Control device, control system, control method, and program

Abstract

A control device (1) is provided with: an ARP table storage unit (131) that stores ARP table information in which IP addresses and MAC addresses, which are assigned to a device (3) in a network to which the device (3) belongs, are associated with each other; a MAC address determination unit (114) that determines the MAC address of the device (3) on the basis of the ARP table information; a device telegram transmission unit (116) that transmits a device telegram to the device (3) on the basis of the identified MAC address; and a MAC address acquisition unit (115) that acquires the MAC address information of the device (3) and adds the MAC address information to the ARP table information by transmitting ARP request information requesting transmission of the MAC address information to the device (3) corresponding to a combination of the IP address and the MAC address that are not included in the ARP table information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a system, a control method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] An EMS (Energy Management System) is proposed that uses a dynamic address dynamically assigned to a device and communicates with the device via a network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the EMS receives an instance list including the device category from a device and is repeatedly sent by broadcasting or multicasting at least within a predetermined period, the EMS sends an identification information request message of the device to the device by broadcasting or multicasting, thereby receiving an identification information notification message sent by the receiving device according to the source address of the information request message. Then, the EMS determines the category of the device based on the instance list received from the device, determines the identification information of the device based on the identification information notification message, and manages the determined device category and identification information by corresponding to the latest dynamic address.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-71638 Summary of the invention

[0005] However, the following technology is being provided: in a control device that controls a device by communicating with the device via a network, the device to be controlled is managed by corresponding to a static MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned to the device, thereby controlling the device without being affected by the update of the dynamic address. In this case, when controlling a device that is not registered in the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) of the device managed by the control device, it is necessary to obtain the MAC address from the device. In particular, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when a device is newly connected to the network, an instance list is sent from the device to the EMS, but the EMS that receives the instance list cannot accurately obtain the MAC address of the device from the instance list because the MAC address of the device is not registered in the ARP.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, a control system, a control method, and a program that can appropriately manage a device as a control target using a static address assigned to the device.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the control device involved in the present disclosure controls the device by sending control information for controlling the device to the device according to the static address inherent to the device in the network to which the device belongs, wherein the control device comprises:

[0008] a table storage unit storing table information for associating a dynamic address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs with the static address;

[0009] A static address determination unit, which determines the static address of the device according to the table information;

[0010] a device electronic message sending unit, which sends the device electronic message to the device according to the determined static address; and

[0011] The static address acquisition unit acquires the static address information and adds it to the table information by sending static address request information requesting transmission of static address information indicating the static address to the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the static address acquisition unit acquires static address information and adds it to the table information by sending static address request information to the device corresponding to the combination of dynamic address and static address not included in the table information that corresponds the dynamic address assigned to the device and the static address inherent to the device. Thus, the device can be properly managed using the static address assigned to the device as the control object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the device information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a timing chart showing the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a control system according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the cloud server and control device involved in Implementation Example 2.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the device information storage unit according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Fig.11 This is a timing chart showing the operation of the control system according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Fig.12 This is a timing chart showing the operation of the control system according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by the control device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] (Implementation Method 1)

[0027] Hereinafter, the control device involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The control device involved in the present embodiment sends control information for controlling the device to the device according to the static address inherent to the device in the network to which the device belongs, thereby controlling the device. The control device comprises: a table storage unit, which stores table information that corresponds the dynamic address and the static address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs; a static address determination unit, which determines the static address of the device according to the table information; a device telegram sending unit, which sends the device telegram to the device according to the determined static address; and a static address acquisition unit, which sends static address request information requesting to send static address information indicating the static address for the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information, thereby acquiring the static address information and appending it to the table information.

[0028] The control device 1 according to this embodiment is as follows Figure 1As shown, the device 3 is connected to the network NW1 to which the device 3 and the router 8 are connected, and the device 3 and the control device 1 can communicate via the network NW1. The network NW1 is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The device 3 includes: an address acquisition unit (not shown) that acquires IP address information from the router 8 by sending a connection request message to the router 8; and an address storage unit (not shown) that stores the IP address information acquired by the address acquisition unit from the router 8. In addition, the device 3 includes an ARP response unit (not shown) that, when acquiring ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) request information from the router 8 and the device or control device 1 connected to NW1, responds to the ARP response unit by sending an ARP reply message including the IP address information assigned to the device and the MAC address information of the device to the router 8. In addition, the device 3 can store ARP table information that corresponds the IP addresses assigned to other devices 3 or the control device 1 with their MAC addresses. Furthermore, when the device 3 is assigned an IP address of the device 3 as the device is newly connected to the network NW1, or when the IP address of the device 3 is updated as the usage period of the IP address of the device 3 expires, update notification information notifying that the IP address has been updated is generated and sent to the control device 1. The update notification information includes model information indicating the category of the device and identification number information for identifying the device in the application layer, which is equivalent to, for example, an instance list notification specified in EchonetLite (a registered trademark in Japan). In addition, the identification number information is device identification information pre-assigned by the manufacturer of the device 3 in accordance with a format specified in, for example, EchonetLite (a registered trademark in Japan). The identification number information equivalent to the instance list notification is broadcast via the router 8, and all the devices 3 connected to NW1 and the control device 1 can receive it. In addition, the device 3 can also periodically generate device status information indicating the status of the device at a preset period, and send the generated device status information to the control device 1.

