Information processing device, control method, communication control device, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To reduce labor for setting a notification.SOLUTION: An information processing device which can communicate with a communication device, comprises: acquisition means for acquiring a notification object item which can be notified to the information processing device from the communication device by the communication device when paired with the communication device; and instruction means for instructing the communication device to validate or invalidate a notification setting related to the notification object item acquired by the acquisition means when paired with the communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method, a communication control device, a communication control method, a program, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Z-Wave is a standard for wireless network communication that collects sensor data from communication devices with sensor functions. In such a wireless network, a communication device (slave) with sensor functions sends a notification to a communication device (master) that collects the sensor data according to conditions preset by the master.

[0003] There are systems in which a parent unit can be set to operate in cooperation with another parent unit or another child unit when a notification received from the child unit is used as a trigger. For example, when the parent unit receives a smoke detection notification from a child unit with a smoke detection sensor function, it can be set to point the camera at a predetermined position. As another example, when the parent unit receives a door open notification from a child unit with a door open / close sensor function, it can be set to turn on the power supply to a child unit that can control the power supply ON / OFF and turn on the connected lighting fixture.

[0004] The Z-Wave standard allows you to set notifications for each notification target item on a child device. For example, you can set notification setting information to turn notifications on or off from the parent device to the child device. Specifically, you can select the notification target items on the child device and set the notification setting information via the parent device's operation screen displayed on the information terminal.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a communication device that, when replacing a slave unit, sets the setting information of the old slave unit in the new slave unit when the master unit receives a wakeup notification from the new slave unit while the old slave unit is still connected.Patent Document 2 discloses a communication device that, for a slave unit whose notification setting disappears when the power supply is cut off, sets notification setting in the slave unit when the master unit receives a change in the power state of the slave unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-195107 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-157754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the case of battery-powered handset units, some are sold with the notification information setting set to OFF at the factory to conserve battery power. In this case, after pairing the handset unit, the operator must set the notification information for each notification target item of the handset unit from the operation screen of the parent unit via information terminal 104. Some handset units have multiple notification target items, and the more handset units to be connected, the more time and effort it takes for the operator to set up the units.

[0008] Furthermore, in the case of a battery-powered child device, even if an operator sets notification information, it takes time for the setting to be reflected in the child device. For example, a child device conforming to the Z-Wave standard transitions to a sleep state immediately after pairing is completed. If notification information settings for each notification target item of a child device in a sleep state are performed from the operation screen of the parent device via the information terminal 104, the child device will reflect the setting when it returns to a wake-up state.

[0009] In Patent Document 1, when a new device is installed, there are no old devices present, so the operator must set the notification information, which is time-consuming. In Patent Document 2, in the case of a battery-powered device, the setting is performed every time the device changes from a sleep state to a wake-up state, which consumes the battery and takes time for the notification information setting to be reflected in the device.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the effort required for setting notifications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention Information processing device relating to an information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring, from the communication device, notification items that the communication device can notify the information processing device of, when pairing with the communication device; and an instruction means for issuing, to the communication device, an instruction to enable or disable notification settings related to the notification items acquired by the acquisition means, when pairing with the communication device. The acquisition means acquires the notification target items from the communication device that has started the pairing in response to receiving the instruction related to the start of the pairing from the communication control device. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the effort required for setting notifications can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system using a network camera 101 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a network camera 101 according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a sensor device 102 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1C is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information terminal 104 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are figures showing examples of device management screens for controlling a parent device with an information terminal 104, where FIG. 3(A) is a figure showing a device management screen 300 before pairing a child device, and FIG. 3(B) is a figure showing a device management screen 310 after pairing a child device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a pairing process in the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a pairing process in the network camera 101 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a table illustrating an example of notification target item information acquired in the first embodiment. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart illustrating a pairing process in a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a pairing process in the network camera 101 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that pops up on the device management screen 300 according to the second embodiment and that allows changing notification settings for notification target items. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a pairing process in a communication system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are flowcharts illustrating pairing processing in the network camera 101 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that pops up on the device management screen 300 according to the third embodiment and that is used to change notification settings for notification target items. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same members or elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified. [Example]

[0015] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system using a network camera 101 according to a first embodiment. 1 includes a network camera 101 as an information processing device, a sensor device 102 as a communication device, and an information terminal 104 as a communication control device. The network camera 101 can communicate with the sensor device 102 via a network 103. The network camera 101 can also communicate with the information terminal 104 via a network 105. The sensor device 102 has a pairing button 106 for establishing communication with the network camera 101. The sensor device 102 is one or more sensor devices.

[0016] The network camera 101 as an information processing device includes a camera with an imaging function, and can distribute the captured images and videos to an information terminal 104 via a wired or wireless network 105. Furthermore, by using the information terminal 104 that communicates with the network camera 101 via the wired or wireless network 105, it is possible to control at least one of the imaging operation, direction control such as the angle of view, panning or tilting of the network camera 101, and video recording control. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to perform settings related to communication with the network camera 101.

