Control system, control device, control method, and program

Abstract

If the control device (1) determines that the MAC address information of the device (3) that sent the device message is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device (3) that sent the device message is not IPv6 compatible, it sends an ARP request to the device (3) belonging to the local network to obtain the MAC address information of the device (3). If it is determined that the device (3) that sent the device message is IPv6 compatible, it sends a neighbor request to the device (3) belonging to the local network to obtain the MAC address information of the device (3), and adds the obtained MAC address information to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a control device that controls a device by transmitting control information for controlling the device to the device based on the MAC address of the device in the network to which the device belongs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This control device includes an ARP table storage unit that stores ARP table information for associating the IP address and the MAC address assigned to the device with each other in the network to which the device belongs, and based on the ARP table information, identifies the MAC address of the device, and based on the identified MAC address, transmits a device message to the device. Then, the control device transmits ARP request information to a device corresponding to a combination of an IP address and a MAC address not included in the ARP table information, acquires the MAC address information, and adds it to the ARP table information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in control devices that control devices by communicating with them over a network, a technology is being developed that controls devices without being affected by dynamic address updates by managing the devices to be controlled by associating them with the static MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned to them. In this case, when controlling a device that is not registered as a device to be managed by the control device, it is necessary to obtain the MAC address from that device. On the other hand, some devices connected to a network do not support IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6). And, in the control device described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that it will not be able to detect the MAC address of such a non-IPv6 compatible device when it is newly connected to the network.

[0005] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide a control system, control device, control method, and program that can appropriately manage a controlled device using its MAC address. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the control system relating to this disclosure is A control system for controlling a device that supports at least one of IPv4 and IPv6, by transmitting control information to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the device's MAC address, A device information storage unit that stores IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device and MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device in association with each other, A device control unit transmits control information, which includes the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device. An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device with the MAC address information in the network to which the device belongs, A message acquisition unit that acquires device messages transmitted from the aforementioned device, When the message acquisition unit acquires the device message transmitted from the device, the acquired equipment telegram Based on the source IP address information contained in the device message An Internet Protocol determination unit that determines whether the device that is the source of the transmission supports IPv6, If the device is determined not to support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if the device is determined to support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and the device that sent the device message is determined not to support IPv6, the MAC address acquisition unit obtains the MAC address information by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message is IPv6 compatible, the MAC address acquisition unit obtains the MAC address information by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device message to the device belonging to the network, and adds the acquired MAC address information to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. The device information update unit, when it is determined that the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information contains the MAC address information, associates the IP address information and MAC address information of the sender of the device message with each other and stores them in the device information storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, if the MAC address acquisition unit determines that the MAC address information of the device that sent the device message is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information of the device by sending ARP request information containing the IP address information of the device to a device belonging to the network. If the MAC address acquisition unit determines that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information of the device by sending neighbor request information containing the IP address information of the device message sender to a device belonging to the network. The MAC address acquisition unit then adds the acquired MAC address information to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. As a result, the MAC address of a device can be obtained regardless of whether the device supports IPv6 or not, so that the device to be controlled can be appropriately managed using its MAC address. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the control system according to the embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the information stored by the device information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Sequence diagram showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]Sequence diagram showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Sequence diagram showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Sequence diagram showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Sequence diagram showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of equipment control processing performed by the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of equipment control processing performed by the control device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The control system according to this embodiment controls a device by transmitting control information for controlling a device that corresponds to at least one of IPv4 and IPv6 to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the device's MAC address. This control system comprises a device information storage unit that stores IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device and MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device in association with each other, and a device control unit that transmits control information, including the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device.Furthermore, the control system includes an ARP table storage unit that stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating IP addresses assigned to IPv4-compatible devices and MAC address information indicating MAC addresses in the network to which the device belongs, a neighbor cache table storage unit that stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating IP addresses assigned to IPv6-compatible devices and MAC address information in the network to which the device belongs, an Internet protocol determination unit that determines whether the source device of the device message transmitted from the device supports IPv6, and if it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, it determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address assigned to the source device of the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, it determines whether the neighbor cache table The system includes a MAC address existence determination unit that determines whether the data includes MAC address information corresponding to IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message, and a MAC address acquisition unit that, if it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information, obtains MAC address information by sending ARP request information containing the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to a device in the network if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, obtains MAC address information of the device by sending neighbor request information containing the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to a device in the network, and adds the acquired MAC address information to the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information. Furthermore, the control system includes a device information update unit that, if it is determined that MAC address information is included in the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information, associates the IP address information and MAC address information of the device that sent the device message with each other and stores them in the device information storage unit.

[0010] The control system according to this embodiment comprises a control device 1 and a cloud server 2, as shown in Figure 1. The control device 1 is connected to a local network NW2 to which the device 3 and BBR 8 are connected, and the device 3 and the control device 1 can communicate via the local network NW2. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The cloud server 2 can communicate with the control device 1 via a wide area network NW1 such as the internet and a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 8.

