JP7399029B2 - Gateway device, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a gateway device, a communication method, and a program.

A system in which multiple devices are connected via a local network is known. For example, in an air conditioning system, multiple indoor units, outdoor units, remote controllers, and other devices can be connected to a network and each device can be controlled via the network. Network protocols for such systems include standard protocols such as Econet and manufacturers' proprietary protocols. Furthermore, systems in which such a system is configured by a network having a plurality of different protocols are also known.

For example, a communication system consisting of an air conditioning system that communicates over a network that uses Econet's protocol (hereinafter referred to as protocol A) and a lighting control system that communicates over a network that uses a manufacturer's proprietary protocol (hereinafter referred to as protocol B). In this case, it is possible to improve convenience by allowing the remote control of one system to control equipment of the other system. In this case, a gateway device is placed between networks A and B. The gateway device converts signals sent and received between networks A and B into signals in the format of the destination protocol. This allows communication between networks A and B.

However, there is a large difference in communication speed between protocols A and B, and responses to control signals from the remote controller may not be in time. In order to cope with such a situation, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique in which a gateway device stores the state of the device and responds on behalf of the source of the control signal.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-021939 Patent No. 3823585

In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the case of a signal requesting to obtain the status of a device, there is no need to actually notify the device side of the signal after the proxy response. On the other hand, in the case of an operation signal for operating a device, the gateway device needs to make a proxy response, convert the operation signal into the format of the destination protocol, and send it to the device. However, there are differences in data assignment methods between protocols A and B, and it is not always possible to reliably convert signals in protocol A to signals in protocol B.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gateway device and the like that can reliably execute proxy responses and transmit signals to devices regardless of protocol differences.

In order to achieve the above objective, the gateway device according to the present disclosure includes:
A gateway device that relays signals transmitted and received between a first network to which an operating terminal is connected and a second network to which a device is connected,
a first communication means for communicating with the first network;
a second communication means for communicating with the second network;
equipment information storage means for storing equipment information indicating the state of the equipment;
Signal operation storage means for storing signal operation information that defines the operation of the signal for each type of signal transmitted and received with the operation terminal or the device;
Store association information for associating each item of equipment information stored in the equipment information storage means with signal operation information of a status update signal for reflecting the value of the item in the status of the equipment. signal-related storage means;
Whether or not it is necessary for the first communication means to analyze the control signal received from the operation terminal based on the signal operation information stored in the signal operation storage means and update the device information; and signal analysis means for determining whether or not it is necessary to make a proxy response to the operating terminal;
updating means for updating the device information when the signal analysis means determines that the device information needs to be updated;
a state update signal creating means for creating the state update signal for reflecting the updated device information based on the association information on the state of the device when the device information is updated by the updating means; ,
proxy response signal creation means for creating a proxy response signal to the control signal when the signal analysis means determines that a proxy response is necessary;
The first communication means transmits the proxy response signal to the operation terminal,
The second communication means transmits the status update signal to the device.

According to the present disclosure, proxy responses and signal transmission can be reliably executed regardless of protocol differences.

A diagram showing the overall configuration of a system including a gateway device according to an embodiment. Block diagram showing the configuration of a gateway device according to an embodiment Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal operation table Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device information table Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal-related table Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device information format table Flowchart showing the procedure of device registration processing according to the embodiment Flowchart showing the procedure of signal reception processing according to the embodiment Diagram showing an example of a general-purpose frame structure Flowchart showing the procedure of device status update processing according to the embodiment

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system including a gateway device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The gateway device 100 connects a first network N1 to which the operating terminal 21 and the device 31 are connected, and a second network N2 which has a different protocol from the first network N1 to which the operating terminal 22 and the device 32 are connected. It is a device that is connected to enable mutual communication. Note that the operating terminals 21 and 22 are a PC, a tablet terminal, or the like operated by a user. The equipment 31 is equipment such as an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and lighting. The operation terminals 21 and 22 can connect not only the devices 31 and 32 connected to the same first and second networks N1 and N2 but also the other second and first networks N2 and N1 via the gateway device 100. It is possible to obtain and operate the status of the devices 32 and 31 connected to the device.

