KR100586666B1 - Electronic appliances network system, adapter for electronic appliances network, index server, method of connecting electronic appliances network, method of controlling adapter for electronic appliances network, and method of operating index server - Google Patents

Abstract

In a configuration in which a network circuit is embedded in a conventional home appliance, the cost has increased. Moreover, even if the adapter for each home appliance was made, the manufacturer of the adapter had problems such as increased inventory and complicated management.

The present invention provides an adapter (8) connected between a home network (3) and a home appliance (7), and an index server for transmitting data from the home network (3) to the home appliance (7) via an adapter (8). 13), the adapter 8 acquires an identification code from the household electrical appliance 7 after connecting to the household electrical appliance 7, and at the same time corresponds to the household electrical appliance 7 based on the identification code. It is the structure which acquires control software from the said server 13.

Home Appliance Network System, Adapter for Home Appliance Network

Description

Home appliance network system, home appliance network adapter, index server, home appliance network connection method, home appliance network adapter control method, and operation method of index server {ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES NETWORK SYSTEM NETWORK, METHOD OF CONTROLLING ADAPTER FOR ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES NETWORK, AND METHOD OF OPERATING INDEX SERVER}

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network including home appliances in an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a control block diagram of the adapter and home appliance of FIG.

3 is a control block diagram of the index server of FIG.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a check table used for searching for a storage destination in the index unit of the index server.

5 shows an operational flowchart of an adapter.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flowchart of a home appliance.

Figure 7 is a control block diagram of an adapter and home appliance according to another embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing a charging operation flowchart when registering control software of an index server.

9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a month-end processing operation of the index server.

10 is an internal configuration diagram of the adapter of FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 11A is a diagram showing an example of the device connection program of Fig. 10.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of program code of control software stored in the area 4. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart realized by executing the device connection program of FIG. 10; FIG.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block realized inside the adapter control unit of the adapter by executing a program stored in the memory.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

2: home server

3: home network

7: home appliances

8: adapter

11: Software library server

12: Software Library Server

13: Index server

81: adapter control unit

84: control software storage

87: control software acquisition unit

200: microcomputer

202: network function

204: memory controller

206: notification unit

208: bus

210: memory

250: communication processing unit

252: activation instruction

254: control software execution unit

The present invention relates to a home appliance network system having an adapter connected between a network and a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, an adapter for a home appliance network, an index server, and a control method of each operation.

A conventional home appliance network system includes a home appliance in a home connected to a network, and a server of a service company that connects to the network and provides a service related to the home appliance. A residential gateway functioning as an accumulation / communication unit, and a portable multi-controller connected to communicate with the home appliances in the home connected to the network so as to communicate with the home appliance. It is possible to download the home appliance from the network through the residential gateway to expand the function of the home appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-78036 (page 3, Fig. 1)). ).

In addition, an adapter connected between the network and the home appliance converts an information signal from the network (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-346366 (page 3, Fig. 1)).

In order to connect a home appliance to a network such as the Internet or a home network, as in Patent Document 2 described above, many forms of attaching and connecting an adapter outside the home appliance are selected. The reason is that it is technically possible to mount inside the home appliance, but because it is a factor of increase in cost, it is treated as an optional component separated from the home appliance.

The use of the adapter as an optional component like this has the advantage of avoiding the inability to use the home appliance due to the failure of the adapter part in a home appliance that is often installed in a place having a high temperature and high humidity. there's more.

However, if a dedicated adapter is made for each manufacturer and each model, it becomes a cause of an increase in inventory and a cost increase of a product or an adapter in each manufacturer.

In addition, since a user needs to manage an adapter for each model, it can be troublesome, and it can also cause misuse by the connection malfunction of the corresponding model.                         

The present invention is to solve this problem.

The home appliance network system of the present invention is a home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal, an adapter connected between a network and a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and data from the network to the home appliance via an adapter. And a server for transmitting, wherein the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and acquires software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the acquired device information. Characterized in that.

In addition, the home appliance network connection method of the present invention includes a home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal, an adapter connected between a network and a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and the home appliance via the adapter from the network. And a server for transmitting data to the home appliance, wherein the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and stores software corresponding to the home appliance according to the acquired device information. Characterized in that obtained from the server.

In addition, the home appliance network system of the present invention includes a home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and data input / output terminals, a home network formed in a home, a home server connected to the home network and an external network, the home network and the home appliance An adapter connected between the data input / output terminals of the controller and a server for transmitting data from the external network to the household electrical appliance through the adapter, wherein the home server according to the appliance information acquired by the household electrical appliance. The software corresponding to the device is obtained from the server.

In addition, the home appliance network connection method of the present invention includes a home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal, a home network formed in a home, a home server connected to the home network and an external network, the home network and the home appliance An adapter connected between the data input / output terminals of the device, and a server for transmitting data from the external network to the home appliance via the adapter, wherein the home server according to the device information acquired by the adapter from the home appliance; The software corresponding to the device is obtained from the server.

The home appliance network adapter according to the present invention further includes a net communication unit connected to a network, a device communication unit connected to a home appliance, and acquiring device information from the home appliance after being connected to the home appliance. And an adapter controller for acquiring the software corresponding to the household electrical appliance from the server.

The apparatus may further include a display unit displaying an operation state of the adapter controller.