[0011] Device 3 is an air conditioner, lighting fixture, etc., and operates based on control information transmitted from the control device 1. Each of the devices 3 includes a device information storage unit (not shown) that stores IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device itself by the BBR8, MAC address information indicating the MAC address unique to the device itself, model information indicating the type of the device itself, and identification number information for identifying the device itself at the application layer. When the device 3 is newly connected to the local network NW2, it transmits connection request information requesting connection to the local network NW2 to the BBR8, obtains the IP address information transmitted from the BBR8, and stores the obtained IP address information in the device information storage unit. Further, when a network update event occurs in which the IP address of the device 3 is assigned as the device 3 is newly connected to the local network NW2, or the IP address is updated as the expiration date of the IP address of the device 3 approaches, the device 3 generates network update notification information notifying that the IP address has been updated and transmits it to the control device 1. This network update notification information includes the above-described model information and identification number information, and corresponds to, for example, an instance list notification defined by EchonetLite (registered trademark). The identification number information is, for example, device identification information pre-assigned by the manufacturer of the device 3 according to the format defined by EchonetLite (registered trademark). The identification number information corresponding to this instance list notification is broadcast via the BBR8, and can be acquired by all of the devices 3 and the control device 1 connected to the local network NW2. Further, the device 3 periodically generates device status information including parameter information indicating the status of the device itself at a preset cycle, and transmits the generated device status information to the control device 1. This device status information further includes device status information including the model information and identification number information of the device itself.

[0012] In addition, the devices 3 include those that do not support IPv6 and those that support IPv6. When a device 3 that does not support IPv6 acquires ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) request information from BBR8, another device 3 belonging to the local network NW2, or the control device 1, it includes an ARP response unit (not shown) that transmits ARP reply information including the IP address information assigned to the device itself and the MAC address information of the device itself to BBR8 in response. On the other hand, when a device 3 that supports IPv6 acquires neighbor solicitation information from BBR8, another device 3 belonging to the local network NW2, or the control device 1, it includes a neighbor advertisement response unit (not shown) that transmits neighbor advertisement information including the IP address information assigned to the device itself, the MAC address information of the device itself, and the aforementioned communication state information to BBR8 in response.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, BBR8 has a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function unit 811 and functions as a DHCP server as well as a normal router. When the DHCP function unit 811 receives connection request information from a device 3 or the control device 1, it identifies an IP address to be assigned to the device 3 or the control device 1 that is the source of the connection request information from among a plurality of preset IP addresses. Then, the DHCP function unit 811 transmits IP address information indicating the identified IP address to the device 3 or the control device 1 that is the source.

[0014] The control unit 1 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 107, and a bus 109 connecting the units. The main memory unit 102 is a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a workspace for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 has a non-volatile memory such as semiconductor memory and functions as ROM (Read Only Memory) or storage, storing programs for realizing various functions of the control unit 1. The communication unit 107 has, for example, a wireless module and performs wireless communication with the device 3 and BBR8. The wireless module has a signal generation circuit and an antenna that generate wireless signals, and for example, the data link layer communicates using the IEEE 802.11 series communication protocol.

[0015] In the control device 1, the CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, so that it functions as a message acquisition unit 111, an Internet protocol determination unit 112, a MAC address existence determination unit 113, an encapsulated message transmission unit 114, a MAC address acquisition unit 116, a message reconstruction unit 117, an encapsulated message acquisition unit 118, and a message transmission unit 119, as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in Figure 2 has an ARP table storage unit 131 and a neighbor cache table storage unit 132, as shown in Figure 3. In addition, the main storage unit 102 shown in Figure 2 has a payload buffer 121 that temporarily stores payload information stored in the payload section included in the device message transmitted from the device 3, as shown in Figure 3. The ARP table storage unit 131 stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IPv4 IP address assigned to device 3, which supports IPv4, with MAC address information indicating the MAC address unique to device 3, in the local network NW2 to which device 3 belongs.

[0016] The neighbor cache table storage unit 132 stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IPv6 IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device 3 in the local network NW2 to which device 3 belongs, MAC address information indicating the MAC address of device 3, and communication status information indicating the communication status with device 3.

[0017] When the message acquisition unit 111 acquires a device message transmitted from device 3, it notifies the Internet Protocol determination unit 112 of the acquired device message. This device message includes the aforementioned network update notification information, device status information, etc. Furthermore, if the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines that the MAC address information contained in the acquired device message is not included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 or the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132, the message acquisition unit 111 extracts the payload information stored in the payload section of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload section buffer 121. After the message acquisition unit 111 has extracted the payload section information and stored it in the payload section buffer 121, if it receives the MAC address acquisition failure notification information described later from the MAC address acquisition unit 116, it discards the acquired device message by erasing the payload section information stored in the payload section buffer 121. Meanwhile, if the message acquisition unit 111 determines, based on the MAC address existence determination unit 113, that the MAC address information contained in the acquired device message is included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 or the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132, the message acquisition unit 111 notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 of the acquired device message.

[0018] The Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines whether the device 3 that sent the device message notified by the Message Acquisition Unit 111 supports IPv6. Here, the Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines, for example, whether the IP address information stored in the header of the device message indicates an IP address in a representation format that supports IPv4-mapped-IPv6. In an IP address in a representation format that supports IPv4-mapped-IPv6, the upper 80 bits are "0", bits 81 to 96 are "1", and the remaining 32 bits are the IPv4 IP address. Therefore, the Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines, for example, that if the upper 80 bits of the IP address indicated by the IP address information stored in the header of the device message are "0", the device 3 that sent the device message does not support IPv6. On the other hand, the Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines, for example, that if the prefix part of the IP address indicated by the IP address information stored in the header of the device message is "FE80::", which indicates a link-local address, the device 3 that sent the device message supports IPv6.