[0017] The network 105 may be a wired communication network conforming to a wired communication method such as a wired LAN, or may be a wireless communication network conforming to a wireless communication method such as the IEEE802.11 series standard. In this case, the network camera 101 may operate as an access point that establishes the network 105, or may operate as a station that participates in the network 105 established by the information terminal 104 or an access point (not shown).

[0018] The network 105 may be a network that complies with a wireless communication standard such as the Wi-Fi Direct standard, the Wi-Fi NAN standard, etc. Alternatively, the network 105 may be a network that complies with a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, MBOA, ZigBee (registered trademark), or Z-Wave instead of the IEEE802.11 series standard.

[0019] NAN stands for Neighbor Awareness Networking, and NFC stands for Near Field Communication. UWB stands for Ultra Wide Band. MBOA stands for Multi Band OF DM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) Alliance. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, etc.

[0020] The sensor device 102 is a sensor that can detect at least one of the concentration of gases such as smoke or carbon monoxide, temperature, and a predetermined action of a subject such as opening or closing a door, and transmits a notification to the network camera 101 according to a preset condition. That is, the sensor device 102 can notify the network camera 101 that the concentration or temperature of smoke or carbon monoxide exceeds a certain standard, that a predetermined action (opening or closing) of a predetermined subject such as a door is occurring, or that it is time to replace the sensor device.

[0021] For example, if the sensor device 102 is a sensor that can measure smoke, it can be configured to notify the network camera 101 of the detection of smoke when it measures smoke at a predetermined concentration or higher. Alternatively, it can be configured to point the network camera 101 toward a predetermined position (for example, the direction of a heat source) via the network 103 when it measures smoke at a predetermined concentration or higher.

[0022] In this way, when a predetermined notification (detection result by the sensor device 102) is received from a communication device such as the sensor device 102, the information processing device such as the network camera 101 performs a predetermined operation (predetermined control). Here, the predetermined operation (predetermined control) includes control of the network camera. Furthermore, the control of the camera includes at least one of, for example, an image capturing operation of the camera, control of the direction of the camera, and control of recording of the video of the camera.

[0023] The sensor device 102 may be a camera installed at a different position from the network camera 101, such as an infrared camera. In that case, if, for example, a suspicious person performs a predetermined action, the sensor device 102 may transmit that information to the network camera 101. In that case, the network camera 101 may be controlled to point in the direction of the suspicious person.

[0024] The conditions under which the sensor device 102 issues a notification can be set by an operator using an information terminal 104 that communicates with the network camera 101 via a network 105. Alternatively, the operator may set the conditions using an information terminal (not shown) that can communicate via the network 103. Alternatively, the operator may set the conditions using an information terminal (not shown) that communicates directly with the sensor device 102 via wireless communication without going through the network camera 101.

[0025] The network 103 is a wireless communication network using a wireless communication method that complies with the Z-Wave standard. In this case, the sensor device 102 can execute notification to the network camera 101 using a profile defined by the Z-Wave standard. Note that the network 103 may be a wireless communication network using a wireless communication method that complies with the Wi-Fi NAN standard or the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard instead of the Z-Wave standard.

[0026] The network 103 may be wired or wireless as long as it is a network that allows the sensor device 102 to notify other devices, such as the network camera 101, that can communicate with the sensor device 102 via the network 103 according to preset conditions.

[0027] When the sensor device 102 sends a notification to the network camera 101, the network camera 101, as a parent device, manages communication information related to communication with the sensor device 102, which is a child device, and notification setting information related to the notification executed by the sensor device 102. The communication information managed includes, for example, ON / OFF (enabled / disabled) of a setting for sending a notification when the sensor device 102 measures smoke at a predetermined concentration or higher. Details of the notification setting information will be described later using FIG. 6.

[0028] The notification setting is a setting for the sensor device 102 to notify the network camera 101. When enabled (ON), the sensor device 102 notifies the network camera 101 of the detection result by the sensor device 102, and when disabled (OFF), the sensor device 102 does not notify the network camera 101 of the detection result.

[0029] The network camera 101 assigns a node ID to each slave device under its management, and manages notification setting information in association with the node ID. The Z-Wave standard allows you to set notifications for each notification target item on a child device.

[0030] In this embodiment, for example, notification setting information for turning notifications ON / OFF can be set for the sensor device 102 communicating with the network camera 101. Specifically, via the operation screen of the parent device displayed on the information terminal 104, notification target items of the child device can be selected and the notification setting information can be set.

[0031] In this embodiment, the network camera 101 communicates with the information terminal 104 via the network 105 and with the sensor device 102 via the network 103, but this is not limited to this and the network camera 101 may communicate with both devices via the same network. Furthermore, the communication performed in network 105 and the communication performed in network 103 may be compliant with different communication standards, or may be compliant with the same communication standard.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the network camera 101 communicates with the sensor device 102, but this is not limiting, and the network camera 101 may communicate in parallel with a plurality of sensor devices having various functions.

[0033] Furthermore, the information terminal 104 may be any device that communicates with the network camera 101 to control pairing between the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 and other operations. Furthermore, the information terminal 104 may communicate with at least one of the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 to control pairing between the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 and other operations.