In addition, the adapter control method for a home appliance network of the present invention includes a net communication unit connected to a network, and a device communication unit connected to a home appliance, an acquisition step of acquiring device information from the home appliance after connecting to the home appliance; An access step of accessing the server for acquiring control software corresponding to the home appliance according to the device information acquired in this acquiring step, and a downloading step of acquiring the control software from the server accessed in this access step Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the display according to the operation of each step is characterized in that the display.

The index server of the present invention includes a net portion connected to a network, and an index portion for storing a storage destination of control software for operating an adapter connected between the home appliance and the network to enable the home appliance to be connected to the network. The unit is characterized by transmitting from the adapter to the storage destination of the control software according to the household electrical appliance connected to the adapter when there is access through the net unit.

In addition, the storage unit registers a storage destination in correspondence with the device information, and further includes a registration unit that stores the control software in the storage destination, and a charging unit that charges when registering in this registration unit.

The charging unit charges when the transfer destination of the control software is registered in the index unit, and charges the registrant of the control software accessed when the adapter accesses to acquire the control software according to the number of times of access. It is done.

In addition, the operation method of the index server of the present invention is an index for storing the storage unit of the control unit for operating the network unit connected to the network, and the adapter for connecting the home appliance and the network to connect the home appliance to the network. And a confirming step of confirming the device information acquired by the adapter when there is access from the adapter through the net part, and after this confirming step, a transmitting step of transmitting to the storage destination of the control software according to the device information. It is characterized by.

The method further includes a storage destination registration step of registering a storage destination in correspondence with the device information in the index unit, a storage step of storing the control software in the storage destination, and a charging step of charging at the time of registering in this storage step. It features.

In addition, the charging step charges when the transfer destination of the control software is registered in the index unit, and charges the registrant of the control software accessed when the adapter accesses to acquire the control software according to the number of times of access. It features.

Another aspect of the invention is an adapter for a home appliance network. The adapter acquires the device information from the home appliance after connecting to the net communication unit connected to the network, the appliance communication unit connected to the home appliance, and the home appliance, and at the same time controls a specified home appliance according to the acquired appliance information. An adapter control unit acquiring from the server via the network, a first storage area for storing the protocol stack for using the network and the acquisition program executed by the adapter control unit to acquire the control program, and a second for storing the control program in advance. A memory having a storage area is provided. The acquisition program and the control program share a protocol stack. Thereby, the control program corresponding to the connected household electrical appliance can be acquired. In addition, the memory size can be reduced.

The adapter control unit judges whether or not the control program is stored in the second storage area. If not, the adapter control unit executes an acquisition program to acquire the control program from the server and records the control program in the second storage area. If so, the adapter controller may execute the control program stored in the second storage area. In this way, when the control program is not stored in the adapter, the control program can be newly acquired.

The memory provided in the adapter holds the start instruction program in advance, and the start instruction program determines whether or not the control program is stored in the second storage area, and executes the acquisition program if it is not stored. If there is, the program executes the control program, and the adapter control unit may execute the start instruction program at the first time when the adapter is powered on.

The start instruction program may also be stored in an area headed by the address of the memory in which the adapter control unit first starts reading after the adapter is powered on.

The adapter controller may restart the adapter after writing the control program to the second storage area.

In addition, any combination of the above components, and an implementation of the present invention, which is converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like, are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

Embodiment

(1st embodiment)

In FIG. 1, each home 1 has a home server 2 that performs communication control in the home, a home network 3 connected to the home server 2, a washing machine 5, a microwave oven 6, and an air conditioner. (14) and the washing machine (5), the microwave oven (6) or the adapter (8) connected between the air conditioner (14) and the home network (3).

In addition, hereafter, telephone apparatuses, such as an air conditioner 14 and a video, other than the washing machine 5 and the microwave oven 6 in the home 1, are collectively called the home appliance 7. Thus, the adapter 8 is connected between the home network 3 and the home appliance 7.

The home server 2 is connected to the Internet 10 via the server 9 of the provider. The server 9 and the home server 2 of the provider are connected by, for example, a telephone line.

In the Internet 10, for example, a manufacturer that manufactures the adapter 8 stores software library servers 11 and 12 that store control software (hereinafter, simply referred to as "control software") corresponding to each home appliance 7. Is connected, and the index server 13 which registers the storage location of the control software in the software library servers 11 and 12 in correspondence with the identification code given to each home appliance 7 is connected. "Control software" converts a control signal conforming to a communication standard for a home appliance network, such as an eco net, received through the home network 3 and a control signal for the home appliance 7, thereby converting the home network 3 and the home appliance ( 7) A program for enabling communication and various setting data used by the program. By such control software, for example, even in a situation where a plurality of standards expected in the transition period until the home appliance network is disseminated, home appliances 7 having different communication standards can coexist in the home network 3.

Furthermore, the server 16 of the telecommunication company (carrier) that has contracted the radio wave information through the mobile terminal 15 such as a cellular phone is received, and the information is also transmitted to the desired device via the Internet 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter 8 includes an adapter control unit 81, a net communication unit 82 connected to the home network 3, and a device communication unit 83 which communicates with the home appliance 7 to communicate with the home appliance 7. Doing.

