Network devices, communication systems, notification methods, and programs

Abstract

To provide a network device, a communication system, a notification method, and a program that allow abnormalities in network apparatuses to be immediately and easily grasped.SOLUTION: A network device includes: a device status acquisition unit that acquires a device status, which is information relating to the status of a device; a device setting acquisition unit that acquires a device setting, which is the setting content of the device; a first diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether the device has an abnormality based on the device status and the device setting; and a notification unit that gives notice of an abnormality when a diagnosis result of the first diagnostic unit indicates that the device has an abnormality. The notification unit gives notice via a fixed telephone line interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention provides a network device, a communication system, a notification method, and a program that can immediately and simply grasp abnormalities in network devices.

Background Art

[0002] A so-called home gateway (HGW), typified by a wireless router, often performs operation settings and status grasping via a web GUI (Graphical User Interface) by logging in through a network. Also, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be installed in the device housing, and the state of the device may be notified by the emission mode of the LED.

[0003] Therefore, when an abnormality such as the inability to connect to the network or the inability to make a phone call occurs in the HGW, there is a problem that the user cannot immediately notice the abnormality by the above method. Also, even if the user notices the abnormality, it may be difficult to immediately know from the emission mode of the LED or the like where and what kind of abnormality has occurred.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses the following invention. The invention relates to a system that can remotely monitor refrigerated containers and can notify a mobile phone when an abnormality occurs in the operation of a container. The document states, "If an abnormality such as a power-off abnormality, an abnormality outside the appropriate temperature range, or a defrosting abnormality occurs in any of the many refrigerated containers A being monitored, the system will call the mobile phone 50 of the user of the mobile phone owned by the user managing the refrigerated container in question and send an email specifying the type of abnormality that occurred and the refrigerated container in question. Therefore, the user can immediately go to the refrigerated container where the abnormality occurred and respond quickly." It also states, "However, it is conceivable that an email notification of an abnormality may not be sent immediately if the mobile phone 50 being called is turned off, or if the user managing the mobile phone 50 is in an area where radio waves cannot reach, or for some other reason. In such cases, an email notification will be sent to an emergency contact registered in the customer DB (not shown) after a predetermined time (for example, about 40 minutes) has elapsed since the call." [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-005136 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The disclosures in the above-mentioned prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was conducted by the inventors.

[0007] As described above, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to notify of abnormal operation of a monitored refrigerated container via the Internet, public switched telephone network, or mobile communication network. This invention is effective when the user (customer), the monitored object (refrigerated container), and the monitor (monitoring server) are far apart from each other. On the other hand, when the HGW is the object of monitoring, the HGW is installed near the user. If an abnormality occurs in the operation of the HGW, it is necessary to notify the user by some means, but communication in the home network, which is composed of a LAN (Local Area Network) using wired and wireless connections, may become impossible due to the HGW abnormality, making it impossible to notify or check the status via a web GUI. Furthermore, the method of notifying of an HGW abnormality by making a call to a mobile phone, etc., as in the invention of Patent Document 1, is inappropriate because it is roundabout and incurs communication costs, as it unnecessarily sends notifications that occurred nearby via the public network.

[0008] Therefore, from one perspective of the present invention, the objective is to provide a network device, a communication system, a notification method, and a program that can immediately and easily detect abnormalities in network equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a network device is provided which includes: a device status acquisition unit that acquires device status, which is information relating to the state of the device; a device setting acquisition unit that acquires device settings, which are the settings of the device; a first diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether or not the device is abnormal based on the device status and the device settings; and a notification unit that notifies of the abnormality when the diagnosis result of the first diagnostic unit is that the device is abnormal, wherein the notification unit makes notifications via a fixed telephone line interface.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention provides a communication system including a monitoring server device and a gateway device, the communication system including a monitoring server having a monitoring unit that detects abnormalities in the operation of the gateway device by communicating with the gateway device, and a diagnostic request transmission unit that transmits a diagnostic request to the gateway device when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring unit; a device status acquisition unit that acquires a device status which is information relating to the state of the gateway device, a device setting acquisition unit that acquires a device setting which is the setting content of the gateway device, a second diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether or not the gateway device has an abnormality based on the device status and the device setting in response to the diagnostic request, and a notification unit that notifies of the abnormality when the diagnosis result of the second diagnostic unit is that there is an abnormality, the notification unit notifies via a fixed telephone line interface.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention provides a notification method that performs the following steps by a computer: a step of acquiring a device status which is information relating to the state of the device; a step of acquiring a device setting which is the setting of the device; a step of diagnosing whether the device is abnormal based on the device status and the device setting; and a step of notifying the abnormality via a fixed telephone line interface if the result of the diagnosis is that the device is abnormal.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: a process of acquiring a device status, which is information about the state of the device; a process of acquiring a device setting, which is the setting content of the device; a process of diagnosing whether or not the device is abnormal based on the device status and the device setting; and a process of notifying the abnormality via a fixed telephone line interface if the result of the diagnosis is that the device is abnormal.

