JP3660545B2 - Gateway device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gateway device that is installed between two networks of different protocols and that mutually converts commands flowing on each network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 21 is a software block diagram of a conventional gateway device disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-204736. In the figure, 10 is a first network to which a plurality of managed devices 11 are connected, 20 is a second network such as the Internet, an intranet and a telephone line, 21 is a device management apparatus connected to the second network 20, A gateway device 130 connects the first network 10 and the second network 20 to each other.
[0003]
The gateway device 130 exchanges data with the first communication processing unit 130 a that exchanges data with the managed device 11 connected to the first network 10 and the device management device 21 that connects with the second network 20. Second communication processing unit 130e, signal processing unit 130i that performs analysis of received data, protocol conversion, and the like, storage unit 130j that stores data received by first communication processing unit 130a, and storage in storage unit 130j It is comprised from the search means 130k which searches the performed data.
[0004]
Next, the operation will be described. The storage unit 130j sequentially stores data received by the first communication processing unit 130a. When the storage capacity runs out, the oldest data is discarded. Therefore, the latest received data is always stored in the storage unit 130j.
[0005]
The gateway device 130 receives transmission data transmitted by the device management device 21 connected to the second network 20 by the second communication processing unit 30e, and the signal processing unit 130i processes the transmission data. The types of transmission data transmitted from the device management apparatus 21 are roughly divided into an operation request command to the managed device 11 and a monitor request command.
[0006]
When the second communication processing unit 130e receives a monitor request command as transmission data, the signal processing unit 130i determines whether the managed device 11 included in the transmission data exists in the first network 10 under the jurisdiction. Judging. If it exists, the search unit 130k searches whether the monitor value of the corresponding managed device 11 exists in the storage unit 130j. If it exists, the corresponding monitor value is read from the storage unit 130j and responds to the device management apparatus 21 via the second communication processing unit 130e and the second network 20.
[0007]
If not, the corresponding monitor value is acquired from the managed device 11 via the first communication processing unit 130a and the first network 10. Then, the acquired monitor value is stored in the storage unit 130j and responds to the device management apparatus 21 via the second communication processing unit 130e and the second network 20.
[0008]
On the other hand, when the second communication processing unit 130e receives the operation request command as the transmission data, the signal processing unit 130i includes the managed device 11 included in the transmission data in the first network 10 under the jurisdiction. Determine whether or not. If it exists, the data is transmitted to the managed device 11 via the first communication processing unit 130 a and the first network 10. Then, the managed device 11 controls its own state according to the received data content.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional gateway apparatus 130 having such a configuration is provided with the storage means 130j and the search means 130k, when monitoring the data held by itself, it is possible to respond immediately and improve the response. When monitoring data not to be transmitted, it is necessary to go to the first network 10 for data acquisition, and there is a problem that the response is slow. This occurs particularly when there are many specific state changes and when only a specific state is stored in the storage unit 130j.
[0010]
Further, when the managed device 11 is an air conditioner or a lighting device in a building, the data acquired from the first network 10 is data for each managed device 11. On the other hand, the data managed by the second network 20 is a unit of data such as a tenant and a floor. In this way, the granularity of data (data granularity) acquired from the first network 10 and the granularity of data managed by the device management apparatus 21 are different. In such a case, the conventional gateway device 130 has a problem that a mapping process between the granularity of collected data and the granularity of management data is required internally, resulting in a slow response.
[0011]
In the conventional gateway apparatus 130, the above-described mapping process is stored as a program in the gateway apparatus 130. The type and number of managed devices 11 and the granularity and quantity of devices managed by the device management apparatus 21 However, there is a problem that the above-mentioned software must be constructed for each building, which requires a lot of development man-hours.
[0012]
In the conventional gateway device 130, the mapping program described above includes attributes such as the operating state and temperature of the managed device 11 connected to the first network 10, and attributes at the management granularity in the second network 20. There is a problem in that it takes a lot of programming man-hours because it is described by a conditional branching statement that compares one-to-one. For example, in the case of a device in a building, if 100 devices are installed and each device has 10 attributes, 1000 conditional branch statements have to be described.
