Terminal location management device, terminal location management method, terminal location management program, and terminal location management system

Abstract

The location of terminal devices connected to the network is managed appropriately. [Solution] The terminal location management device includes an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to network devices from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, and a management unit that manages the location of terminal devices connected to network devices by referring to the location information and terminal device information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal location management apparatus, a terminal location management method, a terminal location management program, and a terminal location management system. [Background Art]

[0002] Technologies for grasping the location of managed devices are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a management server that creates a map corresponding to an actual floor configuration from a movement route obtained when inventory is performed by reading a recording medium such as a barcode attached to an asset to be managed with a reader. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-186586 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the management server described in Patent Document 1, terminal devices not attached with a recording medium such as a barcode cannot be managed. Therefore, in the management server described in Patent Document 1, even if a terminal device is connected to a network, there is a problem that the installation location cannot be specified if the terminal device is not attached with a recording medium.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problem, and an exemplary object thereof is to provide a technology for suitably managing the location of a terminal device connected to a network. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] An example of a terminal location management device relating to this disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, and a management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices by referring to the location information and the terminal device information.

[0007] An example of a terminal location management method relating to this disclosure includes an acquisition process in which at least one processor acquires location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating a terminal device connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, and a management process in which the at least one processor manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information.

[0008] An exemplary terminal location management program relating to this disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function as a terminal location management device, wherein the computer functions as an acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, and a management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices by referring to the location information and the terminal device information.

[0009] An exemplary terminal location management system relating to this disclosure includes an equipment management system for managing the location of network equipment and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal equipment connected to the network equipment, wherein the equipment management system comprises location information acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of the network equipment and output means for outputting the location information, and the terminal management system comprises acquisition means for acquiring the location information and terminal equipment information indicating terminal equipment connected to the network equipment, and management means for managing the location of terminal equipment connected to the network equipment by referring to the location information and the terminal equipment information.

[0010] An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to a terminal location management method, which is performed in a terminal location management system that includes an equipment management system for managing the location of network equipment and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal equipment connected to the network equipment, wherein the equipment management system comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor includes a location information acquisition process for acquiring location information indicating the location of the network equipment and an output process for outputting the location information, and the terminal management system comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor includes an acquisition process for acquiring the location information and terminal equipment information indicating terminal equipment connected to the network equipment, and a management process for managing the location of terminal equipment connected to the network equipment by referring to the location information and the terminal equipment information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] One exemplary aspect of this disclosure is that it can provide a technology for suitably managing the location of terminal devices connected to a network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal location management device related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the flow of the terminal location management method related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal location management system related to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the terminal location management method related to this disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows examples of network equipment and terminal equipment related to this disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows the configuration of the equipment location management system related to this disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the terminal location management method related to this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of computers that function as terminal location management devices, terminal management systems, and equipment management systems, respectively, according to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following are examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining some or all of the technologies (things or methods) employed in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments obtained by appropriately omitting some of the technologies employed in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the effects mentioned in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below are examples of effects that can be expected in that exemplary embodiment and do not define the scope of the present invention. That is, embodiments that do not produce the effects mentioned in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0014] [First Exemplary Embodiment] A first exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of each exemplary embodiment described later. Note that the scope of application of each technology employed in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technology employed in this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, as long as no particular technical impediment occurs. Also, each technology shown in the drawings referred to for describing this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, as long as no particular technical impediment occurs.

[0015] (Configuration of Terminal Location Management Apparatus 1) The configuration of the terminal location management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal location management apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal location management apparatus 1 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a management unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 and the management unit 12 respectively implement an acquisition means and a management means in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0016] (Acquisition Unit 11) The acquisition unit 11 acquires, from a device management system that manages the location of a network device, location information indicating the location of the network device and terminal device information indicating a terminal device connected to the network device. The acquisition unit 11 supplies the acquired location information and terminal device information to the management unit 12.