Among them, the adapter control unit 81 controls the display unit 81a for displaying the operation state of the adapter, the control software storage unit 84 storing the control software, and the control of the control software stored in the control software storage unit 84. An identification code storage unit 85 that stores the device identification code of the target home appliance 7, and a device identification code that specifies the home appliance 7 when communicating with the home appliance 7 to obtain an identification code storage unit. An identification code confirming unit (1) confirms whether or not it matches the device identification code stored in (85), and if it does not match, deletes the identification code of the home appliance (7) and records it in the identification code storage unit 85 ( 86) and the device identification code of the home appliance 7 acquired in the meantime until the identification code confirmation part 86 deletes the content of the identification code storage part 85, and records the newly acquired device identification code. Is provided with a control software acquisition unit 87 for accessing and obtaining the control software corresponding to the index server 13 on the Internet 10 and downloading it to the control software storage unit 84. The " apparatus identification code " may be a code assigned according to the type number, manufacturer, brand name, year, type, etc. of the home appliance 7, for example, to specify the control software corresponding to the communication standard of the home appliance 7. Information.

That is, the control software for controlling the household electrical appliance 7 can be specified based on the appliance identification code assigned to the household electrical appliance 7. The identification code storage unit 85 holds the device identification code of the home appliance 7 to be controlled by the control software stored in the control software storage unit 84. The identification code confirmation unit 86 determines whether or not the device identification code held in the identification code storage unit 85 matches the device identification code acquired by the home appliance 7, thereby controlling the home appliance 7. It is determined whether or not the control software to be stored is already stored in the control software storage unit 84. And when the corresponding control software is not memorize | stored in the control software storage part 84, the identification code confirmation part 86 instructs the control software acquisition part 87 to acquire control software. Then, the control software acquisition unit 87 stores the acquired control software in the control software storage unit 84, and also stores in the identification code storage unit 85 the device identification code that the control software is subject to control. As a result, the identification code storage unit 85 always stores the device identification code corresponding to the control software stored in the control software storage unit 84.

The display unit 81a displays an operation such as a current operation state of the adapter 8, for example, checking the device identification code of the connected home appliance 7, acquiring the control software from the index server 13, executing the control software, and the like. Change the blinking interval or display the text on the LCD to inform the user of the current operation status.

In addition, the index server 13 stores the storage destination of the necessary control software for the net unit 131 connected to the Internet 10 and the device identification code as shown in FIG. 3, and when there is access from the adapter 8; The index unit 132 which transmits to the storage destination corresponding to the device identification code which has been inquired, the register unit 133 which a maker such as home appliance manufacture accesses to register the control software for the adapter 8, the maker or the like And a control software storage unit 135 for storing and storing the charging unit 134 for charging the bill at the time of accessing and registering the access point 133 or by an access charge or the like.

The index unit 132 stores the matching table A and the matching table B, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and when accessed, obtains the corresponding software identification code from the matching table A with respect to the device identification code that was inquired, and then obtains the corresponding software from the matching table A. An operation for obtaining the storage destination of the control software corresponding to the identification code from the check table B and transmitting it to the storage destination is performed.

In addition, when the registration unit 133 is required to register the device identification code and the control software in correspondence with a maker or the like, first, the control software automatically controls the control software in the software library server 11 or 12 or the index server 13. Store in any one of the software storage unit (135). Then, the registration unit 133 inputs the corresponding software identification code automatically assigned to the check table B of the index unit 132 and the address indicating the storage destination, and inputs the device identification code and the target software identification code into the check table A. To complete the registration.

The maker operating the above-mentioned index server 13 stores the control software and uses the billing system to save money so that it can be accessed from anywhere. For example, for a maker to register for the first time, the enrollment fee is collected and a user ID and password are issued. The system is designed to maintain the validity of the user ID and password, for example, by collecting an annual fee every year. In addition, the registration fee is collected at the time of registration of the control software, and the fee is collected according to the number of accesses. A system for collecting these is provided as the charging unit 134.

In FIG. 2, the microwave oven 6 will be described as an example of the home appliance. The controller 61 for controlling the cooking operation, the magnetron 62 serving as a heating source of the food, and the type of the microwave oven are displayed. And a communication unit 64 having an identification code storage means 63 for storing the device identification code and a data input / output terminal 64a for communicating with the adapter 8. The device communication unit 83 of the adapter 8 is connected to the communication unit 64 of the microwave oven 6 to perform communication. In addition, the communication unit 64 and the device communication unit 83 may communicate in accordance with a communication standard that can be realized by a low-cost configuration such as RS-232C or UART, or may communicate by using USB or wireless. have.

The other household appliances 7 are provided with a control part, a communication part, and an identification code storage part with a common structure, and perform the same operation.

In this configuration, the operation of the adapter control section 81 of the adapter 8 will be described according to FIG.

When the power supply is turned on after the adapter 8 is connected to the home appliance 7, the device identification code of the home appliance 7 connected in step S1 is first acquired. Specifically, the identification code confirmation unit 86 of the adapter control unit 81 accesses the home appliance 7 via the device communication unit 83 and the communication unit 64, and via the control unit 61, the identification code storage unit ( 63) obtain a device identification code. At this time, the display unit 81a is subjected to display during identification code acquisition, for example, slow blinking display of the LED.

In step S2, the identification code confirmation unit 86 judges whether or not the device identification code of the home appliance 7 acquired in step S1 matches the device identification code stored in the identification code storage unit 85.

If it is judged to match at this step, the process proceeds to step S3 to execute the control software stored in the control software storage unit 84. In accordance with the execution of such control software, the information transmitted through the home network 3 can be converted into a signal that can be received by the home appliance 7 and adapted to the communication protocol of the communication unit 64 and the device communication unit 83. The home appliance 7 is supplied with information. The display portion 81a performs display during operation, for example, lighting of LEDs.