[0034] Fig. 2(A) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a network camera 101 according to the first embodiment, Fig. 2(B) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a sensor device 102 according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2(C) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information terminal 104 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the network camera 101 includes a system control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication unit 203, a wireless communication unit 204, an imaging unit 205, an image processing unit 206, a pan / tilt driving unit 207, and the like.

[0035] The system control unit 201 is configured with one or more processors such as a CPU or MPU as a computer, and controls the entire network camera 101 by executing a computer program stored in a storage unit 202 (described later). Note that the system control unit 201 may also control the entire network camera 101 in cooperation with the computer program stored in the storage unit 202 and an OS (Operating System).

[0036] Note that CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and MPU stands for Micro Processing Unit. The system control unit 201 may also be provided with multiple processors such as multi-core processors, and the entire network camera 101 may be controlled by the multiple processors.

[0037] The system control unit 201 analyzes commands transmitted to the network camera 101 and performs processing in accordance with the commands. For example, it can receive commands from the information terminal 104 in accordance with instructions input by an operator via the information terminal 104, and perform processing based on the received commands. The system control unit 201 can also detect changes in internal parameters held by the network camera 101, and perform processing using the detection results as an event trigger. For example, if information held in the network camera 101 that indicates the state of the sensor device 102 is changed, it can perform processing in accordance with the detection of the change.

[0038] The storage unit 202 is configured with one or more memories such as ROM and RAM, and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations and communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and RAM stands for Random Access Memory. In addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, the storage unit 202 may also include at least one storage medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, or DVD.

[0039] The storage unit 202 stores setting values ​​such as parameters for adjusting image quality and network settings, so that previously set values ​​can be used even when the network camera 101 is restarted. The storage unit 202 also stores communication information related to communication with the sensor device 102, which is a slave device, and notification setting information related to notifications executed by the sensor device 102.

[0040] The communication unit 203 controls communication via a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. Specifically, the communication unit 203 controls communication via the network 105. The wireless communication unit 204 controls communication in accordance with the Z-Wave standard. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 204 controls communication via the network 103.

[0041] In this embodiment, the network camera 101 has a communication unit 203 and a wireless communication unit 204 separately, but a single communication unit may be used to perform communication via the network 105 and communication via the network 103. The imaging unit 205 is composed of a lens and an imaging element such as a CMOS sensor, and the imaging element photoelectrically converts an optical image formed by the lens and outputs it as an imaging signal.

[0042] The image processing unit 206 performs image processing and compression encoding on the image signal output from the image capturing unit 205 to generate image data and video data. The pan / tilt driving unit 207 controls the system control unit 201 to drive the camera in the pan or tilt direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2B, the sensor device 102 includes a system control unit 211, a storage unit 212, a wireless communication unit 213, a detection unit 214, a detection unit 215, and the like. The system control unit 211 is configured by one or more processors such as a CPU or MPU as a computer, and controls the entire sensor device 102 by executing a computer program stored in a storage unit 212 (to be described later).

[0044] The storage unit 212 is configured with one or more memories such as ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations and communication parameters for wireless communication. The storage unit 212 also stores communication information related to communication with the network camera 101, which is the parent device, and notification setting information that can be set from the parent device.

[0045] The wireless communication unit 213 controls communication in accordance with the Z-Wave standard. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 213 controls communication via the network 103. The detection unit 214 measures, for example, the concentration of smoke using a sensor function, and outputs a detection signal as a detection result when it measures (detects) smoke at a predetermined concentration or higher. The detection unit 215 measures, for example, the concentration of carbon monoxide using a sensor function, and outputs a detection signal as a detection result when it measures (detects) carbon monoxide at a predetermined concentration or higher. In this embodiment, the sensor device 102 has two detectors, ie, the detector 214 and the detector 215, but it may have one or more detectors.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2C, the information terminal 104 includes a system control unit 221, a storage unit 222, a communication unit 223, a wireless communication unit 224, an operation unit 225, an image processing unit 226, a display unit 227, and the like. The system control unit 221 is configured with one or more processors such as a CPU or MPU as a computer, and controls the information terminal 104 , the network camera 101 , and the sensor device 102 by executing computer programs stored in the storage unit 222 .

[0047] The storage unit 222 may have the same configuration as the storage unit 202 . The communication unit 223 controls communication via the network 105 by wired LAN or wireless LAN. As shown in FIG. 2C, a wireless communication unit 224 may be further provided to control communication via the network 105 in accordance with the Z-Wave standard. In this embodiment, the information terminal 104 has the communication unit 223 and the wireless communication unit 224 as separate communication means, but communication via the network 105 may be performed by a single communication unit.

[0048] The operation unit 225 is used to input user operations such as a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel. The image processing unit 226 processes image data and video data to generate display signals for display. The display unit 227 includes a display device such as an LCD for displaying image data and video data, and is used to display screens such as those shown in FIGS.

[0049] 3, 9, and 12 on the display unit 227. The operator of the information terminal 104 can control the pairing operation between the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102. The operator can also control the notification setting operation, the operation of acquiring notification target items, various setting operations, etc. The system control unit 221 in the information terminal 104 functions as a control means for performing the above control.

