JP2019118148A - Information providing device and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique that supports integrated development of application software for controlling a plurality of different devices.SOLUTION: In an information providing device that provides the specification of an API used by application software executed by a communication terminal 2 in order to control at least one device of a plurality of devices 3, a transmission unit 134 transmits the specification of the API corresponding to control information interpretable by a device 3 to be controlled in order to cause the device 3 to be controlled to achieve a predetermined function to an inquiry source. Here, the API used by the application software is an API of a format common to the plurality of devices 3 to be controlled by the application software.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, there is known a method of controlling a home appliance from a communication terminal such as a smartphone via a network. Patent Document 1 discloses a system capable of controlling a home appliance using an application program by downloading an application program for controlling the home appliance to a portable terminal.

JP, 2015-056779, A

  Conventionally, in order to control a home appliance, application software dedicated to the home appliance to be controlled had to be installed in the communication terminal. For example, when the user wants to control the lighting equipment manufactured by company A from outside the house, the user uses the communication terminal on which the application software for lighting equipment manufactured by company A provided by company A is installed. I had to control the lighting equipment made.

  As described above, when it is necessary to install application software exclusively for a home appliance to be controlled in the communication terminal, when a user replaces the home appliance to be controlled, application software exclusively for a new home appliance is installed. I had to reinstall it.

  It is convenient to be able to control multiple different devices with one application software, but the format of the programming interface provided for application software development is generally different for different manufacturers. For this reason, so-called third party developers are required to re-learn a programming interface for each device such as a home appliance to be controlled by application software.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that supports the unified development of application software for controlling a plurality of different devices.

  A first aspect of the present invention is an information providing apparatus for providing a specification of an application programming interface (API) used in application software executed by a communication terminal to control at least one device of a plurality of devices. The apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits the specification of the API corresponding to control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to an inquiry source in order to cause the device to be controlled to realize a predetermined function. Here, the API used in the application software is an API of a format common to a plurality of devices to be controlled by the application software.

  The API used in the application software may be an API of a format common to a plurality of devices to be controlled that the application software controls to realize the predetermined function.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices with different model names.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices different from one another in manufacturer.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices of different model names and of the same type.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices of different manufacturers and of the same type.

  The control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to cause the device to be controlled to realize the predetermined function may be an API specific to the device to be controlled.

  The transmission unit may transmit list information of devices that can interpret a control target corresponding to an API transmitted by the transmission unit.

  The transmission unit may transmit list information in which the number of users associated with each type of device registered by the user of the communication terminal is described for each type of device.

  The transmission unit may transmit the list information in which the devices are arranged for each type based on the number of users.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a method of providing information. In this method, an API used by application software executed by a communication terminal to control at least one device among a plurality of devices, the API having a format common to the plurality of devices to be controlled by the application software Performing a step of transmitting, to an inquiry source, the specification of the API corresponding to the control information interpretable by the device to be controlled, in order to cause the device to be controlled to realize a predetermined function. Do.

  The API used in the application software may be an API of a format common to a plurality of devices to be controlled that the application software controls to realize the predetermined function.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices with different model names.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices different from one another in manufacturer.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices of different model names and of the same type.

  The plurality of devices controlled by the application software may be devices of different manufacturers and of the same type.

  The control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to cause the device to be controlled to realize the predetermined function may be an API specific to the device to be controlled.

  In the information provision method, the information provision device may further execute the step of transmitting list information of devices that can interpret the control target corresponding to the API to be transmitted.

  In the information provision method, the information provision device further executes a step of transmitting list information in which the number of users associated with each type of device registered by the user of the communication terminal is described for each type of device You may

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that supports uniformly developing application software for controlling a plurality of different devices.

It is a figure for explaining an outline of a device control system of a 1st embodiment. It is an example of the screen of a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of a device control apparatus. It is a figure showing an example of user information DB which a user storage part has memorized. It is a figure for demonstrating control information. It is a figure which shows the flow of data at the time of controlling a device by a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the API database which the API memory | storage part has memorize | stored. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure at the time of registering newly the device used as the object which is controlled using a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement sequence in case a device control apparatus controls a device. It is a figure which shows an example of the inquiry form of 1st control information. It is a figure showing an example of user information DB in modification 1. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st control information transmitted from a communication terminal in the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the device control system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the device control system of 3rd Embodiment.

First Embodiment
[Overview of Device Control System S]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a device control system S according to the first embodiment. The device control system S includes a device control device 1, communication terminals 2 (2 a, 2 b), devices 3 (3 a, 3 b, 3 c), a router 4, and a developer terminal 6. The device control device 1, the communication terminal 2 and the router 4 are connected to the network N via a wired communication line or a wireless communication line. The device control device 1 is also connected to the developer terminal 6 via the network N.