(Configuration of gateway device 100)
The configuration of the gateway device 100 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the gateway device 100 includes a first communication section 110, a second communication section 120, a storage section 130, and a control section 140.

The first communication unit 110 is connected to the first network N1. The first communication unit 110 communicates with the operation terminal 21 and the device 31 via the first network N1. The first communication section 110 includes a transmitting section 111 and a receiving section 112. The transmitter 111 transmits various signals to the operating terminal 21 and the device 31 via the first network N1. The receiving unit 112 receives various signals from the operating terminal 21 and the device 31 via the first network N1. The first communication unit 110 is an example of a first communication means of the present disclosure.

The second communication unit 120 is connected to the second network N2. The second communication unit 120 communicates with the operation terminal 22 and the device 32 via the second network N2. The second communication section 120 includes a transmitting section 121 and a receiving section 122. The transmitter 121 transmits various signals to the operating terminal 22 and the device 32 via the second network N2. The receiving unit 122 receives various signals from the operating terminal 22 and the device 32 via the second network N2. The second communication unit 120 is an example of a second communication means of the present disclosure.

The storage unit 130 includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a read/write nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or an HDD. The storage unit 130 stores a first signal operation DB 1311, a second signal operation DB 1312, a first device information DB 1321, a second device information DB 1322, a first signal related DB 1331, a second signal related DB 1332, and a device information format. Store table 134.

The first signal operation DB 1311 stores, for each type of control signal that can be transmitted and received with the first network N1, signal operation information that defines the operation content of the control signal. Specifically, the first signal operation DB 1311 stores signal operation information in the format of a signal operation table shown in FIG. The signal operation table is a table provided for each control signal, and includes "command", "DB update necessity", "DB read necessity", and "response request necessity" that define the operation contents of the control signal. , "Response command", "Data conversion (when receiving)", "Data conversion (when sending)", "Response necessity", and "Response waiting time" are registered.

"Command" is a command included in the control signal. The command indicates the content of the instruction based on the control signal.

“DB update necessity” indicates whether the first device information DB 1321 or the second device information DB 1322 is updated by the control signal. For example, in the case of a control signal that changes the status of the devices 31 and 32, "DB update necessity" is essential.

“DB reading necessity” indicates whether information is to be read from the first device information DB 1321 and the second device information DB 1322 using the control signal. For example, in the case of a control signal for acquiring the status of the devices 31 and 32, "DB reading necessity" is essential.

“Response request necessity” indicates whether or not to respond to the transmission source of the control signal. This response corresponds to a proxy response that the gateway device 100 makes on behalf of the destination.
The "response command" is a command to be sent as a response to the source of the control signal when the "response request necessity" is set to require a response.

"Data conversion (at the time of reception)" is for converting data in the protocol format of the first network N1 stored in the data part of the control signal into data to be stored in the device information table of the first device information DB 1321. This is the conversion formula.

"Data conversion (at the time of transmission)" is a conversion formula for converting the data stored in the first device information DB 1321 into data in the protocol format of the first network N1 to be stored in the data section of the control signal. It is.

“Response necessity” indicates whether or not to wait for a response from the destination of the control signal.
"Response waiting time" indicates the maximum waiting time for waiting for a response from the destination of the control signal when "response necessity" is set to "required".

Returning to FIG. 2, the second signal operation DB 1312 stores, for each type of control signal that can be transmitted and received with the second network N2, signal operation information that defines the operation content of the control signal. Specifically, like the first signal operation DB 1311, the second signal operation DB 1312 stores signal operation information in the form of a signal operation table shown in FIG. 3 for each control signal.

In addition, in the following description, when the first signal operation DB 1311 and the second signal operation DB 1312 are not distinguished, they are also referred to as signal operation DB 131. The signal operation DB 131 is an example of a signal operation storage means of the present disclosure.

