WO2005083574A1

WO2005083574A1 - Device control server and device control method

Info

Publication number: WO2005083574A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/002846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katsunori Orimoto; Yoshiyuki Mochizuki
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-02-23
Publication date: 2005-09-09

Abstract

It is possible to effectively allocate a shared module between home electric appliances connected to a home network. A home server (20) controls a plurality of client devices (30) connected via the home network (1). At least one of the client devices (30) and the home server (20) includes a plurality of modules that can be lent as lend-able hardware resources performing a process for the client device (30) or the home server (20); a communication processing unit (240) for receiving a use request for a hardware resource from the client device (30) sent via the home network (1); and a lend-able module management unit (250) for selecting one of the rend-able modules (251, 351) according to the received use request and the power consumptions of the lend-able modules (251, 351) and deciding the selected rend-able module as the module to be lent.

Description

Specification

Device control server and device control method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a server that implements device control so that a processing mechanism of another device on a network can be used, and a device control method, and particularly relates to a device connected to a home network. The present invention relates to a home server and a home appliance control method in which a home appliance implements home appliance control using a processing mechanism of another home appliance.

Background art

[0002] In the field of networks such as the Internet, a technique for connecting a plurality of computers via a network and performing distributed processing has been proposed. These technologies, called grid computing, enable high-performance processing like a supercomputer by distributing and processing multiple devices even if the performance of the devices alone is low. You.

[0003] On the other hand, as home appliances have become more sophisticated, network-connected home appliances have been increasing, and distributed processing has become possible on home networks as well. The home network is different from general networks, such as (1) users of the devices connected to the network are limited, and (2) the usage status of the devices connected to the network changes frequently. Considering such characteristics, a technology for renting and borrowing a processing mechanism (for example, a computational resource) in a home electric appliance in a home network has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, a technique has been proposed in which a server manages a service provided by a plurality of home electric appliances and controls the plurality of home electric appliances in a unified manner (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Patent Document 1: JP 2002-297559 A

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-153348

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, these conventional techniques use a processing mechanism connected to a home network. At this time, the mechanism for evaluating the capabilities and performance of the processing mechanism was insufficient, and the processing mechanism to be used could not be allocated efficiently. In particular, home appliances are required to reduce the power consumption of the devices they use, but conventional technologies do not allow efficient allocation of processing mechanisms when there are multiple devices with the same processing mechanism. Was

[0006] The present invention solves these conventional problems, and registers device data such as power consumption of a processing mechanism in a server, and allocates an optimum processing mechanism to the server, thereby improving efficiency. The purpose is to realize efficient home appliance control.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to solve the conventional problem, a device control server of the present invention is a device control server that is connected to a plurality of devices via a network and controls the devices, wherein the device control server includes a plurality of devices. Comprises a plurality of rentable modules, which are hardware resources that can be lent for processing of another device, and wherein the device control server uses the hardware resources transmitted from the device via the network. A rentable module is selected from the plurality of lent modules based on the receiving means for receiving the request, and the received use request and information on the specifications of each of the lent modules, and the selected lent module is selected. A module management means for determining a lent module as a module to be lent to the device is provided. .

[0008] Further, the device control server further includes a rentable module that is a hardware resource that can be rented for processing of another device, and the module management unit includes the rentable module provided by the device control server itself. One of the plurality of rentable modules including the rentable module may be selected.

[0009] Further, the information on the specification is information indicating power consumption of each rentable module, and the module management means includes a rentable module having a minimum power consumption among the plurality of rentable modules. May be selected.

[0010] Further, the module management means may store theoretical values of the power consumption of the plurality of lent modules in advance, and select the lent module based on the theoretical values. . [0011] Further, the device control server further includes measuring means for measuring power consumption of the plurality of rentable modules, and the module management means based on the power consumption measured by the measuring means. You may select a rentable module

[0012] At least one of the device control server and the plurality of devices further includes a measuring unit that measures power consumption of the plurality of lent modules, and the module management unit includes the plurality of lent modules. The theoretical value of the power consumption of each possible module may be stored, and the rentable module may be selected based on the stored theoretical value or the power consumption measured by the measuring unit.