[0029] Router 8 Figure 2 The DHCP function unit 811 shown in the figure functions as a normal router and also functions as a DHCP server. When receiving connection request information from the device 3 or the control device 1, the DHCP function unit 811 determines the IP address assigned to the device 3 or the control device 1 that is the source of the connection request information from a plurality of pre-set IP addresses. Then, the DHCP function unit 811 sends IP address information indicating the determined IP address to the device 3 or the control device 1 that is the source of the connection request information.

[0030] Return to Figure 2 The control device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a communication unit 107, and a bus 109 that connects the various units. The main storage unit 102 is a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area of ​​the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 has a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, and functions as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a storage device to store programs for realizing various functions of the control device 1. The communication unit 107, for example, has a wireless module, and performs wireless communication with the device 3 and the router 8. The wireless module has a signal generation circuit and an antenna that generate a wireless signal, and for example, the data link layer communicates using the communication protocol of the IEEE802.11 series.

[0031] In the control device 1, the CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby Figure 3 As shown, it functions as a device message acquisition unit 111, a message type determination unit 112, a device control unit 113, a MAC address determination unit 114, a MAC address acquisition unit 115, a device message transmission unit 116, and a device information update unit 117. In addition, Figure 2 The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown is as follows Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ARP table storage unit 131, the device information storage unit 132, and the device status storage unit 133 are provided. The ARP table storage unit 131 is a table storage unit that stores ARP table information that associates the IP address assigned to the device 3 in the network NW1 to which the device 3 belongs with the MAC address inherent to the device 3. The device information storage unit 132 is, for example, Figure 4 As shown, the combination of IP address information, model information indicating the type of the device 3, and identification number information assigned to each of the plurality of devices 3 belonging to the network NW1 is stored in correspondence with the MAC address information of the device 3. Figure 3 The device state storage unit 133 stores parameter information indicating the state of each device 3 in correspondence with the model information and identification number information of the device 3. Here, for example, when the device 3 is an air conditioner, the parameter information is information indicating the set temperature, set air volume, temperature and humidity of the environment in which the device 3 is installed, etc.

[0032] When the device message acquisition unit 111 acquires the device message sent from the device 3, it notifies the message type determination unit 112 of the acquired device message. The device message includes update notification information notifying that a network update event has occurred in which the state of the network NW1 to which the device 3 is connected has been updated. The network update event occurs when the DHCP function unit 811 of the router 8 newly assigns an IP address to the device 3 as the device 3 is newly connected to the network NW1, or when the DHCP function unit 811 updates the IP address of the device 3 as the expiration date of the IP address of the device 3 expires. In addition, the device message also includes device status information, which includes parameter information indicating the state of the device 3, and the model information and identification number information of the device 3.

[0033] The message type determination unit 112 determines whether the device message acquired by the device message acquisition unit 111 is update notification information notifying that a new IP address is assigned to the device 3. When the message type determination unit 112 determines that the acquired device message is update notification information, it notifies the MAC address determination unit 114 of the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information. At this time, the message type determination unit 112 extracts the model information and identification number information of the device 3 contained in the acquired update notification information and notifies the device information update unit 117, and notifies the device information update unit 117 of the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information. In addition, when the message type determination unit 112 determines that the acquired device message is device status information, it extracts the above-mentioned parameter information and the model information and identification number information of the device 3 contained in the acquired device status information, and stores the extracted parameter information in the device status storage unit 133 in correspondence with the model information and identification number information of the device 3.

[0034] The device control unit 113 generates control information based on at least one of the model information and device identification information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled stored in the device information storage unit 132. The device control unit 113 determines whether the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated based on the device status information of each device 3 stored in the device status storage unit 133. In addition, when the device control unit 113 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated, it generates control information corresponding to the updated device control content, and notifies the generated control information to the device telegram sending unit 116 together with the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent and the MAC address information indicating the MAC address.