[0017] (Management Unit 12) The management unit 12 manages the location of the terminal device connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0018] (Effects of Terminal Location Management Apparatus 1) As described above, the terminal location management apparatus 1 is configured to include: an acquisition unit 11 that acquires, from a device management system that manages the positions of network devices, position information indicating the positions of the network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices; and a management unit 12 that manages the positions of the terminal devices connected to the network devices with reference to the position information and the terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0019] Therefore, according to the terminal location management apparatus 1, an advantageous effect is obtained that the positions of terminal devices connected to a network can be suitably managed.

[0020] (Flow of Terminal Location Management Method S1) The flow of the terminal location management method S1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the terminal location management method S1. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal location management method S1 includes an acquisition process S11 and a management process S12.

[0021] (Acquisition Process S11) In the acquisition process S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires, from a device management system that manages the positions of network devices, position information indicating the positions of the network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices. The acquisition unit 11 supplies the acquired position information and terminal device information to the management unit 12.

[0022] (Management Process S12) In the management process S12, the management unit 12 manages the positions of the terminal devices connected to the network devices with reference to the position information and the terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 in the acquisition process S11.

[0023] (Effects of Terminal Location Management Method S1) As described above, the terminal location management method S1 employs a configuration that includes an acquisition process S11 in which the acquisition unit 11 acquires location information indicating the location of network devices and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to network devices from a device management system that manages the locations of network devices, and a management process S12 in which the management unit 12 manages the locations of terminal devices connected to network devices by referring to the location information and terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. For this reason, the terminal location management method S1 has the same effect as the terminal location management device 1 described above.

[0024] (Configuration of terminal location management system 100A) The configuration of the terminal location management system 100A will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal location management system 100A. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal location management system 100A includes a device management system 2A that manages the location of network devices and a terminal management system 1A that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices.

[0025] (Equipment Management System 2A) As shown in Figure 3, the device management system 2A includes a location information acquisition unit 21 and an output unit 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 21A and the output unit 22A implement the location information acquisition means and output means, respectively.

[0026] (Location information acquisition unit 21A) The location information acquisition unit 21A acquires location information indicating the location of network devices. The location information acquisition unit 21A supplies the acquired location information to the output unit 22A.

[0027] (Output section 22A) The output unit 22A outputs the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21A to the terminal management system 1A.

[0028] (Terminal Management System 1A) As shown in Figure 3, the terminal management system 1A includes an acquisition unit 11A and a management unit 12A. In this exemplary embodiment, the acquisition unit 11A and the management unit 12A implement an acquisition means and a management means, respectively.

[0029] (Acquisition part 11A) The acquisition unit 11A acquires location information indicating the location of network devices output from the device management system 2A, and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices. The acquisition unit 11A supplies the acquired location information and terminal device information to the management unit 12A.

[0030] (Management Department 12A) The management unit 12A manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A.

[0031] (Effects of the terminal location management system 100A) As described above, in the terminal location management system 100A, which includes a device management system 2A for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system 1A for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, the device management system 2A is configured to include a location information acquisition unit 21A for acquiring location information indicating the location of network devices, and an output unit 22A for outputting the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21A to the terminal management system 1A. Furthermore, the terminal management system 1A is configured to include an acquisition unit 11A for acquiring location information indicating the location of network devices output from the device management system 2A and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network devices, and a management unit 12A for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices by referring to the location information and terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A. For this reason, the terminal location management system 100A has the same effect as the terminal location management device 1 described above.

[0032] (Procedure for terminal location management method S100A) The flow of the terminal location management method S100A will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the terminal location management method S100A. As shown in Figure 4, the terminal location management method S100A includes location information acquisition processing S21A, output processing S22A, acquisition processing S11A, and management processing S12A.

[0033] (Location information acquisition process S21A) In the location information acquisition process S21A, the location information acquisition unit 21A of the device management system 2A acquires location information indicating the location of network devices. The location information acquisition unit 21A supplies the acquired location information to the output unit 22A.

[0034] (Output processing S22A) In output processing S22A, the output unit 22A outputs the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21A in location information acquisition processing S21A to the terminal management system 1A.