  The network N includes the Internet, a mobile phone network, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) line, and the like. Although two communication terminals 2 are shown in FIG. 1 and three devices 3 are shown, the device control apparatus 1 transmits and receives data to and from more communication terminals 2 and devices 3 be able to.

  The device control apparatus 1 is, for example, a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage medium. The device control apparatus 1 can communicate with the communication terminal 2 and the device 3 and with the developer terminal 6 via the network N.

  The communication terminal 2 is, for example, a portable terminal having a wireless communication function. The communication terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a Fablet, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or a desktop PC. The communication terminal 2 transmits first control information for controlling the device 3 to the device control apparatus 1 by executing application software. In FIG. 1, the communication terminal 2a is outside the user's home where the device 3 is installed, and the communication terminal 2b is inside the home where the device 3 is installed. The communication terminal 2 can communicate with the device control apparatus 1 via the network N regardless of the location.

  The device 3 is a device having a communication function, and is, for example, an electrical device installed at the user's home of the communication terminal 2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, device 3a is a lighting fixture (hereinafter referred to as light), device 3b is an air conditioner, device 3c is a video recorder, but device 3 is any device capable of receiving data from device control device 1. Is included. The router 4 is connected to the network N, and transfers data received from the device control device 1 to any of the device 3a, the device 3b, and the device 3c.

  The developer terminal 6 is a terminal used by a developer D of application software that the communication terminal 2 executes to control the device 3. The developer terminal 6 is a terminal that executes an SDK (Software Development Kit) provided to the developer D by the operator of the device control device 1 for developing application software that the communication terminal 2 executes. The developer terminal 6 is a computer such as a notebook PC or a desktop PC, for example. Similarly to the communication terminal 2, the developer terminal 6 is also an apparatus having a communication function, and can exchange information with the device control apparatus 1 via the network N. For example, the developer terminal 6 can download the SDK from the device control apparatus 1 via the network N.

  When the device control apparatus 1 receives the first control information for controlling the device 3 transmitted from the communication terminal 2 that has executed the application software, the plurality of devices 3 is received based on the content of the received first control information. , Select the device 3 to be controlled, and generate second control information for controlling the selected device 3. The first control information is information generated by application software created on the basis of an API (Application Programming Interface) of a general-purpose format that does not depend on the device 3, and includes control content for the device 3 to be controlled. It is information. The second control information is information described according to an API that is a device-dedicated format for controlling a specific device 3, and a device for causing the device 3 to realize the control content indicated by the first control information. 3 is interpretable information. The second control information is, for example, information of a form different for each maker and model name of the device 3.

  The application software is general-purpose software for controlling a device 3 (for example, a light) of a specific type, and first control information for controlling the device 3 of the same type regardless of manufacturer or model name. It can be sent to the device control device 1. Since the first control information output from the communication terminal 2 that has executed the application software is different in format from the second control information, the communication terminal 2 can not directly control the device 3. However, in the device control system S, the device control apparatus 1 generates the second control information based on the first control information, and the second control information is generated for the device 3 to be controlled by the user of the communication terminal 2. Send. Therefore, the user can control various devices 3 using the communication terminal 2 in which general-purpose application software is installed.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a screen of the communication terminal 2. Various application software for controlling various types of devices 3 are installed in the communication terminal 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, an air conditioner application for controlling an air conditioner, a light application for controlling a light, a recorder application for controlling a video recorder, a camera application for controlling a surveillance camera, a refrigerator The refrigerator application for controlling and the washing machine application for controlling a washing machine etc. are installed, and the icon corresponding to each is displayed.

  For example, when the user wants to control any of the devices 3 installed at home, the user controls the desired device 3 at a place away from home by activating application software corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled. be able to. Although FIG. 2 (a) shows an example in which application software is installed for each type of device 3, one application software can control as shown in FIG. 2 (b). The communication terminal 2 may control the device 3 by displaying the list and selecting the device 3 to be controlled by the user. In this case, when the communication terminal 2 executes one piece of application software, for example, the first control information for light and the first control information for air conditioner are output.

  An integrated application that can display a list of devices 3 that can be controlled by the user may be installed in the communication terminal 2. When the user activates the integrated application and performs a predetermined operation, a screen as shown in FIG. 2B for activating application software for controlling each device may be displayed.

[Configuration of Device Control Device 1]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device control apparatus 1. The device control apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

  The communication unit 11 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) controller. The communication unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal 2 and the device 3 via the network N.

  The storage unit 12 includes a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores a program that the control unit 13 executes. Further, the storage unit 12 stores data used when the control unit 13 operates and data generated by the control unit 13.