[0035] When the MAC address determination unit 114 is notified of the IP address information of the device 3 to which the control information is sent from the device control unit 113, the MAC address determination unit 114 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 to determine the MAC address corresponding to the IP address represented by the notified IP address information. Furthermore, the MAC address determination unit 114 notifies the device telegram sending unit 116 of the MAC address information representing the determined MAC address. In addition, when the MAC address determination unit 114 is notified of the update notification information from the telegram type determination unit 112, the MAC address determination unit 114 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 to determine whether there is a combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 to which the update notification information is sent. Furthermore, when it is determined that there is no combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 to which the update notification information is sent, the MAC address determination unit 114 notifies the MAC address acquisition request information to the MAC address acquisition unit 115.

[0036] The MAC address acquisition unit 115 is a static address acquisition unit. When notified of the MAC address acquisition request information from the MAC address determination unit 114, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 broadcasts the ARP request information to the device 3, thereby acquiring the ARP reply information from the device 3 corresponding to the combination of the IP address and the MAC address not included in the ARP table information. The ARP request information is a static address request information requesting the device 3 to send the ARP reply information including the MAC address information of the device 3. Furthermore, when acquiring the ARP reply information, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 extracts the MAC address information included in the acquired ARP reply information, associates the extracted MAC address information with the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the ARP reply information, and adds it to the ARP table information. In addition, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 notifies the device information update unit 117 of the extracted MAC address information.

[0037] When the device electronic message transmission unit 116 is notified of the control information from the device control unit 113 , it transmits the notified control information to the device 3 as the transmission destination.

[0038] When the device information update unit 117 is notified of the model information, identification number information and IP address information of the device 3 included in the update notification information from the electronic message type determination unit 112, it stores the notified information in the device information storage unit 132 in correspondence with the MAC address information notified from the MAC address acquisition unit 115.

[0039] Next, refer to Figure 5, the operation of the control system involved in this embodiment is described. Here, the case where the control device 1 communicates with the devices 3A and 3B is described. First, it is assumed that a network update event occurs in which the state of the network NW1 to which the device 3 is connected is updated. The network update event occurs when the device 3A is newly connected to the network NW1 and the DHCP function unit 811 of the router 8 newly assigns an IP address to the device 3A, or when the IP address of the device 3A expires and the DHCP function unit 811 updates the IP address of the device 3A. In this case, update notification information notifying that the IP address has been updated is sent from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S1). On the other hand, the control device 1 determines that the device telegram sent from the device 3A is update notification information (step S2). Next, it is assumed that the control device 1 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 and determines that there is no combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3A that is the source of the update notification information (step S3). In this case, the above-mentioned ARP request information is broadcasted from the control device 1 to the devices 3A and 3B (steps S4 and S5). On the other hand, when the device 3A, which is the source of the update notification information, obtains the ARP request information, in response to which, the ARP reply information including the MAC address information of the device 3A is sent from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S6). On the other hand, when the control device 1 obtains the ARP reply information, it extracts the MAC address information of the device 3A, which is the source of the update notification information, contained in the obtained ARP reply information, and uses the extracted MAC address information to update the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 (step S7). Next, the control device 1 stores the model information, identification number information, IP address information of the source of the update notification information, and the extracted MAC address information of the device 3A contained in the obtained update notification information in the device information storage unit 132 in correspondence with each other (step S8).

[0040] In addition, when the above-mentioned device status notification period arrives, the device 3A generates the above-mentioned device status information (step S9), and sends the generated device status information from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S10). On the other hand, when the control device 1 obtains the device status information, it extracts the parameter information representing the status of the device 3A contained in the obtained device status information and stores it in the device status storage unit 133 (step S11). Next, it is assumed that the control device 1 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated based on the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 133 (step S12). In this case, the control device 1 generates control information corresponding to the updated device control content (step S13). Next, based on the MAC address represented by the MAC address information of the device 3A, the generated control information is sent from the control device 1 to the device 3A (step S14). On the other hand, when the device 3A obtains the control information, it starts to act according to the obtained control information (step S15).