[0013] Further, the module management means compares the theoretical power consumption value of each of the plurality of rentable modules stored in advance with the power consumption measured by the measurement means, thereby enabling the rentable module. The failure of the module may be diagnosed.

[0014] Further, the use request may include processing performance for hardware resources, and the module management means may select a rentable module that satisfies the processing performance and consumes the least amount of power. .

[0015] Further, the use request includes a priority for the request, and the module management means includes a rentable module that has already been used for a use request with a lower priority than the priority. If there is, the use of the device for the rentable module may be terminated, and the rentable module may be allocated to the device.

[0016] The module management means has an information table indicating whether or not the plurality of rentable modules have already been allocated to a device and, if allocated, an expiration date of use thereof. Alternatively, the rentable module may be selected by referring to the information table.

[0017] In order to solve the conventional problem, the device of the present invention is one of a plurality of devices connected to a device control server via a network, and is a rentable hardware resource. Receiving an inquiry as to whether or not the loanable module can be lent from the lent module and the device control server, and responding as to whether or not the rentable module can be lent. Permission / rejection response means, and data reception means for receiving, via the network, target data to be processed when the permission / rejection response means responds that lending is possible; It is characterized by processing the target data.

The invention's effect

The device control server of the present invention manages shared information and allocates processing mechanisms so that power consumption is minimized. Therefore, the device control server can operate the device efficiently, which is great for users. Bring significant benefits.

Further, the device control server of the present invention can improve the accuracy of energy saving control by checking the measured value of the power consumption, and is also useful for device failure diagnosis.

[0020] From the above, it can be said that the device control server and the device control method of the present invention provide an enormous effect on device control.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a home network according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of devices (home server and client device) on the home network shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing contents of a module information table stored in a shared information storage unit shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device information table representing each household electric device provided in the home network.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client device without a rentable module.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process management table stored in a storage unit shown in FIGS. 6 and 5.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client device having a rentable module.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 shows a packet data transmitted at the time of client device registration in the present embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of packet data transmitted to a shared module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between the client devices A and B and the home server when the client device A uses the rentable module of the client device B as a shared module.