[0013]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The response of the monitor request command from the device management apparatus 21 is improved, and the granularity of data acquired from the first network 10 is further improved. , Improving the response of the monitor when the granularity of data managed by the device management apparatus 21 connected to the second network 20 is different, reducing the development man-hour by eliminating the program created for each building, Gateway device that can save labor in setting mapping data when the granularity of data acquired from the network 10 and the granularity of data managed by the device management apparatus 21 connected to the second network 20 are different The purpose is to obtain.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A gateway device according to the present invention is provided between a first network having a managed device and a second network having a device management device and a protocol different from that of the first network, and flows over both networks. Through a first communication processing unit that performs data communication with a managed device, a second communication processing unit that performs data communication with the device management device, and a first communication processing unit. A first database that holds the information of the acquired managed device, a first database management means that manages the first database, and a second database in which the first database is converted into information required by the device management apparatus Database, second database management means for managing the second database, and the first database Information held in And the second database Information held in Database mapping means for matching corresponding items of the command, and command delivery means for interpreting the command received by the first and second communication processing means and delivering the command to the first or second database management means and database mapping means The command delivery means includes a command transmitted from the device management apparatus to the managed device or a command transmitted from the managed device to the device management device. Items of information contained within Is transferred while being converted through the database mapping means.
[0015]
The first and second database management means have a device model indicating the characteristics of the managed device, and the device model is set to be delivered from the first network or the second network via the command delivery means. It is set by the device model management means based on the request command.
[0016]
The first and second database management means use the device model based on the generation request command sent from the first network or the second network via the command delivery means, and use the first and second database management means. Database generating means for generating a second database;
[0017]
Further, the database mapping means uses the mapping rule describing the correspondence between the first database and the second database and the mapping rule to match the state of the first database with the corresponding item in the second database. A mapping management unit, and the mapping rule is set by the mapping rule management unit based on a setting request command delivered from the first network or the second network through the command delivery unit.
[0018]
In addition, the mapping rule includes a first mapping rule that describes a pair of device and device attributes stored in the first and second databases, and a device and device stored in the first and second databases. The mapping management means matches the corresponding items between the first and second databases by using these two rules.
[0019]
In addition, the mapping rule includes a first mapping rule that describes a pair of device and device attributes stored in the first and second databases, and a device and device stored in the first and second databases. A second mapping rule described with a pair of identifiers to be identified, and devices, device attributes and device stored in the first and second databases generated from the first mapping rule and the second mapping rule And mapping management means matches the corresponding items between the first and second databases by the third mapping rule.
[0020]
In addition, the mapping rule includes a first mapping rule that describes a pair of device and device attributes stored in the first and second databases, and a device and device stored in the first and second databases. The second mapping rule described by identifying the identifier to be identified, and the first mapping rule and the exception rule that deviates from the second mapping rule are stored in the first and second databases, the device attributes and A fourth mapping rule described as a set of device identifiers, and the mapping management means performs the fourth mapping rule when matching corresponding items between the first and second databases, If they cannot be matched, the first and second mapping rules are used for matching.
[0021]
Further, the mapping rule is stored in the first and second databases, the fifth mapping rule describing the device, the device attribute and the attribute value stored in the first and second databases as a pair. A second mapping rule that describes a pair of identifiers for identifying the device and the device, and an exception rule that deviates from the first mapping rule and the second mapping rule, the device stored in the first and second databases, And a fourth mapping rule described as a set of device attributes and device identifiers, and the mapping management means matches corresponding items between the first and second databases by these two rules.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a software block diagram of the gateway device of the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a first network to which a plurality of managed devices 11 are connected, 20 is a second network such as the Internet, Intranet and telephone line, 21 is a device management apparatus connected to the second network, A gateway device 30 connects the first network 10 and the second network 20 to each other.
[0023]
Inside the gateway device 30, 30a is a first communication processing means for exchanging data with the managed device 11 connected to the first network 10, and 30e is a device management device 21 and data connected to the second network. Second communication processing means 30 for performing transmission / reception, 30b is a command delivery means for analyzing the received data and delivering the data to the corresponding processing means, and 30d is a first database for storing data received from the first network 10 , 30c is a first database management means for managing the first database, 30h is a database mapping means for mapping the first database 30d to data of a granularity managed by the equipment management apparatus 21, and 30g is a management of the equipment management apparatus 21 The second database converted to the granularity to be managed, 30f manages the second database That is the second database management unit.
[0024]
Further, in the first database management means 30c, 30c1 is a database access means for reading and writing the first database 30d in accordance with an instruction passed from the command delivery means 30b, and 30c2 is a first database 30d using the device model 30c4. A database generation unit 30c3 for generating / deleting a device database therein, and a device model management for adding / updating / deleting a device model 30c4 based on a device model sent from the first network 10 or the second network 20 Means. The inside of the second database 30f has the same configuration.
