Control system, control device, control method, and program

Abstract

A control system, a control device, a control method, and a program that can simplify the configuration of a communication adapter. [Solution] The cloud server 1 is provided with: a processing status determination unit 112 that, when it acquires operation notification information, determines whether the device 3 to be operated is awaiting processing based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information; a processing status management unit 114 that, when it is determined that processing is awaiting processing, updates the operation information corresponding to the acquired operation notification information stored in the processing status storage unit based on the operation information included in the operation notification information; and a device control unit 113 that, when it is determined that processing is awaiting processing, generates control information for the device 3 to be operated to process a task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the acquired operation notification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 after processing based on the operation information included in the other operation notification information is completed, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter 2.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A control device has been proposed that controls electrical appliances installed in a home by sending control commands to the electrical appliances via an appliance network to which the electrical appliances are connected, receiving operation signals for operating the electrical appliances from multiple terminals via a communication network, generating multiple control commands based on the received operation signals, and transmitting one of the generated control commands to the electrical appliance, and then not transmitting another of the generated control commands to the electrical appliance until a response to the one control command is received from the electrical appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This control device has a buffer that stores control commands, and transmits the other control commands accumulated in the buffer to the electrical appliance each time a response is received from the electrical appliance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-35690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there is a demand for a control device such as that described in Patent Document 1 to have a buffer capacity as small as possible to simplify the configuration of the control device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a control system, a control device, a control method, and a program that can simplify the configuration of a communication adapter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the control system according to the present disclosure comprises: a communications adapter to which at least one device is connected, which, after transferring control information for controlling the device to the device, avoids transferring the control information to the device until it receives completion notification information from the device notifying that processing based on the control information has been completed; a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one of the devices in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is an operation target; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in another piece of operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; and a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, which is stored in the processing status storage unit, after the processing of the first task is completed, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the processing status determination unit acquires the above-mentioned operation notification information, the processing status determination unit references processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is currently processing a first task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information, or is waiting for processing of the first task. Then, when it is determined that the first task is not currently being processed or is not waiting for processing, the device control unit generates control information for executing a second task based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the device to be operated. This reduces the capacity of the buffer for temporarily storing control information in the communication adapter, thereby simplifying the configuration of the communication adapter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a processing status storage unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a response waiting notification image according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a non-acceptance notification image according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a waiting notification image according to the first embodiment; and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of an operation failure notification image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a communication control process executed by the communication adapter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a communication adapter response specification storage unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a communication control process executed by a communication adapter according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment 1) A control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The control system according to the embodiment includes a communication adapter that is connected to at least one device and that, after transferring control information for controlling the device to the device, avoids transferring control information to the device until receiving completion notification information from the device notifying that task processing based on the control information has been completed; a processing status storage unit, a processing status determination unit, a processing status management unit, and a device control unit. The processing status storage unit stores processing status information indicating the processing status of each operation performed on the at least one device in association with device identification information identifying each of the at least one device to be operated. Upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating the operation performed on the device and device identification information of the device to be operated, the processing status determination unit references the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on operation information included in another operation notification information different from the received operation notification information. When it is determined that the first task is awaiting processing, the processing state management unit updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information. When it is determined that the first task is awaiting processing, the device control unit, after completing the processing of the first task, generates control information for processing, by the device to be operated, the second task based on the updated operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the control system according to this embodiment includes a cloud server 1, a communication adapter 2, and a terminal device 5, and controls a device 3 connected to the communication adapter 2. The cloud server 1 is capable of communicating with the communication adapter 2 and the terminal devices 5A and 5B via a wide area network NW1 such as the Internet. The device 3 is, for example, an air conditioner, and is connected to the communication adapter 2 by wire or wirelessly. When control information for controlling the device itself is transferred from the communication adapter 2, the device 3 operates based on the control information. Furthermore, when the operation based on the control information is completed, the device 3 generates processing completion notification information including the device identification information of the device itself and transfers the processing completion notification information to the communication adapter 2.

[0011] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a smartphone equipped with an input unit, a display unit, and a memory. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and the input unit is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on the display unit. When a user performs a startup operation on the input unit of the terminal device 5 to launch an application for operating the device 3, the terminal device 5 forms an operation screen image for operating the device 3 and displays it on the display unit. Also, assume that the user performs a device operation on the device 3 via the input unit of the terminal device 5. In this case, the terminal device 5 generates operation notification information including operation information indicating the operation content on the device 3, device identification information identifying the device 3 to be operated, and terminal identification information identifying the terminal device itself, and transmits the operation notification information to the cloud server 1. At this time, the terminal device 5 forms a response-waiting notification image indicating that it is waiting for a response that the operation performed on the device 3 has been completed, and displays the response-waiting notification image on the display unit. Furthermore, when the terminal device 5 receives processing completion notification information from the cloud server 1 notifying that processing corresponding to the operation performed on the device 3 has been completed, the terminal device 5 accordingly forms a new operation screen image that reflects the state of the device 3 after processing and updates the operation screen image displayed on the display unit.

[0012] Furthermore, when the terminal device 5 receives from the cloud server 1 non-acceptance notification information indicating that an operation on the device 3 cannot be accepted, the terminal device 5 responsively forms an operation failure notification image notifying that the operation on the device 3 has failed and displays it on the display unit. Furthermore, when the terminal device 5 receives from the cloud server 1 communication disruption notification information notifying that communication between the terminal device 5 and the device 3 has been disrupted, the terminal device 5 responsively forms an operation failure notification image and displays it on the display unit. Furthermore, when the terminal device 5 receives from the cloud server 1 standby notification information indicating that another device 3 different from the device 3 to be operated is waiting for processing, the terminal device 5 responsively forms a standby notification image and displays it on the display unit.

[0013] 2, the communication adapter 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a main memory 202, an auxiliary memory 203, a wide area communication unit 261, a local communication unit 262, and a bus 209 connecting these together. The main memory 202 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary memory 203 is a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 201 to execute various processes. The wide area communication unit 261 and the local communication unit 262 have communication interfaces for communicating with the device 3.

[0014] In the communication adapter 2, the CPU 201 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as a control information acquisition unit 211, a control information notification unit 212, a response acquisition unit 213, a response notification unit 214, and an in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215, as shown in FIG. 3 . When the control information acquisition unit 211 acquires control notification information, it notifies the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 of the control information acquisition notification information. Furthermore, when the control information acquisition unit 211 acquires control notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it notifies the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 of the control information acquisition notification information notifying that the control information has been acquired. Then, when the control information acquisition unit 211 is notified by the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 of no-processing notification information indicating that no task is being processed in the device 3, it notifies the control information notification unit 212 of the control information included in the acquired control notification information and the device identification information of the device 3 that is the control target. On the other hand, when the control information acquisition unit 211 receives processing notification information indicating that a task is being processed in the device 3 from the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215, the control information acquisition unit 211 discards the acquired control notification information. When the control information and device identification information are notified, the control information notification unit 212 transfers the notified control information to the device 3 identified by the notified device identification information. Furthermore, the control information notification unit 212 notifies the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 of transfer completion notification information including device identification information of the transfer destination of the control information.