If it is determined in step S2 that the device identification codes do not match, the process advances to step S4 to erase the device identification code stored in the identification code storage unit 85. From this point on, the display 81a is subjected to display during the control software acquisition, for example, fast blinking of the LED.

In step S5, the control software corresponding to the acquired device identification code is connected to the index server 13 on the Internet 10 to access the control software.

The above operation is performed by the adapter 8 accessing the home server 2, accessing the index server 13 according to the operation of the home server 2, and the software library server 11, 12, etc., via the index server 13. Download the control software from the storage destination of.

Alternatively, the address of the index server 13 is stored in the adapter 8 as in the adapter of FIG. 7 described later, and the control software is controlled via the index server 13 according to the direct instruction of the adapter 8. It is also contemplated to download the control software from a storage destination such as software library servers 11 and 12.

In the present embodiment, all of these methods are described as being downloaded according to the instruction of the adapter 8.

In step S6, the accessed control software is downloaded to the control software storage unit 84. After the download is completed, in step S7, the device identification code acquired in step S1 is recorded in the identification code storage unit 85. The process then advances to step S3 to execute the control software. Then, the adapter 8 performs drive control in accordance with the operation of step S3.

In addition, when the home server 2 is a type that acquires the control software, the home server 2 checks whether or not the control software is modified in the index server 13 at regular intervals, such as once a month, and corrects it. If it is determined that the information is determined, the control software may be updated in the order of steps S4 to S7.

In addition, when the adapter 8 is a type which directly acquires the control software, the adapter 8 may perform the same operation as the home server 2 described above to update the control software.

According to this operation, the index server 13 also includes version information of the current control software as additional information of the control software, so that the adapter 8 can check this information to determine whether the control software has been modified. Consists of.

Next, the operation of the home appliance 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the microwave oven 6 will be described on behalf of the home appliance 7.

First, in step S10, it is checked whether or not there is an identification code acquisition request from the adapter 8 to which the control unit 61 is connected. If it is determined that there is a request, the process proceeds to step S11, where the control unit 61 reads the device identification code from the identification code storage unit 63 and transmits it to the adapter 8 via the communication unit 64.

In step S12, for example, it is confirmed from the user who is going out via the cellular phone 15 whether there is instruction information for instructing execution of the predetermined processing in the microwave oven 6 in the home 1. Specifically, the adapter 8 receives the command information via the internet 10. The adapter control unit 81 of the adapter 8 converts the received command information into a communication protocol corresponding to the device communication unit 83 and transmits it to the microwave oven 6. That is, the adapter control unit 81 converts the instruction information according to the first communication protocol into a second communication protocol available to the home appliance 7 and transmits it to the microwave oven 6. If it is confirmed in step S12 that there is an external command, the control section 61 of the microwave oven 6 receives the command information transferred to the step S13 and transmitted from the adapter 8, and operates if the command information is a reserved cooking setting, for example. The start time, the cooking menu, and the like are set, or if the operation confirmation setting is made, the operation state of the home appliance 7 in the current state is returned via the communication unit 64 and the adapter 8.

In step S14, the control unit 61 checks whether the operation unit of the microwave oven 6 has been operated. If the operation on the operation unit is not confirmed, the flow returns to step S10 to wait for the next operation. If it is confirmed in step S14 that there is operation of the operation unit, the flow advances to step S15 to determine whether or not the operation confirmed is the operation of starting the drive of the microwave oven 6 such as the operation of the start button.

If it is determined in step S15 that the operation is not the start operation of the drive, the process proceeds to step S16 from a related site that connects information required by the microwave oven 6, for example, information such as an automatic cooking sequence, on the Internet 10. Determines whether or not a download request is made.

If it is determined in step S16 that it is not an information acquisition request, it is determined that the input is wrong and the flow returns to step S10. If it is confirmed in step S16 that it is an information acquisition request, information is acquired via the adapter 8 from the Internet 10. The process then returns to step S10 to wait for the next instruction.

If the operation confirmed in the step S15 is an operation of starting the drive of the microwave oven 6, the process proceeds to step S18 to drive the microwave oven 6. Specifically, the control unit 61 drives the magnetron 62 to start food heating. Then, in step S21, the operation is continued until it is determined that the microwave oven 6 driven in step S18 has finished the operation.

In the meantime, in step S19, it is checked whether or not there is instruction information in the microwave oven 6 via, for example, the cellular phone 15 from the user who is going out. Specifically, the command information is received by the adapter 8 via the Internet 10. The adapter control unit 81 of the adapter 8 converts the received command information into a communication protocol corresponding to the device communication unit 83 and transmits it to the microwave oven 6. If it is confirmed in step S19 that there is command information from the outside, the flow advances to step S20, and the control unit of the microwave oven 6 is set to operate according to the command information. For example, when the control part 61 receives the command information to stop operation | movement from the exterior through the communication part 64, the control part 61 stops the operation | movement of the magnetron 62 according to this stop command.

If it is possible to confirm the operation of the microwave oven 6 in the step S21, the processing of the microwave oven 6 is terminated by ending processing such as an end notification in step S22, and the process returns to step S10 until the next operation, The above-described operation is executed in order.

The above-described operation has described the operation of the microwave oven 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied to any home appliance 7 to which the adapter 8 can be connected.

