Network construction device, IoT equipment, network construction system, and network construction method

Abstract

A network construction device (20) is provided with an information storage unit (21), a network communication processing unit (23), a connection control unit (25), and a Matter communication processing unit (24). When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the connection control unit (25) outputs, to the Matter communication processing unit (24), a reception instruction signal (s1) for instructing start of reception of connection with another network different from a first network. Upon receiving a commissioning request signal (s2) requesting commissioning with a second network after acquiring the reception instruction signal (s1), the Matter communication processing unit (24) acquires network information (i2) of the second network by commissioning with control equipment (52) having network information (i2) of the second network. The network communication processing unit (23) attempts to connect to the second network on the basis of the network information (i2) acquired by the commissioning.

Description

Network construction device, IoT device, network construction system, and network construction method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network construction device, an IoT (Internet of Things) device including the network construction device, a network construction system, and a network construction method.

[0002] IoT devices connected to a communication network have been known. The Matter standard has been proposed as a communication standard for communication between these IoT devices. The Matter standard is a standard for smart homes established by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). By using the Matter standard, multiple IoT devices from different manufacturers can be easily connected to each other for communication.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a network connection method for home appliances. According to this connection method, even if a home appliance cannot connect to a network, it can still connect to the network by switching the connection method.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-537322

[0005] However, in communications based on the Matter standard, the connection method shown in Patent Document 1 cannot be used.

[0006] Furthermore, while the Matter standard specifies that IoT devices connect to a specific network based on the network information they possess, it does not stipulate anything about moving an IoT device to another location and using it in a new network environment. To use an IoT device in a new network environment, it is necessary to devise a way to connect the IoT device to the new network.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a network construction device and the like that can easily connect to a new network.

[0008] A network construction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an information storage unit in which network information of a network is stored, a network communication processing unit that attempts to connect to the network based on the network information stored in the information storage unit, a connection control unit that controls the connection to the network, and a matter communication processing unit that performs commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the network, wherein the connection control unit outputs an acceptance instruction signal to the matter communication processing unit instructing the start of acceptance of a connection with another network different from a first network when a predetermined condition is met, and when the matter communication processing unit receives a commissioning request signal requesting commissioning with a second network, which is the other network, after acquiring the acceptance instruction signal, the matter communication processing unit acquires network information of the second network by commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the second network and stores the network information in the information storage unit, and the network communication processing unit attempts to connect to the second network based on the network information of the second network stored in the information storage unit.

[0009] An IoT device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an IoT device that includes the above-mentioned network construction device, wherein the second network is a network for communication connection with the IoT device, and when an equipment control signal that controls the operation of the IoT device is received from an external control device, the IoT device operates based on the equipment control signal.

[0010] A network construction system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a network construction system comprising the above-described network construction device and a control device that holds network information of the second network, wherein the network construction device receives an acceptance instruction signal that instructs it to start accepting connections to another network different from the first network, thereby becoming capable of accepting connection requests to the other network, and the control device outputs a commissioning request signal to the network construction device that requests commissioning with the other network, the second network.

[0011] A network construction method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a network communication processing step of attempting to connect to a network based on network information of the network, a connection control step of controlling the connection to the network, and a commissioning step of commissioning with a control device that holds the network information of the network, wherein in the connection control step, if a predetermined condition is met, an acceptance instruction signal is output that instructs the start of acceptance of a connection to another network different from a first network, and in the commissioning step, if a commissioning request signal requesting commissioning with the other network, a second network, is received after the acceptance instruction signal is output, the network information of the second network is obtained by commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the second network, and in the network communication processing step, a connection to the second network is attempted based on the network information of the second network.

[0012] According to the network construction device and the like of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily connect to a new network.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which an IoT device is moved to a location different from the location before the movement and used. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between an IoT device and a plurality of control devices included in a network construction system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of network construction before and after the IoT device is moved. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device, an IoT device, and a network construction device included in the IoT device. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the control device and the network construction device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network construction device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network construction device according to a first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a network construction device and IoT devices according to a second modification of the embodiment.