[0015] When the response acquisition unit 213 acquires the above-mentioned processing completion notification information transmitted from the device 3, it notifies the acquired processing completion notification information to the response notification unit 214 and the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215. When the response notification unit 214 is notified of the processing completion notification information from the response acquisition unit 213, it generates completion notification response information including device identification information included in the notified processing completion notification information and communication adapter identification information that identifies the communication adapter 2, and transmits this to the cloud server 1. On the other hand, when the response notification unit 214 is notified of the in-process notification information from the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215, it generates in-process notification response information indicating that the task is being processed in the device 3, and transmits this to the cloud server 1.

[0016] When the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 receives the above-mentioned transfer notification information from the control information notification unit 212, it determines that a task is being processed in the device 3, and notifies the control information acquisition unit 211 of the above-mentioned in-processing notification information. Furthermore, when the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 receives processing completion notification information from the response acquisition unit 213 after notifying the in-processing notification information, it determines that task processing has been completed in the device 3, and thereafter, when the control information notification unit 212 notifies it of the above-mentioned transfer notification information, it notifies the control information acquisition unit 211 of the above-mentioned no-processing notification information. Furthermore, when the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 receives control information acquisition notification information from the control information acquisition unit 211 after receiving the above-mentioned transfer notification information from the control information notification unit 212 and before receiving processing completion notification information from the response acquisition unit 213, it notifies the response notification unit 214 of the in-processing notification information.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 108, and a bus 209 connecting the various units. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 is made up of volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 203 is made up of large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to the wide area network NW1. The clock unit 108 includes, for example, a real-time clock.

[0018] The CPU 101 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an operation information acquisition unit 111, a processing status determination unit 112, a device control unit 113, a processing status management unit 114, a response notification acquisition unit 115, an acceptance failure notification unit 116, and a processing status notification unit 117, as shown in Fig. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in Fig. 2 also has a processing status storage unit 131, as shown in Fig. 3. The main storage unit 202 shown in Fig. 2 also has an operation information buffer 121, as shown in Fig. 3, that temporarily stores operation information indicating the operation content for the device 3 in association with the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated. 4, the processing status storage unit 131 stores the processing status of a task in each device 3, operation information indicating the operation content of the operation corresponding to the processing when the task is being processed, terminal identification information identifying the terminal device 5 that has transmitted the operation information, and processing start date and time information indicating the processing start date and time of the task when the task is being processed, in association with the device identification information and the communication adapter identification information of the communication adapter 2 to which the device 3 is connected. The example shown in FIG. 4 indicates that a process corresponding to the operation of "operation ON" transmitted from the terminal device 5A identified by the terminal identification information IDT[0] is being executed in the device 3A identified by the device identification information "IDE[0]" and connected to the communication adapter 2X identified by the communication adapter identification information IDR[0].

[0019] When the operation information acquisition unit 111 acquires operation notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the terminal identification information of the terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the operation notification information, the operation information, and the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated, which are included in the acquired operation notification information. Then, the operation information acquisition unit 111 stores the extracted information in the operation information buffer 121 in association with each other.

[0020] When new operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information are stored in operation information buffer 121, processing state determination unit 112 refers to processing state information stored in processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information stored in operation information buffer 121, and determines whether device 3 to be operated is currently processing a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information or is waiting to be processed. Here, when processing state determination unit 112 determines that device 3 to be operated is not currently processing a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information, it notifies device control unit 113 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to device 3.

[0021] On the other hand, when the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is currently processing or waiting to be processed based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information, the processing state determination unit 112 determines whether the terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information is identical to the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated, stored in the processing status storage unit 131. Here, it is assumed that the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information is identical to the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information corresponding to the task waiting to be processed of the device 3 to be operated, stored in the processing status storage unit 131. In this case, the processing state determination unit 112 notifies the processing state management unit 114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3. It is also assumed that the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information is identical to the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information corresponding to the task currently being processed of the device 3 to be operated, stored in the processing status storage unit 131. In this case, the processing state determination unit 112 notifies the processing state management unit 114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3, and notifies the device control unit 113 of the operation information and device identification information. Furthermore, it is assumed that the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information is different from the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated, which is stored in the processing status storage unit 131. In this case, the processing state determination unit 112 notifies the acceptance disable notification unit 116 of operation prohibition notification information which includes the terminal identification information of the terminal device 5 that is the sender of the acquired operation notification information, which is stored in the operation information buffer 121, and which indicates that operation from the terminal device 5 is prohibited. Furthermore, it is assumed that, when the processing state information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing state information indicating completion of processing, the processing state determination unit 112 determines that there is a task waiting to be processed for another device 3 having the same communication adapter identification information corresponding to the updated processing state information. In this case, the processing state determination unit 112 notifies the device control unit 113 of the operation information and device identification information corresponding to the device 3 stored in the processing status storage unit 131 .

[0022] When the processing state determination unit 112 determines that a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information is waiting to be processed, the processing state management unit 114 executes a merge process to update the operation information stored in the processing state storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information. Here, if the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information is different from the operation information waiting to be processed, the processing state management unit 114 updates the operation information so that the task based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information is added to the task based on the operation information waiting to be processed. Furthermore, when the processing state management unit 114 determines that a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information is being processed and the sender of the operation notification information is the same, or when it determines that there is no task being processed or waiting to be processed, the processing state management unit 114 updates the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to processing state information indicating that the task is being processed. At this time, processing status management unit 114 stores, in processing status storage unit 131, processing start date and time information measured by clock unit 108 indicating the date and time when the operation information and terminal identification information notified by processing status determination unit 112 are notified, in association with the notified device identification information. Furthermore, when a task being processed is completed and there is a task waiting to be processed for a device 3 having the same communication adapter identification information as the device 3 that processed the completed task, processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to processing status information indicating that the task is being processed. At this time, processing status management unit 114 stores, in processing status storage unit 131, processing start date and time information measured by clock unit 108 indicating the date and time at which the processing status information was updated, in association with the device identification information of the device 3.