The air conditioner 14 as the microwave oven 6 and other home appliances 7 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same numbered parts are parts having the same functions, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The air conditioner 14 communicates with the device side power supply unit 141 which obtains the power for driving the device from the plug 146, the adapter 8, and the communication unit 142 having the data input / output terminal 142a, and the air conditioner 14 An identification code storage unit for storing a device identification code corresponding to a maker and a model name of a control unit 143 for controlling the operation, a drive unit 144 such as a compressor operating according to the instruction of the control unit 143, and an air conditioner 14 ( 145 is provided.

Further, the adapter 8 further forms an index server address storage unit 89 that stores the adapter side power supply unit 88 that supplies power to the adapter 8 and the addresses of the index server 13. This configuration is also inherent in the above-described adapter 8, but is described here to explain the operation of these configurations.

The adapter side power supply unit 88 is supplied with power from the power supply cable 148 formed along the communication cable 147 from the device side power supply unit 141 of the air conditioner 143. Therefore, when the communication cable 147 is disconnected from the input / output terminal 142a of the communication unit 142, the power supply is disconnected at the same time.

When the adapter control unit 81 supplies power to the adapter-side power supply unit 88, the adapter control unit 81 acquires the device identification code of the air conditioner 14, which is the home appliance 7 that is connected first, to the identification code storage unit 85. Check whether it matches the stored device identification code. If it does not match, the device identification code is erased from the stored contents of the identification code storage unit 85, and then the address of the index server 13 is read from the index server address storage unit 89, and the net communication unit 82 is read. The index server 13 is connected to the server.

The operation of the adapter 8 connected to the air conditioner 14 as the household electrical appliance 7 is as shown in FIG.

However, the command information is different due to the nature of the air conditioner. That is, the operations of step S12 and step S13 are slightly different. Each step is as follows.

In step S12, for example, it is checked whether or not there is a command in the air conditioner 14 via the mobile phone 15 from the user who is going out. Specifically, the command information is received by the adapter 8 via the Internet 10. The adapter control unit 81 of the adapter 8 converts the received command information into a communication protocol corresponding to the device communication unit 83, and transmits it to the air conditioner 14. If it is confirmed in step S12 that there is an external command, the control unit 143 of the air conditioner 14 receives the command information transferred to the step S13 and transmitted from the adapter 8, and the command information reaches the set temperature and the set temperature, for example. If it is time or the like, the reservation setting is set, or if it is an operation confirmation command, the operation state of the home appliance 7 in the current state is returned via the communication unit 142 and the adapter 8.

If the setting in step S13 is a reservation setting, step S14 differs from the operation of the microwave oven 6 described above in that it is skipped.

The above is the operation of the adapter 8.

Next, the charging operation of the index server 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S50, it is determined whether or not there is access to the index unit 132 from the adapter 8. In this step, it waits until there is access from the adapter 8.

If it is determined in step S50 that access has been made, the process proceeds to step S51 to determine whether or not to perform user registration. If it is determined to be for user registration, the process proceeds to step S52, in which the necessary information for user registration, such as name, address, credit card number, etc., is input from the user to the user's terminal and transmitted.

In step S53, a credit inquiry is made to the company contracted on the basis of the credit information in step S52 to check whether there is no problem. If there is a problem as a result of the credit inquiry in step S53, the process proceeds to step S54 to deny access and terminate the operation.

If there is no problem as a result of the credit inquiry in step S53, the process proceeds to step S55 to issue a user ID and password and notify the user. In step S56, the admission fee is charged to the user ID. Then, the process proceeds to step S60 described later.

In addition, if it is determined in step S51 that the user is not registered, the process proceeds to step S57 where the user inputs a user ID and password through the terminal and is transmitted to the server 13. In step S58, it is determined whether or not the transmitted user ID and password match those registered.

If it is determined not to match at this stage, the process proceeds to step S59, where access is denied and ends.

If it is determined in step S58 that a match is made, the flow proceeds to step S60 to determine whether or not it is an access for data registration. If it is determined in this step that it is an access for data registration, execution proceeds to step S61. In step S61, the registration unit 133 registers the index data in the index unit 132 and the storage destination in which the control software consisting of the main body is registered in the index unit, and performs data entry.

In step S62, it is determined whether the annual fee has been collected from the accessed user, and if not, execution proceeds to step S63 to charge the annual fee and the entry fee. If it is determined in step S62 that the annual fee has been collected, the process proceeds to step S64 to charge only the entry fee.

After the end of the processing in step S63 or step S64, the process proceeds to step S65 to determine whether to end the data registration process. If the user continues, the process proceeds to step S60 to continue processing, and the user ends the processing ( If you select Log Out, the operation ends.

If it is determined in the step S60 whether or not it is an access for data registration, if it is determined not, the process proceeds to step S66 to determine whether or not the version of the control software currently registered is up.

If it is determined in this step to be versioned up, the process proceeds to step S67. In addition, if it is determined that it is not the version up, it is determined that the input is missed, the process proceeds to step S65, and it is not determined that the end of the process has been selected in step S65.

In step S67, the registration unit 133 searches for a storage destination registered in the index unit 132, accesses storage destinations such as the software library servers 11 and 12, updates the control software, and executes the upgrade.

In step S68, it is determined whether the annual fee has been collected from the accessed user, and if not, execution proceeds to step S69 to charge the annual fee and data update fee. If it is determined in step S68 that the annual fee has been collected, the process proceeds to step S70 to charge only the data update fee.

After the end of the process in step S69 or S70, the process proceeds to step S65 to determine whether to end the version up process of the control software. If the user continues, the process proceeds to step S60 to continue the process, and the user performs the process. If you choose Exit (Logout), the operation ends.