[0014] (Background to the Invention of the Present Disclosure) The background to the invention of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] IoT devices are devices that can be operated via a communication network. For example, IoT devices may be lent or borrowed between parents and children, siblings, or friends, or between workplaces on different floors. When lending an IoT device, it is convenient if the operation of the IoT device can be easily controlled at the lending location. Furthermore, if the control settings at the lending location are to be used as is at the lending location, it is convenient if the control settings at the lending location are used without being reset.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which an IoT device 10 is moved to a location different from the location where it was moved and used.

[0017] In this example, the IoT device 10 is a portable electrical appliance. The control device 51 is a device that controls the operation of the IoT device 10. Fig. 1 shows an example in which the IoT device 10 is moved outside of a network (original network before the movement) established by the control device 51 and the IoT device 10, and the IoT device 10 is used in a new network environment. For example, the original network before the movement and the new network are each a LAN (Local Area Network) such as a home network using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Zigbee (registered trademark).

[0018] In the Matter standard, network information for connecting to a network is written to an IoT device. In this example, network information for the original network before movement is written to the memory unit of the IoT device 10. The IoT device can connect to the network before movement based on this network information. However, the Matter standard does not stipulate anything about moving an IoT device to another location and using it in a new network environment.

[0019] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, when IoT device 10 is moved to another location and used, the network information written in IoT device 10 cannot be used to connect to the new network, and the functions of IoT device 10 cannot be fully utilized.

[0020] In contrast, the IoT device 10 of the present disclosure can acquire network information of the new network and connect the IoT device 10 to the new network even when the IoT device 10 is placed in a new network environment. This allows the functions of the IoT device 10 to be fully utilized in the new network environment. Furthermore, when connecting to a new network, the IoT device 10 of the present disclosure connects to the new network without deleting the network information of the original network, so that even if the IoT device 10 is returned to its original location, it can immediately connect to the original network.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. The shapes, components, component placement positions, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional components that constitute a more preferred embodiment. Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration.

[0022] (Embodiment) [Configuration of Network Construction System] The configuration of a network construction system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the IoT device 10 and a plurality of control devices 51 and 52 included in the network construction system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0024] The IoT device 10 shown in Fig. 2 is a device that can be controlled by the control device 51 or 52 and is also called a controlled device. The IoT device 10 is, for example, an electrical device installed inside a building such as a house, an apartment building, a building, or a facility. The IoT device 10 in this example is a portable electrical device, such as a lighting device, a rice cooker, a microwave oven, an electric kettle, a vacuum cleaner, an air purifier, a humidifier, a television, or a recording device. The IoT device 10 may also be industrial electrical equipment such as a measuring instrument or an imaging device.

[0025] The control devices 51 and 52 are, for example, information terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and mobile computers. The control devices 51 and 52 may be smart speakers that allow operation input by voice, or intercom master units that allow operation input by buttons. Software compatible with the Matter standard is installed in the control devices 51 and 52. Note that the software compatible with the Matter standard may be installed in the control devices 51 and 52 by downloading application software compatible with the Matter standard.

[0026] 2A, at the location before the IoT device 10 is moved, a first fabric is formed by the IoT device 10 and a control device 51. A fabric is a group made up of multiple devices that perform network communication using a common passcode. In the first fabric, the control device 51 serves as an administrator, and the IoT device 10 controlled by the control device 51 serves as a guest.

[0027] 2B, at the location after the IoT device 10 has been moved, a second fabric is formed by the IoT device 10 and the control device 52. In the second fabric, the control device 52 serves as an administrator, and the IoT device 10 controlled by the control device 52 serves as a guest. For example, the control device 52 has a function as a remote controller and can switch the IoT device 10 on and off via the network. Furthermore, if the IoT device 10 is a lighting device, the control device 52 can adjust the dimming and color of the lighting device via the network.

[0028] Here, an example of network construction before and after the IoT device 10 moves will be described.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of network construction before and after the IoT device 10 moves.

[0030] 3A shows an example in which a first network Nw1 is constructed by a control device 51 and an IoT device 10. The control device 51 and the IoT device 10 each have network information i1 of the first network Nw1. The control device 51 can control the IoT device 10 via the first network Nw1.

[0031] 3B shows an example in which the IoT device 10 has been moved to another location. In this state, no network has been formed connecting the IoT device 10 and the control device 52. Therefore, the IoT device 10 cannot be controlled using the control device 52.