  The storage unit 12 includes a user storage unit 121 and an API storage unit 122 as areas for storing data used by the control unit 13. The user storage unit 121 associates identification information (hereinafter referred to as a user ID) for identifying the user of the communication terminal 2 with identification information (hereinafter referred to as a device ID) of the device 3 registered in advance as a target to be controlled by the user. Remember). Further, the API storage unit 122 stores information used by the control unit 13 to generate the second control information based on the content of the first control information transmitted from the communication terminal 2. The information used to generate the second control information is, for example, an API defined for each maker or model name of the device.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user information database (hereinafter referred to as a user information DB) stored in the user storage unit 121. As shown in FIG. In the user information DB, the user ID is associated with the type of the device 3 controllable by the user, the device ID, the maker name and the address.

The user ID is identification information unique to the user, and, for example, is associated with contract information with a communication company that provides a communication line used by the communication terminal 2 of the user.
The device type is information indicating the type of function possessed by the device 3 and is used to specify the type of light, air conditioner, recorder, surveillance camera, clock or the like. Application software installed in the communication terminal 2 for controlling the device 3 is created for each device type.

The device ID is identification information assigned to the device 3 to be controlled by the user using the communication terminal 2 and includes, for example, a product type name. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the user has a plurality of devices 3 of the same model name, such as a light of company C owned by the user of user ID 0001, information in which a serial number is added to the model name Is the device ID.
A maker name is a maker name of each device 3, and device 3 is specified by combination of device ID and a maker name.

  The address is information indicating a destination for transmitting the second control information to the device 3, and is information unique to the device 3, such as a global IP address or a MAC address. When the global IP address is assigned to the router 4 and the device control apparatus 1 stores the address of the router 4 in association with the user, the address included in the first control information is the local IP address. Good. Alternatively, when the device 3 has a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) slot and a SIM card is inserted, unique information such as a telephone number recorded in the SIM card may be used as the address.

  Referring back to FIG. 3, details of the control unit 13 will be described. The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 13 functions as an acquisition unit 131, a device identification unit 132, an information generation unit 133, a transmission unit 134, and a charging unit 135 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 12.

  The acquisition unit 131 acquires first control information for controlling the device 3 registered in advance in the device control apparatus 1 from the communication terminal 2 of the user who can receive the provision of the service. The first control information is information for controlling the device 3 of a type that can be controlled by the user using application software installed in the communication terminal 2.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining control information. FIG. 5A shows the contents included in the first control information transmitted from the communication terminal 2 to the device control apparatus 1. FIG. 5B shows the contents included in the second control information transmitted from the device control apparatus 1 to the device 3. The details of the conversion from the first control information to the second control information will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of data when controlling the device 3 by the communication terminal 2. The communication terminal 2 a transmits first control information including control contents such as “light on”, “light off”, “answer mode setting”, “timer setting” and the like described in a format according to the light control API. When receiving the first control information, the device control apparatus 1 generates second control information described using an API for controlling the device 3a, and transmits the second control information to the device 3a via the network N and the router 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the first control information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 includes an application ID, device identification information, and control content information. The application ID is information indicating the type of first control information, and is used to specify the type of device to be controlled. The application ID is, for example, information for specifying whether application software used by the user is for air conditioner control or light control.

The device identification information is information including the device ID included in the user information DB shown in FIG.
The control content information is information indicating how to control the device 3 designated by the device ID. FIG. 6 shows the control content of setting the brightness of the light to 5 in the first control information in which the user ID in FIG. 4 is “0001”, the application ID is “light application”, and the device ID is “LB0002”. Shows the flow of data in the case where The control content information has a format defined for each device type regardless of the device 3 model name. Therefore, the application software developer D can develop application software using the common API without being aware of the device 3 model name.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the device identification unit 132 to the charging unit 135 will be described.
The device identification unit 132 identifies a control target device based on the first control information. The device specifying unit 132 refers to the user information DB of the user corresponding to the user ID contained in the first control information, and has a device 3 having a device ID corresponding to the device specifying information contained in the first control information. Is identified as a control target device. The device identification unit 132 notifies the information generation unit 133 of the identified model name of the device 3 and notifies the transmission unit 134 of the address of the identified device 3.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an API database (hereinafter referred to as API DB) stored in the API storage unit 122. As shown in FIG. In the API DB, for each device ID that identifies each device 3, a function that can be realized by the device 3, that is, the control content for the device 3 and a second control that is an API specific to the device 3 for realizing it Information is stored. Further, in the API DB, first control information corresponding to control contents for the device 3 is stored in the form of a general purpose API.

  The information generation unit 133 refers to the API DB using the control content included in the first control information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 and the device ID identified by the device identification unit 132 based on the first control information. Generate second control information. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the device 3 identified by the device ID LA0050 and the device 3 identified by the LC0020 are both lights. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the second control information for lighting the device 3 identified by the device ID LA0050, and the second control information for lighting the device 3 identified by the device ID LC0020. Is different.