The above is the outline of the charging processing operation of the index server 13.

In addition, at the end of the month, it is necessary to charge each user ID and charge a fee to each user, so the index server 13 also performs this process. Specifically, it demonstrates according to the operation flowchart of FIG.

In step S100, the number of accesses to each corresponding software identification code shown in check table B of FIG. 4 is obtained. The number of accesses is also operated to count every time there is access from the adapter 8 in the index unit 132 of the index server 13. Then, in step S101, the number of accesses counted in step S100 for each user ID is counted for each user ID, and a fee is calculated according to the number of accesses for billing processing. This billing is collected as a maintenance part because access to the adapter 8 uses facilities such as a server.

In step S102, the charges in steps S101 and FIG. 8 are counted for each user ID. Then, in step S103, a processing for requesting a bank direct debit or credit company for the amount calculated in step S102 is performed. Then, after the processing in step S103 is finished and the collection is confirmed, in step S104, a billing statement and a receipt are issued, and a sending process is performed to the user at the address registered in each user ID.

The system is collected and processed by the end of the month, and the system is operated on the income obtained from the collection.

 (2nd embodiment)

10 is an internal configuration diagram of the adapter 8 of FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment. The adapter 8 includes a microcomputer 200, a network function unit 202, a memory controller 204, and a notification unit 206, and are connected via a bus 208, respectively. The adapter 8 also includes a memory 210 under the control of the memory controller 204. The microcomputer 200 executes a predetermined process described later by executing a program held in the memory 210. The network function unit 202 physically connects with the home network 3 conforming to a communication standard such as 100 Base-T, for example. Similar to the display unit 81a described with reference to Fig. 2, the notifying unit 206 displays the state of the device in the adapter 8 such as during identification code acquisition, control software acquisition, normal operation, or the like. Notify by use. The memory controller 204 writes or reads data to the address of the memory 210 provided via the bus 208. The memory 210 is, for example, a flash ROM and is a storage device that can be updated for each sector.

The memory 210 has a plurality of sector areas, and the microcomputer 200 can write and read each independently. In the present embodiment, the memory 210 has two sectors, and an area 1, an area 2, and an area 3 are formed as a first sector, and an area 4 is formed as a second sector. The area 1 is formed from, for example, a head address in the memory 210, and is an area headed by an address that starts reading first after the microcomputer 200 starts up. In the area 1, the start instruction program 212 and the control software for the home appliance 7, which is executed initially and starts any one of the programs stored in the memory 210, are stored in the software library server 11 or 12 of FIG. An acquisition program 214 for acquisition is stored. That is, when the microcomputer 200 starts up, the start instruction program 212 is first executed, and the acquisition program 214 is executed as necessary. Detailed processing of the start instruction program 212 will be described later.

In area 2, a protocol stack 216 for communicating using a network is stored. The protocol stack 216 includes a device driver for controlling a network device, a data link layer, a network layer, and a program for each transport layer, for example, to realize communication using TCP / IP. In area 3, an access driver 218, which is a program for the microcomputer 200 to access the memory 210, is stored. The memory ranges of the regions 2 and 3, i.e., the address space, are predetermined. In this embodiment, the protocol stack 216 is stored in area 2 having 0x1000 as the head address, and the access driver 218 is stored in area 3 having 0x2000 as the head address. Thus, by storing general-purpose programs such as the protocol stack 216 in a predetermined address space, the developer of the control software can create the control software using the protocol stack 216.

The area 4 is an area for storing the control software 220 according to the home appliance 7 connected to the adapter 8, and the control software 220 obtained by executing the acquisition program 214 is recorded. For example, at the time of factory shipment, nothing is stored in the area 4, and when the control software 220 according to the home appliance 7 connected to the adapter 8 is acquired, the control software 220 is recorded in the area 4. . Thereby, the control software 220 for controlling the home appliance 7 connected to the adapter 8 via the home network 3 is connected to the area 4 at the time when the adapter 8 is connected to the home appliance 7. Can be stored.

In addition, by placing the protocol stack 216 at a predetermined address, the developer of the control software 220 can code the control software 220 using the protocol stack 216 as necessary. That is, the control software 220 does not need to include the same functions as the protocol stack 216, and the protocol stack 216 can be shared by the start instruction program 212 and the control software 220. As a result, the size of the control software 220 can be reduced, and the size of the memory 210 can be suppressed. In addition, since a technology such as a file system of the operating system is not required, it can be realized by using the microcomputer 200 having a low processing capacity without mounting the operating system. Thereby, the cost of the adapter 8 can be suppressed at low cost.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of the start instruction program 212 of FIG. 10. When the microcomputer 200 starts up, this program code is first read from the memory 210 and executed. The figure shows program code in C language, which is actually compiled into machine language and stored as binary data. The processing executed by this program will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart realized by executing the start instruction program 212 of FIG. The startup instruction program 212 is first executed when the microcomputer 200 operates. First, the microcomputer 200 determines whether the control software is stored in the area 4 (S200). An example of program code for this determination is code A in Fig. 11A. In this program code, for example, at the time of factory shipment, the dummy address "O x ffff" is set as "addr_region 4". When the control software is recorded in the area 4, the address of the area 4 is recorded in "addr_region 4". Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the control software is stored in the area 4 in the code A.