[0013] This program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to each aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a network device, a communication system, a notification method, and a program that can immediately and easily detect abnormalities in network equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the network device disclosed herein. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the network device described herein. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of the network device related to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an overview of the processing of the communication system disclosed herein. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates an example of the configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 6] This disclosure includes a diagram illustrating the operation of the monitoring server device and the gateway device in the communication system described herein. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates the configuration of the embodiments described in this disclosure. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates the configuration of the embodiments described in this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is an example of the web GUI display of the HGW abnormality notification function in the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is an example of a call signal in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12]This is the display of the display monitor when a device abnormality is notified in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is an example of an error code database in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a correspondence table of settings in the web GUI in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a configuration in an alarm function such as an alarm clock in another embodiment of the invention of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This is a configuration in cooperation with an IoT camera in another embodiment of the invention of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This is a configuration corresponding to an emergency earthquake early warning in another embodiment of the invention of the present disclosure. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0016] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. The drawing reference numerals appended to this overview are for convenience of each element as an example for assisting understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. In the present disclosure, the drawings are associated with one or more embodiments.

[0017] [Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the network device 10 of the present disclosure. The network device 10 of the present disclosure includes a device state acquisition unit 11, a device setting acquisition unit 12, a first diagnosis unit 13, and a notification unit 14.

[0018] The device state acquisition unit 11 acquires a device state, which is information regarding the state of the device. The device setting acquisition unit 12 acquires a device setting, which is the setting content of the device. The first diagnosis unit 13 diagnoses whether the device has an abnormality based on the device state and the device setting. The notification unit 14 notifies an abnormality when the diagnosis result of the first diagnosis unit 13 is a diagnosis result indicating an abnormality.

[0019] A feature of the network device 10 in one embodiment is that the notification unit 14 performs notification via a fixed telephone line interface.

[0020] Thus, when an abnormality occurs in the network device 10, it is possible to notify the abnormality via a telephone connected to the network device 10.

[0021] [First Embodiment] [composition] The network device 10 according to the first embodiment has the same configuration as shown in Figure 1 as in the first embodiment. That is, the network device 10 has a configuration comprising a device status acquisition unit 11, a device setting acquisition unit 12, a first diagnostic unit 13, and a notification unit 14. The features of the network device 10 in this embodiment are, as in the first embodiment, that the notification unit 14 makes notifications via a fixed telephone line interface, and that if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, the notification unit 14 makes a call to the connected telephone and notifies the user of the abnormality via an incoming call tone.

[0022] The device status acquisition unit 11 acquires device status, which is information about the status of the device. "Device" refers to the network device 10. "Device status" includes items such as the connection status of the network device (e.g., connected: destination IP address, source IP address, DNS server address / disconnected), link status (e.g., LAN1 port, communicating via 1Gbps full duplex / stopped, etc.), telephone status (available / unavailable), hardware status (normal / abnormal), and wireless LAN (enabled / disabled). These items are just examples and only a part of the total; other statuses, such as those obtainable via the web GUI of a wireless router, may also be included.

[0023] The device configuration acquisition unit 12 acquires the device configuration, which is the configuration content of the device. "Device configuration" refers to the settings of the network device 10, which are items that can be configured via the wireless router's web GUI. For example, it includes connection destination settings (connection destination name, connection method), telephone settings, wireless LAN settings, security settings, etc.

[0024] The first diagnostic unit 13 diagnoses whether the network device 10 has an abnormality based on the device status and device settings. "Abnormality" refers to a state in which the acquired device status deviates from the desirable network device state that should result from the device settings. For example, this could refer to a state in which a session connected to provider A as the connection destination via the PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) connection method is disconnected for some reason, making it impossible to use the network connection, or a state in which a connection from a terminal authenticated by the device settings of SSID and WPA encryption key in the wireless LAN settings is disconnected for some reason, making it impossible to use the network connection.