The first device information DB 1321 stores device information of the devices 31 connected to the first network N1. Specifically, the first device information DB 1321 stores device information for each device 31 in the format of a device information table shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a device information table for the device 31, which is an indoor unit, and stores the values of "power state", "temperature", "humidity", "operating mode", and "wind direction". The values of "power state", "temperature", "humidity", "operating mode", and "wind direction" are device data that represents the state of the device 31, and the values are changed by operations from the operation terminals 21 and 22. . The "first address" indicates an address for accessing the device 31 from the first network N1. The "second address" indicates an address for accessing the device 31 from the second network N2.

The second device information DB 1322 stores device information of the devices 32 connected to the second network N2 in the same format as the first device information DB 1321. In addition, in the following description, when the first device information DB 1321 and the second device information DB 1322 are not distinguished, they are also referred to as the device information DB 132. The device information DB 132 is an example of device information storage means of the present disclosure.

The first signal related DB 1331 stores each device data registered in the device information table of the device 31 connected to the first network N1 and the actual state of the device 31 when the value of the device data is updated. and signal operation information of a status update signal for reflecting the update. Specifically, the first signal-related DB 1331 stores association information in the form of a signal-related table shown in FIG. 5 . The signal related table includes each item of device data of the device 31 connected to the first network N1, and the status update included in the status update signal sent to the device 31 when the value of the data item is updated. Commands and are stored in association with each other. It should be noted that since devices 31 of the same model have the same device data items, a signal related table is provided for each model of the device 31. The signal related table shown in FIG. 5 shows a configuration example when the model is an air conditioning indoor unit.

The second signal related DB 1332 stores each device data registered in the device information table of the device 32 connected to the second network N2 and the actual state of the device 32 when the value of the device data is updated. The signal operation information of the status update signal for reflecting the update, and association information for associating the state update signal with the signal operation information for reflecting the update are stored in the same format as the first signal related DB 1331. In addition, in the following description, when the 1st signal related DB1331 and 2nd signal related DB1332 are not distinguished, it is also written as signal related DB133. The signal-related DB 133 is an example of a signal-related storage means of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6, the device information format table 134 is a table that defines, for each model, each data item and data format of the devices 31 and 32 of that model. The device information format table 134 is referred to when creating device information tables for the devices 31, 31 newly connected to the first network N1 and the second network N2.

Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 140 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 140 controls each unit of the gateway device 100 by causing the CPU to read a program stored in the ROM and execute it on the RAM. Further, the control unit 140 includes a signal analysis unit 141, a signal creation unit 142, and a device monitoring unit 143 as functional components.

The signal analysis unit 141 analyzes control signals received from the operating terminals 21 and 22. Specifically, the signal analysis unit 141 acquires a signal operation table having commands included in the received control signal from the signal operation DB 131, reads out the value of each item in the signal operation table, and determines the operation of the control signal. Analyze. For example, by analyzing control signals received from the operating terminals 21 and 22, the signal analysis unit 141 determines whether or not to update the device data stored in the device information table of the device information DB 132, and whether or not to make a proxy response. Determine whether or not there is. The signal analysis unit 141 is an example of a signal analysis means of the present disclosure.

The signal generation unit 142 generates a signal to be transmitted from the gateway device 100 to the operating terminals 21 and 22 and the devices 31 and 32. Specifically, when the device data registered in the device information table of the device information DB 132 is updated, the signal creation unit 142 reads the corresponding status update command from the signal-related DB and updates the updated device data. Creates a status update signal that updates the status of the target devices 31 and 32 to reflect the state, and outputs it to the first communication unit 110 and second communication unit 120 to which the devices 31 and 32 are connected. . Further, the signal creation unit 142 creates a proxy response signal when it is necessary to make a proxy response to the control signal received from the operating terminals 21 and 22, and the first communication unit 110 that received the control signal and the second communication 120. The signal creation unit 142 is an example of a status update signal creation means and a proxy response signal creation means of the present disclosure.

The device monitoring unit 143 monitors the device information table stored in the device information DB 132, performs processing to detect updates of device data, and updates the device information table based on control signals received from the operation terminals 21 and 22. Execute processing. The device monitoring unit 143 is an example of an updating unit of the present disclosure.