If not recorded in the area 4 (NO in S200), the microcomputer 200 executes the acquisition program 214 of FIG. 10 to acquire the device identification code of the home appliance 7 (S204). Then, the microcomputer 200 acquires the control software corresponding to the device identification code via the home network 3 (S206), and stores the acquired control software in the area 4 as the control software 220 (S208). . The microcomputer 200 also sets information indicating that the control software 220 has been stored in the area 4. In the program code shown in Fig. 11A, the address of the region 4 is set in "addr_region 4". Then, the microcomputer 200 records the control software 220 in the area 4, and then restarts the adapter 8 (S210).

By restarting, the microcomputer 200 starts again. Then, the start instruction program 212 is executed. If the control software is stored in step S200 (YES in S200), the microcomputer 200 reads out and executes the control software 220 from the area 4 (S202). The program code for executing the control software 220 becomes code B of Fig. 11A. In code B, "addr_region 2", which is an address of region 2, is set as an independent variable. As a result, the microcomputer 200 can execute the control software 220 using the head address of the protocol stack 216 stored in the area 2 as an independent variable. That is, the address of the area 2 may be predetermined in fixed position or may be passed to the control software as an independent variable.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of program code of the control software 220 stored in the area 4. FIG. This program code makes the head address of the protocol stack 216 an independent variable, and uses the protocol stack 216 stored after the address specified by the independent variable. This allows the protocol stack 216 to be shared by the start instruction program 212 and the control software 220 of FIG. By executing this control software 220, the adapter 8 can relay data by converting command information received from the home network 3 and information in a format conforming to the communication protocol for the home appliance 7 to each other.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block realized inside the adapter control unit 81 of the adapter 8 by executing a program stored in the memory 210. The communication processing unit 250 communicates with the home network 3 via the net communication unit 82 of FIG. 2. The startup instruction unit 252 determines whether or not control software is stored in the control software storage unit 84 when the microcomputer 200 of FIG. 10 starts up. The start instruction unit 252 may determine whether or not the address to the area 4 is a dummy address as shown in the program code of FIG. 11A, or may refer to a graph indicating whether the control software is stored. .

When control software is not stored in the control software storage unit 84, the start instruction unit 252 instructs the control software acquisition unit 87 to acquire new control software. In addition, when control software is stored in the control software storage unit 84, the start instruction unit 252 instructs the control software execution unit 254 to execute the control software. In this way, when the control software is not stored in the control software storage unit 84, the control software according to the connected home appliance 7 is acquired via the home network 3, and the control software storage unit 84 is stored in the control software storage unit 84. If the control software is stored, the control software is executed.

The control software acquisition unit 87 acquires the device identification code from the home appliance 7 via the device communication unit 83, and acquires the control software corresponding to the device identification code through the communication processing unit 250. The control software acquisition unit 87 then records the acquired control software in the control software storage unit 84. At this time, the control software acquisition unit 87 sets the head address in which the control software is actually stored as the head address of the area 4 in FIG. 10 which is the control software storage unit 84. The control software acquisition unit 87 may also set a graph indicating that the control software is stored.

The control software execution unit 254 reads out and executes the control software stored in the control software storage unit 84. The control software execution unit 254 converts the command information acquired by the net communication unit 82 through the home network 3 into a command used for control of the home appliance 7, and supplies it to the device communication unit 83, or After the predetermined information is acquired from the home appliance 7 and converted, it is transmitted to the home network 3.

These configurations are formed by each program stored in the memory 210 of FIG. The start instruction unit 252, the control software acquisition unit 87, and the control software execution unit 254 are formed by the start instruction program 212, the acquisition program 214, and the control software 220, respectively. In addition, the communication processing unit 250 is formed by the protocol stack 216 of FIG. 10, and is shared by the control software acquisition unit 87 and the control software execution unit 254.

In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment. Embodiment is an illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these component or combination of each processing process, and that such a modification is also in the scope of the present invention. As a modification, the protocol stack 216 is described by way of example in which a plurality of programs are shared, but the shared program is arbitrary, and may be any general program code such as a monitor driver, a voice processing program, an input / output interface, and the like. In addition, a plurality of shared program codes may be formed.

According to the present invention, the increase in the cost of the home appliance itself can be suppressed, and the increase in inventory and the trouble of management can be suppressed in the manufacturer of the adapter. In addition, since a user needs to manage an adapter for each model, it is complicated, and the misuse by the connection miss of a corresponding model can be prevented. In addition, it provides a stable operation of the home appliance by suppressing the number of failures without being influenced by the use environment.

Claims (19)