[0019] If the Internet Protocol determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines whether the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device message sender is included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131. On the other hand, if the Internet Protocol determination unit 112 determines that the device 3 that sent the device message does support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines whether the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device message sender is included in the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132.

[0020] The encapsulated message transmission unit 114 encapsulates the device message notified by the message acquisition unit 111 or the device message notified by the message reconstruction unit 117 by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination. The encapsulated message transmission unit 114 then transmits the encapsulated device message to the cloud server 2. In addition, after encapsulating and transmitting the device message notified by the message reconstruction unit 117 to the cloud server 2, the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 erases the payload information contained in the transmitted device message stored in the payload buffer 121.

[0021] If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines, by the Internet Protocol determination unit 112, that the device sending the device message does not support IPv6, and if the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines that the MAC address information is not included in the aforementioned ARP table information, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 sends ARP request information containing the IP address information of the device sending the device message to device 3 belonging to the local network NW2. If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 fails to acquire ARP reply information within a predetermined waiting time, it notifies the message acquisition unit 111 of a MAC address acquisition failure notification. Here, the waiting time can be set, for example, from a few seconds to a few minutes. On the other hand, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 acquires ARP reply information sent from device 3 within the aforementioned waiting time, it extracts and acquires the MAC address information included in the acquired ARP reply information. Then, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 associates the acquired MAC address information with the IP address information included in the ARP request information and adds it to the ARP table information.

[0022] On the other hand, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines, by the Internet Protocol determination unit 112, that the device that sent the device message is IPv6 compatible, and the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines, by the aforementioned neighbor cache table information, that the MAC address acquisition unit 116 sends neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message, to device 3 belonging to the local network NW2. At this time, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 generates a dummy message to device 3, the device that sent the device message, at the application layer and executes a transmission request process to send the dummy message. In this case, since the MAC address acquisition unit 116 does not know the MAC address of device 3, the device that sent the device message and is the destination of the dummy message, it performs a neighbor discovery as defined in ICMPv6 (Internet Control Message Protocol for IPv6). Then, as part of this neighbor discovery, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 sends neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the device message sender, to device 3 belonging to the local network NW2. Furthermore, the dummy message is configured to be discarded by device 3 once it receives it. For example, a dummy message can be one in which the checksum of its IP header is set to "0". Here, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 fails to acquire neighbor advertisement information within a predetermined waiting time, it notifies the message acquisition unit 111 of a MAC address acquisition failure notification. On the other hand, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 acquires neighbor advertisement information transmitted from device 3 within the aforementioned waiting time, it extracts and acquires the MAC address information and communication status information contained in the acquired neighbor advertisement information. The MAC address acquisition unit 116 then associates the acquired MAC address information and communication status confirmation with the IP address information included in the neighbor request information and adds them to the neighbor cache table information. Subsequently, based on the execution of the aforementioned transmission request processing, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 notifies the message transmission unit 119 of the generated dummy message and the MAC address information of device 3, the destination of the dummy message.

[0023] The message reconstruction unit 117 reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information, the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121, and the IP address information of the device 3 that sent the device message. Here, the message reconstruction unit 117 reconstructs the device message by adding header information, which includes the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information and the IP address information of the device 3 that sent the device message, to the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121. The message reconstruction unit 117 notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 of the reconstructed device message.

[0024] When the encapsulated message acquisition unit 118 acquires an encapsulated message transmitted from the cloud server 2, it decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message by removing the header information necessary to specify the control device 1 as the destination. The encapsulated message acquisition unit 118 then notifies the message transmission unit 119 of the decapsulated message. The message transmission unit 119 transmits the message to device 3 based on the MAC address information of device 3 included in the message notified by the encapsulated message acquisition unit 118. Furthermore, when the message transmission unit 119 receives notification from the MAC address acquisition unit 116 of a dummy message and the MAC address information of the destination of the dummy message, it transmits the dummy message to device 3 based on the notified MAC address information.

[0025] Returning to Figure 2, the cloud server 2 comprises a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 connecting the units. The CPU 201 is, for example, a multi-core processor. In the cloud server 2, the CPU 201 reads the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 203 into the main memory unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as an encapsulated message acquisition unit 211, a device information update unit 212, a device status update unit 213, a device control unit 214, and an encapsulated message transmission unit 215, as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the auxiliary memory unit 203 shown in Figure 2 has a device information storage unit 231 and a device status storage unit 232, as shown in Figure 3. The device information storage unit 231 stores the MAC address information of multiple devices 3 connected to the local network NW2, associating it with the MAC address information of a control device 1 connected to the local network NW2, as shown in Figure 4, for example. Furthermore, the device information storage unit 231 stores, for each MAC address information of the control device 1, a combination of IP address information, model information, and identification number information for each of the multiple devices 3, associated with the MAC address information of the device 3.

[0026] Returning to Figure 3, the device state storage unit 232 stores the aforementioned parameter information for each of the devices 3, associating it with the model information and identification number information of the device 3.

[0027] When the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211 acquires an encapsulated device message transmitted from the control device 1, it performs decapsulation by removing the header information for specifying the cloud server 2 as the destination from the acquired encapsulated device message. The encapsulated message acquisition unit 211 then determines the type of device message based on the extended information in the payload portion of the acquired device message. If the device message conforms to a format defined by, for example, EchonetLite, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211 determines the type of device message based on, for example, the ECHONETLite property code. If the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211 determines that the device message is network change notification information, it notifies the device information update unit 212 of the device message. On the other hand, if the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211 determines that the device message is device status information, it notifies the device status update unit 213 of the device message.