[0025]
In the database mapping means 30h, 30h1 is a mapping rule describing the correspondence between the first database 30d and the second database 30g, and 30h2 is the first database 30d according to the contents of the command passed from the command delivery means 30b. And the second database 30g mapping management means 30h3 is a mapping rule management means for adding / updating / deleting mapping rules based on the contents sent from the first network 10 or the second network 20 It is.
[0026]
Next, the operation will be described. The gateway device 30 of the present embodiment needs to perform the following operations before starting operation.
1) Installation of device models 30c4 and 30f4 corresponding to the managed device 11 to be installed.
2) Installation of mapping rule 30h1.
3) Creation of databases 30d and 30g using device models 30c4 and 30f4.
4) Correction of mapping rule 30h1.
First, installation of the device models 30c4 and 30f4 will be described.
[0027]
FIG. 2 shows a description example of the device model 30c4 or 30f4 when the Java language is used. The figure is an air conditioner model and has five attributes. The first attribute “identifier” is a 4-byte integer int type, the second attribute “driving state” is a 1-byte integer byte type, and the third attribute “driving mode” is a 1-byte integer byte type. The attribute “set temperature” is defined as a 4-byte integer int type, and the fifth attribute “room temperature” is defined as a 4-byte integer int type. Each attribute is publicly declared so that it can be referenced from other programs. The device model 30c4 or 30f4 that is actually installed in the gateway is a class object obtained by compiling the source code shown in FIG. 2 using a Java compiler.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows a description example of the device model when the Java language is not used. In the figure, the first line shows that this model is a model of an air conditioner. The second line indicates the number of attributes owned by this model. In this example, it represents that five attributes are owned. In the third and subsequent lines, the size is described following the attribute and semicolon. In the figure, the first attribute “identifier” is 4 bytes, the second attribute “operation state” is 2 bytes, the third attribute “operation mode” is 4 bytes, the fifth attribute “set temperature” is 4 bytes, 5 It shows that the second attribute “room temperature” is 4 bytes. The device model actually installed in the gateway is the code itself shown in FIG.
[0029]
The installation operation of the device model 30c4 or 30f4 will be described with reference to FIG. An FTP server using a file transfer protocol (FTP) is started up in the second communication processing means 30e. Then, the device management apparatus 21 uploads the device models 30c4 and 30f4 to be installed in the gateway device 30 using an FTP client using a file transfer protocol. The gateway device 30 stores the received file on the memory.
[0030]
Next, installation of the mapping rule 30h1 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the logical structure of the mapping rule used in this embodiment. In the present invention, in order to facilitate the setting of the mapping rule, it is divided into two rules. The first mapping rule 30h1a describes the correspondence between the {model + attribute} of the device connected to the first network 10 and the unit {model + attribute} managed by the second network 20. The second mapping rule 30h1b describes the correspondence between the {model + identifier} of the device connected to the first network 10 and the unit {model + identifier} managed by the second network 20. Yes.
[0031]
For example, in the first mapping rule 30h1a, the attribute “state” of the model “indoor unit” of the first network 10 corresponds to the attribute “operation state” of the model “air conditioner” of the second network 20. It shows that. Similarly, “mode” corresponds to “operation mode”, “suction temperature” corresponds to “temperature”, and “suction humidity” corresponds to “humidity”.
[0032]
In the second mapping rule 30h1b, the identifier “100” of the model “indoor unit” of the first network 10 corresponds to the identifier “1” of the model “air conditioner” of the second network 20. It shows that. Similarly, “101” corresponds to “2”, and “102” corresponds to “3”. With this configuration, in the conventional conditional branching statement, this embodiment is used in the description of a program in which three indoor units with four attributes require 4 × 3 = 12 conditional branching statement descriptions. Then, 4 + 3 = 7 rule descriptions are sufficient.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a command used when installing the mapping rule. Each of the first mapping rule 30h1a and the second mapping rule 30h1b has a setting request command and a monitor request command. The top command is a command used when installing the mapping rule 30h1 in the gateway device 30. Among them, “Model 1” is a model of the first network 10, “Attribute 1” is an attribute of the model 1, “Model 2” is a granularity model managed by the second network, and “Attribute 2” is the model. The second attribute. The command in this example is a command for setting n pairs {model 1 + attribute 1 + model 2 + attribute 2} in the mapping rule 1 (that is, the first mapping rule 30h1a). The second command is a monitor request command for acquiring the contents of the mapping rule 1, and the third command is a command for responding to the monitor request. The same applies to the commands related to the mapping rule 2.