(Device registration process)
Next, the operation of the process executed by the gateway device 100 will be explained. First, a device registration process for registering a device information table in the second device information DB 1322 will be described. For example, when the device 32 is connected to the second network N2 for the first time and the gateway device 100 is notified by broadcast of a signal indicating this, the gateway device 100 performs the device registration process shown in the flowchart of FIG. Start. Note that the gateway device 100 broadcasts a connected device confirmation signal to the second network N2 at startup or periodically, and when there is a response signal from the device 32 for which the device information table has not been created, Device registration processing may be started.

First, the second communication unit 120 detects the device 32 newly connected to the second network N2 based on the notification signal or response signal received from the device 32 (step S101).

Subsequently, the second communication unit 120 determines the type of the detected device 32 (step S102). Specifically, the second communication unit 120 determines the type of the device 32 based on the protocol specifications of the second network N2. For example, the second communication unit 120 may determine the type of device from the code representing the model included in the notification signal and response signal from the device 32.

Next, the control unit 140 refers to the device information format table 134 and specifies the device information format of the device 32 of the determined type (step S103).

Subsequently, the control unit 140 creates a new device information table using the specified device information format, and stores it in the second device information DB 1322 (step S104). At this time, the control unit 140 registers the address included in the header portion of the notification signal or response signal received from the device in step S101 as the value of the item "second address" in the created device information table. Note that the value of the item "first address" is undetermined at this point.

Next, the control unit 140 broadcasts to notify the first network N1 that the device 32 is connected to the second network N2 (step S105). The operation terminal 21 that has received this notification notifies the address for connecting to the device 32 from the first network N1 as a response.

Subsequently, the control unit 140 registers the address notified from the operating terminal 21 as the value of the item "first address" in the device information table created in step S104 (step S106). This completes the device registration process. In the above description, an example has been described in which the device 32 connected to the second network N2 is registered, but the same process may be performed when registering the device 31 connected to the first network N1.

(Signal reception processing)
Next, the operation of the signal reception process executed by the gateway device 100 when a control signal is received from the operating terminals 21, 22 or the devices 31, 32 will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. Note that the signal reception process described below is a process that is executed when a control signal is received from the operating terminal 21 or device 31 connected to the first network N1.

Note that the following three typical types of control signals that the gateway device 100 receives in this signal reception process are considered. Note that the control signals received in the signal reception process are not limited to these.

- Operation signal: A control signal transmitted from the operation terminal 21 and used to operate the device 32 connected to the second network N2.
- Status acquisition signal: A control signal transmitted from the operation terminal 21 and used to acquire the status of the device 32 connected to the second network N2.
- Status notification signal: A control signal that is spontaneously transmitted from the device 31 to notify the status of the device 31 when the status of the device 31 changes or when a pre-scheduled timing is reached.

The operation signal includes the address of the device 32 to be operated as the destination address. Furthermore, the data portion of the operation signal includes data that defines in what state the device 32 is to be operated. For example, if the device 32 is an indoor unit, the data portion of the operation signal includes data indicating what temperature setting and operation mode the indoor unit is desired to operate at.

The status acquisition signal includes the address of the device 32 whose status is to be acquired as the destination address. Since the status acquisition signal is not a signal for updating the status of the device 32, normally no data is stored in the data portion of the status acquisition signal.

Unlike the operation signal and the status acquisition signal, the status notification signal is not a signal sent to the opposing second network N2 side, and the destination address is the address of the gateway device 100. Furthermore, data indicating the status of the device 31 to be notified is stored in the data portion of the status notification signal.