[0025] The first diagnostic unit 13 may perform a diagnosis of "abnormality" by analyzing the data using a knowledge base (device information analysis database, described later).

[0026] The notification unit 14 notifies of an abnormality if the diagnosis result of the first diagnostic unit indicates an abnormality. The notification unit 14 makes the notification via the fixed telephone line interface. Specifically, for example, if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, the notification unit 14 may call the telephone and notify the user of the abnormality via a ringtone. Alternatively, the notification unit 14 may call the telephone and notify the user of the abnormality via voice guidance through the handset. Furthermore, when notifying the user of an abnormality via a ringtone, it may be possible to distinguish and notify the user of different abnormalities by changing the type of ringtone or the ringing pattern.

[0027] If a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface and the telephone is equipped with a display monitor, the notification unit 14 may also provide notification by displaying the details of the abnormality on the display monitor.

[0028] [Explanation of operation] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the network device 10 of this disclosure. As shown in this figure, when the network device 10 starts operation, it first acquires the device status, which is information about the state of the device (step S21). Next, it acquires the device settings, which are the settings of the device (step S22). Then, based on the acquired device status and device settings, it diagnoses whether or not the device has an abnormality (step S23). If the diagnosis result is that there is no abnormality (step S24, N), it returns to the process of acquiring the device status, which is information about the state of the device (step S21). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an abnormality (step S24, Y), it notifies the details of the abnormality (step S25). Note that the order of the steps to acquire the device status (step S21) and acquire the device setting information (step S22) may be reversed.

[0029] [Hardware configuration] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the network device 10 according to this disclosure. The network device 10 can be configured with an information processing device (computer) and has the configuration illustrated in Figure 3. For example, the network device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, memory 32, input / output interface 33, and a communication means such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) 34, which are interconnected by an internal bus 35.

[0030] However, the configuration shown in Figure 3 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the devices that make up the network device 10. Each of the network devices 10 may include hardware that is not shown. Also, the number of CPUs etc. included in the network device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example in Figure 3; for example, each device may include multiple CPUs.

[0031] Memory 32 consists of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and auxiliary storage devices (such as hard disks).

[0032] The input / output interface 33 is a means that serves as an interface for display devices and input devices (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user input such as a keyboard or mouse. Note that a fixed telephone line interface is included in the input / output interface.

[0033] The functions of the network device 10 are realized by processing modules, which include a device status acquisition program, a device setting acquisition program, a first diagnostic program, and a notification program. The data used by these modules includes device status data, device setting data, and the like.

[0034] The above processing module is implemented, for example, by the CPU 31 executing programs stored in memory 32. Furthermore, these programs can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium containing the programs. The above processing module may also be implemented using a semiconductor chip. In other words, there is only a means to execute the functions performed by the above processing module using some hardware and / or software.

[0035] [Hardware operation] When the network device 10 starts operating, first a device status acquisition program is called from memory 32 to the CPU 31 and enters execution mode. This program refers to memory 32 and acquires device status data. Next, a device configuration acquisition program is called from memory 32 to the CPU 31 and enters execution mode. This program refers to memory 32, accesses the address in memory 32 where the device configuration is written, and acquires device configuration data. Next, a first diagnostic program is called from memory 32 to the CPU 31 and enters execution mode. This program reads the acquired device status data and device configuration data and diagnoses whether or not there are any abnormalities in the operation of the network device. For example, the first diagnostic program may call diagnostic rules from memory and perform the diagnosis using these diagnostic rules. The CPU 31 may also access a device information analysis database that has these diagnostic rules compiled and perform the diagnosis.

[0036] If the diagnostic process performed by the first diagnostic program concludes that there is no abnormality, the device status acquisition program is executed by the CPU 31, and the above-described process is executed again. These processes may be executed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0037] If the diagnostic process by the first diagnostic program results in an abnormality, the notification program is called from memory 32 and enters execution mode on the CPU 31. This program makes a call to the telephone connected via the fixed telephone line interface belonging to the input / output interface 33, causing the ringtone to sound.

[0038] [Explanation of effects] As described above, the network device 10 of this embodiment can provide a network device, communication system, notification method, and program that can notify nearby users of an abnormality via a fixed telephone when an abnormality occurs in the equipment.