[0028] When the device information update unit 212 receives network update notification information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211, it determines whether or not a combination of IP address information and MAC address information contained in the network update notification information exists among the combinations of IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231. If the device information update unit 212 determines that no such combination of IP address information and MAC address information exists in the network update notification information, it associates the model information, identification number information, IP address information, and MAC address information of the device 3 contained in the network update notification information with each other and stores them in the device information storage unit 231.

[0029] When the equipment status update unit 213 receives equipment status information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 211, it extracts the aforementioned parameter information, model information, and identification number information contained in the notified equipment status information. The equipment status update unit 213 then updates the parameter information stored in the equipment status storage unit 232, which is associated with the extracted model information and identification number information, using the extracted parameter information.

[0030] The device control unit 214 determines whether or not the control content of device 3 needs to be updated based on the parameter information of each device 3 stored in the device state storage unit 232. If the device control unit 214 determines that the control content of device 3 needs to be updated, it identifies the updated control content of device 3 based on at least one of the model information and identification number information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231. The device control unit 214 then generates control information by adding the IP address information and MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231, to the control content information indicating the identified control content, and notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 215.

[0031] When the encapsulated message transmission unit 215 receives control information from the equipment control unit 214, it adds header information to the received control information to specify the control device 1 as the recipient and encapsulates it. The encapsulated message transmission unit 215 then transmits the encapsulated control information to the control device 1.

[0032] Next, the operation of the control system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Here, we will explain assuming that device 3A does not support IPv6 and device 3B supports IPv6. First, as shown in Figure 5, suppose a network update event occurs in which device 3A is newly connected to the local network NW2. In this case, device 3A generates the aforementioned network update notification information (step S1), and the generated network update notification information is sent from device 3A to the control device 1 (step S2). On the other hand, suppose the control device 1 determines, based on the IP address information included in the network update notification information, that device 3A, the source of the network update notification information, does not support IPv6 (step S3). Then, suppose the control device 1 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address of device 3A, the source of the network update notification information, is not included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 (step S4). In this case, suppose the control device 1 extracts the payload information stored in the payload section of the acquired network update notification information and stores it in the payload section buffer 121 (step S5). Next, the aforementioned ARP request information is broadcast from the control device 1 to device 3A (step S6). Meanwhile, when device 3A receives the ARP request information, it sends ARP reply information, including its MAC address information, from device 3A to the control device 1 (step S7).

[0033] Meanwhile, when the control device 1 acquires ARP reply information, it extracts the MAC address information of the source device 3A of the network update notification information contained in the acquired ARP reply information, and updates the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 using the extracted MAC address information (step S8). Next, the control device 1 reconstructs the network update notification information using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131, the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121, and the IP address information of the source device 3A of the network update notification information (step S9). After that, the control device 1 encapsulates the reconstructed network update notification information by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination (step S10). Next, the encapsulated network update notification information is sent from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S11). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated device message sent from the control device 1, it decapsulates the acquired encapsulated network update notification information by removing the header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination (step S12). Next, the cloud server 2 determines that there is no combination of IP address information and MAC address information contained in the network update notification information among the combinations of IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S13). In this case, the cloud server 2 extracts the model information, identification number information, IP address information, and MAC address information of device 3A contained in the acquired network update notification information, associates them with each other, and stores them in the device information storage unit 231 (step S14).

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, suppose a network update event occurs in which device 3B is newly connected to the local network NW2. In this case, device 3B generates the aforementioned network update notification information (step S15), and the generated network update notification information is sent from device 3B to control device 1 (step S16). Meanwhile, suppose control device 1 determines, based on the IP address information included in the network update notification information, that device 3B, the source of the network update notification information, supports IPv6 (step S17). Then, suppose control device 1 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address of device 3B, the source of the network update notification information, is not included in the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 (step S18). In this case, suppose control device 1 extracts the payload information stored in the payload section of the acquired network update notification information and stores it in the payload section buffer 121 (step S19). Next, control device 1 generates a dummy message to device 3, the source of the network update notification information, at the application layer and executes a transmission request process to send the dummy message (step S20). As a result, neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the source of the device message, is transmitted from the control device 1 to device 3B (step S21). On the other hand, when device 3B receives the neighbor request information, it transmits neighbor advertisement information, including the MAC address information of device 3B, from device 3B to the control device 1 (step S22).

[0035] Meanwhile, when the control device 1 acquires neighbor advertisement information, it extracts the MAC address information and communication status information of the device 3A that is the source of the network update notification information contained in the acquired neighbor advertisement information, and updates the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 using the extracted MAC address information and communication status information (step S23). Subsequently, the generated dummy message is sent from the control device 1 to the device 3B (step S24). Meanwhile, when the device 3B acquires the dummy message, it discards the acquired dummy message without sending any response information (step S25).

[0036] Subsequently, the control device 1 reconstructs the network update notification information using the MAC address information added to the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132, the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121, and the IP address information of the device 3B that sent the network update notification information (step S26). Next, the control device 1 encapsulates the reconstructed network update notification information by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination (step S27). Subsequently, the encapsulated network update notification information is sent from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S28). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 2 receives the encapsulated device message sent from the control device 1, it decapsulates the acquired encapsulated network update notification information by removing the header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination (step S29). Then, as shown in Figure 7, the cloud server 2 determines that there is no combination of IP address information and MAC address information included in the network update notification information among the combinations of IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S30). In this case, the cloud server 2 extracts the model information, identification number information, IP address information, and MAC address information of device 3A included in the acquired network update notification information, associates them with each other, and stores them in the device information storage unit 231 (step S31).