When the signal reception process is started, the first communication unit 110 first converts the control signal received from the operation terminal 21 or the device 31 into a control signal with a general-purpose frame structure, and sends the converted control signal to the signal analysis unit 141. It is delivered (step S201). Thereby, the control signal of the protocol of the first network N1 received from the operation terminal 21 or the device 31 can be handled in a general-purpose manner without depending on the protocol. As shown in FIG. 9, the control signal converted into a general-purpose frame structure includes a command, a source address, a destination address, the number of data, and a plurality of data [1] to data [n]. The number of data varies depending on the type of control signal. For example, if the signal is an acknowledgment signal (ACK), the number of data is 0, and if it is an operation signal, the number of data is determined according to the model of the device to be operated. Note that the general-purpose frame structure shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and may be converted to a general-purpose frame structure of other data formats.

Returning to FIG. 8, the signal analysis unit 141 subsequently acquires a signal operation table having commands included in the passed control signal from the first signal operation DB 1311 (step S202).

Next, the signal analysis unit 141 refers to the value of the item "DB update necessity" in the acquired signal operation table and determines whether it is necessary to update the device information DB 132 (step S203). Note that in the case of a signal operation table for operation signals and status notification signals, the value of the item "DB update necessity" is generally set to "need to update". On the other hand, in the case of a signal operation table for a status acquisition signal, the value of the item "DB update necessity" is generally set to not require updating.

If there is no need to update the device information DB 132 (step S203; No), steps S204 to S207, which will be described later, are skipped and the process moves to step S208. On the other hand, if it is necessary to update the device information DB 132 (step S203; Yes), the signal analysis unit 141 uses the conversion formula indicated by the item "data conversion (at reception)" in the signal operation table acquired in step S202. , the values of each data of the control signal converted into the general-purpose frame structure in step S201 are converted into a format for storing the device information table (step S204).

Subsequently, the signal analysis unit 141 stores in the first device information DB 1321 the device information table in which the source address included in the control signal converted into the general-purpose frame structure in step S201 matches the value of the item "first communication address." It is determined whether or not it is stored (step S205).

If a device information table in which the source address of the control signal matches the value of the item “first communication address” is stored in the first device information DB 1321 (step S205; Yes), the received control signal is transmitted from the device 31. It can be seen that this is a status notification signal. Therefore, the signal analysis unit 141 updates the matched device data in the device information table to the data converted in step S204 (step S206). As a result, the status of the device 31 notified by the status notification signal is reflected in the device information table. The process then moves to step S208.

On the other hand, if the device information table in which the source address of the control signal matches the value of the item "first communication address" is not stored in the first device information DB 1321 (step S205; No), the received control signal is It can be seen that this is an operation signal transmitted from the terminal 21. Therefore, the signal analysis unit 141 obtains from the second device information DB 1322 a device information table in which the value of the item "second address" matches the destination address included in the control signal converted into the general-purpose frame structure in step S201. , updates the value of the device data in the acquired device information table to the value of the data converted in step S204 (step S207). Note that when the data update in step S207 is completed, the gateway device 100 executes a device data update process, which will be described later, in a separate thread, independently of the signal reception process. The device data update process will be described later. The process then moves to step S208.

In step S208, the signal analysis unit 141 refers to the value of the item "response necessity" in the signal operation table acquired in step S202, and determines whether or not it is necessary to respond to the received control signal. .

If there is no need to respond (step S208; No), the signal reception process ends. If the received control signal is a status notification signal from the device 31, there is basically no need to respond to the device 31, so step S208 is determined to be No. On the other hand, if it is necessary to respond (step S208; Yes), the signal creation unit 142 changes the value of the item "response command" of the signal operation table acquired in step S202 from the first signal operation DB 1311 to the item "command". ” is specified (step S209). The signal operation table specified here corresponds to the signal operation table of the proxy response signal for the control signal received from the operation terminal 21 in step S201.

Subsequently, the signal creation unit 142 refers to the value of the item "DB read necessity" in the signal operation table of the proxy response signal identified in step S209, and determines whether or not to read data from the second device information DB 1322. (Step S210).

If there is no need to read data from the second device information DB 1322 (step S210; No), the signal creation unit 142 passes the item “command” of the signal operation table specified in step S209 to the first communication unit 110. The first communication unit 110 creates a proxy response signal in the first protocol format from the passed "command" (step S211). This proxy response signal is a signal that is simply sent back as a proxy response to the operating terminal 21 that is the source of the received control signal, and does not contain any device data. The process then moves to step S214.