[0039] [Second Embodiment] [Process Overview] In a second embodiment, a communication system is described that includes a gateway device corresponding to the network device 10, and a monitoring server device centrally monitors the gateway device. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing of the communication system of this disclosure. As shown in this figure, a fixed telephone 50 is connected to the TEL port of the gateway device 40. A terminal 60 is connected to the LAN1 port, and the WAN port is connected to the monitoring server device 80 via the internet 70.

[0040] At this point, the connection to terminal 60 connected to the LAN1 port was interrupted for some reason. The interruption is reflected in the device status of gateway device 40, and the monitoring server device 80, which remotely monitors the device, detects this. The monitoring server device 80 then sends a diagnostic request to gateway device 40 via the internet 70. In response to the request, gateway device 40 diagnoses whether or not there is a malfunction in gateway device 40 based on the device status and configuration information. The diagnosis results in a failure of the LAN1 port and a malfunction in gateway device 40. Therefore, gateway device 40 rings the fixed telephone 50 connected to the TEL port to notify the user of the malfunction.

[0041] As described above, in the communication system of the second embodiment, a monitoring server device 80 is located via the network, and this monitoring server monitors the status of the gateway device 40. If an abnormality in operation is found as a result of the monitoring, a diagnostic request is sent to the gateway device 40. In this way, the communication system of this embodiment makes it possible to centrally monitor the status of multiple gateway devices 40 by performing remote monitoring, and if an abnormality is detected, the gateway device 40 performs a diagnosis, and if a diagnosis result of an abnormality is obtained, it is possible to notify the gateway device 40 of this fact via a fixed telephone connected to the gateway device 40.

[0042] [composition] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to this disclosure. As shown in this figure, the communication system of this embodiment includes a gateway device 40 and a monitoring server device 80. The gateway device 40 has a device status acquisition unit 41, a device setting acquisition unit 42, a second diagnostic unit 43, and a notification unit 44. The monitoring server device 80 has a monitoring unit 81 and a diagnostic request transmission unit 82. Of these, the device status acquisition unit 41 of the gateway device 40 corresponds to the device status acquisition unit 11, the device setting acquisition unit 42 corresponds to the device setting acquisition unit 12, and the notification unit 44 corresponds to the notification unit 14, and since they have the same function, their description is omitted.

[0043] The monitoring unit 81 detects abnormalities in the operation of the gateway device 40 by communicating with the gateway device 40 at the monitoring server device 80. Specifically, it connects to the gateway device 40 via a network and transmits the device status acquired by the gateway device 40's device status acquisition unit 41 to the monitoring unit 81 for monitoring. The monitoring unit 81 may monitor the transmitted device status in a predetermined division of responsibilities. For example, the gateway device 40 may detect abnormalities by monitoring the LAN side, while the monitoring server device may detect abnormalities by monitoring the WAN side connection.

[0044] The diagnostic request transmission unit 82 transmits a diagnostic request to the gateway device when the monitoring server device 80 detects an abnormality by the monitoring unit 81. The gateway device 40 performs a diagnosis by the second diagnostic unit, which will be described later, in response to the transmitted diagnostic request.

[0045] The second diagnostic unit 43, in response to a diagnostic request, diagnoses whether the gateway device 40 has an abnormality based on the device status acquired by the device status acquisition unit 41 and the device settings acquired by the device setting acquisition unit 42. The diagnostic process is the same as that performed by the first diagnostic unit 13 described above.

[0046] [Explanation of operation] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the monitoring server device 80 and the gateway device 40 in the communication system of this disclosure. As shown in this diagram, first the monitoring server device detects an abnormality in the operation of the gateway device (step S61). If no abnormality is detected (step S62, N), monitoring continues (step S61). If an abnormality is detected (step S62, Y), a diagnostic request is sent to the gateway device (step S63).

[0047] When a diagnostic request is sent, the gateway device acquires the device status, which is information about the device's state (step S64). Next, it acquires the device settings, which are the device's configuration details (step S65). In response to the transmitted diagnostic request, it diagnoses whether the device has an abnormality based on the acquired device status and device settings (step S66). If there is no abnormality (step S67, N), it waits until another diagnostic request arrives. If there is an abnormality (step S67, Y), it notifies the system of the abnormality (step S68).

[0048] [Explanation of effects] As described above, according to the communication system of this embodiment, a monitoring server device can monitor multiple gateway devices, and when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to notify the gateway device of the abnormality via a fixed telephone after diagnosis.