[0041] Next, refer to Figure 6 , describing the device control processing performed by the control device 1 involved in the present embodiment. For example, the device control processing is started when the power is turned on to the control device 1 and the control device 1 completes the connection to the network NW1. First, the device telegram acquisition unit 111 determines whether the device telegram sent from the device 3 is acquired (step S101). Here, when it is determined that the device telegram acquisition unit 111 has not acquired the device telegram (step S101: "No"), the processing of step S110 described later is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the device telegram acquisition unit 111 has acquired the device telegram (step S101: "Yes"), the telegram type determination unit 112 determines whether the acquired device telegram is the above-mentioned update notification information (step S102). Here, when the telegram type determination unit 112 determines that the device telegram is not the update notification information (step S102: "No"), the processing of step S108 described later is performed. On the other hand, when the message type determination unit 112 determines that the device message is update notification information (step S102: "Yes"), the MAC address determination unit 114 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 to determine whether there is a combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information (step S103). Here, when the MAC address determination unit 114 determines that there is a combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information (step S103: "Yes"), the processing of step S110 described later is performed.

[0042] On the other hand, when the MAC address determination unit 114 determines that there is no combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information (step S103: "No"), the MAC address acquisition unit 115 broadcasts and sends the ARP request information (step S104). As a result, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 acquires the ARP reply information from the device 3 that corresponds to the combination of the IP address and the MAC address that is not included in the ARP table information (step S105). Next, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 updates the ARP table information in the form of extracting the MAC address information included in the acquired ARP reply information and adding the extracted MAC address information to the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the ARP reply information in correspondence with the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the ARP reply information to the ARP table information (step S106). Next, when the device information update unit 117 is notified of the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3 included in the update notification information, it stores the notified information in correspondence with the MAC address information notified from the MAC address acquisition unit 115 in the device information storage unit 132 (step S107). Next, the process of step S110 described later is executed.

[0043] In addition, when the telegram type determination unit 112 determines that the device telegram is not update notification information (step S102: "No"), it determines whether the device telegram is device status information (step S108). When the telegram type determination unit 112 determines that the device telegram is not device status information (step S108: "No"), it performs the processing of step S110 described later. On the other hand, when the telegram type determination unit 112 determines that the device telegram is device status information (step S108: "Yes"), it stores the device status information in the device status storage unit 133 (step S109). Next, the device control unit 113 refers to the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 133 to determine whether the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated (step S110). Here, when the device control unit 113 determines that the control content of the device 3 does not need to be updated (step S110: "No"), it performs the processing of step S101 again. On the other hand, when the device control unit 113 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated (step S110: "Yes"), it generates control information for updating the control content of the device 3 based on the device status information, and the device telegram sending unit 116 sends the control information to the device 3 based on the MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is sent stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S111). Thereafter, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0044] As described above, according to the control device 1 involved in this embodiment, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 sends ARP request information to the device 3 corresponding to the combination of the IP address and the MAC address that is not included in the ARP table information that corresponds the IP address assigned to the device 3 and the MAC address inherent to the device 3, thereby acquiring the MAC address information and adding it to the ARP table information. As a result, the device 3 that is the control target can be properly managed using the MAC address inherent to the device 3.

[0045] (Implementation Method 2)

[0046] In the control system involved in this embodiment, the difference from embodiment 1 is that the cloud server generates control information for controlling the device and sends it to the control device via the wide area network. The control device sends the control information obtained from the server to the device based on the static address inherent to the device in the local area network to which the device belongs, thereby controlling the device.

[0047] The control system involved in this embodiment is as follows Figure 7 As shown, it includes: a cloud server 2002; and a control device 2001, which controls the operation of the device 3 by sending the control information obtained from the cloud server 2002 to the device 3. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the same structure as in the first embodiment is added with Figure 1 The cloud server 2002 can communicate via a wide area network NW22 such as the Internet and a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 2008. The BBR 2008 has the DHCP function unit 811 described in the first embodiment.

[0048] The control device 2001 is as follows Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the control device 1 has the same hardware structure as the control device 1 described in Embodiment 1. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the same structure as in the first embodiment is added with Figure 2 In the control device 2001, the CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, so that Fig. 9 As shown, the device message acquisition unit 2111, the message type determination unit 2112, the decapsulation unit (decapsulator) 2117, the MAC address determination unit 114, the MAC address acquisition unit 2115, the device message transmission unit 2116, the address notification unit 2118, the update notification unit 2119 and the encapsulation unit (encapsulator) 2120 function. Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the same structure as in the first embodiment is added with Figure 3 Same symbols.