  On the other hand, the first control information for lighting the device 3 identified by the device ID LA0050 and the first control information for lighting the device 3 identified by the LC0020 have the same format. The information generation unit 133 generates the second control information by inserting the control content included in the first control information into the API corresponding to the model name of the device 3 specified by the device specification unit 132. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the information generation unit 133 can convert the first control information into second control information in a format different for each maker and model name of the device 3.

  Here, referring to the second control information for LB 0002 in FIG. 5B, although the control content is “light” in the first control information, “brightness = in the second control information”. It is said to be 5 ". Some lights do not correspond to APIs that control “lighting” and “lighting off”, and may not be controlled unless the second control information is created by an API that controls by designating brightness. In such a case, the information generation unit 133 generates the second control information by describing the control content included in the first control information in the form of the dedicated API of the device 3. By doing this, the developer of application software can develop application software without being aware of a dedicated API different for each device 3, and the user can use the single application software to create devices 3 of different model names. It can control.

The transmitting unit 134 transmits, to the address of the control target device notified from the device identifying unit 132, second control information for executing the control content indicated by the first control information.
In response to the user controlling the device 3 using the communication terminal 2, the charging unit 135 calculates the charging amount for the user. The charging unit 135 causes the storage unit 12 to store the calculated charging amount in association with the user ID. The charging unit 135 may transmit the charging amount to the server of the communication company that manages the usage fee of the communication terminal 2. By doing this, it is possible to charge the user for the service usage fee in addition to the usage fee for the communication terminal 2, so that the billing process can be made efficient.

  Further, when the user controls the device 3 using the application software installed in the communication terminal 2, the charging unit 135 may charge the vendor providing the application software. For example, the charging unit 135 provides application software with an amount according to the number of times the information generation unit 133 generates the second control information based on the first control information transmitted from the communication terminal 2 using the application software. Charge the contractor.

[Procedure for Registering Control Target Device]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a procedure when a user newly registers a device 3 to be controlled using the communication terminal 2. FIG. 8A shows a login screen for using the device control service. The user can newly add a control target device or change the setting content by inputting a preset user ID.

  FIG. 8B is a screen after login. It is displayed that the user has already registered the air conditioner. The user can display a screen for registering a new control target device by touching the icon of “additional registration”.

  FIG. 8C is a screen for registering a new control target device. When the user touches the icon corresponding to the type of the device 3 to be registered among the icons displayed on this screen, the communication terminal 2 searches for the device 3 to be registered. Specifically, the communication terminal 2 searches for a communicable device 3 using a wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. The communication terminal 2 displays a screen for registering the device 3 when the device 3 of the type selected by the user is found. At this time, the communication terminal 2 stores, in the memory, the model name information, the maker name, and the MAC (Media Access Control) address acquired from each device 3.

  FIG. 8D is a screen for registering the device 3 found by the search. The user can register the device 3 by inputting a name (for example, an installation place such as “living” or “front door”) to the device 3 to be registered and touching the registration button. The communication terminal 2 generates a device ID including model name information acquired from the device 3 and stores the device ID in the internal memory in association with the name input by the user. The communication terminal 2 also transmits the user ID, the device ID, the maker name, and the MAC address of the user who uses the communication terminal 2 to the device control apparatus 1. By doing this, the user can register the control target device in the device control apparatus 1.

[Operation sequence when controlling device 3]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when the device control apparatus 1 controls the device 3. First, when the user activates application software for controlling a control target device in the communication terminal 2 (S11), the communication terminal 2 acquires the control content input by the user (S12). The communication terminal 2 generates first control information including the acquired control content, and transmits the first control information to the device control apparatus 1 via the network N (S13).

  When the device control device 1 receives the first control information, the device identification unit 132 identifies the device 3 to be controlled based on the received first control information (S14). Subsequently, the information generation unit 133 generates second control information corresponding to the control target device 3 with reference to the API DB, and the transmission unit 134 transmits the second control information to the control target device 3 (S15). .

  When receiving the second control information, the device 3 executes an operation according to the control content included in the second control information (S16). When the device 3 executes the operation, it transmits first state information indicating the state of the device 3 itself to the device control apparatus 1 (S17). For example, when the device 3 is a light and the control content is “lighting”, the device 3 transmits first state information indicating that the lighting is completed. In addition, when the device 3 is an air conditioner and the control content is “set the temperature to 25 ° C.”, the device 3 periodically receives the second control information until the temperature indicated by the control content is reached. The room temperature is measured, and the first state information indicating the measured room temperature is transmitted to the device control apparatus 1. Here, it is assumed that the first state information is information created in a different format for each device 3.