[0037] Furthermore, when the aforementioned device status notification period arrives for device 3A, device 3A generates the aforementioned device status information (step S32), and the generated device status information is transmitted from device 3A to control device 1 (step S33). Meanwhile, when control device 1 acquires the device status information, it determines, based on the IP address information included in the acquired device status information, that device 3A, the source of the network update notification information, does not support IPv6 (step S34). Then, control device 1 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address of device 3A, the source of the device status information, is included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 (step S35). In this case, control device 1 encapsulates the acquired device status information by adding header information to specify cloud server 2 as the destination (step S36). Next, the encapsulated device status information is transmitted from control device 1 to cloud server 2 (step S37). Meanwhile, when cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated device status information, it decapsulates the acquired encapsulated device status information by removing the header information to specify cloud server 2 as the destination (step S38). Next, the cloud server 2 extracts parameter information, model information, and identification number information contained in the unencapsulated device status information. Then, the cloud server 2 updates the parameter information stored in the device status storage unit 232, which is associated with the extracted model information and identification number information, using the extracted parameter information (step S39).

[0038] Subsequently, the cloud server 2 determines that it is necessary to update the control content of device 3 based on the parameter information of each device 3 stored in the device state storage unit 232 (step S40). In this case, the cloud server 2 identifies the updated control content of device 3 based on at least one of the model information and identification number information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231. Then, the cloud server 2 generates control information by adding the IP address information and MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231, to the control content information indicating the identified control content (step S41). Next, the cloud server 2 encapsulates the generated control information by adding header information to specify the control device 1 as the destination (step S42). Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the encapsulated control information is sent from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S43). Meanwhile, when the control device 1 receives the encapsulated control information, it decapsulates the received control information by removing the header information to specify the control device 1 as the destination (step S44). Subsequently, based on the MAC address information of device 3A included in the control information, the control information is transmitted from the control device 1 to device 3A (step S45). Meanwhile, when device 3A receives the control information, it starts operating based on the control content information included in the received control information (step S46).

[0039] Furthermore, when the aforementioned device status notification period arrives for device 3B, device 3B generates the aforementioned device status information (step S47), and the generated device status information is transmitted from device 3B to control device 1 (step S48). Meanwhile, when control device 1 acquires the device status information, it determines, based on the IP address information included in the acquired device status information, that device 3A, the source of the network update notification information, supports IPv6 (step S49). Then, control device 1 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address of device 3B, the source of the device status information, is included in the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 (step S50). In this case, control device 1 encapsulates the acquired device status information by adding header information to specify cloud server 2 as the destination (step S51). Next, the encapsulated device status information is transmitted from control device 1 to cloud server 2 (step S52). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 2 acquires encapsulated device status information, it decapsulates the acquired encapsulated device status information by removing the header information necessary to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination (step S53). Next, the cloud server 2 extracts parameter information, model information, and identification number information contained in the decapsulated device status information. Then, the cloud server 2 updates the parameter information stored in the device status storage unit 232, which is associated with the extracted model information and identification number information, using the extracted parameter information (step S54).

[0040] Subsequently, the cloud server 2 determines that it is necessary to update the control content of device 3 based on the parameter information of each device 3 stored in the device state storage unit 232 (step S55). In this case, the cloud server 2 identifies the updated control content of device 3 based on at least one of the model information and identification number information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231. The cloud server 2 then generates control information by adding the IP address information and MAC address information of the device 3 to which the control information is to be sent, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231, to the control content information indicating the identified control content (step S56). Next, as shown in Figure 9, the cloud server 2 encapsulates the generated control information by adding header information to specify the control device 1 as the destination (step S57). Subsequently, the encapsulated control information is sent from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S58). Meanwhile, when the control device 1 receives the encapsulated control information, it decapsulates the received control information by removing the header information to specify the control device 1 as the destination (step S59). Subsequently, based on the MAC address information of device 3B included in the control information, the control information is transmitted from the control device 1 to device 3B (step S60). Meanwhile, when device 3B receives the control information, it starts operating based on the control content information included in the received control information (step S61).

[0041] Next, the device control processing performed by the control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. This device control processing is started, for example, when power is supplied to the control device 1 and the connection of the control device 1 to the local network NW2 is completed. First, the message acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not it has acquired a device message transmitted from device 3 (step S101). If the message acquisition unit 111 determines that it has not acquired a device message (step S101: No), the processing in step S106, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the message acquisition unit 111 determines that it has acquired a device message (step S101: Yes), it notifies the Internet Protocol determination unit 112 and the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 of the acquired device message. The Internet Protocol determination unit 112 then determines whether or not device 3, the source of the device message notified by the message acquisition unit 111, supports IPv6 (step S102). Suppose the Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines that the device 3, the source of the notified device message, does not support IPv6 (Step S102: No). In this case, the MAC Address Existence Determination Unit 113 determines whether the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the source IP address of the device message is included in the ARP table information stored by the ARP Table Storage Unit 131 (Step S103). Suppose the MAC Address Existence Determination Unit 113 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the source IP address of the device message is included in the ARP table information stored by the ARP Table Storage Unit 131 (Step S103: Yes). In this case, the Encapsulated Message Transmission Unit 114 encapsulates the device message notified from the Message Acquisition Unit 111 by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination. Then, after the Encapsulated Message Transmission Unit 114 sends the encapsulated device message to the cloud server 2 (Step S111), the process in Step S101 is executed again.