[0023] Furthermore, when the processing status management unit 114 is notified of completion notification response information (described below) from the response notification acquisition unit 115, the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired completion notification response information to processing status information indicating completion of processing. Furthermore, when the processing status management unit 114 is notified of in-processing notification response information (described below) from the response notification acquisition unit 115, the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired in-processing notification response information to processing status information indicating in-processing. Furthermore, when the processing status management unit 114 is notified of completion notification response information (described below) from the response notification acquisition unit 115, the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the notified completion notification response information to processing status information indicating completion of processing. Furthermore, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 does not notify the processing completion notification response information or the processing in progress notification response information described below within a preset time after the device control unit 113 notifies the processing status management unit 114 of control information transmission completion notification information described below. Then, the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131, which corresponds to each piece of device identification information identical to the communication adapter identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to which the control notification information is sent, to processing status information indicating a communication interruption.

[0024] When the device control unit 113 is notified by the processing state determination unit 112 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information of the device 3 to be operated, the device control unit 113 transmits control notification information including the notified device identification information and control information generated based on the notified operation information to the communication adapter 2. Furthermore, when the device control unit 113 determines that processing of a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information is pending, after processing of the task based on the operation information included in the other operation notification information is completed, the device control unit 113 generates control notification information including control information for causing the device 3 to process a task based on updated operation information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, and transmits the control notification information to the communication adapter 2. Furthermore, when the device control unit 113 transmits the control notification information to the communication adapter 2, the device control unit 113 notifies the processing state management unit 114 of control information transmission completion notification information notifying that the transmission has been completed.

[0025] When the response notification acquisition unit 115 acquires completion notification response information sent from the communication adapter 2 notifying that processing has been completed in the device 3 or in-process notification response information notifying that processing is currently being performed in the device 3, the response notification acquisition unit 115 notifies the processing status management unit 114 of the acquired information.

[0026] When the non-acceptance notification unit 116 is notified of the above-mentioned operation prohibition notification information from the processing status determination unit 112, it transmits non-acceptance notification information notifying that operations on the equipment 3 cannot be accepted to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information included in the notified operation prohibition notification information.

[0027] When the processing status information stored in processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating processing completion, processing status notification unit 117 generates processing completion notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information and transmits it to terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information. Furthermore, when the processing status information stored in processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating processing wait (standby), processing status notification unit 117 generates waiting notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information and transmits it to terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information. Furthermore, when the processing status information stored in processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating communication disruption, processing status notification unit 117 generates communication disruption notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information and transmits it to terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information.

[0028] Next, the operation of the control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. Here, a case will be described in which two users possess terminal devices 5A and 5B, respectively, and operate device 3 via terminal devices 5A and 5B. First, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that a user possessing terminal device 5A performs a device operation on device 3 using the input unit of terminal device 5A. In this case, terminal device 5A generates operation notification information including operation information indicating the operation content for device 3, device identification information of the device 3 to be operated, and terminal identification information of the terminal device 5A (step S1). The generated operation notification information is transmitted from terminal device 5A to cloud server 1 (step S2). Here, in device operation, the user performs an operation on the input unit of terminal device 5A while terminal device 5 is displaying an operation screen image GA1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(A), on its display unit. The operation screen image GA1 includes button images BU11, BU12, BU13, and BU14 for operating various devices 3. Then, the user operates the device by, for example, touching a portion of the input unit corresponding to button image BU14. Returning to FIG. 5, next, terminal device 5A forms the aforementioned response waiting notification image and displays it on the display unit (step S3). Here, terminal device 5A displays, for example, a response waiting notification image GA2 including an icon image IC21 indicating that a response is waiting, as shown in FIG. 6(B), on the display unit. Returning to FIG. 5, on the other hand, upon acquiring the operation notification information, cloud server 1 extracts the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the extracted information in operation information buffer 121 (step S4). Next, cloud server 1 determines that, for the device 3 to be operated, there is no waiting task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information (step S5), and further determines that there is no task currently being processed based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information (step S6). In this case, the cloud server 1 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131, which corresponds to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, to processing status information indicating that processing is in progress (step S7).Thereafter, the cloud server 1 generates control notification information including control information generated based on the operation information included in the operation notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5A and the device identification information included in the operation notification information (step S8), and the generated control notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the communication adapter 2 (step S9).

[0029] On the other hand, suppose that when the communication adapter 2 acquires the control notification information, it determines that there is no task being processed in the device 3 (step S10). In this case, the communication adapter 2 transfers the control information included in the acquired control notification information to the device 3 identified by the device identification information included in the control notification information (step S11). Next, suppose that the device 3 completes processing of the task based on the control information, and the communication adapter 2 acquires the above-mentioned processing completion notification information transmitted from the device 3 (step S12). In this case, the communication adapter 2 generates completion notification response information including the device identification information included in the acquired processing completion notification information and communication adapter identification information that identifies the communication adapter 2 (step S13), and the generated completion notification response information is transmitted from the communication adapter 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S14).

[0030] Meanwhile, upon acquiring the completion notification response information, the cloud server 1 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired completion notification response information to processing status information indicating completion of processing (step S15). Subsequently, the cloud server 1 generates the aforementioned processing completion notification information, which includes the device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information and is stored in the processing status storage unit 131 (step S16). The generated processing completion notification information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5A identified by the terminal identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S17). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the processing completion notification information, the terminal device 5A, in response to the processing completion notification information, forms a new operation screen image reflecting the state of the device 3 after the processing and updates the operation screen image displayed on the display unit (step S18). Here, the terminal device 5A displays, for example, an operation screen image GA3 as shown in FIG. 6(C) on the display unit. In the operation screen image GA3, the button image BU34 has been updated to a display mode indicating an ON state.