Explanation of symbols

1 Home network

10 LAN

20 Home server

30 Client devices

31 Loanable module-Client device without module

32 Modules that can be rented

40 WAN

41 external server

50 power supply

102 Total power consumption measurement device

103 Loanable module-Power consumption measurement device

104 Loanable Modules

105 Internal module

106 Display device

107 Storage

108 Input device

109 through 1st device

110 power lines

210 Input section

220 display device

230 control unit 231 Shared information storage

240 Communication processing unit

250 Modules that can be borrowed

251 Modules available for rent

310 Input section

320 display

330 control unit

331 pL [si p [5

340 Communication processing unit

350 Module that can be rented out

351 Modules available for rent

360 internal module

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a home network and a home server according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the home network of the present invention will be described with reference to the configuration diagram shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a home network 1 according to the present embodiment. The home network 1 is connected to one home server 20 and a plurality of client devices 30 via a local network line LAN10. Further, the home server 20 is connected to an external network WAN 40 such as the Internet, and can communicate with the external server 41. Here, each client device 30 is a home electric device such as a television (TV), a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a kettle and a rice cooker. The external server 41 is a database (DB) of a company (home electric appliance maker) and the like, and provides information on the performance of each electric home appliance connected to the home network 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a device (for example, the client device 32 or the home server 20) on the home network 1 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the client device 32 or the home server 20 on the home network 1 It includes a power measuring device 102, a lent module power consumption measuring device 103, a plurality of lent modules 104, an internal module 105, a display device 106, a storage unit 107, an input device 108, a communication device 109, and the like. Each of the client device 32 and the home server 20 is connected to an external power supply 50 via a power line 110, and is supplied with power from the power supply 50. The power supply 50 is a device that supplies constant electric power to home electric appliances such as the client device 32 or the home server 20. The power supply 50 may be, for example, a power supply outlet in a general household. The total power consumption measuring device 102 of the client device 32, for example, when the client device 32 is connected to the home network 1 or at a predetermined time every day or every other day at midnight, etc. Measure power consumption. Similarly, the total power consumption measuring device 102 of the home server 20 measures the total power consumption of the home server 20. Like the total power consumption measuring device 102, the rentable module power consumption measuring device 103 is used when the client device 32 or the home server 20 is connected to the home network 1 or at midnight every day or every other day. At a predetermined time or the like, the lending module 104 inside the client device 32 or the home server 20 is activated one by one, and the power consumption of each lending module 104 is measured. The rentable module 104 is a processing function executed by, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) or an encoder built in each household appliance such as a microwave oven, a TV, a fax, and a personal computer (PC). This is a function that allows home electric appliances in the home network 1 to share each other. The rentable module 104 may be, for example, a general-purpose function realized by a PC CPU executing various programs, or a dedicated function realized by a video card or board such as a TV. Yeah. The internal module 105 is a module that realizes individual functions for home electric appliances connected to the home network 1, and is not shared by other home electric appliances. The display device 106 is one of the resources that can be shared by other home electric appliances in the home network 1, and is, for example, a monitor of a PC serving as the home server 20, or a digital television. The storage unit 107 is also a resource shared in the home network 1, and is, for example, a hard disk of the home server 20, or a memory realized by an IC card such as a fax, a telephone, and a video. The input device 108 is also A shared resource of the network 1, for example, a TV or video remote control, a PC keyboard or a mouse. The communication device 109 is also a shared resource of the home network 1, and is, for example, a communication interface function provided in a facsimile, a telephone, a PC, and the like. The power line 110 is a power line in a home or the like.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

(Network description)

The LAN 10 is a wired network using the Internet or a protocol such as IEEE1394. In the present embodiment, the ability to use only a wired network as a network line. The present invention can use a wireless network, or can mix a wired network and a wireless network, and is limited to a wired network. Not something.

(Description of Home Server)

Home server ₂₀ is a server for controlling home electric appliances connected to the home network. However, in the present embodiment, a single device called a home server is used. However, a high-performance device used for another purpose, such as a game machine or a personal computer, can be used as a home server. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the home server 20 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the home server 20 will be described using the configuration diagram of FIG. The home server 20 includes an input unit 210, a display device 220, a control unit 230, a shared information storage unit 231, a communication processing unit 240, a lent module management unit 250, a lent module 251 and a power consumption measurement unit 260. . The home server 20 is specifically realized by hardware and software such as a processor, a hard disk for storing data, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a working RAM (Random Access Memory). The transfer of data between the units is performed via hardware such as a bus.

[0029] The input unit 210 is for processing an input for the user to make device settings. Specifically, the input unit 210 includes input devices such as buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, and a display with a touch panel function. Become. A soft-to-core processor that performs input processing such as voice recognition may also be used. The input unit 210 passes input information from the user to the control unit 230. [0030] The display device 220 is for displaying the status of the device and the like, and includes a display such as a CRT or LCD, a status display lamp, and the like.

[0031] The control unit 230 manages shared modules on the home network 1. Here, the shared module refers to a processing mechanism that can be used by another device among the processing mechanisms owned by the home electric appliance connected to the network and the own terminal (home server 20). For example, the rentable module 251 owned by the home server 20 is one of the shared modules, and can be used by home electric appliances connected to the network. That is, the shared module can be a set of rentable modules owned by the home appliance and home server connected to the network.