On the other hand, if it is necessary to read data from the second device information DB 1322 (step S210; Yes), the signal creation unit 142 selects the item "data conversion (when sending)" in the signal operation table of the proxy response signal identified in step S209. The value of each data in the second device information table 1322 updated in step S207 is converted into data in the first protocol format using the conversion formula (step S212).

Subsequently, the signal generation unit 142 passes the value of the item “command” of the signal operation table specified in step S209 and the data converted in step S212 to the first communication unit 110. The first communication unit 110 creates a proxy response signal in the first protocol format from the passed command and data (step S213). This proxy response signal is a signal that not only replies to the received control signal as a proxy response, but also notifies the device data of the device 32 that has been changed or acquired under control by the control signal. The process then moves to step S214.

In step S214, the first communication unit 110 transmits the proxy response signal created in step S211 or step S213 to the operating terminal 21, which is the source of the control signal, via the first network N1. This completes the signal reception process.

In this way, when a control signal is received from the operation terminal 21 or the device 31, the processing content can be changed depending on the signal operation table provided for each type of control signal, and the processing content can be changed depending on the signal operation table provided for each type of control signal, such as operation signal, status acquisition signal, status notification signal. It is possible to centrally process the type of signal such as the above, the necessity of a proxy response by the gateway device 100, etc. Furthermore, even in the case of a control signal that requests operation and status acquisition, it can be handled by creating an appropriate signal operation table.

Note that items such as response waiting time and number of retransmissions are provided in the signal operation table, and if the determination is Yes in step S208, a proxy response signal is transmitted at an appropriate time for each command, and retransmission is performed according to predetermined conditions. You may also perform processing. That is, in this case, in step S214, the proxy response signal is transmitted after waiting for the response waiting time included in the signal operation table specified in step S209, and then the proxy response signal is transmitted according to predetermined conditions. The proxy response signal may be transmitted multiple times up to the number of retransmissions. Even if the response time, number of retransmissions, etc. differ depending on the protocol or command, it can be processed in a unified manner by registering them in the signal operation table like this.

(Device status update processing)
When step S207 is executed in the signal reception process described above, the device data in the target device information table of the second device information DB 1322 is updated based on the control signal. The status of the target device 32 has not yet been updated. Therefore, when the device monitoring unit 143 detects the update of the device information table in step S207 of the signal reception process, the gateway device 100 starts the device status update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The device status update process is a process that can be executed in parallel with the signal reception process described above.

First, the signal creation unit 142 transmits the status update command associated with the item name or item ID of the updated device data to the model of the device 32 whose device data stored in the second signal-related DB 1332 has been updated. from the signal related table (step S301).

Subsequently, the signal creation unit 142 acquires a signal operation table having the acquired status update command in the item "command" from the second signal operation DB 1312 (step S302).

Subsequently, the signal creation unit 142 refers to the value of the item "DB reading necessity" in the acquired signal operation table and determines whether or not to read information from the second device information DB 1322 (step S303).

Here, the signal operation table of the status update command is referred to, and since it is necessary to read the updated device data value, the determination in step S303 is almost certainly Yes. Note that if it is determined that information is not to be read from the second device information DB 1322 (step S303; No), step S304, which will be described later, is skipped and the process moves to step S305.

If it is determined that information needs to be read from the second device information DB 1322 (step S303; Yes), the signal creation unit 142 performs a process based on the information specified by the item "data conversion (at the time of transmission)" in the signal operation table acquired in step S302. Using the conversion formula, the updated device data value is converted into data for transmission that can be handled by the status update command (step S304). If there is a plurality of updated device data, the signal creation unit 142 converts them into one data section.

Subsequently, the signal generation unit 142 passes the status update command acquired in step S301 and the data converted in step S304 to the second communication unit 120. The second communication unit 120 converts the passed status update command and data into frame data in a format conforming to the second protocol (step S305).

