JP7196764B2 - Information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system.

A technology is used that acquires various information related to a service from a device owned by the user or a device existing in the vicinity of the user and provides the service.

As a related technology, a technology has been proposed in which a content server acquires content or information about the content based on the received unique information of the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, and transmits the content to a peripheral device (for example, see Patent Document 1). reference).

Also, as a related technique, a technique has been proposed for presenting service providing locations existing in the vicinity of a user and information about other users regarding the service providing locations (see, for example, Patent Literature 2).

Also, as a related technique, a technique has been proposed in which real-world object information, which is information about objects in the real world, is recognized by a computer system that constitutes the cyber world (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2011-223506 A JP 2015-069569 A JP 2004-192623 A

When a service provision request is received, it is conceivable that the user selects which device is to be used for the service, among devices owned by the user or devices existing in the vicinity of the user. However, when a user selects a device, the user's trouble increases.

As one aspect of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to enable provision of services using the device without the user selecting the device.

In one aspect, an information processing system includes an information processing device and one or more communication devices capable of communicating with the information processing device. The information processing device includes a first receiving unit that receives a service provision request related to a user together with the designation of the service level, and a device corresponding to the designation of the service level among devices associated with the user. a selection unit that selects a device; and a first transmission unit that transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request to a communication device connected to the selected device from among the one or more communication devices, The one or more communication devices include a second receiver that receives the instruction and a second transmitter that transmits the instruction to the device.

According to one aspect, even if the user does not select the device, it is possible to provide the service using the device.

It is a figure showing an example of the system configuration in a 1st embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a server and a device gateway in the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of device deletion processing for user information; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of device addition processing for user information; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of device addition processing for user information; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display example of an information processing terminal; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second display example of the information processing terminal; 7 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of a device gateway; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information update processing of a server; 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a request handling process of the server in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of device selection in the first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration|structure in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of a system configuration according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a server and a device gateway according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation location addition processing for device information; It is a figure which shows an example of the addition process of the air conditioner information with respect to user information. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of installation location addition processing for device information; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a request handling process of a server according to the second embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of network topology; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a server.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to the first embodiment. The system of the embodiment includes a server 1, device gateways 2-1 and 2-2, wearable devices 3-1 and 3-2, a fixed device 4, an information processing terminal 5, and a network 6. FIG. Hereinafter, the device gateways 2-1 and 2-2 may be referred to as the device gateway 2 when not distinguished. The wearable devices 3-1 and 3-2 may be referred to as wearable devices 3 when not distinguished from each other. When the wearable device 3 and the fixed device 4 are not distinguished, they may be referred to as devices. Any number of device gateways 2, wearable devices 3, fixed devices 4, and information processing terminals 5 may be provided. The server 1 , the device gateway 2 , and the information processing terminal 5 can communicate with each other via the network 6 .

The server 1 executes processing related to service provision. The services are, for example, temperature measurement, pulse measurement, air temperature measurement, or humidity measurement. The server 1 receives a service provision request from the information processing terminal 5 . Then, the server 1 selects the device corresponding to the service provision request from the wearable device 3 and fixed device 4 . The server 1 then transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request to the selected device via the device gateway 2 . The instruction to be transmitted is, for example, an instruction to transmit body temperature, pulse, temperature, humidity, or the like. The server 1 is an example of an information processing device.

The device gateway 2 transmits the instruction received from the server 1 to the wearable device 3 or fixed device 4 . Further, the device gateway 2 transmits information transmitted from the wearable device 3 or fixed device 4 to the server 1 according to the instruction. The device gateway 2 is an example of communication equipment.

The wearable device 3 has functions such as a thermometer, pulse meter, thermometer, or hygrometer, and is driven by an internal battery. The wearable device 3 transmits information to the server 1 according to instructions received via the device gateway 2 . The wearable device 3 , for example, transmits the measured body temperature, pulse, temperature or humidity to the server 1 via the device gateway 2 . The wearable device 3 can perform wireless communication with the device gateway 2, for example.

The fixed device 4 has functions such as a thermometer or a hygrometer, and is driven by power from the system power supply. The fixed device 4 transmits information to the server 1 according to instructions received via the device gateway 2 . The fixed device 4 , for example, transmits the measured temperature and humidity to the server 1 via the device gateway 2 . The wearable device 3 can communicate with the device gateway 2 . The fixed device 4 can communicate with the device gateway 2 by wire, for example.

The information processing terminal 5 is, for example, a tablet terminal owned by an administrator, a smart phone, or the like. The network 6 is, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional configurations of the server 1 and device gateway 2 in the first embodiment. The server 1 includes a first receiver 11 , a first updater 12 , a selector 13 , a first transmitter 14 and a storage 15 .