[0032] The shared information storage unit 231 stores the shared information of the devices existing on the network and the device information using the shared module. Fig. 4 shows an example of shared information, and Fig. 5 shows an example of device information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the module information table 700 stored in the shared information storage unit 231 shown in FIG. The module information table 700 in FIG. 4 includes a module ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying a module, a network ID, which is an identifier for accessing the module, a measured power consumption value, a theoretical power consumption value, a processing performance, It is composed of a use state, a scheduled use period, and a priority. The module ID is an ID for specifying the type of processing executed by the lent module 104.For example, the lent module 104 having one general-purpose processing function executes a plurality of different programs and When different processing is performed, a plurality of module IDs correspond to one lendable module 104. The network ID is an ID for specifying the hardware of the rentable module 104 provided in each home electric device. As for the value of power consumption used in the present embodiment, the unit is mW. The present invention can be applied to data of other units. The use state takes one of the values ACTIVE, which indicates that the apparatus is currently in use, READY, which indicates the usable state, and INVALID, which indicates that the apparatus is not usable. The expected use period is the expected use period of a module having an active state of “ACTIVE”. If there is a module whose expiration date has passed, the control unit 230 suspends the use of the module and checks whether the module has failed. Regarding processing performance Then, the amount that can be processed per unit time is described. This amount is a different unit depending on the module. For example, in the case of a data processing module, it becomes the data amount (for example, the number of bytes), and in the case of a calculation processing module, the calculation capacity (for example, the MIPS value) Use, for example. The value of the processing performance is used, for example, as a criterion for determining whether or not each lent module 104 can execute the processing requested by the client device 30.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device information table 600 representing each household device provided in the home network 1. The device information table 600 in FIG. 5 includes a device ID that is an identifier for uniquely identifying a device, a network ID that is an identifier for accessing the device, communication performance indicating communication performance when communicating with another device, It consists of measured and theoretical values of power consumption for each device and the connection status. Although the communication performance of the present embodiment uses the number of bytes that can be communicated per second, the present invention can be applied to other units of data. The connection status is “ON”, which is recognized as being connected, “OFF”, which is not connected or the power is off, and the power of the client device can be managed from the server. The device is configured by “SUSPEND” which means that the power can be controlled to ON.

The communication processing section 240 performs communication processing via a network line. In the present embodiment, it is connected to LAN 10 and WAN 40, processes communication from other computers, and notifies control unit 230 of information.

The lent module management unit 250 manages the lent module 251. The home server 20 can add the rentable module 251 by adding an expansion board such as a board equipped with a processor. At this time, the rentable module management unit 250 dynamically recognizes the extension board, and notifies the control unit 230 of information on available rentable modules.

[0037] The rentable module 251 is a module for providing a processing mechanism that can be used by home electric appliances on the network. Specifically, it is composed of a memory, a processor, and the like, and provides, for example, a processing mechanism for executing simple calculation processing at high speed and a processing mechanism for performing special data processing. In addition, the rentable module includes a plurality of modules. It is possible for multiple home appliances to use different modules at the same time.

[0038] The power consumption measuring section 260 measures the power supplied from the power supply 50 and measures the amount currently used, and is specifically configured by a current and voltage measuring device. The measured power amount is notified to the control unit 230.

The power to be measured is measured by the total power consumption measuring device and the module power consumption measuring device to measure the power consumption of the entire device and the power consumption of the lent module. The loanable module measuring device may be divided into module units, or a device that measures the entire loanable module may be used. In the latter case, it is possible to measure the power consumption of each module by operating only a specific module and measuring the power consumption. As one embodiment of the power measuring method, the voltage and current flowing in the power line are measured, and the power and the current can be obtained by the formula of (power consumption) = (current amount) * (voltage amount). .

(Description of Client Device)

The client device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is a home appliance having a network connection function, and specifically refers to a general home appliance such as a digital TV and a refrigerator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power to which four client devices are connected may be different types of home appliances such as a digital television refrigerator, or a plurality of home appliances of the same type may be connected. You can continue. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a home network having any configuration that does not depend on the type or number of devices.

[0041] The client device 30 includes a client device (client device A) 31 having no rentable module and having no rentable module usable as a shared module, and a client device (client Equipment B) can be divided into 32. For example, as an example of the former, the electronic range has no rentable module by itself, but the voice recognition processing can be performed using the rentable module 251 provided by the home server 20. As an example of the latter, a digital television can provide its own processor as a shared module, and can use other equipment power. First, the client device without a rentable module (client device A) 31 will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the client device 31 without a rentable module. The client device 31 includes an input unit 310, a display device 320, a control unit 330, a storage unit 331, a communication processing unit 340, a lent module management unit 350, an internal module 360, and a power consumption measurement unit 370.