Then, the second communication unit 120 transmits the converted frame data to the device 32 whose device information has been updated (step S306). Note that the destination address of the frame data here may be obtained from the item "second address" of the updated device information table.

The device 32 that has received the frame data executes a status update command included in the frame data to update the status of the device 32 to the value of the data included in the frame data. If the process is successful, the device data in the device information table and the state of the device 32 match. When the device 32 finishes updating the status, it transmits a response signal to notify the gateway device 100 of the update result.

Next, the signal analysis unit 141 of the gateway device 100 refers to the item "response necessity" in the signal operation table acquired in step S302, and determines whether to wait for a response from the device 32 to the frame data transmitted in step S306. (Step S307).

When not waiting for a response from the device 32 (step S307; No), the device status update process ends. On the other hand, when waiting for a response from the device 32 (step S307; Yes), the signal analysis unit 141 waits for the time period corresponding to the item "response waiting time" in the signal operation table acquired in step S302. Before the response waiting time elapses (step S308; No), there is a response from the device 32 (step S309; Yes), and the response indicates that the status of the device 32 has been successfully updated (step S310; success), the device status update process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no response from the device 32 before the response waiting time elapses (step S308; Yes), or if there is a response from the device 32 before the response waiting time elapses (step S308; No), If the response indicates that the update of the state of the device 32 has failed (Step S309; Yes) (Step S310; Failure), it means that the update of the state of the device 32 has failed or has not been performed. Therefore, the device monitoring unit 143 returns the updated device information table that triggered this device status update process to the state before the update (step S311). As a result, the device data in the device information table and the state of the device 32 match. This completes the device status update process.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the transmission of the proxy response and the transmission of the signal to the device are performed discontinuously and independently. Therefore, even if there are differences in communication speed, data assignment method, etc. between protocols, proxy responses and signal transmission to devices can be reliably executed.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the signal reception process shown in FIG. 8 is performed in which the gateway device 100 makes a proxy response to a control signal transmitted from the operation terminal 21 of the first network N1, if necessary. This signal reception processing is realized only by communication between the first network N1 and the gateway device 100. On the other hand, if the device information is updated in the signal reception process, the device status update process shown in FIG. 10 is separately executed to create and transmit a status update signal to reflect the device information in the status of the device 32 on the second network N2. be done. This device status update process is realized only by communication between the second network N2 and the gateway device 100. That is, in the present embodiment, processing is performed to respond by proxy to a control signal transmitted from the operating terminal 21 connected to the first network N1, and to send a signal to the device 32 connected to the second network N2. The processing to do so is discontinuous and independent processing. Further, in performing both of these processes, there is no need to convert the protocol of the control signal. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, data communicated between the first network N1 and the second network N2 can be relayed without being aware of the difference in protocols between the first network N1 and the second network N2. I can do it.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device information DB 132 has a general-purpose design that does not depend on the protocols of both networks N1 and N2, so that the developer of the device 32 connected to the second network N2 can There is no need to know the specifications of N1, and only the communication between the device 32 and the gateway device 100, and the design and development of the second signal operation DB 1312 and the second signal related DB 1332 are required.

(Modified example)
Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can of course be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

For example, in FIG. 1, one operating terminal 21, 22 and one device 31, 32 are connected to the first network N1 and the second network N2, but a plurality of operating terminals 21, 22 and one device 31, 32 may be connected.

For example, in the above embodiment, the signal reception process was explained when a control signal transmitted from the operating terminal 21 and the device 31 connected to the first network N1 was received. Of course, the signal reception process is similarly executed when a control signal transmitted from the operating terminal 22 or the device 32 is received.

Further, by applying the program executed by the control unit 140 of the gateway device 100 in the embodiment to an existing computer, it is also possible to cause the computer to function as the gateway device 100 according to the present disclosure.