The first receiving unit 11 receives device-related detection information from the device gateway 2 . The detection information includes, for example, identification information of the detected device and detection location (for example, identification information of the device gateway 2).

The first receiving unit 11 receives a service provision request regarding a user together with specification of a function to be used for the service and a service level. Functions used for the service are, for example, body temperature measurement, pulse measurement, air temperature measurement, humidity measurement, and the like. A service level indicates, for example, the accuracy of information. Then, the first receiving unit 11 receives, from the device via the device gateway 2, the information corresponding to the instruction sent by the first transmitting unit 14 to the device.

When the first receiving unit 11 receives device-related detection information from the device gateway 2, the first update unit 12 updates the detection information and the user information stored in the storage unit 15 based on the received detection information. do.

When the first receiving unit 11 receives a service provision request regarding a user, the selecting unit 13 refers to the user information in the storage unit 15 and selects the functions and functions used for the service among the devices associated with the user. Select devices that correspond to service level specifications. The user information includes, for example, the user name, identification information of the device held by the user, the service level of the device, and the like.

The first transmission unit 14 transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request together with destination information of the selected device to the device gateway 2 connected to the device selected by the selection unit 13 . Further, when the first receiving unit 11 receives information corresponding to the instruction from the device gateway 2, the first transmitting unit 14 transmits the information to the information processing terminal 5 that has transmitted the service provision request.

The storage unit 15 includes user information, detection information, and device information, which is information about devices used for services.

The device gateway 2 includes a second receiver 21 , a detection information generator 22 and a second transmitter 23 .

The second receiving unit 21 receives the instruction corresponding to the service provision request transmitted from the first transmitting unit 14 of the server 1 and the destination information of the device selected by the selecting unit 13 .

The detection information generation unit 22 generates detection information when detecting the connection of the device. The second transmission unit 23 transmits the detection information generated by the detection information generation unit 22 to the server 1 .

The second transmission unit 23 transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request transmitted from the first transmission unit 14 of the server 1 to the device indicated by the received destination information. Then, the second receiving unit 21 receives information transmitted from the device according to the instruction. The second transmission unit 23 transmits the information received from the device by the second reception unit 21 to the server 1 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of device deletion processing for user information. As shown in FIG. 3, user information, detection information, and device information are stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 1, and the first reception unit 11 newly receives detection information. The first updating unit 12 acquires, from the storage unit 15 , the detection information regarding the device included in the detection information received by the first receiving unit 11 . In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 , since detection information including “smart device A” is received, the first updating unit 12 acquires detection information regarding “smart device A” from the storage unit 15 . Note that “smart device A” is an example of the wearable device 3 .

The first update unit 12 compares the detection location of the acquired detection information in the storage unit 15 with the detection location of the received detection information, and determines whether they are the same. Note that the communication device connected to the device is recorded as the detection location of the detection information. The detection location of the detection information in the storage unit 15 is "gateway A", but the detection location of the received detection information is "gateway B", which is not the same. For example, it is conceivable that the detection location has changed because the user holding the smart device A has moved. Note that “gateway A” and “gateway B” are examples of device gateways 2 .

In addition, when a plurality of devices are connected to the same device gateway 2, it is assumed that the plurality of devices exist in close locations (for example, in the same room). Therefore, the identification information of the communication device (device gateway 2) is used for the detection location of the detection information and the installation location of the device information.

The first update unit 12 refers to the device information and acquires device information in which the same location as the detection location indicated by the detection information acquired from the storage unit 15 is recorded as the installation location. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first updating unit 12 acquires the device information of "fixed thermometer 1" whose detection location is "gateway A". Note that the “fixed thermometer 1 ” is an example of the fixed device 4 . The first update unit 12 deletes the information corresponding to the acquired device information from the user information in which the device name indicated in the received detection information is recorded. In the example shown in FIG. 3, since "smart device A" is recorded in the received detection information, the first updating unit 12 selects "fixed Delete the information about Thermometer 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of device addition processing for user information. The processing shown in FIG. 4 is processing executed after the processing shown in FIG. The first update unit 12 refers to the device information and acquires device information in which the same location as the detection location indicated by the received detection information is recorded as the installation location. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the detection location indicated by the received detection information is “gateway B”, so the first updating unit 12 updates “fixed thermometer 2 ” information. Note that the “fixed thermometer 2 ” is an example of the fixed device 4 .

The first updating unit 12 adds information corresponding to the acquired device information to the user information in which the device name indicated in the received detection information is recorded. In the example shown in FIG. 4, since "smart device A" is recorded in the received detection information, the first updating unit 12 adds "fixed Add information about thermometer 2.

Also, the first update unit 12 updates the detection information in the storage unit 15 using the received detection information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, using the received detection information, the detection location of the detection information regarding "smart device A" stored in the storage unit 15 is updated from "gateway A" to "gateway B."