[0031] 7, it is assumed that a user carrying terminal device 5B performs a device operation on device 3 using the input unit of terminal device 5B. In this case, terminal device 5B generates operation notification information including operation information indicating the operation content on device 3, device identification information of device 3 to be operated, and terminal identification information of its own device (step S19), and the generated operation notification information is transmitted from terminal device 5B to cloud server 1 (step S20). Next, terminal device 5B forms the above-mentioned response waiting notification image and displays it on the display unit (step S21). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operation notification information, cloud server 1 extracts the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the extracted information in operation information buffer 121 (step S22). Thereafter, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that, for the device 3 to be operated, there is no waiting task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information (step S23), and further determines that there is a task currently being processed based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information (step S24). Then, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the terminal device 5B that transmitted the acquired operation notification information is different from the terminal device 5A that transmitted the operation notification information corresponding to the currently being processed task (step S25). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates the aforementioned non-acceptance notification information (step S26), and the generated non-acceptance notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5B (step S27). Meanwhile, upon receiving the non-acceptance notification information, the terminal device 5B forms the aforementioned operation failure notification image and displays it on the display unit (step S28). Here, the terminal device 5B displays on the display unit an operation failure notification image GA4 including a message image M41 informing the user that the operation failed because a task corresponding to the operation of another user is currently being processed, as shown in Figure 8(A), for example.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 7, after the processes up to step S9 described above have been executed, it is assumed that the communication adapter 2 determines that there is a task being processed in the device 3 when it acquires the control notification information (step S29). In this case, the communication adapter 2 generates the in-processing notification response information described above (step S30), and the generated in-processing notification response information is transmitted from the communication adapter 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S31). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the in-processing notification response information, the cloud server 1 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired in-processing notification response information to processing status information indicating "waiting" (step S32). Next, the cloud server 1 generates waiting notification information including the device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S33), and transmits the generated waiting notification information from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5A identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S34). 9, when the terminal device 5A acquires the above-described standby notification information, it forms a standby notification image in response to the information and displays it on the display unit (step S35). Here, the terminal device 5A displays, on the display unit, a standby notification image GA5 including an icon image IC51 indicating that a task is waiting to be processed, as shown in FIG. 8(B), for example.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 9 , it is assumed again that the processes up to step S8 described above have been executed, and then the cloud server 1 has executed a process of transmitting control notification information to the communication adapter 2. Thereafter, if a preset time has elapsed without being able to acquire processing-in-progress notification response information or processing-completion notification response information from the communication adapter 2, the cloud server 1 determines that a timeout has occurred (step S36). In this case, the cloud server 1 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131, corresponding to the communication adapter identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to which the control notification information is to be sent, to processing status information indicating a communication disruption (step S37). Next, the cloud server 1 generates the communication disruption notification information described above (step S38), and the generated communication disruption notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5A (step S39). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the communication disruption notification information, the terminal device 5A forms an operation failure notification image in response to the communication disruption notification information and displays it on the display unit (step S40). Here, the terminal device 5A displays on the display unit an operation failure notification image GA6 including a message image M61 notifying the user that the operation has failed due to a communication interruption with the communication adapter 2, as shown in Figure 8(C), for example.

[0034] Next, the device control process executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. This device control process is started, for example, when an application for executing a device management process is launched in the cloud server 1. First, the operation information acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not it has acquired operation notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S101). If the operation information acquisition unit 111 determines that it has not acquired operation notification information (step S101: No), it executes the process of step S111, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it determines that it has acquired operation notification information (step S101: Yes), it extracts, from the acquired operation notification information, the terminal identification information of the terminal device 5 that has transmitted the operation notification information, the operation information, and the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated. Then, the operation information acquisition unit 111 associates the extracted information with each other and stores them in the operation information buffer 121 (step S102).

[0035] Next, the processing state determination unit 112 refers to the processing state information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information stored in the operation information buffer 121, and determines whether the device 3 to be operated is waiting for processing of a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information (step S103). If the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is waiting (step S103: Yes), it determines whether the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information corresponding to the waiting task of the device 3 to be operated, stored in the processing status storage unit 131, is the same as the terminal identification information of the sender of the acquired operation notification information, stored in the operation information buffer 121 (step S104). If the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information is the same (step S104: Yes), it notifies the processing state management unit 114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3. Then, the processing state management unit 114 executes a merge process of updating the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the notified operation information (step S105). If the notified operation information differs from the operation information waiting to be processed, the processing state management unit 114 updates the operation information so that a task based on the notified operation information is added to the task based on the operation information waiting to be processed. Then, the process of step S111, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information differs (step S104: No), it notifies the acceptance non-reception notification unit 116 of the above-mentioned operation prohibition notification information. Then, the acceptance non-reception notification unit 116 transmits the above-mentioned acceptance non-reception notification information to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information included in the notified operation prohibition notification information (step S106). Then, the process of step S111, which will be described later, is executed.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned step S103, if the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is not in standby mode (step S103: No), it determines whether the device 3 to be operated is currently processing a task based on operation information included in operation notification information other than the acquired operation notification information (step S107). If the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is not currently processing the task (step S107: No), the processing of step S109 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is currently processing the task (step S107: Yes), it determines whether the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information corresponding to the task currently being processed by the device 3 to be operated, which is stored in the processing status storage unit 131, is the same as the terminal identification information of the sender of the acquired operation notification information, which is stored in the operation information buffer 121 (step S108). If processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the senders of the operation notification information is different (step S108: No), the processing from step S106 onward is executed. On the other hand, if processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the senders of the operation notification information is the same (step S108: Yes), it notifies processing state management unit 114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to device 3, and also notifies device control unit 113 of the operation information and device identification information. Then, processing state management unit 114 updates the processing state information stored in processing state storage unit 131 and corresponding to the notified device identification information to processing state information indicating "in processing" (step S109). At this time, processing state management unit 114 stores, in processing state storage unit 131, the operation information and terminal identification information notified by processing state determination unit 112, as well as processing start date and time information measured by clock unit 108 that indicates the date and time at which this information was notified, in association with the notified device identification information. Next, when the device control unit 113 is notified of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information of the device 3 to be operated by the processing status determination unit 112, the device control unit 113 generates control notification information including control information generated based on the notified operation information and the notified device identification information, and transmits it to the communication adapter 2 (step S110).

[0037] Next, the response notification acquisition unit 115 determines whether or not the above-mentioned completion notification response information transmitted from the communication adapter 2 has been acquired (step S111). Here, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 determines that the completion notification response information has been acquired (step S111: Yes), it notifies the processing status management unit 114 of the acquired completion notification response information. Then, when the processing status management unit 114 is notified of the completion notification response information, it updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the notified completion notification response information to processing status information indicating completion of processing (step S112). Thereafter, when the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating completion of processing, the processing status notifying unit 117 generates processing completion notification information including the device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information, and transmits the generated processing completion notification information to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S113). Next, when the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating processing completion, the processing status determination unit 112 determines whether or not there is a task waiting to be processed for another device 3 having the same communication adapter identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S114). If the processing status determination unit 112 determines that there is no task waiting for another device 3 having the same adapter identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 (step S114: No), the processing of step S120 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the processing status determination unit 112 determines that there is a task waiting for another device 3 having the same adapter identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 (step S114: Yes), the processing status determination unit 112 notifies the device control unit 113 of the operation information and device identification information corresponding to the device 3 stored in the processing status storage unit 131. Then, the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to processing status information indicating that processing is in progress (step S115). At this time, the processing status management unit 114 stores, in the processing status storage unit 131, processing start date and time information, which is measured by the timing unit 108 and indicates the date and time at which the processing status information was updated, in association with the device identification information of the device 3.Next, the device control unit 113 transmits control notification information including the control information generated based on the operation information notified by the processing state determination unit 112 and the notified device identification information to the communication adapter 2 (step S116). Subsequently, the processing of step S120 described below is executed.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned step S111, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 determines that it has not acquired completion notification response information (step S111: No), it determines whether it has acquired in-processing notification response information transmitted from the communication adapter 2 (step S117). Here, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 determines that it has not acquired in-processing notification response information (step S117: No), the processing of step S120 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 determines that it has acquired in-processing notification response information (step S117: Yes), it notifies the processing status management unit 114 of the acquired in-processing notification response information. Then, when the processing status management unit 114 is notified of the in-processing notification response information, it updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the notified in-processing notification response information to processing status information indicating waiting for processing, i.e., waiting (step S118). Thereafter, when the processing status information stored in the processing status memory unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating waiting, the processing status notification unit 117 generates waiting notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information, and transmits it to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S119).