[0035] (Acquisition process S11A) In acquisition process S11A, the acquisition unit 11A of the terminal management system 1A acquires location information and terminal device information. Specifically, in acquisition process S11A, the acquisition unit 11A executes the following steps S111A and S112A.

[0036] (Step S111A) In step S111A, the acquisition unit 11A acquires location information indicating the location of network devices output by the output unit 22A in output processing S22A. The acquisition unit 11A supplies the acquired location information to the management unit 12A.

[0037] (Step S112A) In step S112A, the acquisition unit 11A acquires terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device. The acquisition unit 11A supplies the acquired terminal device information to the management unit 12A.

[0038] (Management process S12A) In management processing S12A, the management unit 12A manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A in acquisition processing S11A.

[0039] (Effects of terminal location management method S100A) As described above, in the terminal location management method S100A, the device management system 2A executes a location information acquisition process S21A in which the location information acquisition unit 21A acquires location information indicating the location of network devices, and an output process S22A in which the output unit 22A outputs the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21A in the location information acquisition process S21A to the terminal management system 1A. Furthermore, in the terminal location management method S100A, the terminal management system 1A executes an acquisition process S11A in which the acquisition unit 11A acquires location information and terminal device information, and a management process S12A in which the management unit 12A manages the location of terminal devices connected to network devices by referring to the location information and terminal device information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A in the acquisition process S11A. For this reason, the terminal location management method S100A has the same effect as the terminal location management device 1 described above.

[0040] [Second exemplary embodiment] A second exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components having the same function as those described in the above-described exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The scope of application of each technology adopted in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technology adopted in this exemplary embodiment can also be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical problems arise. Furthermore, each technology shown in the drawings referenced to describe this exemplary embodiment can also be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical problems arise.

[0041] (Overview of the device location management system 100B) The device location management system 100B is a system that manages the location of network devices NE and terminal devices TE connected to the network devices NE. In other words, the device location management system 100B has the functions of the terminal location management system 100A described above. The network devices NE and terminal devices TE will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing examples of network devices NE and terminal devices TE.

[0042] Network devices (NE) are devices that enable multiple terminal devices (TE) to send and receive data from each other over a network. Examples of network devices (NE) include servers, routers, and switches, as shown in Figure 5, and can be referred to as network devices NE1 to NE4. Another example of a network device (NE) is a Wi-Fi® access point.

[0043] If a company has network equipment (NE) installed within its premises, the company needs to manage the location of that network equipment, which is considered an asset. The system used to manage the location of network equipment is called the equipment management system 2B. For example, in the equipment management system 2B, the location of network equipment is registered by conducting an asset inventory every six months.

[0044] Here, "assets" in this disclosure refers to monetary value property owned by the company. Assets include not only assets purchased by the company, but also leased assets acquired through lease transactions.

[0045] Terminal devices TE are devices connected to network devices NE and send and receive data with other terminal devices TE via the network. Examples of terminal devices TE are not particularly limited, but in addition to user terminals such as PCs (Personal Compute) and smartphones, examples include camera TE1 connected to switch NE3 and robot arm TE2 connected to switch NE4, as shown in Figure 5.

[0046] Terminal equipment TE may or may not be an asset. In other words, the location of terminal equipment TE may or may not be managed in the equipment management system 2B, but this disclosure describes terminal equipment TE whose location is not managed in the equipment management system 2B.

[0047] (Configuration of the equipment location management system 100B) The configuration of the device location management system 100B will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device location management system 100B. As shown in Figure 6, the device location management system 100B is composed of a device management system 2B and a terminal management system 1B.

[0048] In the device location management system 100B, the device management system 2B and the terminal management system 1B can communicate via network N, as shown in Figure 6. Network N is as described above.

[0049] (Configuration of the device management system 2B) The equipment management system 2B is a system for managing the location of assets. Specifically, in asset inventory, the equipment management system 2B registers the network equipment NE, which is an asset, and the location of said network equipment NE. In other words, the equipment management system 2B can also be described as an asset management system that manages the location of assets. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the equipment management system 2B includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 27, an input / output unit 28, and a communication unit 29.