3 and 4, for example, when the peripheral fixed device 4 changes due to the user's movement, the first updating unit 12 updates the device information associated with the user in the user information. Update.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of device addition processing for user information. The first example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which no new function is added to the user information, but the example shown in FIG. 5 shows an example in which a new function is added to the user information. Note that the processing for deleting the device information from the user information is the same as the example shown in FIG. 3, so description thereof will be omitted. The example shown in FIG. 5 differs from the example shown in FIG. 4 in that the device information includes "fixed hygrometer 1" instead of "fixed thermometer 2". The “fixed hygrometer 1 ” is an example of the fixed device 4 .

The first update unit 12 refers to the device information and acquires device information in which the same location as the detection location indicated by the received detection information is recorded as the installation location. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the detection location indicated by the received detection information is "gateway B", the first updating unit 12 updates the device information with "fixed hygrometer 1" whose installation location is "gateway B". ” information.

The first updating unit 12 adds information corresponding to the acquired device information to the user information in which the device name indicated in the received detection information is recorded. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since "smart device A" is recorded in the received detection information, the first updating unit 12 adds "fixed Add information about "Hygrometer 1".

When adding the device information to the user information, if the function of the device information to be added does not exist in the user information, the first update unit 12 adds the function to the user information. In the device information, the function of "fixed hygrometer 1" is "humidity measurement", but "humidity measurement" does not exist in the user information. Therefore, the first updating unit 12 adds "humidity measurement" as a function when adding information about the "fixed hygrometer 1" to the user information.

The first update unit 12 updates the detection information in the storage unit 15 using the received detection information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the detection location of the detection information regarding "smart device A" is updated from "gateway A" to "gateway B."

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first display example of the information processing terminal 5. As shown in FIG. The display example shown in FIG. 6 is a display example when an application installed in the information processing terminal 5 and managing the work environment is executed. The information processing terminal 5 transmits a service provision request to the server 1 and receives information corresponding to the service provision request from the server 1 . The received information is, for example, the temperature and humidity obtained from peripheral devices of the users (workers A to D) to be managed.

The information processing terminal 5 displays the status of each user's work environment based on the received information. For example, information processing terminal 5 displays "good" when the temperature and humidity are within the predetermined range, and displays "caution" when at least one of the temperature and humidity is outside the predetermined range.

It is assumed that an application that manages the work environment frequently obtains information and does not require high accuracy regarding the temperature and humidity around the user. In that case, for example, when the information processing terminal 5 transmits the service provision request to the server 1, it specifies "low" as the service level. Further, as shown in the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5, the fixed devices 4 (the fixed thermometer 1, the fixed thermometer 2, and the fixed hygrometer 1) are set to "low" as the service level. If the fixed device 4 and the user are far apart, the temperature near the user and the temperature measured by the fixed device 4 may differ. That is, it can be said that the accuracy is low when the temperature of the fixed device 4 is used as the temperature near the user.

When the service level designation received together with the service provision request is "low", the server 1 acquires information from the fixed device 4 and transmits the information to the information processing terminal 5 . Thereby, consumption of the battery of the wearable device 3 can be suppressed.

However, there is a possibility that the device corresponding to the specified service level (for example, the fixed device 4) does not exist among the devices associated with the user to be managed in the user information. In that case, the selection unit 13 of the server 1 selects another device (for example, the wearable device 3) associated with the user to be managed in the user information. In addition, the selection part 13 selects the device with which the service level closest to the designated service level was provided, when multiple other devices exist. For example, if the specified service level is "low" and only "medium" and "high" service levels of the device associated with the user exist, the selection unit 13 selects the service level as "medium". Select a device that is As a result, the server 1 can acquire information corresponding to the service provision request even when there is no device of the specified service level in the vicinity of the user to be managed.

For example, fixed devices 4 may be installed in work areas where users reside, and fixed devices 4 may not be installed in places where users are present for a short period of time, such as aisles, in order to reduce installation costs. There is In places where the fixed device 4 is not installed, for example, the wearable device 3 is used for information collection.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second display example of the information processing terminal 5. As shown in FIG. The display example shown in FIG. 7 is a display example when an application installed in the information processing terminal 5 for managing the user's health is executed. The information processing terminal 5 transmits a service provision request to the server 1 and receives information corresponding to the service provision request from the server 1 . The information to be received is, for example, body temperature, pulse, temperature, humidity, etc., obtained from peripheral devices of the user to be managed.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the information processing terminal 5 acquires temperature data obtained from devices in the vicinity of the user to be managed, and displays changes in temperature as a graph. An application that manages the health of a user does not acquire information frequently, but requires high accuracy in acquiring information such as temperature. Therefore, for example, when the information processing terminal 5 transmits the service provision request to the server 1, it specifies "high" as the service level. As shown in the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5, the wearable sensor A is set to "high" as the service level. Therefore, when the service level specification transmitted together with the service provision request is “high”, the server 1 acquires information from the wearable device 3 and transmits the information to the information processing terminal 5 .