[0050] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of device management screens for controlling a parent device (network camera 101) with an information terminal 104, with Fig. 3A showing a device management screen 300 before pairing with a child device (sensor device 102), and Fig. 3B showing a device management screen 310 after pairing with a child device. The device management screen 300 in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 227 of the information terminal 104 when a display request for the device management screen is sent from the information terminal 104 to the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 .

[0051] Device management screen 300 displays a display area 301 that displays a list of child devices, an add button 302 for adding a child device to display area 301, and a delete button 303 for deleting a child device from display area 301. When the addition of a child device is complete, this is transmitted to system control unit 201, and device management screen 310 such as that shown in Fig. 3(B) is displayed on information terminal 104. Display area 311 displays predetermined information about the added child device (for example, the child device's status, the child device's name, and the child device's type).

[0052] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the pairing process in the communication system according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the pairing process in the network camera 101 according to the first embodiment. The pairing process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The operations of the steps in FIGS. 4 and 5 are performed by the internal computers of the system control units 201, 211, 221, etc., executing computer programs stored in the memory.

[0053] In the pairing process of the first embodiment, the parent device acquires all notification target items from the child device, and turns on notification setting information for each of the acquired notification target items. In step S401, the operator presses the pairing button 106 of the sensor device 102.

[0054] In step S402, the system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 starts the pairing process of the sensor device 102. That is, as the pairing process, the system control unit 211 enters a mode (Learning Mode) for registering a slave device to a master device. The system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 then waits until the network camera 101 starts the pairing process.

[0055] In step S403, the operator clicks the Add button 302 on the device management screen 300 in FIG. 3A to pair and add a slave device. In response, a communication control device such as the information terminal 104 transmits an instruction to start pairing to the network camera 101. Then, in response to receiving the instruction, the network camera 101 starts pairing with a communication device such as the sensor device 102. In other words, the Add button 302 triggers the start of pairing on the device management screen 300, and in response to this, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 starts the processing of the flowchart in FIG.

[0056] In step S501 of Fig. 5, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 starts communication called Inclusion, which is a pairing process for the network camera 101 (step S404 of Fig. 4). Specifically, to add a client device, a Node ID is assigned to the sensor device 102. Here, for example, 6 is assigned. Then, the network camera 101 acquires the type of the client device from the sensor device 102. When the inclusion is complete, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 advances the process to step S502.

[0057] In step S502, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 requests the sensor device 102 to acquire notification target items of the sensor device 102 via the wireless communication unit 204 (step S405 in FIG. 4). As an example, the Z-Wave standard provides a command called Notification Supported Get for acquiring notification target items of a slave device, and this command may be used.

[0058] Here, step S502 functions as an acquisition step (acquisition means) for acquiring predetermined notification target items from a communication device when pairing an information processing device such as the network camera 101 with a communication device such as the sensor device 102.

[0059] In step S406 of FIG. 4, the system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 creates a list of notification target items that can be detected by the detection unit 214 and the detection unit 215, and notifies the network camera 101 of the list. Here, the network camera 101 is notified of the item "smoke" corresponding to smoke as the notification target item indicating the detection unit 214, and the item "co" corresponding to carbon monoxide as the notification target item indicating the detection unit 215.

[0060] In addition, the Z-Wave standard includes a Notification Supported Report command that can be used to notify the parent device of notification items held by the child device, so this can also be used. For example, as a command of the Z-Wave standard, the system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 notifies a Notification Supported Report in which smoke and co are filled in as the Supported Type.

[0061] Steps S502 and S406 are examples of application of the acquisition means of the present invention. When the network camera 101 pairs with a communication device such as the sensor device 102, the communication device acquires from the communication device all notification items that the communication device can notify to the information processing device that is the network camera 101. Alternatively, instead of all notification items, only certain notification items may be acquired.

[0062] 5, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 determines whether there are any items to be notified. If there is one or more items to be notified, the system control unit 201 proceeds to step S504. Otherwise, the system control unit 201 proceeds to step S505.

[0063] In step S504, the system control unit 201 turns on the notification setting for the received notification target item (step S407 in FIG. 4). 6A and 6B are tables showing examples of notification item information that the system control unit 201 transmits to the sensor device 102 in the first embodiment.

[0064] In step S504, the system control unit 201 instructs the sensor device 102 on the contents of the notification setting information 600 by transmitting, for example, the notification setting information 600 of Fig. 6A to the sensor device 102. Here, the notification setting information 600 is composed of, for example, a Node ID 601 of the child device to which notification is to be set, a notification target item 602, and a notification setting 603. In the Z-Wave standard, there is a Notification Set as a command for setting notifications for the notification target items of the child device, and this is used.

[0065] In this embodiment, the system control unit 201 transmits a Notification Set that specifies EventType=smoke and Status=0xFF (meaning that notification setting is ON) as a command conforming to the Z-Wave standard. Also, the system control unit 201 transmits a Notification Set that specifies EventType=co and Status=0xFF (meaning that notification setting is ON) as a command conforming to the Z-Wave standard.

[0066] That is, in step S504, when pairing, a setting operation is performed to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target items acquired in the acquisition step. Moreover, in this embodiment, when pairing, the notification setting is enabled (ON) for all notification target items acquired by the acquisition means.