[0032] 3(c) shows an example in which a second network Nw2 is constructed by a control device 52 and an IoT device 10. The control device 52 has network information i2 of the second network Nw2, and the IoT device 10 has network information i1 and network information i2. By constructing the second network Nw2 together with the IoT device 10, the control device 52 can control the IoT device 10 via the second network Nw2.

[0033] The configuration of the devices and apparatuses for constructing the network shown in FIG. 3(a), (b), and (c) will be described below.

[0034] [Configuration of Control Devices, IoT Devices, and Network Construction Device] The configurations of the control devices 51, 52 and the IoT device 10 included in the network construction system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In this example, the network construction device 20 included in the IoT device 10 will also be described.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control devices 51 and 52, the IoT device 10, and the network construction device 20 included in the IoT device 10.

[0036] 4, each of the control devices 51 and 52 includes a storage unit 61, a network communication unit 63, a matter communication unit 64, and a display input unit 67. In this embodiment, the matter communication unit 64 will be referred to as matter communication unit 64.

[0037] The following description will be given taking the control device 52 as an example of the control devices 51 and 52. That is, the description will focus on the configurations of the IoT device 10, the network construction device 20, and the control device 52 in the state of FIG.

[0038] The storage unit 61 of the control device 52 stores identification information of the control device 52. The storage unit 61 also stores network information i2 of the second network Nw2. The network information i2 is, for example, the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and password of a wireless LAN connected to the Internet.

[0039] The matter communication unit 64 of the control device 52 communicates with the network construction device 20 of the IoT device 10 based on the Matter standard. Before constructing a network for communication with the network construction device 20, the matter communication unit 64 outputs a commissioning request signal s2 requesting commissioning between the control device 52 and the network construction device 20. Commissioning is a process for setting up the control device and the controlled device so that they can communicate via a predetermined network. For example, the matter communication unit 64 commissions the network construction device 20 based on the Matter standard, thereby outputting network information i2 stored in the storage unit 61 to the network construction device 20. A communication method such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) is used as the communication method for commissioning. Note that commissioning may also be performed by wired communication.

[0040] The display input unit 67 of the control device 52 is, for example, a touch panel, and receives operation inputs from the user. Information input to the display input unit 67 is output to the network communication unit 63.

[0041] After communication with the network construction device 20 is established (see (c) of FIG. 3), the network communication unit 63 of the control device 52 communicates with the network construction device 20 via the second network Nw2. For example, the network communication unit 63 outputs a device control signal s3 based on an operation input received by the display input unit 67 to the network construction device 20 via the second network Nw2.

[0042] 4, the IoT device 10 includes a network construction device 20, an operation control unit 26, and a user interface 27. Note that the operation mechanism of the IoT device 10 is not shown in FIG.

[0043] The user interface 27 is, for example, a touch panel and button switches, and receives input from the user. Information input to the user interface 27 is output to the network builder 20.

[0044] The network construction device 20 is a device that constructs a network through which the control device 52 and the IoT device 10 communicate with each other. As shown in FIG. 4 , the network construction device 20 includes an information storage unit 21, a communication processing unit 22, and a connection control unit 25. The communication processing unit 22 is made up of a network communication processing unit 23 and a matter communication processing unit 24. In this embodiment, the matter communication processing unit 24 will be referred to as matter communication processing unit 24.

[0045] The information storage unit 21 is a storage medium that temporarily or non-temporarily stores data. Examples of the storage medium include flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk. The information storage unit 21 stores a program that describes the operation of the network construction device 20. The information storage unit 21 also stores network information i1 for the first network Nw1 that was used before the move. The network information i1 is the SSID and password for the first network Nw1. The information storage unit 21 also stores network information i2 for the second network Nw2 after a connection with the second network Nw2 is established. The network information i2 is the SSID and password for the second network Nw2. Each of these pieces of network information is written to the information storage unit 21 by the network communication processing unit 23.