The distribution method of such programs is arbitrary, and for example, computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), MO (Magneto Optical Disk), memory card, etc. It may be stored in a computer and distributed, or it may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present disclosure is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, the embodiments described above are for explaining the present disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

100 gateway device, 21, 22 operating terminal, 31, 32 equipment, N1 first network, N2 second network, 110 first communication unit, 120 second communication unit, 111, 121 transmitting unit, 112, 122 receiving unit, 130 Storage unit, 131 signal operation DB, 1311 first signal operation DB, 1312 second signal operation DB, 132 equipment information DB, 1321 first equipment information DB, 1322 second equipment information DB, 133 signal related DB, 1331 first signal Related DB, 1332 Second signal related DB, 134 Device information format table, 140 Control unit, 141 Signal analysis unit, 142 Signal creation unit, 143 Device monitoring unit

Claims (4)

A gateway device that relays signals transmitted and received between a first network to which an operating terminal is connected and a second network to which a device is connected,
a first communication means for communicating with the first network;
a second communication means for communicating with the second network;
equipment information storage means for storing equipment information indicating the state of the equipment;
Signal operation storage means for storing signal operation information that defines the operation of the signal for each type of signal transmitted and received with the operation terminal or the device;
Store association information for associating each item of equipment information stored in the equipment information storage means with signal operation information of a status update signal for reflecting the value of the item in the status of the equipment. signal-related storage means;
Whether or not it is necessary for the first communication means to analyze the control signal received from the operation terminal based on the signal operation information stored in the signal operation storage means and update the device information; and signal analysis means for determining whether or not it is necessary to make a proxy response to the operating terminal;
updating means for updating the device information when the signal analysis means determines that the device information needs to be updated;
a state update signal creating means for creating the state update signal for reflecting the updated device information based on the association information on the state of the device when the device information is updated by the updating means; ,
proxy response signal creation means for creating a proxy response signal to the control signal when the signal analysis means determines that a proxy response is necessary;
The first communication means transmits the proxy response signal to the operating terminal,
the second communication means transmits the status update signal to the device;
Gateway device. The signal operation information defines at least one of a response waiting time and a number of retransmissions as an operation of the proxy response signal,
The first communication means transmits the proxy response signal based on at least one of a response waiting time and a number of retransmissions defined in the signal operation storage means.
The gateway device according to claim 1. A signal relay method performed by a gateway device that relays signals transmitted and received between a first network to which an operating terminal is connected and a second network to which a device is connected, the method comprising:
storing signal operation information that defines the operation of the signal for each type of signal transmitted and received with the operation terminal or the device;
Based on the signal operation information, the control signal received from the operating terminal determines whether it is necessary to update device information of the device and whether it is necessary to make a proxy response to the operating terminal. ,
If it is determined that the device information needs to be updated, updating the device information;
If it is determined that a proxy response is necessary, create a proxy response signal for the control signal,
creating a state update signal for reflecting the device information in the state of the device when the device information is updated;
transmitting the proxy response signal from a first communication means to the operating terminal;
transmitting the status update signal to the device from a second communication means;
Communication method. A computer that relays signals sent and received between a first network to which the operating terminal is connected and a second network to which the device is connected,
a first communication means for communicating with the first network;
a second communication means for communicating with the second network;
equipment information storage means for storing equipment information indicating the state of the equipment;
signal operation storage means for storing signal operation information that defines the operation of the signal for each type of signal transmitted and received with the operation terminal or the device;
Store association information for associating each item of equipment information stored in the equipment information storage means with signal operation information of a status update signal for reflecting the value of the item in the status of the equipment. signal-related storage means;
Whether or not it is necessary for the first communication means to analyze the control signal received from the operation terminal based on the signal operation information stored in the signal operation storage means and update the device information; and signal analysis means for determining whether or not it is necessary to make a proxy response to the operating terminal;
updating means for updating the device information when the signal analysis means determines that the device information needs to be updated;
a state update signal creation means for creating the state update signal for reflecting the updated equipment information based on the association information on the state of the equipment when the equipment information is updated by the updating means;
functioning as a proxy response signal creation unit that creates a proxy response signal for the control signal when the signal analysis unit determines that a proxy response is necessary;
The first communication means transmits the proxy response signal to the operating terminal,
the second communication means transmits the status update signal to the device;
program.

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