In the device control device 1, when the acquisition unit 131 acquires the first state information, the information generation unit 133 can recognize the application software of the communication terminal 2, and the second state information in a format common to the devices 3 of the same type. The first state information is converted to (S18). The transmitting unit 134 transmits the second state information generated by the conversion by the information generating unit 133 to the communication terminal 2 via the network N (S19). When the communication terminal 2 receives the second state information, the communication terminal 2 displays the state of the device 3 indicated by the second state information on the screen (S20).
According to the above-mentioned procedure, the user can control the desired device 3 by operating the communication terminal 2 or confirm the state of the device 3.

[Information provided to application software developers D]
The flow of data between the device control device 1, the communication terminal 2, and the device 3 has been mainly described above. Next, the flow of data between the device control apparatus 1 and the developer terminal 6 will be described.
More specifically, the device control apparatus 1 can provide information that can be used for developing application software in response to a request from a developer D. From this point of view, the device control device 1 functions as an information providing device.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the inquiry form of the first control information. The SDK for application software development (hereinafter simply referred to as “SDK”) can display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for API inquiry on the display unit of the developer terminal 6. As shown in FIG. 10, in the developer terminal 6 that executes the SDK, the developer D selects a device 3 to be controlled by application software and a function to be realized by that device. When the developer D presses the “inquiry icon” in the inquiry form, the SDK transmits the device ID for specifying the device 3 and the function selected by the developer D to the device control apparatus 1 via the network N.

  The acquisition unit 131 acquires the device ID of the device 3 and the designation of the function to be realized by the device 3 from the developer terminal 6 developing application software. The information generation unit 133 refers to the API DB and applies application software to first control information corresponding to second control information for causing the device 3 specified by the device ID to realize the function designated by the developer terminal 6. Generate as a specification of API to be used. The transmission unit 134 transmits the specification of the API generated by the information generation unit 133 to the developer terminal 6 of the inquiry source. Thereby, the development efficiency of the application software of the developer D can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the developer D can specifically designate the device 3 for realizing the designated function. Therefore, since the acquisition unit 131 can acquire the device identification information ID that realizes the function specified from the developer terminal 6, the information generation unit 133 can interpret the device 3 specified by the device ID. The specification of the API corresponding to the second control information can be generated. As a result, for example, when a light having no illuminance adjustment function is designated, the information generation unit 133 generates a parameter for illuminance designation by deleting it from the API. The second control information is a general-purpose API that is independent of the device 3, but the API presented to the developer D is deleted because the parameters related to functions that can not be realized by the device 3 to be developed are deleted. It is possible to improve the development efficiency of application software D.

  The developer D can select only the device type and function in the GUI shown in FIG. 10, omit the maker and the model number, and inquire the device control apparatus 1. In this case, the information generation unit 133 extracts an API for realizing a general function that does not depend on the function of the specific device 3 from the API DB.

Here, if it is possible to know in advance what API of device 3 is stored in the API DB of the device control apparatus 1, the developer D is convenient for specifying a device ID at the time of API inquiry.
Therefore, the information generation unit 133 generates list information of the devices 3 that can interpret the list information of the devices 3 stored in the API DB, that is, the second control information generated by the information generation unit 133. The transmission unit 134 transmits the list information of the device 3 to the developer terminal 6 in response to the acquisition unit 131 acquiring the list information provision request from the developer terminal 6. Thereby, the developer D can grasp the candidate of the device to be controlled of the application software to be developed.

  It is considered that the greater the number of users who may use the application software, the higher the number of users who are likely to use the application software, the higher the developer D's motivation for software development. Therefore, the information generation unit 133 adds up the number of users associated with the device 3 for each type of device 3, and describes the number of aggregated users for each type of device 3 to generate list information. You can also. The information generation unit 133 can further generate the list information by arranging the types of the devices 3 in descending order, for example, based on the counted number of users. As a result, the developer D can develop application software as a device 3 used by many users.

When the developer D intends to develop an integrated application as shown in FIG. 2B, it is necessary to select which combination of devices 3 is to be controlled by the application software.
Therefore, when a plurality of device IDs are associated with one user ID in the user information DB, the information generation unit 133 generates combination information in which the number is totaled for each combination pattern of the plurality of device IDs. The combination information is information indicating what combination pattern the user registered in the user information DB holds different devices 3. The information generation unit 133 can also generate combination information by, for example, arranging the patterns in descending order, based on the number collected for each combination pattern of a plurality of device IDs.