[0049] When the device telegram acquisition unit 2111 acquires a device telegram sent from the device 3 or a device telegram sent from the cloud server 2002 to the control device 2001, the device telegram notifies the telegram type determination unit 2112 of the acquired device telegram. The telegram type determination unit 2112 determines whether the device telegram acquired by the device telegram acquisition unit 2111 is update notification information notifying that a new IP address is assigned to the device 3. When the telegram type determination unit 2112 determines that the acquired device telegram is update notification information, it notifies the MAC address determination unit 114 of the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information. At this time, the telegram type determination unit 2112 extracts the model information and identification number information of the device 3 contained in the acquired update notification information and notifies them to the update notification unit 2119, and notifies the update notification unit 2119 of the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information. In addition, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the acquired device message is device status information, it notifies the encapsulation unit 2120 of the acquired device status information. Furthermore, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the acquired device message is encapsulated control information or update notification information sent from the cloud server 2002, it notifies the decapsulation unit 2117 of the acquired control information or update notification information.

[0050] The update notification unit 2119 generates device information notification information including the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3 notified from the electronic message type determination unit 2112 , and transmits the generated device information notification information to the cloud server 2002 .

[0051] When the decapsulation unit 2117 is notified of the encapsulated control information or update notification information from the telegram type determination unit 2112, it removes the header information from the encapsulated control information or update notification information and then decapsulates it, thereby extracting the MAC address information and control information or update notification information of the device 3 to which the control information is sent, and notifies the device telegram sending unit 2116 of the extracted MAC address information and control information or update notification information.

[0052] When the MAC address acquisition unit 2115 is notified of the MAC address acquisition request information from the MAC address determination unit 114, it broadcasts the ARP request information to the device 3, thereby acquiring the ARP reply information from the device 3 corresponding to the combination of the IP address and the MAC address that is not included in the ARP table information. Furthermore, when acquiring the ARP reply information, the MAC address acquisition unit 2115 extracts the MAC address information included in the acquired ARP reply information, and notifies the address notification unit 2118 of the extracted MAC address information. The address notification unit 2118 extracts the MAC address information of the device 3 that is the source of the ARP reply information from the ARP reply information notified by the MAC address acquisition unit 2115, generates the address notification information including the extracted MAC address information, and sends it to the cloud server 2002.

[0053] When the encapsulation unit 2120 is notified of the device status information from the electronic message type determination unit 2112 , it adds header information for specifying the cloud server 2002 as the destination to the notified device status information, thereby generating status notification information and notifying it to the device electronic message sending unit 2116 .

[0054] The device message sending unit 2116 sends the control information or update notification information extracted by the decapsulation unit 2117 to the device 3 at its destination, based on the MAC address information of the device 3 extracted by the decapsulation unit 2117. In addition, when the device message sending unit 2116 is notified of the encapsulated device status information from the encapsulation unit 2120, it sends the notified device status information to the cloud server 2002 based on its header information.

[0055] Return to Figure 8 The cloud server 2002 includes a CPU 201, a main storage unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 connecting the various units. In the cloud server 2002, the CPU 201 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby Fig. 9 As shown, they function as an encapsulation unit 2211, an encapsulated electronic message sending unit 2212, a device control unit 2213, an update notification acquisition unit 2214, an address acquisition unit 2218, a device information update unit 2217, an encapsulated electronic message acquisition unit 2215, and a decapsulation unit 2216. Figure 8 The auxiliary storage unit 203 shown is as follows Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 2 , the device information storage unit 2232 and the device status storage unit 2233 are provided. The device information storage unit 2232 is, for example, Fig.10As shown, the MAC address information of the plurality of devices 3 connected to the local area network NW21 is stored in correspondence with the MAC address information of the control device 2001 connected to the local area network NW21. In addition, the device information storage unit 2232 stores, for each MAC address information of the control device 2001, a combination of the IP address information, the model information, and the identification number information of each of the plurality of devices 3 in correspondence with the MAC address information of the device 3. The device status storage unit 2233 stores the above-mentioned parameter information of each device 3 in correspondence with the model information and the identification number information of the device 3.

[0056] When the update notification acquisition unit 2214 acquires the device information notification information sent from the control device 2001, it extracts the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3 contained in the acquired device information notification information and notifies the device information update unit 2217. When the address acquisition unit 2218 acquires the address notification information sent from the control device 2001, it extracts the MAC address information of the device 3 contained in the acquired address notification information and notifies the device information update unit 2217.

[0057] When the device information updating unit 2217 is notified of the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3 from the update notification acquisition unit 2214 , it associates these notified information with the MAC address information notified from the address acquisition unit 2218 and stores them in the device information storage unit 2232 .