[0050] (Storage unit 27) The storage unit 27 stores data that the control unit 20 references. Examples of the storage unit 27 include, but are not limited to, flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof. An example of data stored in the storage unit 27 is location information PI and installation location information II, as shown in Figure 6.

[0051] Location information PI is information that indicates the location of network equipment NE, which is an asset. Examples of location information PI include information indicating the floor on which network equipment NE is installed and information indicating the room in which network equipment NE is installed.

[0052] Installation location information II is information about the location where network equipment NE is installed. An example of installation location information II is information showing the room layout on a floor. Installation location information II may also be information about newly added installation locations. For example, if a new floor with network equipment NE installed is added in addition to the existing floors, the information may be information showing the room layout on the floor where the network equipment NE is newly installed.

[0053] (Input / output section 28) The input / output unit 28 is an interface to input devices that accept data input and output devices that output data. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, microphones, cameras, eye-tracking devices, keyboards, and touchpads. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, speakers and liquid crystal displays. Furthermore, the input / output unit 28 may also function as either an input device or an output device.

[0054] (Communications Section 29) The communication unit 29 is an interface for sending and receiving data over the network N. Examples of the communication unit 29 include, but are not limited to, communication chips in various communication standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks, as well as USB-compliant connectors.

[0055] (Control unit 20) The control unit 20 controls each component of the equipment management system 2B. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the control unit 20 includes a location information acquisition unit 21B and an output unit 22B. In this exemplary embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 21B and the output unit 22B implement the location information acquisition means and output means, respectively.

[0056] (Position information acquisition unit 21B) The location information acquisition unit 21B acquires data supplied from the input / output unit 28 or the communication unit 29. The location information acquisition unit 21B stores the acquired data in the storage unit 27. As an example, the location information acquisition unit 21B acquires location information PI indicating the location of network equipment NE.

[0057] The method by which the location information acquisition unit 21B acquires location information PI indicating the location of network equipment NE is not particularly limited. For example, the location information acquisition unit 21B acquires location information PI indicating the location of network equipment NE identified using a barcode, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), or beacon. As an example of a method for identifying the location of network equipment NE using a beacon, an application that detects wireless signals emitted by a beacon is installed on a smartphone, and when the smartphone detects the wireless signals emitted by the beacon, the location information acquisition unit 21B acquires the location information output by the application.

[0058] As another example, the location information acquisition unit 21B acquires location information II regarding the location where the network equipment NE is installed.

[0059] (Output section 22B) The output unit 22B outputs data by supplying data to the input / output unit 28 or the communication unit 29. As an example, the output unit 22B outputs location information PI and installation location information II stored in the storage unit 27 to the terminal management system 1B.

[0060] (Terminal Management System 1B) The terminal management system 1B is a system that manages the location of terminal devices TE. Specifically, the terminal management system 1B manages the location of terminal devices TE connected to network devices NE. In other words, the terminal management system 1B has the functions of the terminal location management device 1 described above. Furthermore, if a failure occurs in a managed terminal device TE, the terminal management system 1B may be configured to notify the administrator's terminal device of the location of the terminal device TE upon obtaining information indicating that a failure has occurred in the terminal device TE. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal management system 1B includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 17, an input / output unit 18, and a communication unit 19.

[0061] (Storage unit 17) The storage unit 17 stores data that the control unit 10 references. Examples of the storage unit 17 include, but are not limited to, flash memory, HDD, SSD, or a combination thereof. Examples of data stored in the storage unit 17 include location information PI, terminal location information TPI, terminal equipment information TEI, and installation location information II, as shown in Figure 6. Location information PI and installation location information II are as described above.

[0062] Terminal location information (TPI) is information indicating the location of the terminal device (TE). Terminal location information (TPI) is generated and managed by the management unit 12B, which will be described later.