[0049] [Examples] [Process Overview] This embodiment describes the processes of monitoring for anomalies and notifying of anomalies in a network configuration where a home connects to the internet via an internet service provider.

[0050] [Device Configuration] Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 consists of an HGW (Home Gateway) 71, a telephone 72, a BAS (Broadband Access Server) 73, and an HGW anomaly monitoring server 74.

[0051] The HGW71 is typically installed in homes or offices and connects to the internet via a WAN (Wide Area Network) through the carrier's network and the BAS73. The HGW71 has VoIP (Voice over IP) functionality and connects to a telephone 72 to use IP telephony.

[0052] Telephone 72 is a device attached to the terminal of a telephone line for primarily voice-based communication and is classified as a general-purpose telephone. While this invention includes various types of telephones such as the 601 type (black telephone) and the 601P type (push-button telephone), the specific telephone is not specified. Furthermore, it can be used with both models that have ringtone settings and those that do not.

[0053] BAS73 is an access server typically installed within a telecommunications carrier, possessing router functionality and terminating various communication protocols with the HGW. The HGW anomaly monitoring server 74 is a server that exchanges information regarding the HGW's configuration values ​​with the HGW, and is connected to the BAS via a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0054] Figure 8 shows the detailed configuration of the HGW. The HGW consists of a TEL interface unit 1101, a WAN interface unit 1102, a LAN interface unit 1103, a WLAN interface unit 1104, an internal device information acquisition unit 1105, an internal device information management unit 1106, and an internal device information analysis database 1107.

[0055] The TEL interface unit 1101 is connected to a telephone. The WAN interface unit 1102 is connected to carrier network equipment such as an ONU (Optical Network Unit). The LAN interface unit 1103 is connected to network devices such as PCs. The WLAN interface unit 1104 is connected to terminals capable of WLAN communication, such as smartphones and game consoles. The device internal information acquisition unit 1105 has the function of collecting information about the device status from the functions of the WAN interface unit, LAN interface unit, and WLAN interface unit. The collected information is analyzed in the device information analysis database 1107.

[0056] The device internal information management unit 1106 manages device information such as voice guidance and dial tone information for making calls via the TEL interface, and settings for how to notify abnormalities of the HGW.

[0057] [Description of the operation of the example] First, let's explain HGW anomaly detection. HGW anomaly detection is performed by the HGW anomaly monitoring server 74 and analysis within the HGW (Figure 8). The HGW anomaly monitoring server 74 is a server that monitors abnormal operations that occur between the HGW and the internet. If an anomaly is detected, it communicates with the HGW 71 via the BAS 73 to notify it of the device anomaly. The notified information is then transmitted from the WAN interface unit 1102 to the device internal information acquisition unit 1105 and the device internal information management unit 1106, which then detect that there is an anomaly in the device.

[0058] The analysis within the HGW (Figure 8) is explained below. Status information from the WAN interface unit 1102, LAN interface unit 1103, and WLAN interface unit 1104 is transmitted to the device internal information acquisition unit 1105.

[0059] The device internal information acquisition unit 1105 transmits the acquired status information to the device information analysis database 1107.

[0060] The device information analysis database 1107 checks for any abnormalities in the acquired device information by referencing an analysis database and performing an analysis. If an abnormality is found, the information is sent to the device internal information management unit 1106 to detect that there is a problem with the device.

[0061] Figure 9 illustrates the process by which the user is notified if a device malfunction occurs. If a malfunction occurs in the HGW, the HGW checks whether a telephone is connected to the TEL interface. If no telephone is connected, it continues to operate. If a telephone is connected, it checks whether the malfunction detection setting is configured on the HGW's web GUI.

[0062] Figure 10 shows the display of the HGW malfunction notification function on the web GUI. This web GUI determines whether the HGW malfunction notification function should be used, checks whether the telephone has a display monitor, and checks the telephone's ringtone settings. The correspondence of settings in this web GUI is described in Figure 14.