[0043] The input unit 310 is for processing an input for the user to make device settings. Specifically, the input unit 310 includes input devices such as buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a remote control, and a display with a touch panel function. Become. A soft-to-core processor that performs input processing such as voice recognition may also be used. Input section 310 passes input information from the user to control section 330.

[0044] The display device 320 is for displaying the status of the device and the like, and includes a display such as a CRT or LCD, a status display lamp, and the like.

The control unit 330 controls the entire device such as the input unit 310, the display device 320, the lent module management unit 350, the internal module 360, and the power consumption measurement unit 370. The control unit 330 processes the program stored in the storage unit 331 using the internal module 360 and the rentable module management unit 350 in response to an input from the input unit 310 or the like.

The storage unit 331 stores programs and data used by the control unit 330, and is configured by a hard disk, a memory such as a RAM or a ROM. For example, an example of the process management table stored in the storage unit 331 is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the process management table 800 stored in the storage unit 331 shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Figure 7 shows the module ID to be processed, the communication capability with the module required for processing, the address of the processing code (program), the address of the processing data, the processing amount, The processing time is described. Here, the communication capacity is a communication processing capacity required for communication between the module and the packet, and is represented, for example, by a communication capacity per unit time. Further, the processing amount means the amount of data to be processed by the module, and the processing time means the time for executing the processing of the processing amount. For example, in the case of FIG. 7, the processing of the AUD-RCG-01 has a processing amount of 120 k and a processing time of 0.5, which is a data of 120 kB. Data must be processed in 0.5 seconds. It should be noted that the processing code and the substance of the processing data are stored on the memory in the storage unit 331.

[0047] The communication processing unit 340 performs communication processing via a network line. In the present embodiment, it is connected to the LAN 10 and processes communication between the rentable module management unit 350 and other devices.

[0048] The rentable module management unit 350 is a management mechanism for performing processing using a processing mechanism on the network. Specifically, (1) transmitting and receiving packet data for requesting registration of a client device to the home server 20, and (2) transmitting and receiving packet data to be processed by the shared module. Work. Fig. 9 shows an example of the former packet data, and Fig. 10 shows an example of the latter packet data. The packet data 900 in FIG. 9 includes a packet header describing the type of the packet, the address of the home server 20, and the like, and communication data describing data such as client device information. The packet data 1000 in FIG. 10 is composed of a packet header describing the type of the packet and the address of the shared module, a processing program for processing by the shared module, and input data including data used in the processing program. You. The lent module management unit 350 transmits the packet data received from the control unit 330 to another device via the communication processing unit, and passes the packet data returned from the other device to the control unit 330. This packet may have a data format defined by a conventional technology such as Java (R) or a data format defined by the device.

[0049] The internal module 360 is a processing mechanism not disclosed to the outside, and is configured by a processor memory. The internal module 360 receives the processing program from the control unit 330 and performs the processing when the processing does not use the shared module.

Next, the client device (client device B) 32 having the rentable module will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the client device 32 having the rentable module 351. The difference from the client device 31 is that the rentable module 351 is included. The other configuration is the same as that of the client device 31, and the description is omitted.

The rentable module 351 is the same as the rentable module 251 of the home server 20. A similar processing mechanism, which is a module used by another device. Requesting the home server 20 to register the shared module, and by registering the shared module, other devices can be used as a shared module on the network.

[0052] The rentable module 351 can be occupied and used by the owning device, similarly to the internal module 360. In this case (that is, when the rentable module 351 is used exclusively by the owned device), a request to use the same module as the request to use the other shared module is transmitted to the home server 20. At this time, by increasing the priority of the module use request, it is possible for the owned device to use it preferentially.

(Description of processing)

The processing flow of the present invention will be described for the home network, home server, and client device configured as described above.