[0034]
An operation in the gateway device 30 at the time of mapping rule installation will be described. In the configuration of FIG. 1, when the first communication processing unit 30a or the second communication processing unit 30e receives the command shown in FIG. 5, the command is delivered to the command delivery unit 30b. When the command delivery means 30b interprets that the delivered command is a command related to the mapping rule, the command delivery means 30b passes the data to the mapping rule management means 30h3 in the database mapping means 30h. The mapping rule management unit 30h3 interprets the command, and if it is a setting request command, sets the rule in the corresponding mapping rule. If it is a monitor request command, the contents of the corresponding mapping rule are responded by a monitor response command.
[0035]
Next, creation of a database using the device models 30c4 and 30f4 will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of commands used when creating and deleting a database. The upper command is a generation request command for generating a database with the identifier “1” using the model “air conditioner”. On the other hand, the lower command is a delete request command for deleting the database having the identifier “1” for the model “air conditioner”.
[0036]
An operation in the gateway device 30 when generating and deleting a database will be described. In the configuration of FIG. 1, when the first communication processing unit 30a or the second communication processing unit 30e receives the command shown in FIG. 6, first, the command is delivered to the command delivery unit 30b. When interpreting that the command delivery means 30b is a command related to database creation or deletion, the command delivery means 30b sends commands to the database creation means 30c2 in the first database management means 30c and the database creation means 30f2 in the second database management means 30f. To deliver. The database generation unit 30c2 or 30f2 determines whether the model in the delivered command is a model managed by itself, discards the command if the model is not managed, and executes the command if the model is managed by itself. To do.
[0037]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the database generation means. In step S1, it is determined whether the model in the command is a model managed by itself. If the model is not managed, the program is terminated. If it is a model to be managed, the processing content of the command is determined in step S2. If the process is generation, the device model shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is read in step S3, and a memory capacity corresponding to the device model is secured in step S4.
[0038]
In the case of the device model shown in FIG. 2, since the Java language is used, a memory corresponding to the air conditioner model is secured by the “new air conditioner” statement. In the case of the device model shown in FIG. 3, in the C language and C ++ language, a memory required for the device model is secured by a “malloc” statement.
[0039]
Returning to FIG. 7, in step S5, the identifier indicated in the command is substituted into the memory secured in step S4. In the example of the generation request command shown in FIG. 6, the identifier “1” is assigned to the first attribute on the secured memory.
[0040]
Subsequently, in step S6, the database generation unit 30c2 or 30f2 creates a database list that can list the database 30d or 30g generated by itself. Specifically, the generated model name, identifier, and reference value of the arranged memory are set and stored in a list format. This is used when accessing the database described later.
[0041]
On the other hand, if the process is deleted in step S2, the reference value of the corresponding database 30d or 30g is read from the database list in step S7. In step S8, the corresponding memory is released. In the case of the Java language, memory management such as releasing unused memory is performed by the Java virtual machine, so there is no need to program with particular consciousness. In the case of C language or C ++ language, the memory is released by a “Free” statement. In step S9, the corresponding database is deleted from the database list.
[0042]
Next, the correction of the mapping rule will be described. For example, in the mapping rule shown in FIG. 4, the attribute of all the air conditioners is mapped to the attribute of the indoor unit, or only the temperature of the air conditioner 2 is used for exception mapping in which it is desired to use the value of a separate temperature sensor. Modify the mapping rules to cope. If the third mapping rule 30h1a shown in FIG. 4 is rewritten as “air conditioner”, “temperature”, “sensor”, “current temperature”, the “temperature” attribute of the air conditioners other than identifier 2 Will also be mapped to the temperature of the sensor. Therefore, in the present invention, the third mapping rule 30h1c shown in FIG. 8 is generated from the set first mapping rule 30h1a and second mapping rule 30h1b, and is corrected. The third mapping rule 30h1c is used for mapping between the first network 10 and the second network 10 described later.