[0063] If the HGW malfunction notification function is turned off, this function will not operate, and normal operation will continue. If the HGW malfunction notification function is on and the telephone does not have a display monitor, no display will be shown, but when the receiver is picked up, the voice guidance shown in Figure 13 will play. If the HGW malfunction notification function is on and the telephone has a display monitor, the error code shown in Figure 12 will be displayed on the telephone's display monitor. Also, when the receiver is picked up in this state, the voice guidance shown in Figure 13 will play. If the HGW malfunction notification function is on and a ringtone setting is enabled, the normal ringtone will sound, notifying the user. If the HGW malfunction notification function is on and no ringtone setting is enabled, a ringing signal will be made according to the specifications shown in Figure 11, and the sound will be different from the normal ringtone to make the malfunction notification easier to understand.

[0064] [Description of the effects of the examples] By making minor modifications to the configuration of existing HGW (Home Gateway) equipment, it is possible to implement a low-cost, immediate anomaly detection system using sound.

[0065] [Other embodiments of the invention] This invention aims to provide a method for using a telephone as a Home Gateway (HGW) for anomaly detection, and to enable the telephone to be used for purposes other than making calls. Examples of such uses include alarm functions like an alarm clock, integration with IoT (Internet of Things) cameras, and emergency earthquake warnings, where an alarm may sound if an anomaly is detected. In other words, the scope of this patent can be extended to include different uses of the telephone's functions.

[0066] Figure 15 shows the configuration for an alarm function similar to an alarm clock. The alarm function can be set from a PC or smartphone application connected to the HGW. By preparing signals with different frequency signal formats from the HGW in advance, as shown in the signal example in Figure 11, the user can recognize the alarm with a sound different from the call signal.

[0067] Figure 16 shows the configuration in conjunction with an IoT camera. When an anomaly is detected by an IoT camera under the HGW, the IoT camera sends an anomaly notification signal to the HGW. The HGW receives the transmitted signal and sends a ringing signal to the telephone, allowing the user to detect the anomaly. The ringing signal can be recognized by the user with a different sound from the ringing signal by preparing signals with different frequency signal transmission formats in advance, as shown in the signal example in Figure 11.

[0068] Figure 17 shows the configuration of the Earthquake Early Warning system. The Home Gateway (HGW) receives an urgent notification from the Japan Meteorological Agency and notifies users via their connected telephones. The ringtone for the Earthquake Early Warning can be created by adjusting the settings of the ringtone by preparing in advance signals with different frequency signal transmission formats, as shown in the signal example in Figure 11. This system allows notifications to be sent to users who do not use televisions or smartphones.

[0069] In the above embodiments and examples, when detecting abnormalities in network devices or gateway devices, a polling-type process is performed to acquire status information by a device status acquisition unit and a device internal information acquisition unit. In contrast, in the example of [another embodiment of the invention], since the detection of events such as the arrival of time, the detection of changes in images, and the arrival of earthquakes is an interrupt-type process corresponding to the occurrence of predetermined events, an interrupt request transmission unit is provided to send an interrupt processing request to the device side. The notification unit of the gateway device is configured to send notifications in response to the interrupt request from the device's interrupt request unit.

[0070] In other words, a network device or an interrupt request transmission unit that transmits an interrupt request in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, further comprising an interrupt processing unit that performs interrupt processing in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, and the notification unit further comprising a configuration for notifying that an interrupt has occurred, and a communication system wherein the notification unit of the gateway device further comprises a configuration for providing notification in response to an interrupt request from the interrupt request unit of the device.

[0071] Some or all of the above disclosures may also be described as follows, but are not limited to these: [Note 1] The network device is as described above in relation to the first perspective. [Note 2] The notification unit, if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, will call the telephone and notify the user of the abnormality via a ringtone, preferably the network device described in Appendix 1. [Note 3] The notification unit, if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, will call the telephone and notify the user of the details of the abnormality via voice guidance through the handset, preferably a network device as described in Appendix 1 or 2. [Note 4] When the notification unit notifies of the nature of an abnormality via a ringtone, it distinguishes and notifies the nature of the abnormality by changing the ringtone's sounding pattern, preferably one of the network devices described in Appendix 1 to 3. [Note 5] The notification unit is a network device, preferably one of those described in Appendix 1 to 4, which, when a telephone is connected to a fixed telephone line interface and the telephone is equipped with a display monitor, notifies by displaying the details of the abnormality on the display monitor. [Note 6] The network device further comprises an interrupt processing unit that performs interrupt processing in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, and the notification unit further notifies that an interrupt has occurred, preferably one of the devices described in Appendix 1 to 5. [Note 7] The communication system is as described above in relation to the second perspective. [Note 8] A device having an interrupt request transmission unit that transmits an interrupt processing request in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, and a notification unit of the gateway device that provides notification in response to the interrupt request of the interrupt request transmission unit of the device, preferably a communication system as described in Appendix 7. [Note 9] The notification method for the third perspective described above is as follows. [Note 10] The program related to the fourth perspective described above is as follows. Note that, similar to Appendix 1, Appendices 9 and 10 can be expanded into Appendices 2 through 6.