[0067] Thus, step S504 is an example of application of the instruction means of the present invention. When pairing with a communication device such as the sensor device 102, the network camera 101 instructs the communication device to enable or disable the notification settings for all notification target items acquired in step S502. Here, the instruction to enable or disable the notification settings includes an instruction as to whether or not to have the communication device notify the detection results by the communication device. Here, step S504 functions as a notification setting step (notification setting means) that sets a notification to cause an information processing device such as the network camera 101 to perform a predetermined operation (control) when a predetermined notification is received from a communication device such as the sensor device 102.

[0068] 4, the system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 stores the received notification setting information 600 in the storage unit 212, and reflects the setting information. In this embodiment, the notification target items "smoke" and "co" are set to be notified to the network camera 101. After the notification setting information is set, the sensor device 102 transitions to the sleep state.

[0069] In step S505 of FIG. 5, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 updates the device list so that the sensor device 102 is added to the display area 301 of the device management screen 310 of FIG. 3(B) (step S409 of FIG. 4). Then, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 updates the device management screen 300 of FIG. 3(A) and causes the information terminal 104 to display the device management screen 310 as shown in FIG. 3(B) (step S410 of FIG. 4).

[0070] 5, the completion of pairing is displayed on the device management screen 310 of the information terminal 104. Here, step 505 functions as a display step (display means) that displays a setting screen for setting notification settings corresponding to the notification target items acquired by the acquisition means. The processing of steps S405 to S410 is executed when the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 are paired, and here, "when pairing" means "during the pairing operation" or "immediately after pairing is completed."

[0071] 5 is performed by the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101, but part or all of it may be executed by the system control unit 221 of the information terminal 104. That is, the information terminal 104 may communicate with the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 and control them, so that the pairing operation, the notification setting step, the acquisition step, etc. may be executed by the system control unit 221 of the information terminal 104.

[0072] In this embodiment, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 or the system control unit 221 in the information terminal 104, or both, constitute a communication control device for controlling pairing operations, notification setting steps, acquisition steps, etc. [Example]

[0073] In the first embodiment, the notification target items are acquired during pairing, and all notification settings are set to ON by default. In the second embodiment, a setting screen for notification items and notification settings is displayed during pairing, and will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the pairing process in the communication system of the second embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the pairing process in the network camera 101 according to the second embodiment. Note that the operation of each step in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is performed by the internal computers of the system control units 201, 211, 221, etc., executing a computer program stored in a memory.

[0075] For example, assume that the network camera 101 is set to start recording when the detection unit 215 detects carbon monoxide. In this case, if the detection unit 215 of the sensor device 102 malfunctions and becomes unstable, causing frequent false detections of carbon monoxide, the false detection may trigger unintended recording, resulting in scenes that you really want to record being missed. For this reason, you may want to turn off notifications from false detection units beforehand when pairing. Therefore, in this embodiment, when performing pairing in the first embodiment, after the notification target items are acquired, a setting screen is displayed on which the notification settings of the notification target items can be changed.

[0076] Steps S701 and S702 in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step S703, the operator presses the Add button 302 on the device management screen 300 in Fig. 3A to pair and add a slave unit. That is, the Add button 302 triggers the start of pairing on the device management screen 300, and in response, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 starts the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 8.

[0077] Steps S801 to S803 in Fig. 8 are the same as steps S501 to S503 in Fig. 5, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. Also, steps S704 to S706 in Fig. 7 are the same as steps S404 to S406 in Fig. 4, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. In step S804 of FIG. 8, the system control unit 201 notifies the information terminal 104 of each notification target item acquired in step S802 (notification means).

[0078] In step S707, the system control unit 221 of the information terminal 104 acquires from the network camera 101 all notification target items that the sensor device 102 can notify to the network camera 101 (acquisition means). The notification target items are the notification target items that the network camera 101 acquired from the sensor device 102 in step S705 when the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 were paired. Then, the display unit 227 of the information terminal 104 displays the notification setting screen 900 of FIG. 9 including the respective notification target items (step S707 of FIG. 7).

[0079] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for changing notification settings of notification target items, which is popped up on the device management screen 300 in Example 2. In Fig. 9, if there is one or more notification target items acquired in step S802, the screen is displayed by the system control unit 201 in step S804.

[0080] The notification setting screen 900 displays a notification setting area 901 that displays the names of notification target items and ON / OFF buttons for notification settings for each notification target item, and a cancel button 902 for canceling changes to the notification settings in the notification setting area 901. It also displays an OK button 903 for finalizing the changes to the notification settings. For example, the default notification setting may be to set all notification target items to ON.

[0081] In step S805 of FIG. 8, the system control unit 201 waits until it detects that a button on the notification setting screen 900 has been pressed. In this embodiment, the operator can use the ON / OFF button for notification settings to set, for example, smoke representing the detection unit 214 to ON and co representing the detection unit 215 to OFF, as shown in FIG. In this way, the information terminal 104 displays a setting screen for enabling or disabling the notification setting corresponding to each notification target item (display means).