[0063] Terminal device information TEI is information that indicates the terminal device TE connected to the network device NE. For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, the terminal device information TEI of switch NE3 indicates that the terminal device TE connected to switch NE3 is camera TE1, and the terminal device information TEI of switch NE4 indicates that the terminal device TE connected to switch NE4 is robot arm TE2.

[0064] (I / O section 18) The input / output unit 18 is an interface to an input device that accepts data input and an output device that outputs data. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, a microphone, camera, eye-tracking device, keyboard, and touchpad. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, a speaker and liquid crystal display. Furthermore, the input / output unit 18 may be either an input device or an output device.

[0065] (Communications Section 19) The communication unit 19 is an interface for sending and receiving data over the network N. Examples of the communication unit 19 include, but are not limited to, communication chips in various communication standards such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks, as well as USB-compliant connectors.

[0066] (Control Unit 10) The control unit 10 controls each component of the terminal management system 1B. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the control unit 10 includes an acquisition unit 11B and a management unit 12B. In this exemplary embodiment, the acquisition unit 11B and the management unit 12B implement the acquisition means and management means, respectively.

[0067] (Acquisition part 11B) The acquisition unit 11B acquires data supplied from the input / output unit 18 or the communication unit 19. The acquisition unit 11B stores the acquired data in the storage unit 17. As an example, the acquisition unit 11B acquires location information PI and installation location information II output from the equipment management system 2B. As another example, the acquisition unit 11B acquires terminal equipment information TEI indicating terminal equipment TE connected to network equipment NE.

[0068] (Management Department 12B) The management unit 12B manages the location of terminal devices TE connected to the network device NE. For example, the management unit 12B manages the location of terminal devices TE connected to the network device NE by referring to location information PI and terminal device information TEI stored in the storage unit 17.

[0069] Specifically, the management unit 12B manages the location of terminal equipment TE as being in the same space as the network equipment NE to which terminal equipment TE is connected. For example, let's consider a case where location information PI indicates that network equipment NE1 is installed in a conference room on the 3rd floor of the head office, and terminal equipment information TEI indicates that terminal equipment TE1 is connected to network equipment NE1.

[0070] In this case, the management unit 12B refers to location information PI, which indicates that network device NE1 is installed in a conference room on the third floor of the head office, and terminal device information TEI, which indicates that terminal device TE1 is connected to network device NE1. The management unit 12B then generates terminal location information TPI, which indicates that terminal device TE1 is located on the third floor of the head office, in the same space as network device NE1. The management unit 12B stores the generated terminal location information TPI in the storage unit 17. In other words, the management unit 12B manages the location of terminal device TE connected to network device NE using the terminal traceability system.

[0071] With this configuration, the management unit 12B can suitably manage the location of the terminal device TE.

[0072] Furthermore, the management unit 12B manages the location of terminal equipment TE connected to network equipment NE by referring to the installation location information II output from the equipment management system 2B, which is stored in the memory unit 17.

[0073] For example, if the installation location information II indicates that a second conference room has been added to the third floor of the head office, the management unit 12B refers to the installation location information II and the location information PI to determine whether or not there is network equipment NE installed in the added second conference room. If there is network equipment NE installed in the added second conference room, the management unit 12B refers to the terminal equipment information TEI and updates the terminal location information TPI, which indicates the location of terminal equipment TE connected to the network equipment NE, to terminal location information TPI indicating that the location of terminal equipment TE is the second conference room.

[0074] With this configuration, even if the terminal management system 1B does not manage information regarding the location where network equipment NE is installed, updating the installation location information II in the equipment management system 2B allows for the management of the location of terminal equipment TE at the new installation location, even if the location of network equipment NE changes.

[0075] (Processing performed in the equipment location management system 100B) The flow of processing (terminal location management method S100B) performed in the device location management system 100B will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of terminal location management method S100B.

[0076] (Step S21B) In step S21B, the location information acquisition unit 21B of the equipment management system 2B acquires location information PI indicating the location of the network equipment NE and installation location information II regarding the location where the network equipment NE is installed. The location information acquisition unit 21B stores the acquired location information PI and installation location information II in the storage unit 27.