[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the processing status management unit 114 determines whether a timeout has occurred (step S120). Specifically, if the response notification acquisition unit 115 does not notify the processing completion notification response information or the processing in progress notification response information described below within a preset time after the device control unit 113 has transmitted the control information transmission completion notification information described below, the processing status management unit 114 determines that a timeout has occurred. Here, if the processing status management unit 114 determines that a timeout has not occurred (step S120: No), the processing of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the processing status management unit 114 determines that a timeout has occurred (step S120: Yes), the processing status management unit 114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131, which corresponds to the communication adapter identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to which the control notification information is transmitted, to processing status information indicating a communication interruption (step S121). Next, when the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating a communication disruption, the processing status notification unit 117 generates communication disruption notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information, and transmits the communication disruption notification information to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S122). Thereafter, the processing status management unit 114 determines whether or not there is a task waiting to be processed for another device 3 having the same communication adapter identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S123). Here, if the processing status management unit 114 determines that there is no task waiting for another device 3 having the same adapter identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 (step S123: No), the processing of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the processing status determination unit 112 determines that there is a waiting task for another device 3 with the same adapter identification information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 (step S123: Yes), it updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information of that device 3 to processing status information indicating a communication interruption (step S124).Next, when the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 is updated to processing status information indicating a communication disruption, the processing status notification unit 117 generates communication disruption notification information including device identification information and operation information corresponding to the updated processing status information, and transmits it to the terminal device 5 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the updated processing status information (step S125). Subsequently, the processing of step S101 is executed again.

[0040] Next, the communication control process executed by the communication adapter 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. This communication control process is started, for example, when the communication adapter 2 is powered on and the communication adapter 2 is started. First, the control information acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the control notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S201). If the control information acquisition unit 211 determines that the control notification information has not been acquired (step S201: No), the process of step S205, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the control information acquisition unit 211 determines that the control notification information has been acquired (step S201: Yes), it notifies the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 of the control information acquisition notification information. Next, the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 determines whether or not the device 3 is currently processing a task (step S202). Specifically, when the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 receives the above-mentioned transfer notification information from the control information notifying unit 212, it determines that the task is being processed in the device 3, and when the response acquiring unit 213 notifies it of processing completion notification information after determining that the task is being processed, it determines that the task processing has been completed in the device 3. Here, when the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 determines that the device 3 is processing a task (step S202: Yes), it notifies the control information acquiring unit 211 and the response notifying unit 214 of the above-mentioned in-processing notification information. Then, the response notifying unit 214 generates the above-mentioned in-processing notification response information and transmits it to the cloud server 1 (step S203), and the processing from step S205 onwards, which will be described later, is executed. Furthermore, when the control information acquiring unit 211 is notified of the in-processing notification information, it discards the acquired control notification information.

[0041] On the other hand, if the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 determines that no task is being processed in the device 3 (step S202: No), it notifies the control information acquisition unit 211 of the above-mentioned no-processing notification information. Then, the control information acquisition unit 211 notifies the control information notification unit 212 of the control information included in the acquired control notification information and the device identification information of the device 3 to be controlled, and the control information notification unit 212 transfers the notified control information to the device 3 identified by the notified device identification information (step S204). Next, the response acquisition unit 213 determines whether or not the above-mentioned processing completion notification information transmitted from the device 3 has been acquired (step S205). Here, if the response acquisition unit 213 determines that the above-mentioned processing completion notification information has not been acquired (step S205: No), the processing of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, when the response acquisition unit 213 determines that processing completion notification information has been acquired (step S205: Yes), it notifies the acquired processing completion notification information to the response notification unit 214 and the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215. Then, the response notification unit 214 generates completion notification response information including the device identification information included in the notified processing completion notification information and communication adapter identification information that identifies the communication adapter 2, and transmits the information to the cloud server 1 (step S206). Subsequently, the processing of step S201 is executed again.

[0042] As described above, in the control system according to the present embodiment, when the processing status determination unit 112 of the cloud server 1 acquires the above-described operation notification information, the processing status determination unit 112 references processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is currently processing a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information, or is waiting for processing of the task. When the device control unit 113 determines that the device 3 is not currently processing a task or is not waiting for processing, the device control unit 113 generates control information for executing the task based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information on the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the device 3 to be operated. This reduces the capacity of the buffer for temporarily storing control information in the communication adapter 2, thereby simplifying the configuration of the communication adapter 2.

[0043] Incidentally, when the communication adapter 2 according to the present embodiment is used in a state in which multiple devices 3 are connected, a restriction is imposed that prohibits tasks on the other devices 3 until a task on one of the multiple devices 3 is completed, thereby simplifying the processing on the communication adapter 2, thereby achieving low prices. When using such a communication adapter 2, even if the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment simultaneously receives operation information corresponding to tasks on each of the multiple devices 3, it can prevent any of the tasks corresponding to the received operation information from being left unexecuted.

[0044] Furthermore, when it is determined that a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information is not being processed or waiting to be processed, the processing status management unit 114 according to this embodiment updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to processing status information indicating that the task is being processed. Furthermore, when it is determined that a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information is not being processed or waiting to be processed, the device control unit 113 generates control information for controlling the device 3 to be operated based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information and transmits the control information to the communication adapter 2. This makes it possible to prevent the control information transmitted by the device control unit 113 from being discarded in the communication adapter 2 due to a task being processed in a device 3 other than the device 3 to be operated that is connected to the communication adapter 2.

[0045] Furthermore, the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment further includes an acceptance denial notification unit 116 that generates the aforementioned acceptance denial notification information and transmits it to the terminal device 5B that transmitted the acquired operation notification information when it is determined that the cloud server 1 is currently processing or waiting for processing a task based on operation information included in operation notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5A and the terminal device 5B that transmitted the acquired operation notification information is different from the terminal device 5A that transmitted other operation notification information. The device control unit 113 does not generate control information based on the operation information included in the operation notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5B. This prevents tasks based on operation information included in operation notification information transmitted from the terminal devices 5A and 5B from being mixed in the same device 3, thereby preventing the device 3 from performing an operation unintended by the user operating the terminal devices 5A and 5B. Furthermore, by limiting the tasks processed by the device 3 to tasks based on operation information transmitted from either the terminal devices 5A or 5B, the processing content executed by the communication adapter 2 can be simplified and the processing load on the communication adapter 2 can be reduced.