[0046] The network communication processing unit 23 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and a communication circuit. The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to a network based on network information stored in the information storage unit 21. For example, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 based on network information i1 stored in the information storage unit 21. The network communication processing unit 23 also attempts to connect to the second network Nw2 based on network information i2 acquired by commissioning the network construction device 20 and the control device 52. A communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Zigbee (registered trademark) is used as the communication method between the network communication processing unit 23 and the control devices 51 and 52.

[0047] The connection control unit 25 is configured with an arithmetic circuit and determines whether a connection to a network is successful and performs various connection controls. For example, the connection control unit 25 determines whether a connection to the first network Nw1 is successful. The connection control unit 25 also determines whether a connection to the second network Nw2 is successful at the location where the IoT device 10 has moved.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the state of the network construction device 20 meets specified conditions, the connection control unit 25 outputs an acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24, instructing it to start accepting connections with other networks different from the first network Nw1.

[0049] An example of a case where the predetermined condition is met is when the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 but the connection to the first network Nw1 is not established even after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the predetermined time is set appropriately from a range of, for example, 30 to 60 seconds. To determine whether the predetermined condition is met, the connection control unit 25 determines whether the network communication processing unit 23's attempt to connect to the first network Nw1 was successful.

[0050] Furthermore, a case where a predetermined condition is met is a case where a connection forcing signal sa forcing a connection to another network different from the first network Nw1 is received. When the user interface 27 receives a user operation input for forcing a connection to another network, the user interface 27 outputs the connection forcing signal sa to the connection control unit 25. To determine whether the predetermined condition is met, the connection control unit 25 determines whether the connection forcing signal sa is received via the user interface 27.

[0051] The connection control unit 25 outputs the above-mentioned acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24 when either of the above-mentioned two predetermined conditions is met.

[0052] The matter communication processing unit 24 is composed of an arithmetic circuit and a communication circuit. By receiving the acceptance instruction signal s1, the matter communication processing unit 24 becomes ready to accept a connection with another network. After receiving the acceptance instruction signal s1, the matter communication processing unit 24 commissions the control device 52 that holds network information i2 of the second network Nw2 when it receives a commissioning request signal s2 requesting commissioning with the second network Nw2. The matter communication processing unit 24 acquires the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 by commissioning the control device 52. Note that, for example, a communication method such as BLE is used as the communication method when commissioning with the control device 52. Note that, the commissioning may be performed by wired communication. The matter communication processing unit 24 stores the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 acquired during commissioning in the information storage unit 21.

[0053] The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 stored in the information storage unit 21. Furthermore, when the connection control unit 25 determines that a connection with the second network Nw2 has been established, the network communication processing unit 23 outputs the network information i2 to the information storage unit 21. The network information i2 of the second network Nw2 is stored in the information storage unit 21. Note that the network information i1 and control settings of the first network Nw1 stored in the information storage unit 21 are not deleted but are stored as they are.

[0054] The operation control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the operation of the IoT device 10. For example, after communication with the control device 52 is established (see (c) of FIG. 3), the operation control unit 26 receives a device control signal s3 from the external control device 52 via the second network Nw2, and operates the IoT device 10 based on the device control signal s3. This enables the control device 52 to control the IoT device 10.

[0055] The network construction device 20 according to this embodiment includes an information storage unit 21 that stores network information about the network, a network communication processing unit 23 that attempts to connect to the network based on the network information stored in the information storage unit 21, a connection control unit 25 that controls the connection to the network, and a matter communication processing unit 24 that performs commissioning with a control device that holds the network information about the network. When a predetermined condition is met, the connection control unit 25 outputs an acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24 that instructs the matter communication processing unit 24 to start accepting a connection with a network different from the first network Nw1. After receiving the acceptance instruction signal s1, the matter communication processing unit 24, when it receives a commissioning request signal s2 that requests commissioning with a second network Nw2, which is another network, acquires network information i2 about the second network Nw2 by commissioning with a control device 52 that holds network information i2 about the second network Nw2 and stores the network information i2 in the information storage unit 21. The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 stored in the information storage unit 21.

[0056] As described above, by attempting to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 acquired by commissioning, it becomes possible to connect the network construction device 20 to the second network Nw2. This allows the network construction device 20, which complies with the Matter standard, to be easily connected to a new network. Furthermore, when connecting to a new network, it is possible to connect to the new network without deleting the network information of the original network.