[0043]
The third mapping rule 30h1c in FIG. 8 is a one-to-one description of all attributes of all devices from the first mapping rule 30h1a and the second mapping rule 30h1b. For example, as described above, if only the temperature of the air conditioner 2 is desired to use the value of a separate temperature sensor, the seventh rule is “air conditioner”, “2”, “temperature”, “sensor”. What is necessary is just to change like "21" and "current temperature". In this way, it is possible to change only the temperature of the air conditioner 2 without affecting the mapping of other air conditioners. In this case, it is necessary to install the sensor device model in the second database management unit 30c.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows an example of a command used when changing the mapping rule. For the third mapping rule 30h1c, there are a setting request command and a monitor request command. The top command is a command used when setting the third mapping rule 30h1c in the gateway device 30. “Model 1” is the model of the first network 10, “Identifier 1” is the identifier of the model 1, “Attribute 1” is an attribute of the model 1, “Model 2” is a model of granularity managed by the second network 30, “Identifier 2” is an identifier of the model 2, and “Attribute 2” is an attribute of the model 2. is there. This setting request command is a command for setting n pairs {model 1 + identifier 1 + attribute 1 + model 2 + identifier2 + attribute 2} in the mapping rule 3 (that is, the third mapping rule 30h1c). The second command is a monitor request command for acquiring the contents of the mapping rule 3, and the third command is a command for responding to the monitor request.
[0045]
An operation in the gateway 30 when the mapping rule is changed will be described. In FIG. 1, when the first communication processing means 30a or the second communication processing means 30e receives the command shown in FIG. 9, the command is delivered to the command delivery means 30b. When interpreting that the command is related to the third mapping rule 30h1c, the command delivery unit 30b passes the data to the mapping management unit 30h2 in the database mapping unit 30h. The mapping management unit 30h2 interprets the command, and if it is a setting command, sets the rule in the third mapping rule 30h1c. If it is a monitor request command, the contents of the third mapping rule 30h1c are responded using a monitor response command.
[0046]
Next, the operation during operation will be described. FIG. 10 shows examples of commands used during network operation. At the time of operation, an operation request command that is an operation command from the device management apparatus 21 to the managed device 11, a monitor request command that requests monitoring from the device management apparatus 21 to the managed device 11, and a response to the monitor request command There are a monitor response command from the managed device 11 to the device management apparatus 21 and a notification command for reporting a status change from the managed device 11 to the device management apparatus 21.
[0047]
In FIG. 10, from the top, the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, the operation request command for setting the attribute “temperature” to “25”, and then the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, the attribute “temperature”. , A monitor response command for the request, and finally a notification command when the model “air conditioner” is changed to the identifier “1” and the attribute “temperature” is changed to “25”.
[0048]
First, the operation of the gateway device 30 when an operation request command is received will be described. In FIG. 1, when the second communication processing means 30e receives the operation command shown in FIG. 10, the command is first delivered to the command delivery means 30b.
[0049]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the command delivery means 30b. In step S1, the command is delivered to the second database access unit 30f1. The second database access means 30f1 interprets the command and determines whether the model in the delivered command is a model managed by itself. If it is an unmanaged model, the command is discarded. If there is, “25” is written in the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute “temperature”.
[0050]
When the Java language is used, the reference value of the model “air conditioner” and the identifier “1” is read from the database list, and “25” is substituted for the temperature attribute. When the C language or the C ++ language is used, the database list and the device model 30f4 are used. First, the reference values of the model “air conditioner” and the identifier “1” are read from the database list. Subsequently, the device model 30f4 reads the attribute number and writes the data to the corresponding memory.
[0051]
Next, in step 3, the command is delivered to the mapping management means 30h2. The mapping management unit 30h2 uses the third mapping rule 30h1c described above to search for a model, an identifier, and an attribute on the first database 30d corresponding to the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute “temperature”. To do.
[0052]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the search operation of the mapping management means 30h2. When the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute name “temperature” all match, the corresponding model, identifier, and attribute name at that time are returned to the command delivery means 30b. In the case of the rule of FIG. 8, the model “indoor unit”, the identifier “100”, and the attribute “suction temperature” are returned. If no match is found even after searching to the end of the rule, an error is returned and the process ends.
[0053]
Returning to FIG. 11, in step 3, the operation request command is replaced with the model, identifier, and attribute name that the mapping management means 30h2 responded in step 2, and delivered to the first database access means 30c1. The first database access unit 30c1 to which the command is delivered interprets the command and writes “25” in the model “indoor unit”, the identifier “100”, and the attribute “suction temperature”. At this time, as described above, the database list and the device model 30c4 are used. Subsequently, in step S4, an operation request command having the model “indoor unit”, the identifier “100”, the attribute “suction temperature”, and the attribute value “25” is delivered to the first communication processing unit 30a. The first communication processing unit 30 a transmits the command to the first network 10.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the gateway device 30 when a monitor request command is received will be described. In FIG. 1, when the second communication processing means 30e receives the monitor request command shown in FIG. 10, the command is first delivered to the command delivery means 30b.