(Registration of Client Device and Shared Module)

In the following, the flow of the process of registering home appliances as client devices in the home server will be described. First, by turning on the power while the client device is connected to the network, the client device sends client information that is device-specific information to the home server 20 and requests registration of the client device. . This client information is stored and registered in the device information table 600 in the shared information storage unit 231 by the control unit 230. An example of the device information table 600 is shown in FIG. When the client device has a shared module, the client device also transmits shared information, which is information on the shared module, at the same time. The shared information is data unique to the module, and the control unit 230 stores the data in the module information table 700 in the shared information storage unit 231. An example of the module information table 700 is shown in FIG. Note that as the transmission information from the client device, only the device ID and the network ID may be transmitted. In this case, the external server 41 may be accessed via the control unit 230 of the home server 20, the communication processing unit 240, and the WAN 40, and the device information corresponding to the device ID may be obtained. Similarly, the module ID may be transmitted to the external server 41 to obtain the module information in the client device.

(Process Flow Using Shared Module) The following describes the flow of processing when a client device uses a shared module. Here, as an example of this processing, voice recognition processing is performed using a shared module in a client device A, which is a digital television, and a client device B, which is a game device, and a character string of the recognition result is displayed on a television screen. The display process will be described. FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between the client devices A and B and the home server 20 when the client device A uses the rentable module 351 of the client device B as a shared module.

First, the user turns on the “voice recognition display function” by using a button on the remote control (input unit 310) of the television (client device A). The control unit 330 of the client device A acquires the information of the process name AUD-RCG-01 corresponding to the “voice recognition display function” from the process management table 800 shown in FIG. The process management table 800 shown in FIG. 7 includes a process name, a module ID corresponding to the process name, data communication performance required for data communication between an external (or internal) module and the control unit 330, an address of a process code, and a format of input data. The address, processing amount, processing time, and the like are described. The processing code is a packet to be sent to the module for processing, and can be described in a programming language such as Java (R) code, or assembler code unique to the module. The result of processing by the module is transmitted to the rentable module management unit 350 of the transmission source. The control unit 330 determines whether or not the processing module PU001292 of the AUD-RCG-01 is a module in the client device A. If the processing module PU001292 does not exist in the client device A, the processing code is lent to the available module management unit 350. hand over.

Next, the rentable module management unit 350 requests the home server 20 to use the module via the communication processing unit 340 on condition that the module ID is SPU001292 and the communication capability is 300. And sends it to the home server 20 (a request to use the module (A) in FIG. 11). The home server 20 determines the allocation of the shared module to the client device A, and requests the client device B having the determined shared module to use the module (B). If the use state is READY, the client device B that has received the use request of the module from the home server 20 permits the use of the requested module and transmits the use permission to the home server 20 (C). Use permission lower In this case, the network ID of the permitted module (for example, EWF07362-012) is transmitted from the home server 20 to the client device A (D). The control unit 330 of the client device A transmits a packet including a processing code and input data to the module of the transmitted network ID). In the case of this example of the voice recognition display function, a voice recognition code is included as a processing code, and voice data is included as input data. When the processing result packet is sent from the module (F), the lent module management unit 350 of the client device A receives the processing result packet and passes the processing result data to the control unit 330. As described above, after the allocation of the shared module is determined, the processing packet and the processing result are directly transmitted and received between the client device A and the client device B. The processing of (E) and (F) is repeated until the processing for all input data is completed. Upon receiving the processing result from the shared module for all the input data, the control unit 330 of the client device A displays the character string of the processing result on the display device 320. Thus, a digital television having no voice recognition function can display a character string of a recognition result on a television screen. When all processes are completed by the shared module, the rentable module management unit 350 of the client device A notifies the home server 20 of the end of the process (G). The home server 20 that has received the processing end notification from the client device A transmits a processing end notification to the client device B having the module (H). As a result, communication between the client device A and the client device B is disconnected.

In the above description, after the allocation of the shared module is determined, the processing packet and the processing result are directly transmitted and received between the client device A and the client device B. Is not limited to this. For example, the home server 20 may mediate transmission and reception of each processing packet and its processing result between the client device A and the client device B.

[0059] (Server shared module harm! J assignment processing)

Hereinafter, a process in which home server 20 allocates a shared module in response to a request from a client device will be described.