[0072] Each of the disclosures cited above in the patent documents, etc., shall be incorporated into this book by reference. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the basic technical concept. Furthermore, within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and changes that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the full disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this book, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10: Network device 11: Device status acquisition unit 12:Device settings acquisition section 13: First Diagnostic Department 14:Notification section 31: CPU 32: Memory 33: Input / Output Interface 34: NIC 35: Internal bus 40: Gateway device 41: Device status acquisition unit 42:Device settings acquisition section 43: Second Diagnostic Department 44:Notification Department 50: Landline telephone 60: Terminal 70: Internet 71: HGW 72: Telephone 74: HGW anomaly monitoring server 80: Monitoring server device 81: Monitoring Department 82: Diagnostic Request Transmission Unit 1101: TEL Interface Unit 1102: WAN Interface Section 1103: LAN Interface Section 1104: WLAN Interface Section 1105: Device internal information acquisition unit 1106:Device internal information management department 1107: Device Information Analysis Database

Claims

1. A communication system including a monitoring server device and a gateway device, A monitoring unit that detects abnormalities in the operation of the gateway device by communicating with the gateway device, A diagnostic request transmission unit that transmits a diagnostic request to the gateway device when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring unit, A monitoring server device having, A device status acquisition unit acquires device status, which is information regarding the state of the gateway device. A device setting acquisition unit acquires the device settings, which are the settings of the gateway device. A second diagnostic unit, in response to the diagnostic request, diagnoses whether the gateway device has an abnormality based on the device status and the device settings, The system includes a notification unit that notifies of an abnormality if the diagnosis result of the second diagnostic unit indicates an abnormality. The notification unit provides notifications via a fixed telephone line interface. Gateway device and A communication system that includes this.

2. The notification unit, if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, will call the telephone and notify the user of the abnormality via a ringtone. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. The notification unit, if a telephone is connected to the fixed telephone line interface, will call the telephone and notify the user of the abnormality via voice guidance through the handset. The communication system according to claim 1.

4. When the notification unit notifies the details of the abnormality by ringtone, it distinguishes and notifies the details of the abnormality by changing the ringtone's sounding pattern. The communication system according to claim 2.

5. The notification unit, when a telephone is connected to a fixed telephone line interface and the telephone is equipped with a display monitor, notifies the user by displaying the details of the abnormality on the display monitor. The communication system according to claim 1.

6. An interrupt request transmission unit transmits an interrupt request to temporarily suspend the process of acquiring the device status in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event. A device having the following The notification unit of the gateway device notifies that the predetermined event interrupt processing has occurred in response to an interrupt request from the interrupt request transmission unit of the device. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A notification method which involves the following steps being performed by a monitoring server device and a gateway device: A monitoring step in which the monitoring server device communicates with the gateway device to detect an abnormality in the operation of the gateway device, The monitoring server device sends a diagnostic request to the gateway device if an abnormality is detected in the monitoring step, The gateway device acquires a device status, which is information regarding the state of the gateway device. The gateway device acquires the device settings, which are the settings of the gateway device. In response to the diagnostic request, the gateway device diagnoses whether or not it has an abnormality based on the device status and the device settings. If the diagnosis result indicates an abnormality, the gateway device notifies the abnormality via the fixed telephone line interface. Notification methods, including those mentioned above.

8. A program that causes a monitoring server device and a gateway device to perform the following processes, A monitoring process that detects abnormalities in the operation of the gateway device by communicating with the gateway device, The monitoring server device sends a diagnostic request to the gateway device when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring process, The monitoring server device is instructed to execute the following: A process for acquiring the device status, which is information regarding the state of the gateway device, A process to obtain the device settings, which are the settings of the gateway device, In response to the diagnostic request, a process is performed to diagnose whether the gateway device has an abnormality based on the device status and the device settings. If the diagnosis results in an abnormality, the process of notifying the abnormality via the fixed telephone line interface is performed. A program to cause the gateway device to execute the above.

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