[0055]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the command delivery means 30b when a monitor request command is received. In step S1, the monitor request command is delivered to the second database access means 30f1. The second database access unit 30f1 interprets the command, determines whether the model in the delivered command is a model managed by itself, discards the command if the model is not managed, and models managed by the second database access unit 30f1 If so, the values of the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute “temperature” are transferred to the command delivery means 30b.
[0056]
Next, in step 2, a monitor response command is created using the model, identifier, attribute, and attribute value responded by the second database access unit 30f1 in step 1, and delivered to the second communication processing unit 30e. The second communication processing unit 30 e transmits the command to the second network 20.
[0057]
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the second database 30g always holds the latest information, there is no need to perform mapping processing inside or collect data from the first network 10, and monitor Response when receiving a request command is improved.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the gateway device 30 when a notification command is received will be described. In FIG. 1, when the first communication processing means 30a receives the notification command shown in FIG. 10, it first passes the command to the command delivery means 30b.
[0059]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the command delivery means 30b when a notification command is received. In step S1, the command is delivered to the first database access means 30c1. The first database access unit 30c1 interprets the command, determines whether the model in the delivered command is a model managed by itself, discards the command if it is an unmanaged model, and manages the model managed by itself. If so, “25” is written in the model “indoor unit”, the identifier “100”, and the attribute “suction temperature”. Also in this case, writing is performed using the database list and the device model 30c4 as described above.
[0060]
In step S2, the command is delivered to the mapping management unit 30h2. The mapping management unit 30h2 uses the above-described third mapping rule 30h1c to obtain the model, identifier, and attribute on the second database 30g corresponding to the model “indoor unit”, the identifier “100”, and the attribute “suction temperature”. Search for.
[0061]
Then, mapping is performed as in the case of the operation request described above. In the case of the rule of FIG. 8, the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute “temperature” are returned. If no match is found even after the end of the rule, an error is returned and the process ends.
[0062]
Returning to FIG. 14, in step 3, the notification command is replaced with the model, identifier, and attribute name that the mapping management means 30h2 responded in step 2 and delivered. The second database access unit 30f1 interprets the command and writes “25” in the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, and the attribute “temperature”. Subsequently, in step S4, the notification command of the model “air conditioner”, the identifier “1”, the attribute “temperature”, and the attribute value “25” is delivered to the second communication processing unit. The second communication processing unit 30 e transmits the command to the second network 20.
[0063]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
The software block diagram of the gateway device of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the database mapping means 30h shown in FIG. The database mapping unit 30h will be described below.
[0064]
The fourth mapping rule 30h1d and the fifth mapping rule 30h1e shown in FIG. 15 and the second mapping rule 30h1b shown in FIG. 4 are examples of the logical structure of the mapping rule used in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the fifth mapping rule 30h1e includes {model + attribute + attribute value} of a device connected to the first network 10 and a {model of a unit managed by the second network 20. + Attribute + attribute value} is described. The second mapping rule is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0065]
The fourth mapping rule 30h1d includes an exception rule that is different from the rule in which the fifth mapping rule 30h1e and the second mapping rule are combined, and {model + identifier of the device connected to the first network 10 + Attribute + attribute value} and {model + identifier + attribute + attribute value} corresponding to a unit managed by the second network 20.
[0066]
For example, in the fifth mapping rule 30h1e, the value “ON” of the attribute “state” of the model “indoor unit” of the first network 10 is the attribute “operation” of the model “air conditioner” of the second network 20. It shows that it corresponds to the value “Operation” of “Status”. Similarly, “OFF” of “state” indicates that “stop” of “operation state” is supported.
[0067]
In addition, “# 1”, “# 2”, etc. in the correspondence between “suction temperature” and “temperature” in the fifth rule indicate that the data value conversion is not a simple data replacement but an arithmetic expression. ing.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, # 1 indicates conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius, and # 2 indicates conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit. The realization method here is also possible by directly describing an arithmetic expression such as f (x) = 9/5 × X + 32. In this case, it is also necessary to install in the gateway device an attribute value conversion means for interpreting the character string, converting it into an arithmetic expression, and substituting the value. The second mapping rule is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0069]
Further, the fourth mapping rule 30h1d describes an exception process in which only the temperature of the air conditioner 2 is desired to use the value of the separately placed sensor. This indicates that the model “sensor” identifier 21 corresponds to the attribute “current value”. The attribute value “-” indicates that no conversion is required.