The home server 20 receives a shared module use request packet from the client device. Take away. This use request packet describes the module ID to be used, the communication capacity, the processing amount, the processing time, the priority, the use period, and the like. Communication capability is the amount of packet traffic per hour, expressed here in bytes per second, and refers to the maximum amount of packets that the module and client device need to communicate. The priority is the priority for using the shared module. For a request with a higher priority, the module in use can be terminated and assigned. For example, if the module of another device is used, 1 is used, and if the module of the owning device is used, 2 is used, so that the module of the own terminal can be used preferentially. If the module being used is forcibly terminated, the module sends a packet containing the processing suspension information to the communicating client device. In this case, the client device again requests the home server 20 to use the shared module, and continues processing by damaging another module.

Regarding the module allocation, a module whose use state is READY is selected from the module information table 700 stored in the shared information storage unit 231. Next, it is determined from the processing performance data whether or not the processing is capable of processing. For example, in the case of the processing AUD-RCG-01 shown in Fig. 7, a processing of 120k is required in 0.5 seconds, and a processing capacity of 240K per second is required. From this condition and the module information table 700 in FIG. 4, only the module of EWF07362-012 can be processed. Also, the processing shown in FIG.

In the case of AUD-RCG-02, 75k processing is required in 0.5 seconds, and 150K processing power is required per second. From this condition and the module information table 700 in FIG.

Two modules, EAB012542-011 and EWF07362-012, can be processed

Next, when there are a plurality of modules that can be processed, the measured power consumption values are compared, and the module with the smallest measured power consumption value is selected. However, the amount of power consumption is estimated by considering the usage time of the module. At this time, if there is a module whose measured power consumption value is invalid (measurement impossible), compare the theoretical power consumption value and use the module with the smallest theoretical power consumption value. For example, the process in Figure 4

When allocating the processing of AUD-RCG-02, use the power consumption A module with a network ID of EAB012542-011, which is a module that can be used only a few, is allocated. In addition, here, the power that the rentable module 351 with the minimum power consumption for executing the module is allocated is further allocated. The allocation may be made so as not to concentrate on the rentable modules provided in one device. Also, here, an example in which one rentable module is allocated to one use request has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two rentable module use requests may be allocated to one rentable module use request. It may be possible to combine and assign the above rentable modules. By combining two or more rentable modules in this way, the pipeline capacity of two or more rentable modules can be increased even if the required performance is not satisfied. For example, there is an effect that module processing can be executed more easily. In this way, even when two or more rentable modules are combined and allocated to one module requested to be processed, consumption of the lent module allocated to execute the module is also considered. The combination must be determined so that the total power is minimized.

[0063] (Check process of shared module)

In the following, a description will be given of a shared module check process for managing the shared module. The home server 20 checks the operation of the shared module every predetermined fixed period. For example, the user sets a frequency such as once a day or once a month, and at a predetermined time, the control module 230 of the home server 20 operates the shared module check program.

First, a module check packet is transmitted to the module written in the module information table 700. At this time, the module check packet may be stored in the shared information storage unit 231 in advance, or may be obtained from the external server 41 via the WAN 40. The module check packet is a processing program for checking the processing capacity of the module and for checking the power consumption. For example, in the case of a module for calculation, a program code that can be processed in a certain time is used for the processing capacity. The packet containing the password is transmitted, and it is determined whether the packet has been processed within a predetermined time. At the same time, the amount of power consumed by the shared module to be checked is acquired, and the value of the measured power consumption value in the module information table 700 is updated. On the other hand, the control unit 230 examines and stores in advance the allowable level of the error between the measured power consumption value and the theoretical power consumption value of each shared module by accessing the external server 41 in advance. deep. Then, at this time, when the difference between the measured power consumption value and the theoretical power consumption value exceeds a certain fixed amount, it is displayed on the display device 220 that there is a possibility that the home electric appliance is broken, By notifying the external server 41, the user and the hardware administrator are notified of the possibility of failure of the home electric appliance on the home network 1.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a selection is made based on the power consumption of each lent module in order to determine a lent module that is actually lent from a plurality of lent modules. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the selection may be made based on a condition not specified in the use request, for example, a communication speed in a network, other than the power consumption. Also, these conditions may be combined to select the most preferable one.