[0082] In step S805 of FIG. 8, when it is detected that a button such as the ON / OFF button for notification settings has been pressed, the system control unit 201 advances the process to step S806. In step S806 in FIG. 8, the system control unit 201 determines whether the OK button 905 in FIG. 9 has been pressed.

[0083] If the OK button 905 is pressed (step S708 in FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step S807. If the OK button 905 is not pressed after a predetermined time has elapsed, the pairing process itself is interrupted. Note that, for example, if the Cancel button 904 is pressed, the notification settings for all notification target items may be returned to the default ON state as in the first embodiment, and the process may proceed to step S807.

[0084] 8, for example, the information terminal 104 receives a notification setting ON (enable) / OFF (disable) button or other button pressed by the user (operator) for one or more notification target items for each notification target item. Then, upon detecting that the OK button 905 has been pressed, the information terminal 104 transmits an instruction (the instruction pressed by the user) for enabling or disabling the notification setting for the notification target item to the network camera 101 in step S708 (transmission means). The network camera 101 then receives the instruction from the information terminal 104 (reception means). The system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 then proceeds to step S807.

[0085] In step S807 of FIG. 8, the system control unit 201 transmits the changed notification settings (notification setting information 610 of FIG. 6(B)) set (instructed) on the notification setting screen 900 to the sensor device 102 (step S709 of FIG. 7).

[0086] That is, in this embodiment, the system control unit 201 transmits a Notification Set specifying EventType=smoke and Status=0xFF (meaning notification setting ON) as a Z-WAVE standard command to the sensor device 102. Also, the system control unit 201 transmits a Notification Set specifying EventType=co and Status=0x00 (meaning notification setting OFF) as a Z-WAVE standard command to the sensor device 102.

[0087] Step S807 is an example of application of the instruction means of the present invention, and based on the content of the instruction received in step S708, an instruction is given to the sensor device 102 to enable or disable the notification setting related to the notification target item acquired in step S706.

[0088] In step S710 of FIG. 7, the system control unit 211 of the sensor device 102 stores the received notification setting information 610 of FIG. 6(B) in the storage unit 212, thereby reflecting the setting information. That is, in this embodiment, the setting is made so that only the notification target item "smoke" is notified to the network camera 101. After the notification setting information is set, the sensor device 102 transitions to the sleep state.

[0089] Steps S711 and S712 in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S409 and S410 in FIG. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The processing of steps S705 to S712 is executed when the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 are paired, and here, "when pairing" means "during the pairing operation" or "immediately after pairing is completed." As described above, in the second embodiment, the operator can easily change and set notification settings, excluding notification target items that are unstable in operation and prone to erroneous detection, during pairing. [Example]

[0090] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which notification target items are acquired during pairing and all notification settings are set to ON by default. In the third embodiment, a processing example is dealt with when notification settings for notification target items cannot be made during pairing. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13.

[0091] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the pairing process in the communication system of the third embodiment, and Figs. 11(A) and 11(B) are flowcharts for explaining the pairing process in the network camera 101 according to the third embodiment. Note that the operation of each step in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is performed by the internal computers of the system control units 201, 211, 221, etc., executing a computer program stored in a memory.

[0092] In the third embodiment, for example, during pairing, the child device may become busy due to other processing (a state in which settings cannot be temporarily reflected), and the pairing process may not be completed within the specified pairing process time. If the child device is added without any warning during pairing without being able to set up notifications, the operator may start using the system without realizing that the notification settings have not been set up. As a result, even though the operator has set up notifications, the notification from the child device may not reach the parent device, and the expected system operation may not be achieved.

[0093] Therefore, in this embodiment, a retry is performed when the notification setting of the notification target item cannot be completed normally in the first embodiment. Then, while the retry is being performed, the time (timeout) for pairing is extended. Also, the sleep operation of the sensor device 102 as a communication device is postponed. Furthermore, a warning notification is issued. Steps S1001 and S1002 in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] 10, the system control unit 211 starts a sleep transition timer. For example, in the Z-Wave standard, the sleep transition timer is extended by receiving a command of the Z-Wave standard (steps S1008, S1011, S1014, and S1019 are also the same, so the following description will be omitted).

[0095] In step S1004 of Fig. 10, the operator clicks the Add button 302 on the device management screen 300 of Fig. 3A to pair and add the sensor device 102 as a slave device. That is, the Add button 302 triggers the start of pairing on the device management screen 300, and in response, the system control unit 201 of the network camera 101 starts pairing in step S501 of the flowchart of Fig. 5. Then, in step S502, all items to be notified are acquired from the sensor device 102 as a slave device, and in step S503, it is determined whether there are any items to be notified.

[0096] On the other hand, in step S1005 of Fig. 10, system control unit 201 starts a pairing timer. This is because if pairing cannot be completed within a predetermined time, the pairing is deemed to have failed and the process is interrupted. Steps S1006, S1007, and S1009 in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S404, S405, and S406 in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described here. When an item to be notified is received from the sensor device 102 in step S1009 of FIG. 10, it is determined in step S503 of FIG. 5 that there is an item to be notified, and in step S504, the system control unit 201 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 11(A).