  The transmission unit 134 transmits combination information to the developer terminal 6 in response to the acquisition unit 131 acquiring the provision request of the combination information from the developer terminal 6. Thus, the developer D can grasp the combination pattern. By selecting a combination pattern of the devices 3 possessed by more users and developing an integrated application for controlling the devices 3 included in the pattern, the developer D may be used by more users Integrated applications can be developed.

[Modification 1]
In FIG. 5, although an example in which a device ID is used as device identification information included in the first control information has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. In the user information DB, for each device type owned by the user, a serial number indicating which one of the devices 3 of the same type owned by the user is associated with the model name of the device 3 If being, device identification information in the first control information may be a serial number. The serial number is associated with the information indicating the installation location of the device 3, for example, “Living”, “front door” or the like shown in FIG. 8D, in the order of registration in the device control apparatus 1. It is an assigned number.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the user information DB in the first modification. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of first control information transmitted from the communication terminal 2 in the first modification. In the user information DB shown in FIG. 11, the device ID indicates the type name of the device, and when the user possesses a plurality of devices 3 of the same type name, the device ID has the same content. The device specifying unit 132 sets the second control information for any device 3 among the devices 3 of the same type name based on the application ID included in the first control information and the serial number as the device specifying information. It can identify what needs to be sent. When the device identification information includes information unique to the device 3 such as a MAC address, the first control information may not include the user ID.

[Modification 2]
In the above description, although the case where one communication terminal 2 controls the device 3 has been described, a plurality of communication terminals 2 may be able to control the device 3. For example, if the device control system S is a communication terminal 2 of a family whose communication terminal 2b is the target of paying the communication charge by adding the communication charge of the communication terminal 2a, the device 3 registered in the communication terminal 2a May be controlled using the communication terminal 2b.

  As described above, in order to allow the plurality of communication terminals 2 to control the device 3, the storage unit 12 stores the plurality of user IDs of the plurality of users in association with each other. For example, the acquiring unit 131 acquires, from the server managed by the communication company, a plurality of user IDs that are to be paid for by adding the communication charges, and stores the acquired plurality of user IDs in the storage unit 12 .

  When the first control information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 includes the first user ID, the device identification unit 132 corresponds to the second user ID stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the first user ID. It is confirmed whether or not the user information DB is stored in the storage unit 12. When the user information DB corresponding to the second user ID is stored in the storage unit 12, the device identification unit 132 identifies the device ID associated with the second user ID in the user information DB, thereby controlling the device. Identify the device

[Modification 3]
In the above description, the case where the device control apparatus 1 executes generation and transmission of API information and the like in response to a request from the developer terminal 6 has been described. Instead of this, a dedicated information providing device (not shown) different from the device control device 1 may be provided for responding to an inquiry from the developer terminal 6. The device control apparatus 1 can concentrate on the process of converting the first control information into the second control information, so that the processing efficiency of the device control apparatus 1 can be improved.

  As described above, when enabling control of the device 3 from the plurality of communication terminals 2, the charging unit 135 may charge the user registered as a representative among the plurality of users. That is, the charging unit 135 may charge, for the user corresponding to the second user ID, the cost for the transmission of the first control information from the communication terminal 2 corresponding to the first user ID. By doing this, the user of the first user ID who pays the communication fee can pay the usage fee of the device control service by adding it up with the communication fee, so that other users individually pay the service fee. It does not cost me.

[Effect by device control system S of the first embodiment]
As described above, in the device control system S, the user operates the application software installed in the communication terminal 2 and capable of controlling a plurality of devices of different type names of the same type. The first control information in a format common to the device types is transmitted to the device control apparatus 1. The device control apparatus 1 generates second control information using an API dedicated to the device based on the received first control information, and transmits the second control information to the device 3 specified in the first control information. .

  In this way, the user can control various devices 3 using one application software without installing different application software for each device, so when replacing the device 3, the application software needs to be replaced There is no In addition, the manufacturer of the device 3 does not have to provide application software each time the new device 3 starts to be sold, and only needs to make the API public, so that development costs can be reduced.

In addition, the device control apparatus 1 enables, for example, a user who pays by adding communication charges to control the common device 3. By doing this, another user can control the device 3 by registering the device 3 to be controlled by one of the family members, so that the trouble of registration can be saved.
Furthermore, since the cost when the user who pays by adding the communication charges uses the service is charged by adding them up, there is no need to pay the service charge separately for each user.