Industrial applicability

The home server and the home appliance control method of the present invention are useful for efficient control of network-compatible home appliances. It is also applicable to the control of network-compatible devices on local networks such as companies and schools.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A device control server connected to a plurality of devices via a network and controlling the devices,

The plurality of devices includes a plurality of rentable modules, which are hardware resources that can be rented for processing of another device,

The device control server,

Receiving means for receiving a use request for hardware resources from the device transmitted through the network;

Based on the received use request and the information on the specifications of each of the lent modules, one lent module is selected from the plurality of lent modules, and the selected lent module is assigned to the device. Module management means for deciding which module to lend to

A device control server comprising:

[2] The device control server further includes a rentable module that is a hardware resource that can be lent for processing of another device,

The device control server according to claim 1, wherein the module management means selects one of the plurality of rentable modules including the rentable module provided in the device control server itself.

[3] The information on the specifications is information indicating power consumption of each rentable module,

The module management means selects a rentable module with the minimum power consumption from the plurality of rentable modules.

2. The device control server according to claim 1, wherein:

[4] The module management means stores in advance theoretical values of the power consumption of the plurality of lent modules, and selects the lent module based on the theoretical values. The described device control server.

[5] The device control server further includes measuring means for measuring power consumption of the plurality of lent modules. The module management unit selects the rentable module based on the power consumption measured by the measurement unit.

The device control server according to claim 3, wherein:

[6] At least one of the device control server and the plurality of devices further includes a measurement unit configured to measure power consumption of the plurality of lent modules.

The module management means stores a theoretical value of power consumption of each of the plurality of rentable modules, and based on the stored theoretical value or the power consumption measured by the measurement means, stores the rentable module. select

The device control server according to claim 3, wherein:

[7] The module managing unit compares the theoretical power consumption values of the plurality of lent modules that are stored in advance with the power consumption measured by the measuring unit, thereby obtaining the lent module. Diagnosis of failure

7. The device control server according to claim 6, wherein:

[8] The use request includes processing performance for hardware resources,

The module management means selects a rentable module that satisfies the processing performance and has the minimum power consumption.

The device control server according to claim 3, wherein:

[9] The use request includes a priority for the request,

The module management means, if there is a rentable module already used for a use request with a lower priority than the priority, terminates the use of the device for the rentable module, Allocate a rentable module to the device

2. The device control server according to claim 1, wherein:

[10] The module management means stores, for each of the plurality of rentable modules, an information table indicating whether or not the module is already allocated to a device and, if allocated, a scheduled use period thereof. And selects the rentable module by referring to the information table.

2. The device control server according to claim 1, wherein:

[11] A rentable module, which is one of a plurality of devices connected to the device control server via a network and is a rentable hardware resource,

A permission / inhibition response unit that receives, from the device control server, an inquiry as to whether or not to lend the lendable module, and responds as to whether or not the lending is possible;

Data reception means for receiving, via the network, target data to be processed when the permission / rejection response means responds that lending is possible;

The rentable module processes the received target data

An apparatus characterized by that:

[12] A device control method in a device control server that is connected to a plurality of devices via a network and controls the devices,

The plurality of devices include a plurality of rentable modules, which are rentable hardware resources,

The control method includes:

A receiving step of receiving a use request for hardware resources from the device transmitted through the network;

A selecting step of selecting one rentable module from the plurality of lent modules based on the received use request and information on the specifications of each lent module;

A module management step of determining the selected rentable module as a module to be lent to the device;

A device control method comprising:

[13] A program for a device control server that is connected via a network to a plurality of devices having a plurality of rentable modules, which are lent hardware resources, and controls the devices,

A receiving step of receiving a use request for hardware resources from the device transmitted through the network, and based on the received use request and information on specifications of each of the lent modules, A selection step of selecting one rentable module from among a plurality of rentable modules, and a selected rentable module; A program for causing a computer to execute a module that determines a function module to be lent to the device.