[0058] When the encapsulated electronic message acquisition unit 2215 acquires the device status information sent from the control device 2001, it notifies the decapsulation unit 2216 of the acquired device status information. The decapsulation unit 2216 extracts the parameter information and the model information and identification number information of the device 3 included in the device status information notified from the encapsulated electronic message acquisition unit 2215, and stores the extracted parameter information, model information and identification number information of the device 3 in correspondence with each other in the device status storage unit 2233.

[0059] The device control unit 2213 determines whether the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated based on the device status information of each device 3 stored in the device status storage unit 2233. Furthermore, when the device control unit 2213 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated, it generates control information corresponding to the updated device control content based on at least one of the model information and device identification information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled stored in the device information storage unit 2232. Furthermore, the device control unit 2213 notifies the encapsulation unit 2211 of the generated control information together with the IP address information and MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent stored in the device information storage unit 2232.

[0060] When the encapsulation unit 2211 is notified of the control information, the IP address information, and the MAC address information of the device 3 from the device control unit 2213, it generates control notification information by adding header information for specifying the control device 2001 as the destination of transmission to the notified control information and encapsulating it, and notifies the encapsulated telegram transmission unit 2212. The encapsulated telegram transmission unit 2212 transmits the notified control notification information to the control device 2001.

[0061] Next, refer to Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 , describing the operation of the control system according to the present embodiment. Here, the control device 2001 is described as communicating with the devices 3A, 3B and the cloud server 2002. Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 In the same process as in Implementation 1, the same Figure 5 The same symbol. First, assume that the above-mentioned network update event has occurred. In this case, update notification information notifying that the IP address has been updated is sent from device 3A to the control device 2001 (step S1). On the other hand, the control device 2001 determines that the device telegram sent from device 3A is update notification information (step S2), and generates device information notification information including the model information, identification number information and IP address information of device 3A contained in the update notification information (step S2001). Next, the generated device information notification information is sent from the control device 2001 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2002). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2002 obtains the device information notification information, it extracts the model information, identification number information and IP address information of the device 3A contained in the obtained device information notification information, and stores the extracted information in the device information storage unit 2232 in correspondence with each other (step S2003).

[0062] In addition, it is assumed that the control device 2001 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 and determines that there is no combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3A that is the source of the update notification information (step S3). In this case, the control device 2001 broadcasts the above-mentioned ARP request information to the devices 3A and 3B (steps S4 and S5). On the other hand, when the device 3A that is the source of the update notification information obtains the ARP request information, in response to this, the ARP reply information containing the MAC address information of the device 3A is sent from the device 3A to the control device 2001 (step S6). On the other hand, when the control device 2001 obtains the ARP reply information, it extracts the MAC address information of the device 3A that is the source of the update notification information contained in the obtained ARP reply information, and uses the extracted MAC address information to update the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 (step S7). Next, the control device 2001 generates address notification information including the extracted MAC address information (step S2004), and sends the generated address notification information from the control device 2001 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2005). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2002 obtains the address notification information, it extracts the MAC address information included in the obtained address notification information, and stores the extracted MAC address information in the device information storage unit 2232 in correspondence with the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3A (step S2006).

[0063] In addition, if Fig.12 As shown, when the above-mentioned device status notification period arrives, the device 3A generates the above-mentioned device status information (step S9), and sends the generated device status information from the device 3A to the control device 2001 (step S10). On the other hand, when the control device 2001 obtains the device status information, it adds header information for sending to the cloud server 2002 to the obtained device status information and encapsulates it (step S2007). Thereafter, the encapsulated device status information is sent from the control device 2001 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2008). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2002 obtains the device status information, it extracts the parameter information, model information, and identification number information of the device 3A contained in the obtained device status information and stores them in correspondence with each other in the device status storage unit 2233 (step S2009).

[0064] Next, it is assumed that the cloud server 2002 determines that the control content of the device 3A needs to be updated based on the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 2233 (step S2010). In this case, the cloud server 2002 generates control information corresponding to the updated device control content, adds header information for sending to the control device 2001 to the generated control information and encapsulates it (step S2011). Next, the encapsulated control information is sent from the cloud server 2002 to the control device 2001 (step S2012). On the other hand, when the control device 2001 obtains the encapsulated control information, it decapsulates the control information in the form of removing the header information of the obtained control information (step S2013). Thereafter, based on the MAC address represented by the MAC address information of the device 3A, the decapsulated control information is sent from the control device 2001 to the device 3A (step S14). On the other hand, when the device 3A obtains the control information, it starts to act according to the obtained control information (step S15).