The developer D can also develop application software for controlling the device 3 without using the second control information, that is, the API specific to each device 3. This is the case, for example, when the manufacturer of the device 3 discloses the second control information only to a limited range including the operator of the device control apparatus 1 and the developer D can not know the second control information. Even if it is useful in the point which can develop application software.
The developer D can acquire a device 3 or a device type having a large number of owned users among the plurality of devices 3 registered in the user information DB. For this reason, since application software that may be used by more users can be developed, it is possible to increase the developer D's motivation for software development.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a device control system S according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device 3 is controlled via a server of another service provider, such as the server 5a and the server 5b. The server 5a and the server 5b are, for example, device servers for the manufacturer of the device 3 to provide a service for controlling the device 3 of the company, and transmit a control signal based on the second control information to the control target device. In this case, when the information generation unit 133 receives the first control information from the communication terminal 2, the second control for causing the server 5 to control the control target device based on the control content included in the first control information. Generate information. Then, the transmitting unit 134 transmits the second control information generated by the information generating unit 133 to the server 5 as a device server. The server 5 as a device server can interpret the second control information.

  The storage unit 12 of the present embodiment stores the API of the server 5 of each service provider in association with the service provider that controls the device 3. The information generation unit 133 generates the second control information based on, for example, the API of the server 5 stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, the information generation unit 133 converts the control content included in the first control information into second control information in a format different from the first control information. The second control information includes the user ID and the device identification information contained in the first control information.

  A user ID is shared in advance between a company providing a service using the device control system S and a company providing a service using the server 5a or the server 5b. The server 5a or the server 5b can control the device 3 according to the operation in the communication terminal 2 based on the user ID, the device identification information, and the like included in the second control information.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 13, when there are a plurality of servers 5 that provide services for controlling the device 3, the user storage unit 121 of the device control device 1 uses the service using the server 5 a or the server 5 b by the user. It stores usage service information indicating which service is being used among the services that have been used. The information generation unit 133 refers to the used service information, and generates second control information corresponding to the API corresponding to the service used by the user.

  When the user ID is not standardized between the company providing the service using the device control system S, the company providing the service using the server 5a, and the company providing the service using the server 5b. The device control apparatus 1 may convert the user ID. In this case, the storage unit 12 is provided with a user DB (not shown) that stores the user ID of the device control system S and the user ID of the service using the server 5a and the server 5b in association with each other. The information generation unit 133 may convert the user ID by referring to the user DB using the use service information.

  When the server 5a and the server 5b (hereinafter, the server 5) receive the second control information from the device control apparatus 1 connected via the network, if the contents include an operation instruction to the device 3 to be controlled, The information (signal) indicating the operation instruction to the device 3 is transmitted to the device 3. On the other hand, when the received second control information includes a request for data acquired by the device 3, the server 5 controls the device control device 1 of operation data, acquired data, and the like of the device 3 acquired in advance from the device 3. Send to When the server 5 does not acquire operation data or collected data of the device 3 in advance and does not acquire it in the device 3, the server 5 receives the second control information from the device 3 to obtain The requested data may be sent from the server 5 to the device control apparatus 1 by requesting the operation data and the collected data.

  As described above, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device 3 is controlled via a server of another service provider, such as the server 5a and the server 5b. However, in view of the relationship between the user and the developer D, the number of servers existing on the network N can not be recognized, and the difference is that the server located on the network N is mediated by the communication terminal 2 to use the device 3. Absent. In this sense, the device control system S according to the second embodiment can also be regarded as a form in which the functions of the device control device 1 according to the first embodiment are separated and implemented on physically different servers. it can.

[Effects of Device Control System S of Second Embodiment]
As described above, the device control apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment generates second control information corresponding to the API of another server 5 that controls the device 3. By doing this, even if the user has already received the provision of a service for controlling the device 3 via the server 5, the device 3 can be used with any application software installed on the communication terminal 2. Can be controlled.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a device control system S according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device to be controlled is not an electric device at the user's home but a company or the like distributes information.

  The server 7a is a server used in a service that provides restaurant information posted by a user. The server 7 b is a server used in a service that provides price information of various products posted by the user. The user can upload information to be transmitted to another person to the server 7 using application software installed in the communication terminal 2.

  The servers 7a and 7b have different types of interfaces as an interface for receiving information. Therefore, in order to upload information to the servers 7a and 7b, it is necessary to process the information into a format suitable for each server and then transmit it. However, it is inconvenient if the user needs to use dedicated application software for each of the server 7a and the server 7b when providing information to each service site.

  Therefore, in the device control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the communication terminal 2, application software for uploading information to the servers 7 of various information providing services is installed. In the application software, an icon corresponding to a service for which information is to be provided is displayed, and when the user touches the icon corresponding to the service for which information is to be provided and then inputs information, the communication terminal 2 The first control information including the input information and the information specifying the service selected by the user is transmitted to the device control apparatus 1.

  In the device control apparatus 1, the device identification unit 132 identifies the server 7 to which the content included in the first control information is to be transmitted, based on the first control information. The device identifying unit 132 identifies the server 7 based on, for example, information identifying a service included in the first control information. The device specifying unit 132 may specify the server 7 to which the content is to be transmitted, based on the keyword included in the content created by the user. Then, the information generation unit 133 generates second control information in a format corresponding to the identified server 7, and the transmission unit 134 transmits the generated second control information to the server 7.