A home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal for inputting / outputting the device information to / from the storage unit, an adapter connected between a network and a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and an adapter from the network. And a server for transmitting data to the home appliance via The adapter has a control software storage unit for storing software for converting the communication protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network, Further, the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the acquired device information, and controls the control software. Remember in the memory, The adapter may convert, by the software, command information received via the network into a communication protocol available to the home appliance, and transmit the command information to the home appliance, or transmit information of the home appliance to the network. The home appliance network system, wherein the home appliance can be connected to the network by converting and transmitting the communication protocol. A home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal for inputting / outputting the device information to / from the storage unit, an adapter connected between a network and a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and an adapter from the network. And a server for transmitting data to the home appliance via The adapter has a control software storage unit for storing software for converting the communication protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network, Further, the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the acquired device information, and controls the control software. Remember in the memory, The adapter may convert, by the software, command information received via the network into a communication protocol available to the home appliance, and transmit the command information to the home appliance, or transmit information of the home appliance to the network. A home appliance network connection method, characterized in that the home appliance can be connected to the network by converting and transmitting the communication protocol. A home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal for inputting and outputting the device information to / from the storage unit, a home network formed in a home, a home server connected to this home network and an external network, and the home network And an adapter connected between a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and a server for transmitting data from the external network to the home appliance through the adapter. The adapter has a control software storage unit for storing software for converting the communication protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network, Further, the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the acquired device information, and controls the control software. Remember in the memory, The adapter may convert, by the software, command information received via the network into a communication protocol available to the home appliance, and transmit the command information to the home appliance, or transmit information of the home appliance to the network. By converting into a communication protocol and transmitting, the home appliance can be connected to the network, And the home server acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the device information acquired by the adapter from the home appliance. A home appliance having a storage unit for storing device information and a data input / output terminal for inputting and outputting the device information to / from the storage unit, a home network formed in a home, a home server connected to this home network and an external network, and the home network And an adapter connected between a data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and a server for transmitting data from the external network to the home appliance through the adapter. The adapter has a control software storage unit for storing software for converting the communication protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network, Further, the adapter acquires device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the acquired device information, and controls the control software. Remember in the memory, The adapter may convert, by the software, command information received via the network into a communication protocol available to the home appliance, and transmit the command information to the home appliance, or transmit information of the home appliance to the network. By converting into a communication protocol and transmitting, the home appliance can be connected to the network, And the home server acquires the software corresponding to the home appliance from the server according to the device information acquired by the adapter from the home appliance. Net communication part to connect with network, A device communication unit connected to the home appliance, and An adapter control unit having a control software storage unit for storing software for converting the communication protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network; The adapter control unit acquires the device information from the storage unit after connecting to the data input / output terminal of the home appliance, and downloads the software corresponding to the home appliance according to the acquired device information through the network. It is acquired from a server to be held and stored in the control software storage unit. The adapter may convert, by the software, command information received via the network into a communication protocol available to the home appliance, and transmit the command information to the home appliance, or transmit information of the home appliance to the network. The home appliance network adapter which makes it possible to connect the said home appliance to the said network by converting into a communication protocol and transmitting. The method of claim 5, wherein And a display unit for displaying an operation state of the adapter control unit. A net communication unit connected to a network, and It is provided with the apparatus communication part connected with a home appliance, An adapter control unit having a control soft storage unit for storing software for converting the protocol available for the home appliance and the communication protocol of the network; The adapter controller accesses a server for acquiring device information from the home appliance after connecting to the home appliance, and for acquiring control software corresponding to the home appliance according to the device information acquired in the acquisition step. And a downloading step of acquiring the control software from the server accessed in the access step. The method of claim 7, wherein An adapter control method for a home appliance network, comprising: displaying on the display unit according to the operation of each step; A network unit connected to a network and a home appliance connected to the network, and operating an adapter that enables the home appliance to be connected to the network by converting the communication protocol available from the home appliance to the communication protocol of the network. An index unit for storing a storage destination of the control software, wherein the index unit transmits to the storage destination of the control software according to the home appliance connected to the adapter when there is access from the adapter through the net unit. server. The method of claim 9, And a registration unit for registering the storage destination in correspondence with the device information and storing the control software in the storage destination, and a charging unit for billing when registering with the registration unit. The method of claim 10, The charging unit charges when registering the transfer destination of the control software in the index unit, and charges the registrant of the control software accessed when the adapter accesses to acquire the control software according to the number of times of access. Index Server. A network unit connected to a network and a home appliance connected to the network, and operating an adapter that enables the home appliance to be connected to the network by converting the communication protocol available from the home appliance to the communication protocol of the network. An index unit for storing a storage destination of the control software, and a confirmation step of confirming the device information acquired by the adapter when there is access from the adapter through the net part, and storing the control software according to the device information after this confirmation step. And a transmitting step of transmitting to the address. The method of claim 12, A storage destination registration step of registering a storage destination in correspondence with the device information in the index unit, a storage step of storing the control software in the storage destination, and a charging step of charging at the time of registering in the storage step; How the index server works. The method of claim 13, In the charging step, billing is performed when the transfer destination of the control software is registered in the index unit, and the registrant of the control software accessed when the adapter accesses to acquire the control software is charged according to the number of times of access. How Index Server Works. Net communication part to connect with network, Device communication unit to be connected to home appliance, An adapter controller for acquiring device information from the home appliance after connecting to the home appliance, and acquiring a control program for controlling the home appliance specified according to the acquired device information from a server via the network; and A memory having an acquisition program executed by the adapter control unit for acquiring the control program, a first storage area for storing a protocol stack for using the network in advance, and a second storage area for storing the control program; Equipped, And the acquiring program and the control program share the protocol stack. The method of claim 15, The adapter controller determines whether the control program is stored in the second storage area, If not stored, the adapter control unit executes the acquisition program to acquire the control program from the server and to record in the second storage area, And, if stored, the adapter controller executes the control program stored in the second storage area. The method of claim 16, The memory holds a start instruction program in advance, The start instruction program is a program that determines whether the control program is stored in the second storage area, executes the acquisition program if it is not stored, and executes the control program if it is stored. , And the adapter control unit executes the start instruction program first when the adapter is powered on. The method of claim 17, And the start-up instruction program is stored in an area headed by an address of the memory in which the adapter control unit first starts reading after the adapter is powered on. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, And the adapter controller writes the control program to the second storage area and restarts the adapter.

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