[0077] (Step S22B) In step 22B, the output unit 22B outputs the location information PI and installation location information II acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21B in step S21B to the terminal management system 1B.

[0078] (Step S11B) In step S11B, the acquisition unit 11B of the terminal management system 1B acquires location information PI, installation location information II, and terminal equipment information TEI. More specifically, the acquisition unit 11B executes the following steps S111B and S112B.

[0079] (Step S111B) In step S111B, the acquisition unit 11B acquires the location information PI and installation location information II output from the equipment management system 2B in step S22B. The acquisition unit 11B stores the acquired location information PI and installation location information II in the storage unit 27.

[0080] (Step S112B) In step S112B, the acquisition unit 11B acquires terminal device information TEI. The acquisition unit 11B stores the acquired terminal device information TEI in the storage unit 27.

[0081] (Step S12B) In step S12B, the management unit 12B manages the location of terminal equipment TE connected to network equipment NE by referring to the location information PI, terminal equipment information TEI, and installation location information II acquired by the acquisition unit 11B in step S11B. The management unit 12B generates terminal location information TPI indicating the location of terminal equipment TE and stores the terminal location information TPI in the storage unit 27.

[0082] Here, the timing of the execution of steps S22B and S11B is not limited. For example, step S22B may be executed when location information PI or installation location information II is updated. As another example, steps S22B and S11B may be executed at predetermined intervals. As yet another example, at predetermined intervals, the terminal management system 1B may request the output of location information and installation location information from the equipment management system 2B, and step S22B may be executed in response to that request.

[0083] Furthermore, in step S22B, the output unit 22B may output location information PI and installation location information II to a database, and in step S11B, the acquisition unit 11B may acquire location information PI and installation location information II from the database. In other words, the database used by the device management system 2B and the database used by the terminal management system 1B may be linked.

[0084] (Effects of the equipment location management system 100B) As described above, in the device location management system 100B, the device management system 2B, which manages the location of network devices NE, outputs location information indicating the location of network devices NE to the terminal management system 1B. The terminal management system 1B refers to the location information output from the device management system 2B and terminal device information TEI, which indicates the terminal device TE connected to the network device NE, and manages the location of the terminal device TE.

[0085] With this configuration, for example, if the location of network equipment NE changes, the location of terminal equipment TE connected to network equipment NE can be updated without having to change the location of terminal equipment TE in the terminal management system 1B.

[0086] In other words, the terminal management system 1B can effectively manage the locations of terminal devices TE connected to the network by coordinating with the device management system 2B, which manages the locations of network devices NE, and managing the locations of terminal devices TE connected to the network devices NE.

[0087] Furthermore, if the equipment management system 2B is an asset management system that manages the location of assets, the location of the network equipment NE, which is an asset, will be accurately managed. Also, since the asset management system is updated regularly every six months, even if the location of the network equipment NE changes, the location will be accurately updated. Moreover, since the asset management system itself is an already established system, there is no need to build a new system to manage the location of network equipment NE in order to manage the location of terminal equipment TE.

[0088] In other words, if the equipment management system 2B is an asset management system that manages the location of assets, then in the equipment location management system 100B, the terminal management system 1B, which manages the location of terminal equipment TE, can determine the location of terminal equipment TE connected to network equipment NE even if it is unaware that the location of network equipment NE has changed.

[0089] Furthermore, the device location management system 100B can manage the location of terminal devices TE connected to network devices NE by linking it with the already established asset management system and terminal management system 1B. In other words, by newly utilizing the asset management system, which is used for managing the location of assets, as a system for managing the location of network devices NE, the device location management system 100B can easily manage the location of terminal devices TE connected to the network.

[0090] Furthermore, in the equipment location management system 100B, the location of terminal equipment TE, which is not an asset, can also be managed by linking the asset management system and the terminal management system 1B.

[0091] [Examples of implementation using software] Some or all of the functions of the terminal location management device 1, terminal management system 1A, terminal management system 1B, equipment management system 2A, and equipment management system 2B (hereinafter also referred to as "each of the above devices") may be implemented by hardware such as integrated circuits (IC chips) or by software.