Since the wearable device 3 is a device worn by the user, the temperature measured by the wearable device 3 indicates the temperature near the user with higher accuracy than the temperature measured by the fixed device 4. It can be said that there are That is, the server 1 can obtain highly accurate information by acquiring information from the wearable device 3 when "high" is specified as the service level.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the device gateway 2 . If the device gateway 2 does not detect the connection of the device (wearable device 3 or fixed device 4) (NO in step S101), it waits until it detects the connection of the device.

When detecting the connection of the device (YES in step S101), the detection information generation unit 22 of the device gateway 2 generates detection information (step S102). The detection information is, for example, device identification information and detection location identification information. The identification information of the detected location is, for example, the identification information of the device gateway 2 that has detected the connection of the device. The second transmission unit 23 transmits the generated detection information to the server 1 (step S103).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of information update processing of the server 1 . If the first receiver 11 does not receive the detection information from the device gateway 2 (NO in step S201), the server 1 waits until it receives the detection information from the device gateway 2. FIG. When the first receiving unit 11 of the server 1 receives the detection information from the device gateway 2 (YES in step S201), the first updating unit 12 updates the detection information about the device recorded in the received detection information to the storage unit 15. (step S202).

The first update unit 12 compares the detection location of the acquired detection information in the storage unit 15 with the detection location of the received detection information, and determines whether they are the same (step S203). If YES in step S203, the server 1 terminates the information update process. In the case of NO in step S203, it is conceivable that the location of the device (for example, the wearable device 3) held by the user has been changed due to the user's movement.

If NO in step S203, the first update unit 12 acquires device information in which the same location as the detection location indicated by the detection information acquired from the storage unit 15 in step S202 is recorded as the installation location (step S204). The first updating unit 12 deletes the information corresponding to the device information acquired in step S204 from the user information in which the device name indicated in the received detection information is recorded (step S205). This is because, as described above, it is considered that the user has moved and the device recorded in the user information does not exist in the vicinity of the current user.

The first updating unit 12 refers to the device information and acquires device information in which the same location as the detection location indicated by the received detection information is recorded as the installation location (step S206). The first updating unit 12 adds information corresponding to the device information acquired in step S206 to the user information in which the device name indicated in the received detection information is recorded (step S207). By the processing in steps S206 and S207, the device existing at the destination of the user is stored in association with the user in the user information.

The first update unit 12 updates the detection information in the storage unit 15 using the received detection information (step S208). The first updating unit 12 replaces the detection location indicated in the detection information in the storage unit 15 with the detection location indicated in the received detection information, for example.

As described above, if NO in step S203, it is conceivable that the location of the device held by the user has changed due to the user's movement. Therefore, the first update unit 12 updates the device information recorded in association with the user in the user information through the processing of steps S204 to S207.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of request handling processing by the server according to the first embodiment. The first receiving unit 11 of the server 1 receives the service provision request regarding the user from the information processing terminal 5 together with the designation of the user, the designation of the function used for the service, and the designation of the service level (step S301). Note that if there is only one function to be used for a service that can be specified, the first receiving unit 11 does not need to receive the specification of the function to be used for the service.

The selection unit 13 acquires from the storage unit 15 the user information of the user specified in the service provision request in step S301 from among the user information stored in the storage unit 15 (step S302). The selection unit 13 determines whether or not there is a device corresponding to the specification of the function used for the service among the devices associated with the user in the referenced user information (step S303). In the case of NO in step S303, the server 1 terminates the process.

In the case of YES in step S303, the selecting unit 13 selects a device corresponding to the specification of the service level from the devices corresponding to the specification of the function used for the service in the user information referred to (step S304). The selection unit 13 may select, for example, a device for which a service level closest to the designated service level is set. For example, if the service level is specified as "low" and there is a device with a "low" service level in the user information, the selector 13 selects the device with a "low" service level. Further, for example, when the service level is specified as "low" and the user information includes a device with a "medium" service level and a device with a "high" service level, the selection unit 13 , to select devices with a medium service level.

The first transmission unit 14 transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request to the device selected by the selection unit 13 via the device gateway 2 (step S305). For example, if the specified function used for the service is temperature measurement, the first transmission unit 14 transmits an instruction to transmit the temperature measurement value to the device.

The first receiving unit 11 receives information corresponding to the instruction transmitted in step S305 from the device via the device gateway 2 (step S306). The first transmission unit 14 transmits the information received by the first reception unit 11 in step S306 to the information processing terminal 5 that is the transmission source of the service provision request (step S307). The information processing terminal 5 performs various displays based on the received information, as shown in the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7 .