[0042] On the other hand, suppose the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the source IP address of the device message is not included in the ARP table information stored in the ARP table storage unit 131 (Step S103: No). In this case, the message acquisition unit 111 extracts the payload information stored in the payload part of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload part buffer 121 (Step S104). Next, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 sends ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to device 3 belonging to the local network NW2 (Step S105). Subsequently, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines whether or not it has acquired the ARP reply information sent from device 3 (Step S106). If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that it has not acquired the ARP reply information (Step S106: No), it determines whether or not a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (Step S107). If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the waiting time has not yet elapsed (step S107: No), the process described in step S116 is executed. On the other hand, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the waiting time has elapsed (step S107: Yes), the message acquisition unit 111 discards the acquired device message by erasing the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121 (step S108). After that, the process in step S101 is executed again.

[0043] Furthermore, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines in step S106 that it has acquired ARP reply information (step S106: Yes), it extracts and acquires the MAC address information contained in the acquired ARP reply information. The MAC address acquisition unit 116 then updates the ARP table information by associating the acquired MAC address information with the IP address information included in the ARP request information and adding it to the ARP table information (step S109). Next, the message reconstruction unit 117 reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information, the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121, and the IP address information of the device 3 that sent the device message (step S110). Subsequently, the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 encapsulates the reconstructed device message by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination. After the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 sends the encapsulated device message to the cloud server 2 (step S111), the process in step S101 is executed again. At this time, the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 erases the payload information contained in the transmitted device message stored in the payload buffer 121.

[0044] Furthermore, suppose the Internet Protocol Determination Unit 112 determines in step S102 that the device 3 that sent the notified device message supports IPv6 (Step S102: Yes). In this case, the MAC Address Existence Determination Unit 113 determines whether the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the source of the device message is included in the neighbor cache table information stored by the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 (Step S112). Here, suppose the MAC Address Existence Determination Unit 113 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the source of the device message is included in the neighbor cache table information stored by the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 (Step S112: Yes). In this case, the Encapsulated Message Transmission Unit 114 encapsulates the device message notified from the Message Acquisition Unit 111 by adding header information to specify the cloud server 2 as the destination. Then, after the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 sends the encapsulated device message to the cloud server 2 (step S111), the process in step S101 is executed again.

[0045] On the other hand, suppose the MAC address existence determination unit 113 determines that the MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the source IP address of the device message is not included in the neighbor cache table information stored in the neighbor cache table storage unit 132 (Step S112: No). In this case, the message acquisition unit 111 extracts the payload information stored in the payload part of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload part buffer 121 (Step S113). Next, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 generates a dummy message to the device 3 that is the source of the device message at the application layer and executes a transmission request process to send the dummy message to the device 3 that is the source of the device message (Step S114). As a result, since the MAC address acquisition unit 116 does not know the MAC address of the device 3 that is the source of the device message and is the destination of the dummy message, it sends neighbor request information including the IP address information of the source of the device message to the device 3 belonging to the local network NW2 as part of the neighbor discovery defined in ICMPv6 (Step S115). Next, as shown in Figure 11, the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines whether or not it has acquired the neighbor advertisement information transmitted from the device 3 (step S116). If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that it has not acquired the neighbor advertisement information (step S116: No), it determines whether or not a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (step S117). If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the waiting time has not yet elapsed (step S117: No), the process in step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the waiting time has elapsed (step S117: Yes), the message acquisition unit 111 discards the acquired device message by erasing the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121 (step S118). After that, the process in step S101 is executed again.

[0046] Furthermore, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines in step S116 that it has acquired neighbor advertisement information (step S116: Yes), it extracts and acquires the MAC address information and communication status information contained in the acquired neighbor advertisement information. The MAC address acquisition unit 116 then updates the neighbor cache table information by associating the acquired MAC address information and communication status information with the IP address information included in the neighbor request information and adding them to the neighbor cache table information (step S119). Next, the message transmission unit 119 transmits the dummy message generated by the MAC address acquisition unit 116 to device 3 (step S120). Subsequently, the message reconstruction unit 117 reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the neighbor cache table information, the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121, and the IP address information of device 3, the source of the device message (step S121). After that, the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 encapsulates the reconstructed device message by adding header information to specify cloud server 2 as the destination. Then, after the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 sends the encapsulated device message to the cloud server 2 (step S111), the process in step S101 is executed again. At this time, the encapsulated message transmission unit 114 erases the payload information contained in the transmitted device message stored in the payload buffer 121.

