file 144c, and DHCP corresponding to the LAN interface indicated by the LAN interface number is specified. By referring to the setting number, it is possible to specify a parameter for causing the relay device 10 to identify the device to be filtered.

  Also, in the parameter definition data, a plurality of data indicating different calculation methods for the value of the new parameter are associated with the identifier corresponding to the new parameter determined according to the setting contents of the parameter that defines the transfer control process. You can keep it. Here, as an example of a plurality of types of calculation methods, the parameters already set in the relay device 10 are matched with each other like the parameters for identifying the device to be filtered to the relay device 10, and the result of the matching is obtained. A method for calculating (or specifying) a new parameter value based on the above, and a method for calculating (or specifying) a new parameter value by analyzing the flow of data communication executed via the relay apparatus 10 are included. . Even if a new parameter value cannot be identified from the mutual relationship of parameters already set in the relay apparatus, it is possible that the parameter value can be identified by focusing on the data communication flow. For this reason, a plurality of data indicating different calculation methods for the new parameter values are included in the parameter definition data, and the control unit 100 sequentially executes the plurality of types of methods to obtain the new parameter values. It is expected that the occurrence frequency of defects that cannot be calculated at all can be reduced.

(5) In the above embodiment, the processing procedure for the new function to be given to the relay device 10 is not specified by the function expansion script, but to a function for transmitting a ping to a predetermined communication device or to a predetermined destination An interface (so-called API: Application) for creating a library by making a script that realizes a function that is considered to be frequently used in a relay device, such as a function for sending an e-mail, into a function, and calling a function included in the library Programming Interface) may be prepared. By providing such a library and publishing an API, it is no longer necessary to write a script for realizing a function of transmitting a ping to a predetermined communication device, and a sample script and a function expansion script can be created. It becomes easy. The processing procedure for each function may be described in a script language, or the processing procedure may be described in a C language or a machine language.

(6) In the above embodiment, Lua is used as the script description language for extending the function of the relay device 10. However, when the processing capacity of the control unit 100 and the storage capacity of the storage unit 140 are sufficient, Of course, other script languages such as Perl and Java (registered trademark) may be used. The script language used to describe the function expansion script is not limited to the so-called interpreter type, and an executable file may be generated by compilation. For example, the sample source code of the function expansion script is downloaded from the sample script distribution device 20 to the relay device 10, the sample source code is compiled in the relay device 10 to generate an executable format file, and the executable format file is executed By doing so, function expansion is realized. In this case, customizable parameters may be included in the sample source code, and processing for customizing the parameters may be executed by the control unit 100 as preprocessing for compilation. Further, when an execution format file is downloaded from the sample script distribution apparatus 20 to the relay apparatus 10 and the execution format file is executed by the control unit 100 of the relay apparatus 10, customizable parameter values are sequentially acquired by the API. It is only necessary to provide a mechanism and implement the API in the relay device 10.

(7) In the above embodiment, the personal computer that communicates with the relay apparatus 10 plays the role of user interface means that allows the user to select a sample script desired to be acquired. However, such user interface means may be provided in the relay device 10. Specifically, the relay apparatus 10 is provided with user interface means including a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 4 and an operation unit for allowing the user to input various instructions. Just do it.

(8) In the above embodiment, the transfer control process, the customization process, and the script execution process that clearly show the characteristics of the relay device 10 are realized by software. However, each of the transfer control means for executing the transfer control processing, the customization means for executing the customization processing, and the script execution means for executing the script execution processing are realized by hardware such as an electronic circuit. Of course, the relay device may be configured by combining the I / F unit 110 and the second communication I / F unit 120. In the above-described embodiment, the function expansion program 144b is a separate program from the communication control program 144a. However, the program is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 144 of the relay device 10 as a single program and the program as firmware. You can leave it. Further, the firmware may be written and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the firmware may be distributed by downloading via a telecommunication line such as the Internet.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... Relay apparatus, 20 ... Sample script delivery apparatus, 100 ... Control part, 110 ... 1st communication I / F part, 120 ... 2nd communication I / F part, 130 ... External apparatus I / F part , 140, storage unit, 142, volatile storage unit, 144, nonvolatile storage unit, 144a, communication control program, 144b, function expansion program, 144c, setting file, 150, bus, PC1, PC2, PC3, personal computer.

Claims (5)

In an electronic device having means for realizing a function specific to the electronic device according to a preset parameter,
Script execution means for executing a script described in a predetermined script language;
Acquire a sample script, which is a description example in the script language of a processing procedure for realizing a new function in the electronic device, and customize the sample script according to the setting contents of the parameter to expand the function for the own device Customizing means for generating scripts for use,
The electronic device characterized in that the script execution means executes a function expansion script generated by the customization means. If the sample script includes a comment character string that prompts the user to set a new parameter prior to the execution of the function expansion script generated by customizing the sample script, the customization unit includes In the customization, the comment character string is deleted from the sample script, and a process for setting a new parameter according to the comment character string is executed prior to the execution of the function expansion script by the script execution means. The electronic device according to claim 1.   3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for realizing the function unique to the electronic apparatus is a communication means for performing data communication via a communication network. Comprising user interface means for allowing a user to select a sample script desired to be obtained;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the customization unit acquires a sample script instructed to be acquired by a user via the user interface unit. An electronic device that realizes a specific function according to a preset parameter, and communicates with the electronic device having a function of executing a script described in a predetermined script language via a communication network, and acquires the parameter Acquisition means to
A script for function expansion for the electronic device by applying customization according to the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit to the sample script that is a description example in the script language of a processing procedure for realizing a new function in the electronic device Generating means for generating
A script generation device characterized by comprising:

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