[0092] In the latter case, each of the above devices is implemented, for example, by a computer that executes instructions for a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as Computer C) is shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of Computer C, which functions as each of the above devices.

[0093] Computer C comprises at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. Memory C2 stores a program P that causes computer C to operate as each of the above-mentioned devices. In computer C, processor C1 reads program P from memory C2 and executes it, thereby realizing each of the above-mentioned devices.

[0094] For processor C1, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPU (Floating Point Number Processing Unit), PPU (Physics Processing Unit), TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), quantum processor, microcontroller, or a combination thereof can be used. For memory C2, for example, flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof can be used.

[0095] Computer C may also be equipped with RAM (Random Access Memory) for loading program P at runtime and for temporarily storing various data. Furthermore, computer C may be equipped with communication interfaces for sending and receiving data with other devices. Additionally, computer C may be equipped with input / output interfaces for connecting input / output devices such as keyboards, mice, displays, and printers.

[0096] Furthermore, program P can be recorded on a non-temporary, tangible recording medium M that is readable by computer C. Such a recording medium M could be, for example, tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuitry. Computer C can acquire program P via such a recording medium M. Program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium could be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. Computer C can also acquire program P via such a transmission medium.

[0097] Furthermore, each of the above functions of each of the above devices may be implemented by a single processor in a single computer, by multiple processors in a single computer working together, or by multiple processors in each of multiple computers working together. In addition, the programs for implementing each of the above functions in each of the above devices may be stored in a single memory in a single computer, distributed and stored in multiple memories in a single computer, or distributed and stored in multiple memories in each of multiple computers.

[0098] [Additional Note A] This disclosure includes the technologies described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the technologies described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0099] (Note A1) An acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, A management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management device equipped with the following features.

[0100] (Appendix A2) The aforementioned equipment management system is an asset management system that manages the location of assets. The terminal location management device described in Appendix A1.

[0101] (Note A3) The management means manages the location of the terminal device as being in the same space as the network device to which the terminal device is connected. Terminal location management device as described in Appendix A1 or A2.

[0102] (Note A4) The acquisition means further acquires location information relating to the location where the network equipment is installed, The management means further manages the location of the terminal device by referring to the installation location information. A terminal location management device as described in any one of the appendices A1 to A3.

[0103] (Note A5) A terminal location management system including a device management system for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, The aforementioned equipment management system is Location information acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of the network device, The system includes an output means for outputting the location information to the terminal management system, The aforementioned terminal management system is An acquisition means for acquiring the aforementioned location information and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device, The system includes a management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information. A device location management system.

[0104] [Additional Notes B] This disclosure includes the technologies described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the technologies described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0105] (Note B1) At least one processor performs an acquisition process to acquire location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices. The at least one processor performs a management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management method that includes this.

[0106] (Note B2) The aforementioned equipment management system is an asset management system that manages the location of assets. The terminal location management method described in Appendix B1.

[0107] (Note B3) In the management process described above, the at least one processor manages the location of the terminal device as being in the same space as the network device to which the terminal device is connected. The terminal location management method described in Appendix B1 or B2.

[0108] (Note B4) In the acquisition process described above, the at least one processor further acquires location information relating to the location where the network equipment is installed. In the management process, the at least one processor further manages the location of the terminal equipment by referring to the installation location information. The terminal location management method described in any one of the appendices B1 to B3.

[0109] (Note B5) A terminal location management method performed in a terminal location management system that includes a device management system for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, The aforementioned device management system comprises at least one processor, The at least one processor performs location information acquisition processing to acquire location information indicating the location of the network device, The at least one processor includes output processing that outputs the location information to the terminal management system, The terminal management system comprises at least one processor, The at least one processor performs an acquisition process to acquire the location information and terminal device information indicating a terminal device connected to the network device, The at least one processor includes management processing that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, Device location management method.

[0110] [Additional Note C] This disclosure includes the technologies described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the technologies described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0111] (Note C1) A program that makes a computer function as a terminal location management device, The aforementioned computer, An acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, A management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management program that functions as such.