[0070]
FIGS. 16 and 17 show the command side when accessing the fifth mapping rule 30h1e and the fourth mapping rule 30h1d. From the top, setting request, monitor request, and monitor response are shown. The description content is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0071]
Next, the operation of the mapping management means will be described using FIG. When the command is delivered to the mapping management means, first, in step S1, a matching one is searched from the fourth mapping rule 30h1d. As shown in FIG. 19, the fourth mapping rule 30h1d is searched until all the models, identifiers, and attribute names match until the end of the rule is reached. Search for. The model, identifier, attribute name, and attribute value corresponding to the retrieved first network 10 are stored.
[0072]
Returning to FIG. 18, if it is determined in step S2 that they match, the process proceeds to step S5, and the model, identifier, attribute name, and attribute value stored in step S1 are returned to the command delivery means.
[0073]
If they do not match in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and a search is performed using the fifth and second mapping rules. FIG. 20 shows a search algorithm using the fifth mapping rule and the second mapping rule. When the model + identifier of the second mapping rule matches and the model + attribute name of the fifth mapping rule 30h1e matches, a further matching attribute name is searched. A model, an identifier, an attribute name, and an attribute value corresponding to the searched first network are stored.
[0074]
Returning to FIG. 18, when it is determined in step S4 that they match, the process proceeds to step 5, and the model, identifier, attribute name, and attribute value stored in step S3 are returned to the command delivery means.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the gateway device of the present invention has the first database held at the granularity of data acquired from the first network and the second database held at the granularity managed by the second network. Because both databases always have the latest information by mapping processing, there is no need to acquire data for the first network when monitoring device data, and there is no need to perform mapping processing. As a result, the response at the time of data monitoring can be improved.
[0076]
In addition, the gateway device of the present invention does not need to be programmed in advance for different types of equipment for each building, and can be installed later in the form of a device model, thereby reducing the number of program development man-hours generated for each building. it can.
[0077]
In addition, the gateway device of the present invention does not need to be programmed in advance for the number of different devices for each building, and can be generated from the above-described device model. However, the number of program development steps generated for each building can be reduced.
[0078]
In addition, the gateway device of the present invention uses, for example, a mapping rule that can be installed later, instead of pre-programming the mapping process between the first network and the second network that are different for each building, and this mapping rule. Since the configuration is divided into the mapping management means for performing the mapping process, the mapping program development man-hour generated for each building can be reduced.
[0079]
In addition, the gateway device of the present invention requires only a small number of settings by describing the mapping rules with two normalized rules rather than describing all the one-to-one correspondences. can do.
[0080]
In addition, since the gateway device of the present invention is configured to generate a one-to-one correspondence rule from the two rules normalized as described above and edit it, it can be used for special rules such as exception rules. Correspondence becomes possible.
[0081]
In addition, since the gateway device of the present invention is configured to perform mapping from the two rules normalized as described above and the exception rule describing only the exception, it can be realized with a reduced memory.
[0082]
In addition, since the gateway device of the present invention also describes the correspondence of attribute values in the mapping rule, it is possible to easily realize mapping of attributes having different expressions. Furthermore, it is possible to easily realize mapping of attributes having different units.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a software block diagram of a gateway device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a description example of a device model when the Java language is used.
FIG. 3 shows a description example of a device model when the Java language is not used.
FIG. 4 is an example of a logical structure of a mapping rule.
FIG. 5 is an example of a command used when installing a mapping rule.
FIG. 6 is an example of commands used when creating and deleting a database.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the database generation means.
FIG. 8 is an example of a logical structure of a third mapping rule.
FIG. 9 is an example of a command used when changing a mapping rule.
FIG. 10 is an example of commands used during network operation.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of command delivery means.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the search operation of the mapping management means.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of command delivery means when a monitor request command is received.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of command delivery means when a notification command is received.
FIG. 15 is an example of a logical structure of a fourth mapping rule and a fifth mapping rule.
FIG. 16 is an example of a command used when accessing the fifth mapping rule.
FIG. 17 is an example of a command used when accessing the fourth mapping rule.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the search operation of the mapping management means.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a fourth mapping rule search operation;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation of searching for a fifth mapping rule and a second mapping rule.