[0097] That is, in step S1101 of FIG. 11, the system control unit 201 turns on the notification setting for the received notification target item (step S1010 of FIG. 10). That is, for example, the notification setting information 600 in Fig. 6A is transmitted to the sensor device 102. In response to this, the sensor device 102 notifies the parent device of, for example, a busy state (step S1012 in Fig. 10).

[0098] For example, the Z-Wave standard provides an "Application Busy" command for notifying the processing status. Therefore, the sensor device 102 of this embodiment transmits "Application Busy" with Status=0x01 (indicating that a retry should be made after waiting a few seconds) specified.

[0099] 11, the system control unit 201 determines whether or not a busy state has been received, and if a busy state has been received, the process proceeds to step S1103. If a busy state has not been received, the system control unit 201 determines that the notification setting has been completed successfully, and the process proceeds to step S505 and subsequent steps in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

[0100] 11, the system control unit 201 determines whether the number of retries has reached the upper limit. If the number is less than the upper limit, the system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1104. If the number is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the system control unit 201 suspends the retries and waits for the pairing timer to time out. Here, the upper limit is set to, for example, 1 time.

[0101] In step S1104 of FIG. 11, the system control unit 201 transmits a command to extend the sleep transition timer (step S1013 of FIG. 10). For example, in the Z-Wave standard, any command of the Z-Wave standard may be transmitted. Also, if the retry interval is shorter than the timeout time of the sleep transition timer, this process may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S1105. The sensor device 102 notifies the parent device of, for example, a busy state (step S1015 of FIG. 10).

[0102] Step S1013 is an application example of the instruction means of the present invention. That is, when a predetermined notification (busy state) is received from the sensor device 102 as a response to the instruction in step S1010, an instruction to postpone (extend) the sleep operation of the sensor device 102 is issued to the sensor device 102.

[0103] In step S1016 of Fig. 10, when the system control unit 201 detects a timeout of the pairing timer, it generates an interrupt. When the system control unit 201 detects the interrupt, it starts the operation of the flowchart of Fig. 11(B).

[0104] 11B, the system control unit 201 determines whether the interrupt type is a timeout detection of the pairing timer. If the pairing timer has timed out, the system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1111. If the interrupt type is anything other than this, the system control unit 201 ends the interrupt process.

[0105] In step S1111, system control unit 201 determines whether a retry is in progress based on whether the number of retries has reached the upper limit. If the number of retries is less than the upper limit, system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1112. If the number of retries is equal to or greater than the upper limit, system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1113. As of step S1016 in FIG. 10, the number of retries is 0, which is less than the upper limit, so system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1112 in FIG.

[0106] In step S1112, system control unit 201 extends the pairing timer (time limit for pairing) (step S1017 in FIG. 10). System control unit 201 advances the process to S1105 in FIG. 11A to continue the retry process. In step S1105, the system control unit 201 retransmits the notification setting for the notification target item (step S1018 in FIG. 10). In response, the sensor device 102 notifies the network camera 101, which acts as the parent device, of the busy state (step S1020 in FIG. 10). Thereafter, the system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1103.

[0107] Step S1018 is an application example of the instruction means of the present invention. That is, when a predetermined notification (busy state) is received from the sensor device 102 as a response to the instruction in step S1010, the instruction means again instructs the sensor device 102 to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target item. Also, in step S1017, the instruction means extends the time limit for pairing.

[0108] In step S1103, system control unit 201 determines whether the number of retries has reached the upper limit. As of step S1020, the number of retries is one, so system control unit 201 suspends the retries and waits for the pairing timer to time out. In step S1021 of Fig. 10, when the system control unit 201 detects that the pairing timer has timed out, it generates an interrupt. When the system control unit 201 detects the interrupt, it starts the flowchart of Fig. 11(B).

[0109] In step S1110, system control unit 201 determines whether the interrupt type is a timeout detection of a pairing timer. Since the timeout of the pairing timer is detected, system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1111. In step S1111, system control unit 201 determines whether a retry is in progress based on whether the number of retries has reached the upper limit. As of step S1021, the number of retries has reached the upper limit, so system control unit 201 proceeds to step S1113.

[0110] In step S1113, the system control unit 201 displays a warning screen 1200 of Fig. 12 indicating that notification setting during pairing has failed (step S1022 of Fig. 10). Specifically, the warning screen 1200 displays a warning mark 1201 in the display area 311 of the device management screen 310 of Fig. 3(B). When the operator hovers the mouse cursor over the warning mark 1201, a warning message 1202 as shown in Fig. 12 is displayed.

[0111] Step S1022 is an application example of the instruction means of the present invention, and in step S1018, an instruction to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target item is again issued to the sensor device 102. Then, in step S1020, a warning is notified to the information terminal 104 on the condition that a predetermined notification (busy state) is received from the sensor device 102 in response to the instruction.

[0112] When the sleep transition timer times out (step S1023 in FIG. 10), the sensor device 102 transitions to the sleep state (step S1024 in FIG. 10). The processing of steps S1007 to S1022 is executed when the network camera 101 and the sensor device 102 are paired, and here, "when pairing" means "during the pairing operation" or "immediately after pairing is completed." As described above, according to the third embodiment, the operator can easily understand that the notification setting has failed, and can prevent the operator from using the sensor device 102 with the notification setting having failed.