[0047] As described above, according to the control system of this embodiment, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the MAC address information of the device 3 that sent the device message is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device 3 does not support IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information of the device 3 by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device 3 to the device 3 belonging to the local network NW2. If the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the device 3 that sent the device message supports IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information of the device 3 by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device message sender to the device 3 belonging to the local network NW2. The MAC address acquisition unit 116 then adds the acquired MAC address information to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. As a result, the MAC address of the device 3 can be obtained regardless of whether the device 3 supports IPv6 or not, and the device 3 to be controlled can be appropriately managed using its MAC address.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 1 according to this embodiment includes a payload buffer 121 that temporarily stores payload information stored in the payload section of a device message. When the message acquisition unit 111 acquires a device message transmitted from device 3, and determines that the MAC address information of device 3, the source of the device message, is not included in the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information, it extracts the payload information stored in the payload section of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload buffer 121. Then, the message reconstruction unit 117 reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or neighbor cache table information and the payload information stored in the payload buffer 121. As a result, even if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 acquires a new device message while waiting to acquire ARP reply information or neighbor advertisement information transmitted from device 3, the payload information of that device message can be stored in the payload buffer 121. Therefore, even if the control device 1 acquires multiple device messages at the same time, it can process each of the multiple device messages appropriately.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the MAC address acquisition unit 116 determines that the device 3 that is the source of the device message supports IPv6, it executes a transmission request process at the application layer to send a dummy message to the device 3 that is the source of the device message, thereby sending the aforementioned neighbor request information to the device 3. When the device 3 that is the source of the device message receives the dummy message, it is configured to discard it. As a result, the device 3 does not need to send response information corresponding to the dummy message received from the control device 1, thereby reducing the number of device messages sent from the device 3 to the local network NW2. Consequently, communication traffic in the local network NW2 can be reduced, and the loss of device messages due to collisions can be suppressed.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the control device 1 may include a device message buffer that temporarily stores device messages as they are. Furthermore, when the message acquisition unit 111 acquires a device message while waiting for the MAC address acquisition unit 116 to acquire ARP reply information or neighbor advertisement information transmitted from device 3, the device message may be stored as is in the device message buffer, and when the MAC address acquisition unit 116 acquires the ARP reply information or neighbor advertisement information, processing of the device message stored in the device message buffer may be executed.

[0051] Furthermore, the various functions of the control device 1 and cloud server 2 related to this disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) and distributed, and a computer capable of realizing the aforementioned functions may be configured by loading and installing the program on a computer. When each function is realized by a division of labor between the OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

[0052] Furthermore, it is possible to superimpose each program onto the carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the program could be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs could then be launched and executed under the control of the OS, just like other application programs, thereby enabling the aforementioned processing to be performed.

[0053] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. That is, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0054] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-178813, filed on 11 October 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-178813 are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial applicability]

[0055] This disclosure is suitable as a control system equipped with a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) installed in a house. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Control device, 2 Cloud server, 3,3A,3B Equipment, 8 BBR, 101,201 CPU, 102,202 Main memory unit, 103,203 Auxiliary memory unit, 107,206 Communication unit, 109,209 Bus, 111 Message acquisition unit, 112 Internet protocol determination unit, 113 MAC address existence determination unit, 114 Encapsulated message transmission unit, 116 MAC address acquisition unit, 117 Message reconstruction unit, 118 Encapsulated message acquisition unit, 119 Message transmission unit, 121 Payload buffer, 131 ARP table storage unit, 132 Neighbor cache table storage unit, 211 Encapsulated message acquisition unit, 212 Equipment information update unit, 213 Equipment status update unit, 214 Equipment control unit, 215 Encapsulated message transmission unit, 231 Equipment information storage unit, 232 Device state memory unit, 811 DHCP function unit, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a device that supports at least one of IPv4 and IPv6, by transmitting control information to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, A device information storage unit stores IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device and MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device in association with each other. A device control unit transmits control information, which includes the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device. An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, A message acquisition unit that acquires device messages transmitted from the aforementioned device, When the message acquisition unit acquires the device message transmitted from the device, the Internet Protocol determination unit determines whether the device that sent the device message supports IPv6 based on the source IP address information included in the acquired device message, If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and the obtained MAC address information is added to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. The device information update unit, when it is determined that the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information contains the MAC address information, associates the IP address information and the MAC address information of the sender of the device message with each other and stores them in the device information storage unit. Control system.

2. A control system for controlling a device that corresponds to at least one of IPv4 and IPv6, by transmitting control information to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, A device information storage unit stores IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device and MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device in association with each other. A device control unit transmits control information, which includes the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device. An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, An Internet protocol determination unit that determines whether the device that is the source of the device message transmitted from the aforementioned device supports IPv6, If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and the obtained MAC address information is added to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. When it is determined that the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information contains the MAC address information, the device information update unit associates the IP address information and the MAC address information of the sender of the device message with each other and stores them in the device information storage unit. A payload buffer that temporarily stores payload information stored in the payload section included in the aforementioned device message, When a device message transmitted from the device is acquired, and it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, the message acquisition unit extracts the payload information stored in the payload portion of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload portion buffer. The system includes a message reconstruction unit that reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information and the payload information stored in the payload buffer. Control system.

3. If the MAC address acquisition unit determines that the device that is the source of the device message is IPv6 compatible, it executes a transmission request process at the application layer to send a dummy message to the device that is the source of the device message, thereby transmitting the neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the source of the device message, to the device belonging to the network. The dummy message is configured to be discarded by the device that is the source of the device message once it receives it. The control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A control device that controls a device by transmitting control information for controlling a device that supports at least one of IPv4 and IPv6 to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, A message acquisition unit that acquires device messages transmitted from the aforementioned device, When the message acquisition unit acquires the device message transmitted from the device, the Internet Protocol determination unit determines whether the device that sent the device message supports IPv6 based on the source IP address information included in the acquired device message, If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. The MAC address acquisition unit includes the following functions: If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, it obtains the MAC address information by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device message to the device belonging to the network, and adds the acquired MAC address information to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. Control device.