As described above, the server 1 selects devices to be used for services based on the specified service level. Therefore, the server 1 can provide services using the device without the user selecting the device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of device selection in the first embodiment. The server shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the server 1 , and the gateways A and B correspond to the device gateway 2 . Smart devices A and B shown in FIG. 11 correspond to the wearable device 3 and have thermometer functions. A fixed thermometer 1 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the fixed device 4 , an information processing terminal corresponds to the information processing terminal 5 , and a network corresponds to the network 6 .

The information processing terminal transmits a temperature data transmission request to the server as a service provision request according to the operation of the administrator (S1). Assume that workers A and B and a service level of "low" are specified in the temperature data transmission request. In the user information stored in the server, worker A is associated with smart device A with a "high" service level and fixed thermometer 1 with a "low" service level. Therefore, the server transmits an air temperature data transmission instruction to the fixed thermometer 1 corresponding to the specified service level "low" (S2-1).

In the user information, worker B is not associated with a device corresponding to the specified service level of "low", but is associated only with smart device B with a service level of "high". ing. Therefore, the server sends an instruction to send temperature data to smart device B (2-2).

Even if multiple devices are associated with worker A, the server automatically selects the device to be used for service provision. Therefore, the system of this embodiment makes it possible to provide services using the device even if the user does not select the device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to the second embodiment. The system configuration shown in FIG. 12 differs from the system configuration shown in FIG. 1 in that it includes an air conditioner 7 and an air conditioner gateway 8 .

The air conditioner 7 receives an instruction from the server 1 via the air conditioner gateway 8 and performs air conditioning control according to the instruction. Further, a plurality of air conditioners 7 may be connected to the gateway 8 for air conditioners. Alternatively, the system in the second embodiment may include humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the like.

The air conditioner gateway 8 receives an instruction regarding the operation of the air conditioner 7 from the server 1 via the network 6 and transmits the received instruction to the air conditioner 7 . The system in the second embodiment may include multiple air conditioner gateways 8 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the system configuration according to the second embodiment. It is assumed that the network switches 9-1 to 9-3 shown in FIG. 13 are included in the network 6 shown in FIG. The network switches 9-1 to 9-3 are referred to as the network switch 9 when not distinguished.

As shown in FIG. 13, in a room 1, an air conditioner 7-1 and a device gateway 2-1 are installed, and a user having a wearable device 3-1 exists. In the room 2, an air conditioner 7-2, a device gateway 2-2, and a fixed device 4-1 are installed, and there are a user possessing the wearable device 3-2 and a user possessing the wearable device 3-3. In the room 3, an air conditioner 7-3, a device gateway 2-3, a fixed device 4-2 are installed, and a user having a wearable device 3-4 exists. In the room 4, an air conditioner 7-4 and a device gateway 2-4 are installed, and a user having a wearable device 3-5 exists.

A network switch 9-2 is connected to the server 1, and network switches 9-1 and 9-3 are connected to the network switch 9-2. Device gateways 2-1 and 2-2 and an air conditioner gateway 8-1 are connected to the network switch 9-1. A wearable device 3-1 is connected to the device gateway 2-1, and wearable devices 3-2, 3-3 and a fixed device 4-1 are connected to the device gateway 2-2. An air conditioner 7-1 and an air conditioner 7-2 are connected to the air conditioner gateway 8-1.

Device gateways 2-3 and 2-4 and an air conditioner gateway 8-2 are connected to the network switch 9-3. A wearable device 3-4 and a fixed device 4-2 are connected to the device gateway 2-3, and a wearable device 3-5 is connected to the device gateway 2-4. An air conditioner 7-3 and an air conditioner 7-4 are connected to the air conditioner gateway 8-2.

As shown in the example of FIG. 13, in the system according to the second embodiment, it is assumed that one air conditioner 7 and one device gateway 2 are installed in one room. The gateway (device gateway 2 or air conditioner gateway) is likely to be connected to the network switch 9 physically close to it. Therefore, devices that are close in terms of network topology are likely to be close physically as well. For example, gateways and devices connected under the same network switch 9 are likely to be physically close to each other. Also, it is highly likely that the gateways and devices connected under different network switches 9 are not physically close to each other.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of functional configurations of the server 1 and the device gateway 2 in the second embodiment. The server 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the server 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Descriptions of the same parts as those of the server 1 in the first embodiment will be omitted below.

The first receiving unit 11 receives information about each device included in the system of the second embodiment and connection configuration information.