[0113] The present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiments, a network camera will be described as an example of the camera, but the camera also includes electronic devices with an imaging function, such as a digital still camera, a digital movie camera, a smartphone with a camera, a tablet computer with a camera, an in-vehicle camera, a drone camera, and a camera mounted on a robot.

[0114] Also, for example, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the setting for enabling or disabling the notification setting is a setting for whether or not to make a predetermined notification by a communication device such as the sensor device 102. However, the setting for enabling or disabling the notification setting may be a setting for whether or not to make an information processing device such as the network camera 101 perform a predetermined operation when the information processing device receives the predetermined notification, and the present invention also includes such modified examples.

[0115] A computer program that realizes part or all of the control in this embodiment and the functions of the above-described embodiment may be supplied to a communication device or the like via a network or various storage media. A computer (or a CPU, MPU, or the like) in the communication device or the like may then read and execute the program. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 101: Network camera 102: Sensor device 103, 105: Network 104: Information terminal 106: Pairing button

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device, an acquisition unit that acquires, from the communication device when pairing with the communication device, notification items that the communication device can notify to the information processing device; an instruction means for instructing the communication device to enable or disable a notification setting related to the notification target item acquired by the acquisition means when performing the pairing with the communication device; Equipped with The information processing device is characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the notification target items from the communication device that has started the pairing in response to receiving the instruction regarding the start of the pairing from the communication control device.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition by said acquisition means and the instruction by said instruction means are performed by commands conforming to the Z-Wave standard.

3. the acquiring means acquires, from the communication device, all of the notification items that the communication device can notify to the information processing device when pairing with the communication device; The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when pairing with the communication device, the instruction means issues to the communication device the instruction to enable the notification settings for all of the notification target items acquired by the acquisition means.

4. a notification means for notifying the communication control device of the notification target items acquired by the acquisition means; a receiving unit configured to receive, from the communication control device, an instruction to enable or disable the notification setting related to the notification target item notified by the notifying unit; Further provided with 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction means instructs the communication device to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target item based on the content of the instruction received by the reception means.

5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the instruction means receives a specified notification from the communication device in response to the instruction by the instruction means, it again instructs the communication device to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target item and extends the time limit for the pairing.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the instruction means again instructs the communication device to enable or disable the notification setting for the notification target item, and sends a warning to the communication control device on the condition that the specified notification is received from the communication device in response to the instruction.

7. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the instruction means receives a predetermined notification from the communication device in response to an instruction by the instruction means, it instructs the communication device to postpone the sleep operation of the communication device.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device includes a sensor device.

9. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensor device detects at least one of gas, temperature, and a predetermined movement of a subject.

10. 10. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera.

11. The information processing device according to claim 10, further comprising a control means for performing predetermined control of the camera when a predetermined detection result by the communication device is received from the communication device for the notification target item for which the notification setting is set to be enabled.

12. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined control includes at least one of an image capturing operation of the camera, a direction control of the camera, and a recording control of the video of the camera.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the instruction to enable or disable the notification setting includes an instruction as to whether or not the communication device is to notify the predetermined detection result by the communication device.

14. A control method in an information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device, an acquisition step of acquiring, from the communication device when pairing with the information processing device, notification items that the communication device can notify to the information processing device; an instruction step of instructing the communication device to enable or disable a notification setting related to the notification target item acquired in the acquisition step when performing the pairing with the communication device; Equipped with The control method is characterized in that the acquisition step acquires the notification target items from the communication device that has started the pairing in response to receiving the instruction regarding the start of the pairing from the communication control device.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. an acquisition means for acquiring, from the information processing device, notification items that the information processing device can notify the communication device of, when pairing the information processing device and the communication device; a transmitting means for transmitting, to the information processing device, an instruction to enable or disable a notification setting related to the notification target item acquired by the acquiring means when performing the pairing, the notification setting to be notified to the information processing device by the communication device; A communication control device comprising:

17. 17. The communication control device according to claim 16, wherein the information processing device and the communication device perform communication according to the Z-Wave standard.

18. the information processing device includes a camera; 18. The communication control device according to claim 16, wherein the camera performs a predetermined control when the camera receives a predetermined notification from the communication device.

19. 19. The communication control device according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined control includes at least one of an image capturing operation of the camera, a direction control of the camera, and a recording control of the video of the camera.

20. 20. The communication control device according to claim 16, further comprising a display means for displaying a setting screen for enabling or disabling the notification setting corresponding to each notification target item acquired by the acquisition means.

21. 21. The communication control device according to claim 16, wherein the instruction is to enable the notification setting for all of the notification target items acquired by the acquisition unit when performing the pairing.

22. an acquisition step of acquiring, from the information processing device, notification items that the information processing device can notify the communication device of, when pairing the information processing device and the communication device, has acquired from the information processing device; a transmission step of transmitting, to the information processing device, an instruction to enable or disable a notification setting related to the notification target item acquired by the acquisition step when performing the pairing, the notification setting to be notified to the information processing device by the communication device; A communication control method including:

23. A program for causing a computer to function as the communication control device according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

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