[0046] Furthermore, upon acquiring control information, the communication adapter 2 according to this embodiment determines whether or not a task based on other control information is being processed in the device 3. If it is determined that a task based on other control information is being processed in the device 3, the communication adapter 2 generates in-processing notification response information including the device identification information of the device 3 and transmits the in-processing notification response information to the cloud server 1. Upon acquiring the in-processing notification response information, the processing status management unit 114 of the cloud server 1 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the in-processing notification response information to processing status information indicating awaiting processing. Furthermore, if it is determined that a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information is being processed, the device control unit 113 generates control information for processing the task based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information in the device 3 to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter 2. This improves the accuracy of determining the processing status of the communication adapter 2 in the cloud server 1, thereby enabling appropriate transmission of control information to the communication adapter 2 according to the processing status of the communication adapter 2.

[0047] Furthermore, the terminal device 5 according to this embodiment forms an operation screen image showing the operation content performed by the user via the input unit and displays it on the display unit, making it easier for the user to understand the operation content corresponding to the task processed by the device 3, thereby improving the usability of the control system.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) In the control system according to this embodiment, when the communication adapter acquires control information, it determines whether or not there is a task based on other control information being processed in the device, and if it determines that there is a task based on other control information being processed in the device, it discards the acquired control information without transmitting the in-processing notification response information described in embodiment 1, which is different from the communication adapter described in embodiment 1. The control device can handle both cases where the communication adapter has the function of transmitting in-processing response notification information as described in embodiment 1 and cases where it does not have the function of transmitting the in-processing response notification information.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 13, the communication system according to this embodiment includes a cloud server 2001 and communication adapters 2 and 2002. In Fig. 13, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3. The hardware configurations of the cloud server 2001 and the communication adapter 2002 are similar to those of the cloud server 1 and the communication adapter 2 described in the first embodiment, respectively. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hardware configurations of the cloud server 2001 and the communication adapter 2002 will be described using the reference numerals shown in Fig. 2 as appropriate.

[0050] In communication adapter 2002, CPU 201 loads a program stored in auxiliary memory unit 203 into main memory unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as control information acquisition unit 211, control information notification unit 212, response acquisition unit 2213, response notification unit 214, and in-process task presence / absence determination unit 2215. When response notification unit 2214 is notified of processing completion notification information from response acquisition unit 213, it generates completion notification response information including device identification information included in the notified processing completion notification information and communication adapter identification information that identifies communication adapter 2, and transmits the completion notification response information to cloud server 1.

[0051] When the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 2215 is notified of the above-mentioned transfer notification information from the control information notification unit 212, it determines that a task is being processed in the device 3, and notifies the above-mentioned in-processing notification information to the control information acquisition unit 211. Furthermore, after notifying the in-processing notification information, when the in-processing task presence / absence determination unit 2215 is notified of processing completion notification information from the response acquisition unit 213, it determines that task processing has been completed in the device 3, and thereafter, when the above-mentioned transfer notification information is notified from the control information notification unit 212, it notifies the control information acquisition unit 211 of the above-mentioned no-processing notification information.

[0052] In the cloud server 2001, the CPU 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as an operation information acquisition unit 111, a processing status determination unit 2112, a device control unit 113, a processing status management unit 2114, a response notification acquisition unit 115, an unacceptable notification unit 116, and a processing status notification unit 117. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also has a processing status storage unit 131 and a communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132. The communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132 stores response specification information indicating the response specifications of each of the communication adapters 2 and 2002 in association with communication adapter identification information, as shown in Fig. 14, for example. In the example shown in Figure 14, the communication adapter 2X identified by the communication adapter identification information "IDR[0]" sends processing notification response information to the cloud server 1 when there is a task being processed in the device 3, and the communication adapter 2Y identified by the communication adapter identification information "IDR[1]" discards the control information without sending processing notification response information to the cloud server 1 even when there is a task being processed in the device 3.

[0053] 13 , when new operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information are stored in the operation information buffer 121, the processing status determination unit 2112 refers to the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information stored in the operation information buffer 121, and determines that the device 3 to be operated is not waiting for processing of a task based on operation information included in operation notification information other than the acquired operation notification information. In this case, the processing status determination unit 2112 refers to the response specification information stored in the communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132 and determines whether the communication adapter 2, 2002 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected can receive control notification information currently being processed. Here, if the response specification information stored in the communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132 indicates “response during processing,” the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the control notification information currently being processed can be received, and if the response specification information indicates “discard,” the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the control notification information currently being processed cannot be received. Furthermore, if the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the communication adapter 2002 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected is unable to receive control notification information currently being processed, it determines that the terminal identification information included in the acquired operation notification information is identical to the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the device 3 to be operated, which is stored in the processing status storage unit 131. In this case, the processing status determination unit 2112 notifies the processing status management unit 2114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3.

[0054] Assume that the processing status management unit 2114 is currently processing a task based on operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information, the sender of the operation notification information is the same, and the processing status management unit 2114 determines, by referring to the response specification information stored in the communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132, that the communication adapter 2002 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected cannot receive control notification information currently being processed. In this case, the processing status management unit 2114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to processing status information indicating waiting for processing, i.e., on standby.

[0055] Next, the device control process executed by the cloud server 2001 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16. In Figs. 15 and 16, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 10 and 11. First, the processes of steps S101 and S102 are executed, and then the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is not in standby mode (step S103: No). In this case, the processing status determination unit 2112 refers to the response specification information stored in the communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132 and determines whether or not the communication adapter 2, 2002 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected can receive control notification information being processed (step S2101). If the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is not on standby (step S103: No), it references the response specification information stored in the communication adapter response specification storage unit 2132 and determines whether the communication adapter 2, 2002 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected can receive control notification information currently being processed (step S2101).If the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that the communication adapter 2 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected can receive control notification information currently being processed (step S2101: Yes), a series of processes from step S107 onwards are executed.

[0056] On the other hand, if the processing state determination unit 2112 determines that the communication adapter 2 to which the device 3 to be operated is connected cannot receive control notification information currently being processed (step S2101: No), it determines whether the device 3 to be operated is currently processing a task based on operation information included in operation notification information other than the acquired operation notification information, as shown in Fig. 16 (step S2102). If the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 to be operated is currently processing a task (step S2102: Yes), it determines whether the terminal identification information of the source of the operation notification information corresponding to the task currently being processed by the device 3 to be operated, which is stored in the processing status storage unit 131, is the same as the terminal identification information of the source of the acquired operation notification information stored in the operation information buffer 121 (step S2103). If the processing state determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the source of the operation notification information is different (step S2103: No), the processing from step S106 onwards is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the processing status determination unit 112 determines that the terminal identification information of the sender of the operation notification information is the same (step S2103: Yes). In this case, the processing status determination unit 2112 notifies the processing status management unit 2114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3. Then, the processing status management unit 2114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the notified device identification information to processing status information indicating waiting for processing, i.e., waiting (step S2104). Next, the processing from step S111 onwards is executed.