[0065] Next, refer to Fig.13 , describing the device control process performed by the control device 2001 involved in this embodiment. Fig.13 The same processing as in Implementation 1 is supplemented with Figure 6 The same symbol. First, assume that in step S101, the device telegram acquisition unit 2111 determines that a device telegram sent from the device 3 is acquired (step S101: "Yes"), and the telegram type determination unit 2112 determines that the acquired device telegram is the above-mentioned update notification information (step S102: "Yes"). In this case, the telegram type determination unit 2112 extracts the model information and identification number information of the device 3 contained in the acquired update notification information and notifies the update notification unit 2119, and notifies the update notification unit 2119 of the IP address information of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information. In addition, the update notification unit 2119 generates device information notification information including the model information, identification number information, and IP address information of the device 3 notified from the telegram type determination unit 2112 and sends it to the cloud server 2002 (step S2101).

[0066] Next, assume that in step S104, the MAC address determination unit 114 refers to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 and determines that there is no combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the device 3 that is the source of the update notification information (step S104: "No"). In this case, after executing a series of processes from steps S105 to S107, the address notification unit 2118 extracts the MAC address information of the device 3 that is the source of the ARP reply information from the ARP reply information notified by the MAC address acquisition unit 2115, generates address notification information including the extracted MAC address information, and sends it to the cloud server 2002 (step S2102).

[0067] In addition, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines in step S102 that the device message is not update notification information (step S102: "No"), it determines whether the device message is device status information (step S108). Here, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the device message is not device status information (step S108: "No"), it performs the processing of step 2104 described later. On the other hand, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the device message is device status information (step S108: "Yes"), it notifies the encapsulation unit 2120 of the device status information. In addition, the encapsulation unit 2120 adds header information for sending to the cloud server 2002 to the device status information and encapsulates it, and the device message sending unit 2116 sends the encapsulated device status information to the cloud server 2002 (step S2103).

[0068] Afterwards, the message type determination unit 2112 determines whether the device message is encapsulated control information (step S2104). Here, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the device message is not encapsulated control information (step S2104: "No"), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, when the message type determination unit 2112 determines that the device message is encapsulated control information (step S2104: "Yes"), the control information is notified to the decapsulation unit 2117. Then, the decapsulation unit 2117 removes the header information from the encapsulated control information and then decapsulates it to extract the MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent and the control information. The device message sending unit 2116 sends the control information to the device 3 based on the extracted MAC address information (step S2105). Next, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0069] As described above, according to the control system of this embodiment, the cloud server 2002 includes the device information storage unit 2232, the device state storage unit 2233, and the device control unit 2213, thereby simplifying the functional structure of the control device 2001. Therefore, the processing load of the control device 2001 can be reduced.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the update notification information may be a telegram conforming to a standard other than the EchonetLite (registered trademark in Japan) standard.

[0071] In each embodiment, the MAC address acquisition unit 115 or 2115 may execute a process of sending a so-called dummy device message to the device 3 , thereby broadcasting the ARP request information to the device 3 .

[0072] In addition, the various functions of the control devices 1, 2001 and cloud servers 2002 involved in the present disclosure can also be implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware can also be recorded as a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) for distribution, and the program can be read into the computer and installed to form a computer capable of implementing the above-mentioned functions. In addition, in the case where each function is implemented by sharing the OS (Operating System) and the application, or by the collaboration between the OS and the application, only the part other than the OS can be stored in the recording medium.

[0073] Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program can be announced on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on a communication network and distributed via the network. Furthermore, the above-mentioned processing can be performed by starting these programs and executing them like other application programs under the control of the OS.

[0074] Industrial Applicability

[0075] The present disclosure is suitable for a control system including a HEMS installed in a house.