FIG. 21 is a software block diagram of a conventional gateway device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 first network, 11 managed device, 20 second network, 21 device management apparatus, 30a first communication processing unit, 30b command delivery unit, 30c first database management unit, 30c2 database generation unit, 30c3 device Model management means, 30c4 device model, 30d first database, 30e second communication processing means, 30f second database management means, 30f2 database generation means, 30f3 device model management means, 30f4 device model, 30g second database 30h Database mapping means, 30h1 mapping rule, 30h1a first mapping rule, 30h1b second mapping rule, 30h1c third mapping rule, 30h1d fourth mapping rule, 30h1e fifth map Ngururu, 30h2 mapping management means, 30h3 mapping rule management means.

Claims (9)

A gateway provided between a first network having a managed device and a second network having a device management apparatus and a different protocol from the first network, and for mutually converting commands flowing on the both networks In the device
First communication processing means for performing data communication with the managed device;
A second communication processing means for performing data communication with the device management apparatus;
A first database that holds information of the managed device acquired through the first communication processing means;
A first database management means for managing the first database;
A second database in which the first database is converted into information required by the device management apparatus;
A second database management means for managing the second database;
And database mapping means for matching a corresponding item of information held in the information and the second database to be held in the first database,
A command delivery means for interpreting a command received by the first and second communication processing means and delivering the command to the first or second database management means and the database mapping means;
The command delivery means sends an item of information included in a command transmitted from the device management apparatus to the managed device or a command transmitted from the managed device to the device management apparatus via the database mapping means. A gateway device characterized in that the data is transferred while being converted. A gateway provided between a first network having a managed device and a second network having a device management apparatus and a different protocol from the first network, and for mutually converting commands flowing on the both networks In the device
First communication processing means for performing data communication with the managed device;
A second communication processing means for performing data communication with the device management apparatus;
A first database that holds information of the managed device acquired through the first communication processing means;
A second database in which the first database is converted into information required by the device management apparatus;
And database mapping means for matching a corresponding item of information held in the information and the second database to be held in the first database,
A gateway device characterized by interpreting a command received by the first and second communication processing means, and converting an item of information included in the command via the database mapping means. The first and second database management means are:
Having a device model that shows the characteristics of the managed device,
The device model management means is set by the device model management means based on a setting request command delivered from the first network or the second network via the command delivery means. Gateway device. The first and second database management means are:
Database generation means for generating the first and second databases using the device model based on a generation request command sent from the first network or the second network via the command delivery means. The gateway device according to claim 3. The database mapping means includes:
A mapping rule describing the correspondence between the first database and the second database;
Mapping management means for matching the state of the first database and the corresponding item of the second database using the mapping rule;
The mapping rule is set by the mapping rule management means based on a setting request command delivered from the first network or the second network via the command delivery means. The gateway device according to any one of 3 and 4. The above mapping rule is
A first mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and the attribute of the device as a pair;
A second mapping rule that describes the device stored in the first and second databases and an identifier for identifying the device as a pair;
6. The gateway device according to claim 5, wherein the mapping management means matches corresponding items between the first and second databases according to these two rules. The above mapping rule is
A first mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and the attribute of the device as a pair;
A second mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and an identifier for identifying the device as a pair;
A third mapping described as a set of the device stored in the first and second databases generated from the first mapping rule and the second mapping rule, the attribute of the device and the identifier of the device Rules and
6. The gateway device according to claim 5, wherein the mapping management means matches corresponding items between the first and second databases according to the third mapping rule. The above mapping rule is
A first mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and the attribute of the device as a pair;
A second mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and an identifier for identifying the device as a pair;
A fourth rule in which an exception rule deviating from the first mapping rule and the second mapping rule is described as a set of the device, the device attribute, and the device identifier stored in the first and second databases. Mapping rules and
The mapping management means performs the fourth mapping rule when matching corresponding items between the first and second databases, and if the matching items cannot be matched, The gateway device according to claim 5, wherein matching is performed according to a mapping rule. The above mapping rule is
A fifth mapping rule that describes the device stored in the first and second databases, the attribute of the device, and the value of the attribute as a pair;
A second mapping rule describing the device stored in the first and second databases and an identifier for identifying the device as a pair;
A fourth rule in which an exception rule deviating from the first mapping rule and the second mapping rule is described as a set of the device, the device attribute, and the device identifier stored in the first and second databases. Mapping rules and
6. The gateway device according to claim 5, wherein the mapping management means matches corresponding items between the first and second databases according to these two rules.

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