The topology generation unit 16 generates the network topology of the information processing system (for example, the system shown in FIG. 13) based on the information about each device and the connection configuration information received by the first reception unit 11, and stores it in the storage unit 15. Memorize. Also, the topology generator 16 divides the network topology into network groups. A technique such as Home-network Topology Identifying Protocol (HTIP), for example, is used for collecting information about each device, connection configuration information, and generating topology.

The air conditioning control unit 17 transmits operation instructions to the air conditioner 7 via the first transmission unit 14 . For example, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits to the air conditioner 7 an instruction to turn on the power, turn off the power, change the temperature setting, or the like. When a plurality of air conditioners 7 are distributed in a plurality of network groups, the air conditioning control unit 17 executes processing for transmitting operation instructions to the air conditioners 7 in the plurality of network groups in parallel.

The first receiving unit 11 periodically receives information (for example, measured values of temperature or humidity) from the device (wearable device 3 or fixed device 4) selected by the selecting unit 13, and stores the information in the storage unit 15.

Based on the information transmitted from the device before the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 and the information transmitted from the device after a predetermined time from transmission of the instruction, the determination unit 18 determines the air conditioner 7 and the air conditioner 7. Determine if the device is in the same location.

The determining unit 18 determines, for example, information received by the first receiving unit 11 from the fixed device 4 before the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 and the information that the air conditioning control unit 17 has transmitted the instruction to the air conditioner 7. A difference from the information received from the fixed device 4 by the first receiving unit 11 after a predetermined time is calculated. Based on the calculated difference, the determination unit 18 determines whether the air conditioner 7 and the fixed device 4 are in the same place (for example, in the same room). For example, if the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 18 determines that the air conditioner 7 and the fixed device 4 are present at the same location, and if the calculated difference is less than the predetermined threshold, It is determined that the air conditioner 7 and the fixed device 4 are not in the same place.

When it is determined that the air conditioner 7 and the fixed device 4 are located at the same location, the second updating unit 19 updates the device information in the storage unit 15 using the detection location of the fixed device 4 in the pre-stored detection information. The information indicating the installation location of the air conditioner 7 is updated. For example, identification information of the device gateway 2 is recorded in the detection location and installation location. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, one device gateway 2 is set in one room. Therefore, when the same device gateway 2 is recorded in the detection location of the detection information and the installation location of the device information, it is assumed that the device indicated by the detection location and the device indicated by the device information exist in the same room. be.

Further, when the detection location of any wearable device 3 in the detection information and the installation location of any air conditioner 7 in the device information are the same, the second updating unit 19 determines that the wearable device 3 is recorded. Information about the air conditioner 7 is added to the user information.

After the addition of the information about the air conditioner 7 to the user information is completed, the air conditioning control unit 17 records the information in association with the device based on the information received from the device by the first receiving unit 11. An operation instruction is transmitted to the air conditioner 7 . The air conditioner 7 recorded in association with the device is, for example, the air conditioner 7 recorded in the same user information as the device. The device is wearable device 3 or fixed device 4 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation location addition processing for device information. For example, it is assumed that the first receiver 11 periodically receives information from the thermometer 1 (an example of the fixed device 4). The air conditioning control unit 17 also transmits an operation instruction to the air conditioner A (an example of the air conditioner 7 ) via the air conditioner gateway 8 .

The determining unit 18 determines the information received from the thermometer 1 by the first receiving unit 11 before the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner A, and the predetermined time during which the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner A. The difference from the information received by the first receiving unit 11 from the thermometer 1 is calculated later. The determination unit 18 determines that the air conditioner A and the thermometer 1 are in the same place (for example, in the same room) when the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

Since the second update unit 19 determines that the air conditioner A and the thermometer 1 exist in the same place, the detection location (gateway A) of the thermometer 1 in the detection information is changed to the installation location of the air conditioner A in the device information. Record as location.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing for adding air conditioner information to user information. The second updating unit 19 determines whether the detection location of any wearable device 3 in the detection information and the installation location of any air conditioner 7 in the device information are the same. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the detection location of smart device A in the detection information and the installation location of air conditioner A in the device information are both "gateway A" and are the same. In this case, the second updating unit 19 adds information about the air conditioner A in the device information to the user information in which the smart device A is recorded.

Thereby, the second updating unit 19 can record the air conditioner installed in the room where the user is present in association with the user. Note that when the user moves, the device gateway 2 to which the smart device A is connected changes. In this case, as in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second updating unit 19 deletes the information about the air conditioner 7 recorded in the user information before the move, Information on the air conditioner 7 where the user is located may be added to the user information.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of installation location addition processing for device information. The air conditioning control unit 17 transmits an operation instruction to the air conditioner 7 via the first transmission unit 14 (step S401). Hereinafter, the air conditioner 7 to which the operation instruction is transmitted in step S401 is referred to as the air conditioner 7 to be processed. The determining unit 18 acquires from the storage unit 15 the temperature measurement value received by the first receiving unit 11 from the fixed device 4 in the same subnet as the air conditioner 7 to be processed (step S402). For example, if the air conditioner 7 to be processed is the air conditioner 7-2 in FIG. 13, the fixed device 4 in the same subnet in step S402 is the fixed device 4-1.