[0076] Explanation of symbols

[0077] 1, 2001: control device; 3: device; 8: router; 101, 201: CPU; 102, 202: main storage unit; 103, 203: auxiliary storage unit; 107, 206: communication unit; 109, 209: bus; 111, 2111: device message acquisition unit; 112, 2112: message type determination unit; 113, 2213: device control unit; 114: MAC address determination unit; 115, 2115: MAC address acquisition unit; 116, 2116: device message sending unit; 117, 2217: device information update unit; 13 1: ARP table storage unit; 132, 2232: device information storage unit; 133, 2233: device status storage unit; 811: DHCP function unit; 2002: cloud server; 2008: BBR; 2117, 2216: decapsulation unit; 2118: address notification unit; 2119: update notification unit; 2120, 2211: encapsulation unit; 2212: encapsulated telegram sending unit; 2214: update notification acquisition unit; 2215: encapsulated telegram acquisition unit; 2218: address acquisition unit; NW1: network; NW21: local area network; NW22: wide area network.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a device by sending control information for controlling the device to the device according to a static address inherent to the device in a network to which the device belongs, thereby controlling the device, wherein: The control device comprises: a table storage unit storing table information for associating a dynamic address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs with the static address; A static address determination unit, which determines the static address of the device according to the table information; A device electronic message sending unit, which sends the device electronic message to the device according to the determined static address; as well as The static address acquisition unit acquires the static address information and adds it to the table information by sending static address request information requesting transmission of static address information indicating the static address to the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device also has: a device electronic message acquisition unit that acquires a device electronic message sent from the device; and The electronic message type determination unit determines whether the acquired device electronic message is update notification information for notifying that a new dynamic address is assigned to the device. The static address acquisition unit transmits the static address request information to the device that is the transmission source of the update notification information, thereby acquiring the static address information from the device and adding the static address information to the table information.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The control device also has: a device information storage unit for storing device information indicating a device model and device identification information for identifying the device in an application layer in association with the static address information inherent to the device; a device control unit, generating the control information based on at least one of the device model information and the device identification information; as well as a device information updating unit, which updates the model information, the device identification information and the static address information stored in the device information storage unit, The update notification information includes the model information and the device identification information, The device electronic message sending unit sends the control information to the device based on the static address information stored in the device information storage unit and associated with the model information and the device identification information corresponding to the generated control information, When the device electronic message acquisition unit acquires update notification information, the device information update unit associates the model information and the device identification information included in the acquired update notification information with the static address information acquired by the static address acquisition unit and stores them in the device information storage unit.

4. A control system comprising: A server generates control information for controlling a device; and a control device for controlling the device by sending the control information obtained from the server to the device according to a static address inherent to the device in the network to which the device belongs, The control device has: a table storage unit storing table information for associating a dynamic address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs with the static address; A static address determination unit, which determines the static address of the device according to the table information; A device electronic message sending unit, which sends the device electronic message to the device according to the determined static address; as well as The static address acquisition unit acquires the static address information and adds it to the table information by sending static address request information requesting transmission of static address information indicating the static address to the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information.

5. The control system according to claim 4, wherein: The control device also has: a device electronic message acquisition unit that acquires a device electronic message sent from the device; and The electronic message type determination unit determines whether the acquired device electronic message is update notification information for notifying that a new dynamic address is assigned to the device. The static address acquisition unit transmits the static address request information to the device that is the transmission source of the update notification information, thereby acquiring the static address information from the device and adding the static address information to the table information.

6. The control system according to claim 5, wherein: The server has: a device information storage unit for storing device information indicating a device model and device identification information for identifying the device in an application layer in association with the static address information inherent to the device; a device control unit, generating the control information based on at least one of the device model information and the device identification information; as well as a device information updating unit, which updates the model information, the device identification information and the static address information stored in the device information storage unit, The control device also has: an address notification unit, which sends the static address information acquired by the static address acquisition unit to the server; and an update notification unit, sending the update notification information to the server, The update notification information includes the model information and the device identification information, The device electronic message sending unit sends the control information to the device based on the static address information stored in the device information storage unit and associated with the model information and the device identification information corresponding to the generated control information, The device information updating unit associates the model information and the device identification information included in the update notification information sent by the update notification unit with the static address information sent by the address notification unit and stores them in the device information storage unit.

7. A control method for controlling a device by sending control information for controlling the device to the device according to a static address inherent to the device in a network to which the device belongs, thereby controlling the device, wherein: The control method comprises: The control device determines the static address of the device based on the table information stored in the table storage unit storing table information in which the dynamic address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs and the static address are associated with each other; The control device sends a device message to the device according to the determined static address; and The control device acquires the static address information and adds it to the table information by sending static address request information requesting transmission of static address information indicating the static address to the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as a static address determination unit, a device message transmission unit, and a static address acquisition unit, wherein: The static address determination unit determines the static address of the device based on the table information stored in the table storage unit storing table information that corresponds the dynamic address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs and the static address inherent to the device in the network to which the device belongs. The device electronic message sending unit sends the device electronic message to the device according to the determined static address, The static address acquisition unit acquires the static address information and adds it to the table information by transmitting static address request information requesting transmission of static address information indicating the static address to the device corresponding to the combination of the dynamic address and the static address not included in the table information.

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