  Note that the charging unit 135 in the present embodiment may determine the charging amount based on the number of times the user accesses the server 7 using the communication terminal 2 or the amount of data transmitted to and received from the server 7. In this case, the charging unit 135 may calculate a part of the determined charging amount as an amount to be paid to a company or the like that operates the server 7.

  The device control apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is also responsive to the request from the developer terminal 6 of the developer D, as in the device control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The first control information can be provided in the form of an API.

[Effects of Device Control System S of Third Embodiment]
The device control system S in the present embodiment specifies the server 7 to which the content included in the first control information is to be transmitted, based on the first control information, and the second control information in a format corresponding to the server 7 is a server Send to 7 By doing this, a company or the like who operates the server 7 does not have to open the interface for accessing the server 7 widely to the general public, and may only open it to the operator of the device control apparatus 1. As a result, the company operating the server 7 does not have to open the interface.

  In addition, in the device control system S, the charging unit 135 can calculate the charging amount for the user, and can return the partial amount to a company or the like that operates the server 7. By doing this, the operator such as the communication carrier who operates the device control apparatus 1 centrally performs the charge for the user using the server 7 instead of the company etc. who operates the server 7. As a result, it is possible to save time and effort for the user and the company operating the server 7.

  The present invention has been described above based on several embodiments. New embodiments produced by any combination of these are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiment generated by the combination combine the effects of the original embodiment.

  Further, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be added to the above embodiment. In particular, the specific embodiment of the distribution and integration of the devices is not limited to the one illustrated above, and all or part of the specific embodiments according to various additions or the like or according to the functional load, in arbitrary units. It can be configured to be distributed or integrated functionally or physically.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 device control apparatus 2 communication terminal 3 device 4 router 5 server 6 developer terminal 11 communication unit 12 storage unit 13 control unit 121 user storage unit 122 API storage unit 131 acquisition unit 132 device identification unit 133 information generation unit 134 transmission unit 135 billing Part S device control system

Claims (19)

An information providing apparatus for providing a specification of an API (Application Programming Interface) used by application software executed by a communication terminal to control at least one device among a plurality of devices,
In order to cause a device to be controlled to realize a predetermined function, the transmission unit transmits a specification of the API corresponding to control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to an inquiry source.
An API used in the application software is an API of a format common to a plurality of devices controlled by the application software.
Information provider. An API used in the application software is an API of a format common to a plurality of devices to be controlled which the application software controls to realize the predetermined function.
The information providing device according to claim 1. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices with different model names,
The information provision apparatus according to claim 1. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices different from each other in manufacturer.
The information provision apparatus according to claim 1. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices of different model names and of the same type.
The information provision apparatus according to claim 1. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices of different manufacturers and of the same type.
The information provision apparatus according to claim 1. The control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to realize the predetermined function in the device to be controlled is an API specific to the device to be controlled,
The information provision apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 6. The transmission unit transmits list information of devices which can interpret a control target corresponding to an API transmitted by the transmission unit.
The information provision apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The transmission unit transmits list information in which the number of users associated with each type of device registered by the user of the communication terminal is described for each type of device.
The information provision apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The transmission unit transmits the list information in which the devices are arranged by type based on the number of users.
The information provision apparatus according to claim 9.   An API used by application software executed by a communication terminal to control at least one device among a plurality of devices, which provides a specification of an API common to a plurality of devices to be controlled by the application software The information providing apparatus executes the step of transmitting the specification of the API corresponding to the control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to an inquiry source in order to cause the device to be controlled to realize a predetermined function Method. An API used in the application software is an API of a format common to a plurality of devices to be controlled which the application software controls to realize the predetermined function.
The information provision method according to claim 11. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices with different model names,
A method of providing information according to claim 11 or 12. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices different from each other in manufacturer.
A method of providing information according to claim 11 or 12. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices of different model names and of the same type.
A method of providing information according to claim 11 or 12. The plurality of devices controlled by the application software are devices of different manufacturers and of the same type.
A method of providing information according to claim 11 or 12. The control information interpretable by the device to be controlled to realize the predetermined function in the device to be controlled is an API specific to the device to be controlled,
The information provision method according to any one of claims 11 to 16. In the information provision method, the information provision device further executes the step of transmitting list information of devices capable of interpreting a control target corresponding to the API to be transmitted.
The information provision method according to any one of claims 11 to 17. In the information provision method, the information provision device further executes a step of transmitting list information in which the number of users associated with each type of device registered by the user of the communication terminal is described for each type of device Do,
The information provision method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

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