The determination unit 18 determines the measured value of temperature received from the fixed device 4 by the first receiving unit 11 before the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 and the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 . A difference from the temperature measurement value received by the first receiving unit 11 from the fixed device 4 after a predetermined time is calculated (step S403). The determination unit 18 determines whether the difference calculated in step S403 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S404). If NO in step S404, it is determined whether or not there is a network switch 9 one layer higher than the network switch 9 in the same subnet as the air conditioner 7 to be processed (step S405). If the network switch 9 in the same subnet as the air conditioner 7 to be processed is the network switch 9-1 in FIG. . That is, when the configuration of FIG. 13 is applied, the first processing result of step S405 is YES.

In the case of YES in step S405, the determination unit 18 receives the air temperature from another fixed device 4 under the control of the network switch 9 (process target switch) one level higher than the network switch 9 in the same subnet as the air conditioner 7 to be processed. A measurement value is obtained (step S406). If the switch to be processed in step S406 is the network switch 9-2 in the example of FIG. 13, the other fixed device 4 is the fixed device 4-2. When step S406 is executed for the second time, the determination unit 18 acquires the measured value from another fixed device 4 under the network switch 9 one layer above the switch to be processed in the previous step S406.

The determination unit 18 determines the measured value of the air temperature transmitted from the fixed device 4 before the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 and the fixed value after a predetermined time after the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the instruction to the air conditioner 7 . A difference from the temperature measurement value transmitted from the device 4 is calculated (step S407). The determination unit 18 determines whether the difference calculated in step S407 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S408).

If NO in step S408, the process proceeds to step S405. The determination unit 18 determines whether or not there is a network switch 9 that is one layer higher than the switch to be processed in the previous step S406 (step S405). In the case of NO in step S405, the processing for the air conditioner 7 to be processed ends.

In the case of YES in step S404 or step S408, the second update unit 19 updates the detection location of the fixed device 4 whose difference in measurement value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold as the installation location of the air conditioner 7 (step S409). .

As shown in FIG. 13, the device gateway 2 to which the device is connected and the air conditioner gateway 8 to which the air conditioner 7 is connected are separate communication devices. It is unknown if they are in the same room. However, the server 1 of the present embodiment can automatically update the installation location of the air conditioner 7 in the device information by specifying the location of the air conditioner 7 based on the measured value obtained from the device. Although an example of receiving the measured value from the fixed device 4 has been shown, the server 1 receives the measured value from the wearable device 3 and uses the detection location of the wearable device 3 to update the installation location of the air conditioner 7. good too.

After the process of FIG. 17, when the server 1 receives new detection information, the second updating unit 19 adds the information of the air conditioner 7 to the user information by the same process as the process shown in FIG. . That is, in the second embodiment, the server 1 executes processing when the “device” in FIG. 9 is the air conditioner 7 .

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of request handling processing of the server 1 in the second embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 18 is executed after the information on the air conditioner 7 is added to the user information. Steps S301 to S307 are the same as steps S301 to 307 in FIG. 10, so description thereof will be omitted.

After the process of step S307, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits the operation instruction recorded in association with the device based on the information received from the device by the first receiving unit 11 (step S308). The device is wearable device 3 or fixed device 4 . For example, when the temperature received from the device is equal to or higher than the first threshold, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits an instruction to operate the cooling function of the air conditioner 7 . For example, when the temperature received from the device is equal to or lower than the second threshold, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits an instruction to operate the heating function of the air conditioner 7 .

The system of the second embodiment includes dehumidifiers and humidifiers, and the device may have the function of a hygrometer. In that case, in step S308, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits an operation instruction to the dehumidifier when the humidity received from the device is equal to or higher than the third threshold. Further, for example, when the humidity received from the device is equal to or less than the fourth threshold, the air conditioning control unit 17 transmits an operation instruction to the humidifier.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network topology; The topology generation unit 16 generates the network topology shown in the example of FIG. A network group 31 shown in FIG. 19 is a group including the network switch 9-1 and the devices connected below the network switch 9-1. The network group 32 is a group including the network switch 9-3 and devices connected below the network switch 9-3. As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of air conditioners 7 are distributed in a plurality of network groups.

When executing the processing shown in FIG. 17, the server 1 may temporarily stop all the air conditioners 7 and then sequentially operate the air conditioners 7 to be processed. This is because it is difficult to determine which air conditioner 7 affects the measurement value of the fixed device 4 when multiple air conditioners 7 in the system are operated simultaneously. However, when the number of air conditioners 7 is large, it takes time to operate all the air conditioners 7 in order.