[0112] (Note C2) The aforementioned equipment management system is an asset management system that manages the location of assets. The terminal location management program described in Appendix C1.

[0113] (Note C3) The management means manages the location of the terminal device as being in the same space as the network device to which the terminal device is connected. The terminal location management program described in Appendix C1 or C2.

[0114] (Note C4) The acquisition means further acquires location information relating to the location where the network equipment is installed, The management means further manages the location of the terminal device by referring to the installation location information. The terminal location management program described in any one of the appendices C1 to C3.

[0115] [Additional Note D] This disclosure includes the technologies described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the technologies described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0116] (Note D1) It comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor is An acquisition process that acquires location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices. A management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management device that performs this operation.

[0117] The terminal location management device may also include memory. Furthermore, the memory may store a program that causes at least one processor to execute each of the aforementioned processes.

[0118] (Note D2) The aforementioned equipment management system is an asset management system that manages the location of assets. The terminal location management device described in Appendix D1.

[0119] (Note D3) In the management process described above, the at least one processor manages the location of the terminal device as being in the same space as the network device to which the terminal device is connected. Terminal location management device as described in Appendix D1 or D2.

[0120] (Note D4) In the acquisition process described above, the at least one processor further acquires location information relating to the location where the network equipment is installed. In the management process, the at least one processor further manages the location of the terminal equipment by referring to the installation location information. A terminal location management device as described in any one of the appendices D1 to D3.

[0121] (Note D5) A terminal location management system including a device management system for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, The aforementioned device management system comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor is A location information acquisition process that acquires location information indicating the location of the aforementioned network device, The output process that outputs the aforementioned location information is executed, The terminal management system comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor is An acquisition process for acquiring the aforementioned location information and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device, The system performs a management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information. A device location management system.

[0122] [Additional Note E] This disclosure includes the technologies described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the technologies described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0123] (Note E1) A program that makes a computer function as a terminal location management device, To the aforementioned computer, An acquisition process that acquires location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices. A management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management program that executes this program, and a non-temporary recording medium that records it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1. Terminal location management device 1A, 1B Terminal Management System 2A, 2B Equipment Management System 11, 11A, 11B Acquisition Department 12, 12A, 12B Management Department 21, 21A, 21B Location information acquisition section 22, 22A, 22B output section 100A Terminal Location Management System 100B Equipment Location Management System NE Network Equipment TE terminal devices

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, A management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned equipment management system is an asset management system that manages the location of assets. The terminal location management device according to claim 1.

3. The management means manages the location of the terminal device as being in the same space as the network device to which the terminal device is connected. The terminal location management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The acquisition means further acquires location information relating to the location where the network equipment is installed, The management means further manages the location of the terminal device by referring to the installation location information. The terminal location management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. At least one processor performs an acquisition process to acquire location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices. The at least one processor performs a management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management method that includes this.

6. A program that makes a computer function as a terminal location management device, The aforementioned computer, An acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of a network device and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device from a device management system that manages the location of network devices, A management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, A terminal location management program that functions as such.

7. A terminal location management system including a device management system for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, The aforementioned equipment management system is Location information acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating the location of the network device, The system includes an output means for outputting the location information to the terminal management system, The aforementioned terminal management system is An acquisition means for acquiring the aforementioned location information and terminal device information indicating terminal devices connected to the network device, The system includes a management means for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information. A device location management system.

8. A terminal location management method performed in a terminal location management system that includes a device management system for managing the location of network devices and a terminal management system for managing the location of terminal devices connected to the network devices, The aforementioned device management system comprises at least one processor, The at least one processor performs location information acquisition processing to acquire location information indicating the location of the network device, The at least one processor includes output processing that outputs the location information to the terminal management system, The terminal management system comprises at least one processor, The at least one processor performs an acquisition process to acquire the location information and terminal device information indicating a terminal device connected to the network device, The at least one processor includes a management process that manages the location of terminal devices connected to the network device by referring to the location information and the terminal device information, Device location management method.

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