[0057] Furthermore, in step S2102, if the processing status determination unit 2112 determines that there is no task being processed for the device 3 to be operated (step S2102: No), it notifies the processing status management unit 2114 of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information corresponding to the device 3, and notifies the device control unit 113 of the operation information and device identification information. Then, the processing status management unit 2114 updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to the notified device identification information to processing status information indicating "in processing" (step S2105). At this time, the processing status management unit 2114 stores, in the processing status storage unit 131, the operation information and terminal identification information notified by the processing status determination unit 112, as well as processing start date and time information measured by the clock unit 108 and indicating the date and time when these pieces of information were notified, in association with the notified device identification information. Next, when the device control unit 113 is notified of the operation information, device identification information, and terminal identification information of the device 3 to be operated by the processing state determination unit 112, the device control unit 113 generates control notification information including the control information generated based on the notified operation information and the notified device identification information, and transmits the control notification information to the communication adapter 2 (step S2106). Subsequently, the processing from step S111 onwards is executed.

[0058] Next, the communication control processing executed by the communication adapter 2002 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. In Fig. 17, the same processing as that of the communication adapter 2 according to the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 12. First, when the control information acquisition unit 211 determines that control notification information has been acquired (step S201: Yes), the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 determines whether the device 3 is currently processing a task (step S202). Here, when the in-process task presence / absence determination unit 215 determines that the device 3 is currently processing a task (step S202: Yes), the control information acquisition unit 211 discards the acquired control notification information (step S2201). Next, the processing from step S205 onwards is executed.

[0059] As described above, in the device management system according to this embodiment, even if the communication adapter 2002 is configured to discard the acquired control information without sending processing notification response information when it determines that there is a task based on other control information being processed in the device 3, the cloud server 2001 can manage the processing status of the task in the device 3.

[0060] Furthermore, when it is determined that processing based on operation information included in other operation notification information is in progress or waiting for processing, processing status management unit 114 according to this embodiment updates processing status information stored in processing status storage unit 131 and corresponding to device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to processing status information indicating waiting for processing. This prevents the control information corresponding to the received pieces of operation information from being discarded and the tasks based on the discarded control information from being left unexecuted even when operation information corresponding to tasks of multiple devices 3 connected to communication adapter 2002 is received at the same time.

[0061] Although the above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the communication adapter 2 may include a control information buffer (not shown) that temporarily stores at least one control notification. In this case, when the control information acquisition unit 211 of the communication adapter 2 receives processing notification information indicating that a task is being processed in the device 3 from the processing task presence / absence determination unit 215, the control information acquisition unit 211 stores the acquired control notification information in the control buffer as long as the number of control notification information stored in the control information buffer is less than the maximum number of control notification information that can be stored. When the number of control notification information stored in the control information buffer reaches the maximum number of control notification information that can be stored, the control information acquisition unit 211 may retrieve the control notification information stored in the control information buffer using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method each time the processing task presence / absence determination unit 215 receives no processing notification information indicating that a task is not being processed in the device 3, and notify the control information notification unit 212 of the control information included in the retrieved control notification information and the device identification information of the controlled device 3.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control information acquisition unit 211 notifies the in-processing notification information after the control information notifying unit 212 notifies the above-mentioned transfer notification information and before the response acquiring unit 213 notifies the processing completion notification information, the in-processing task presence determining unit 215 may not notify the response notifying unit 214 of the in-processing notification information as long as the number of consecutively notified control information acquisition notification information is less than the maximum number that can be stored in the control information buffer when the control information acquisition notification information is notified from the control information acquiring unit 211. Then, the in-processing task presence determining unit 215 may notify the response notifying unit 214 of the in-processing notification information if the number of consecutively notified control information acquisition notification information reaches the maximum number that can be stored in the control information buffer when the control information acquisition notification information is notified from the control information acquiring unit 211.

[0063] This configuration reduces the amount of control notification information discarded in the communication adapter 2. This reduces the amount of retransmission of control notification information from the cloud server 1 to the communication adapter 2, thereby reducing the amount of communication between the cloud server 1 and the communication adapter 2.

[0064] In each embodiment, the communication adapter 2, 2002 may be provided integrally with the device 3.

[0065] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud servers 1, 2001 and communication adapters 2, 2002 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc). The program may then be read and installed on a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, if each function is realized by sharing the work between an operating system (OS) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