As described above, gateways and devices connected under different network switches 9 are likely not to be physically close to each other. In other words, devices belonging to different network groups are unlikely to be physically close to each other, so operating air conditioners 7 in one network group may not affect devices in other network groups. highly sexual. Therefore, the server 1 may execute the processing shown in FIG. 17 in parallel for each network group. As a result, the server 1 can shorten the processing time for sequentially operating the air conditioners 7 to update the device information, and can reduce the number of the air conditioners 7 to be stopped.

As described above, the server 1 automatically adds information about the air conditioner to the user information, and operates the air conditioner 7 or the like based on the information received from the device, thereby appropriately adjusting the surrounding environment of the user. can be controlled.

Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the server 1 will be described. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the example of FIG. 20 , in server 1 , processor 111 , memory 112 , auxiliary storage device 113 , communication interface 114 , medium connector 115 , input device 116 , and output device 117 are connected to bus 100 .

The processor 111 executes programs developed in the memory 112 . A program that performs the processing in the embodiment may be applied to the program to be executed.

Memory 112 is, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM). The auxiliary storage device 113 is a storage device that stores various information, and may be a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like, for example. A program for performing the processing of the embodiment may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 113 .

A communication interface 114 is connected to a communication network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), and performs data conversion and the like associated with communication.

A medium connection unit 115 is an interface to which a portable recording medium 118 can be connected. The portable recording medium 118 may be an optical disc (for example, Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)), semiconductor memory, or the like. A program for performing the processing of the embodiment may be recorded on the portable recording medium 118 .

The input device 116 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like, and receives instructions and information input from the user.

The output device 117 is, for example, a display device, a printer, a speaker, etc., and outputs an inquiry or instruction to the user, processing results, and the like.

The storage unit 15 shown in FIGS. 2 and 14 may be realized by the memory 112, the auxiliary storage device 113, the portable recording medium 118, or the like. First receiving unit 11, first updating unit 12, selecting unit 13, first transmitting unit 14 shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, topology generating unit 16, air conditioning control unit 17, determining unit 18, and second updating shown in FIG. The unit 19 may be implemented by the processor 111 executing an information processing program developed in the memory 112 .

The memory 112, auxiliary storage device 113, and portable recording medium 118 are computer-readable, non-temporary tangible storage media, not temporary media such as signal carriers.

Note that the server 1 may not include all the components shown in FIG. 20, and some components may be omitted. Also, some components may exist in an external device of the server 1, and the server 1 may connect to the external device to use the components in the external device.

The present embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications, additions, and omissions can be applied without departing from the gist of the present embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 server 2 device gateway 3 wearable device 4 fixed device 5 information processing terminal 6 network 7 air conditioner 8 air conditioner gateway 9 network switch 11 first receiving unit 12 first updating unit 13 selecting unit 14 first transmitting unit 15 storage unit 16 topology generation unit 17 air conditioning control unit 18 determination unit 19 second update unit 21 second reception unit 22 detection information generation unit 23 second transmission unit 100 bus 111 processor 112 memory 113 auxiliary storage device 114 communication interface 115 medium connection unit 116 input Device 117 Output device 118 Portable recording medium

Claims (4)

An information processing system comprising an information processing device and one or more communication devices capable of communicating with the information processing device,
The information processing device is
a first receiving unit that receives a service provision request regarding a user together with the specification of the service level;
a selection unit that selects a device corresponding to the designation of the service level from among the devices associated with the user;
a first transmission unit that transmits an instruction corresponding to the service provision request to a communication device connected to the device selected from the one or more communication devices,
The one or more communication devices are
a second receiving unit that receives the instruction;
and a second transmission unit that transmits the instruction to the device. When the first receiving unit receives information corresponding to the instruction from the one or more communication devices, the first transmitting unit transmits the information to the source of the service provision request. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device is
an air conditioning control unit that transmits an operation instruction to the air conditioner;
the air conditioner based on the temperature measurement value transmitted from the device before transmitting the operation instruction to the air conditioner and the temperature measurement value transmitted from the device after a predetermined time after transmission of the operation instruction to the air conditioner; and a determination unit that determines whether the device exists at the same location;
further comprising an updating unit that, when it is determined that the air conditioner and the device are present at the same location, updates information indicating the installation location of the air conditioner using a pre-stored detection location of the device. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by: The information processing device further includes a topology generation unit that generates a network topology of the information processing system that includes the air conditioner and divides the network topology into a plurality of network groups,
When the plurality of air conditioners are distributed in the plurality of network groups, the air conditioning control unit executes, in parallel, the processing of transmitting the operation instruction to the air conditioners in the plurality of network groups. The information processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that:

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