5. A control device that controls a device by transmitting control information for controlling a device corresponding to at least one of IPv4 and IPv6 to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information, An Internet protocol determination unit that determines whether the device that is the source of the device message transmitted from the aforementioned device supports IPv6, If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and the obtained MAC address information is added to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. A payload buffer that temporarily stores payload information stored in the payload section included in the aforementioned device message, When a device message transmitted from the device is acquired, and it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, the message acquisition unit extracts the payload information stored in the payload portion of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload portion buffer. The system includes a message reconstruction unit that reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information and the payload information stored in the payload buffer. Control device.

6. A control method for controlling a device that supports at least one of IPv4 and IPv6, by transmitting control information to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, The control system stores in the device information storage unit, associating IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. The control system includes the step of transmitting control information, which includes the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device. The control system includes the step of storing in an ARP table storage unit ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs, which is compatible with IPv4, with the MAC address information, The control system stores in a neighbor cache table storage unit neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information. When the control system obtains a device message transmitted from the device, it takes the step of determining whether the device that sent the device message is IPv6 compatible based on the source IP address information contained in the obtained device message. If the control system determines that the device does not support IPv6, it takes the step of determining whether the ARP table information includes MAC address information corresponding to IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, If the control system determines that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information, it obtains the MAC address information by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and adds the obtained MAC address information to the ARP table information. When the control system determines that the device supports IPv6, it takes the step of determining whether the neighbor cache table information includes MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message, If the control system determines that the MAC address information is not included in the neighbor cache table information, it obtains the MAC address information by sending neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the source of the device message, to the device belonging to the network, and adds the obtained MAC address information to the neighbor cache table information. The control system, upon determining that the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information includes the MAC address information, includes the step of associating the IP address information and the MAC address information of the sender of the device message with each other and storing them in the device information storage unit. Control method.

7. A control method for controlling a device that corresponds to at least one of IPv4 and IPv6, by transmitting control information for controlling the device to the device via the network to which the device belongs, based on the MAC address of the device, The control system stores in the device information storage unit, associating IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. The control system includes the step of transmitting control information, which includes the IP address information and MAC address information of the device to be controlled, stored in the device information storage unit, to the device. The control system includes the step of storing in an ARP table storage unit ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device in the network to which the device belongs, which is compatible with IPv4, with the MAC address information, The control system stores in a neighbor cache table storage unit neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information. The control system includes the step of temporarily storing payload information contained in the payload portion of the device message transmitted from the device in a payload buffer, When the control system acquires the device message transmitted from the device, and determines that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information, it takes the step of extracting the payload information stored in the payload portion of the acquired device message and storing it in the payload portion buffer. The control system includes the step of determining whether the device that is the source of the device message supports IPv6, If the control system determines that the device does not support IPv6, it takes the step of determining whether the ARP table information includes MAC address information corresponding to IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, If the control system determines that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information, it obtains the MAC address information by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and adds the obtained MAC address information to the ARP table information. When the control system determines that the device supports IPv6, it takes the step of determining whether the neighbor cache table information includes MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message, If the control system determines that the MAC address information is not included in the neighbor cache table information, it obtains the MAC address information by sending neighbor request information, including the IP address information of the source of the device message, to the device belonging to the network, and adds the obtained MAC address information to the neighbor cache table information. When the control system determines that the MAC address information is included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, it takes the step of associating the IP address information and MAC address information of the sender of the device message with each other and storing them in the device information storage unit. The control system includes the step of reconstructing the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information and the payload information stored in the payload buffer. Control method.

8. Computers, An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information. A message acquisition unit that acquires device messages transmitted from the aforementioned device. When the message acquisition unit acquires the device message transmitted from the device, the Internet Protocol determination unit determines whether the device that sent the device message supports IPv6 based on the source IP address information included in the acquired device message. If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and the obtained MAC address information is added to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. A program designed to function as such.

9. A computer, An ARP table storage unit stores ARP table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv4-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the device. A neighbor cache table storage unit stores neighbor cache table information that associates IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the IPv6-compatible device in the network to which the device belongs with the MAC address information. An Internet protocol determination unit that determines whether the device that is the source of the device message transmitted from the aforementioned device supports IPv6. If it is determined that the device does not support IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the ARP table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device that sent the device message, and if it is determined that the device supports IPv6, the MAC address existence determination unit determines whether the neighbor cache table information contains MAC address information corresponding to the IP address information indicating the IP address of the device that sent the device message. If it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information, and if it is determined that the device that sent the device message does not support IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending ARP request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network; if it is determined that the device that sent the device message supports IPv6, the MAC address information is obtained by sending neighbor request information including the IP address information of the device that sent the device message to the device belonging to the network, and the obtained MAC address information is added to the ARP table information or the neighbor cache table information. A payload buffer that temporarily stores payload information stored in the payload section included in the aforementioned device message, When a device message transmitted from the device is acquired, and it is determined that the MAC address information is not included in the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information, the message acquisition unit extracts the payload information stored in the payload portion of the acquired device message and stores it in the payload portion buffer. A message reconstruction unit reconstructs the device message using the MAC address information added to the ARP table information or the neighboring cache table information and the payload information stored in the payload buffer. A program designed to function as such.

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