[0066] Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs can then be launched and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0067] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0069] (Appendix 1) a communications adapter to which at least one device is connected, which, after transferring control information for controlling the device to the device, avoids transferring the control information to the device until it receives completion notification information from the device notifying that processing based on the control information has been completed; a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one of the devices in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is an operation target; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in another piece of operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter after the processing of the first task is completed. Control system. (Appendix 2) when it is determined that the first task is not being processed or is not waiting to be processed, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to the processing status information indicating that the first task is being processed; When it is determined that the first task is not being processed or is not waiting to be processed, the device control unit generates the control information for processing a third task based on operation information included in the acquired operation notification information in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. 10. The control system of claim 1. (Appendix 3) Further comprising a plurality of terminal devices, further comprising an acceptance failure notification unit that, when it is determined that the first task is being processed or waiting to be processed and the terminal device that has transmitted the acquired operation notification information is different from the terminal device that has transmitted the other operation notification information, generates acceptance failure notification information indicating that the operation cannot be received and transmits the generated acceptance failure notification information to the terminal device that has transmitted the acquired operation notification information; the device control unit does not generate the control information based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information. 3. The control system of claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) When the communication adapter acquires the control information, it determines whether or not there is another task based on the control information currently being processed in the device, and when it determines that there is another task based on the control information currently being processed in the device, it generates processing notification response information including the device identification information of the device, When the processing status management unit acquires the in-processing notification response information, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the in-processing notification response information to the processing status information indicating waiting for processing. 4. The control system of any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) when it is determined that the first task is being processed, the device control unit generates control information for processing the second task in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. 10. The control system of claim 4. (Appendix 6) When the communication adapter acquires the control information, it determines whether or not there is another task based on the control information being processed in the device, and when it determines that there is another task based on the control information being processed in the device, it discards the control information; when it is determined that the first task is being processed or is waiting to be processed, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to the processing status information indicating waiting to be processed. 4. The control system of any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 7) further comprising at least one terminal device having a display unit and an input unit; at least one of the terminal devices forms an operation screen image representing the operation content performed by the user via the input unit and displays the image on the display unit; 10. The control system of any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) A control device is configured to control at least one device via a communication adapter that is connected to the device, and that prevents transfer of control information to the device after transferring control information for controlling the device to the device until completion notification information notifying that task processing based on the control information has been completed is received from the device, a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one of the devices in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is an operation target; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in another piece of operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, after the processing of the first task is completed, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. Control device. (Appendix 9) A control method for controlling at least one device via a communication adapter, in which at least one device is connected, and after control information for controlling the device is transferred to the device, the communication adapter prevents transfer of the control information to the device until completion notification information notifying that processing of a task based on the control information has been completed is obtained from the device, the method comprising: when acquiring operation notification information including operation information indicating operation content for the device and device identification information identifying the device to be operated, referring to the processing status information corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information stored in a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation for at least one of the devices in association with the device identification information identifying each of the at least one device to be operated, and determining whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information; updating, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, after the processing of the first task is completed, generating control information for processing, by the device to be operated, a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, and storing the control information in the processing status storage unit, and transmitting the control information to the communication adapter. Control method. (Appendix 10) Computer, a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one device in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is to be operated; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information stored in the processing state storage unit, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in other operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information after the processing of the first task is completed, and, after at least one of the devices is connected and the control information for controlling the device is transferred to the device, transmits the control information to a communication adapter that avoids transferring the control information to the device until completion notification information notifying that the processing based on the control information has been completed is acquired from the device; A program to function as a [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present disclosure is suitable as a control system for remotely controlling equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1,2001 cloud server, 2,2002 communication adapter, 3,3A,3B,3C,3D equipment, 5,5A,5B terminal device, 101,201 CPU, 102,202 main memory unit, 103,203 auxiliary memory unit, 106 communication unit, 108 timing unit, 109,209 bus, 111 operation information acquisition unit, 112,2112 processing state determination unit, 113 equipment control unit, 114,2114 processing state management unit, 115 response notification acquisition unit, 116 non-acceptance notification unit, 117 processing state notification unit, 121 operation information buffer, 131 processing status storage unit, 211 control information acquisition unit, 212 control information notification unit, 213 response acquisition unit, 214,2214 response notification unit, 215,2215 Processing task presence / absence determination unit, 261 wide area communication unit, 262 local communication unit, 2132 communication adapter response specification memory unit, BU11, BU12, BU13, BU14, BU34 button image, GA1, GA3 operation screen image, GA2 response waiting notification image, GA4, GA6 operation failure notification image, GA5 waiting notification image, M41, M61 message image, NW1 wide area network

Claims

1. a communications adapter to which at least one device is connected, which, after transferring control information for controlling the device to the device, avoids transferring the control information to the device until it receives completion notification information from the device notifying that processing based on the control information has been completed; a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one of the devices in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is an operation target; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in another piece of operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, by the device to be operated, after the processing of the first task is completed, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. Control system.

2. when it is determined that the first task is not being processed or is not waiting to be processed, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to the processing status information indicating that the first task is being processed; When it is determined that the first task is not being processed or is not waiting to be processed, the device control unit generates the control information for processing a third task based on operation information included in the acquired operation notification information in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. The control system of claim 1 .

3. Further comprising a plurality of terminal devices; a non-acceptance notification unit that, when it is determined that the first task is being processed or waiting to be processed and the terminal device that has transmitted the acquired operation notification information is different from the terminal device that has transmitted the other operation notification information, generates non-acceptance notification information indicating that the operation cannot be received and transmits the generated notification information to the terminal device that has transmitted the acquired operation notification information; the device control unit does not generate the control information based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the communication adapter acquires the control information, it determines whether or not there is another task based on the control information currently being processed in the device, and when it determines that there is another task based on the control information currently being processed in the device, it generates processing notification response information including the device identification information of the device, When the processing status management unit acquires the in-processing notification response information, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the in-processing notification response information to the processing status information indicating waiting for processing.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. when it is determined that the first task is being processed, the device control unit generates control information for processing the second task in the device to be operated, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. The control system of claim 4.

6. When the communication adapter acquires the control information, it determines whether or not there is another task based on the control information being processed in the device, and when it determines that there is another task based on the control information being processed in the device, it discards the control information; When it is determined that the first task is being processed or is waiting to be processed, the processing status management unit updates the processing status information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information to the processing status information indicating waiting to be processed.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. further comprising at least one terminal device having a display unit and an input unit; at least one of the terminal devices forms an operation screen image representing the content of an operation performed by a user via the input unit and displays the image on the display unit; 3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A control device is configured to control at least one device via a communication adapter that is connected to the device, and that prevents transfer of control information for controlling the device to the device until completion notification information is received from the device, the completion notification information notifying that processing of a task based on the control information has been completed, and controls the at least one device; a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one of the devices in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device that is an operation target; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information stored in the processing state storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in another piece of operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, by the device to be operated, after the processing of the first task is completed, and transmits the control information to the communication adapter. Control device.

9. A control method for controlling at least one device via a communication adapter, in which at least one device is connected, and after control information for controlling the device is transferred to the device, the communication adapter prevents transfer of the control information to the device until completion notification information notifying that processing of a task based on the control information has been completed is obtained from the device, the method comprising: when acquiring operation notification information including operation information indicating operation content for the device and device identification information identifying the device to be operated, referring to the processing status information corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information, the processing status information being stored in a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation for at least one of the devices in association with the device identification information identifying each of the at least one device to be operated, and determining whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in other operation notification information different from the acquired operation notification information; updating, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; when it is determined that the processing of the first task is waiting, after the processing of the first task is completed, generating control information for processing, by the device to be operated, a second task based on the updated operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, and transmitting the control information to the communication adapter. Control method.

10. Computer, a processing status storage unit that stores processing status information indicating a processing status of each operation on at least one device in association with device identification information that identifies each of the at least one device to be operated; a processing state determination unit that, upon receiving operation notification information including operation information indicating operation details for the device and the device identification information of the device to be operated, references the processing state information corresponding to the device identification information included in the operation notification information stored in the processing state storage unit, and determines whether the device to be operated is waiting for processing of a first task based on the operation information included in other operation notification information different from the received operation notification information; a processing status management unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, updates the operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information, based on the operation information included in the acquired operation notification information; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the first task is waiting to be processed, generates control information for processing a second task based on the updated operation information stored in the processing status storage unit and corresponding to the device identification information included in the acquired operation notification information after the processing of the first task is completed, and, after at least one of the devices is connected and the control information for controlling the device is transferred to the device, transmits the control information to a communication adapter that avoids transferring the control information to the device until completion notification information notifying that the processing based on the control information has been completed is acquired from the device; A program to function as a

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