[0057] [Operations of Control Device and Network Construction Device] The operations of the control device 52 and the network construction device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operations of the control device 52 and the network construction device 20. As shown in FIG.

[0059] 5 illustrates an example in which an IoT device 10 that constitutes a first network Nw1 together with a control device 51 is taken out of the first network Nw1 and constitutes a second network Nw2 together with a control device 52. In FIG. 5, the control device 52 and a network construction device 20 provided inside the IoT device 10 are shown.

[0060] In an initial state, network information i1 of the first network Nw1 is stored in the information storage unit 21 of the network construction device 20. Note that before the IoT device 10 is taken out of the first network Nw1, network information i2 of the second network Nw2 is not stored in the information storage unit 21.

[0061] For example, when the IoT device 10 is taken out of the first network Nw1 and a power switch or the like of the IoT device 10 is pressed, the network construction device 20 of the IoT device 10 is activated (step S10). When the network construction device 20 is activated, the network communication processing unit 23 of the network construction device 20 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 based on the network information i1 stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S11).

[0062] The connection control unit 25 of the network construction device 20 outputs an acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24 to instruct the start of acceptance with a network other than the first network Nw1 when predetermined conditions are met (step S12). Cases where the predetermined conditions are met include when the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 but is unable to establish a connection with the first network Nw1 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, or when a connection forcing signal sa is received that forces a connection with a network other than the first network Nw1. The connection control unit 25 outputs the acceptance instruction signal s1 when either of the above two predetermined conditions is met.

[0063] Upon receiving the reception instruction signal s1, the matter communication processing unit 24 of the network construction device 20 becomes ready to receive a connection request to another network (step S13).

[0064] Meanwhile, the control device 52 outputs a commissioning request signal s2 to the network construction device 20, requesting commissioning with the second network Nw2, which is a network configured by the control device 52 (step S14). The control device 52 outputs the commissioning request signal s2 at regular time intervals. For example, the control device 52 transmits the commissioning request signal s2 multiple times (e.g., three times) within a specific period (e.g., 60 seconds), with one transmission time being a specific transmission time (e.g., 10 seconds). Note that the control device 52 may output the commissioning request signal s2 by acquiring an acceptance signal from the IoT device 10, which indicates that the control device 52 is in a state where it is able to accept a connection request with another network.

[0065] When the matter communication processing unit 24 of the network construction device 20 receives the commissioning request signal s2, it performs commissioning with the control device 52 that holds the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 (step S15). Through this commissioning, the matter communication processing unit 24 acquires the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 from the control device 52 (step S16). The matter communication processing unit 24 stores the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 acquired through commissioning in the information storage unit 21.

[0066] The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 acquired by commissioning (step S17). The connection control unit 25 determines whether the connection to the second network Nw2 is successful (step S18).

[0067] When the connection control unit 25 determines that the connection with the second network Nw2 has been established, the network communication processing unit 23 outputs the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 to the information storage unit 21 (step S19). The network information i2 of the second network Nw2 is stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S20).

[0068] By executing these steps, a second network Nw2 that connects the control device 52 and the network construction device 20 is constructed.

[0069] [Operation Flow of Network Construction Device] The operation flow of the network construction device 20 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network construction device 20.

[0071] 6, the network communication processing unit 23 checks the information stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S101). Then, the network communication processing unit 23 determines whether network information exists in the information storage unit 21 (step S102). The network information checked here is the network information i1 of the first network Nw1.

[0072] If the network information does not exist (No in S102), the process proceeds to step S107, and the network construction device 20 proceeds with the process from step S107 onwards. Note that if the result in step S102 is No, this is essentially the case where the IoT device 10 is being used for the first time.

[0073] If the network information exists (Yes in S102), the network communication processing unit 23 acquires the network information stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S103). Specifically, the network communication processing unit 23 acquires the network information i1 of the first network Nw1.

[0074] Next, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 based on the network information i1 acquired in step S103 (step S104).

[0075] The connection control unit 25 determines whether the connection to the first network Nw1 attempted in step S104 has been established (step S105).

[0076] If a connection to the first network Nw1 is established (Yes in S105), the network construction device 20 becomes able to control the IoT device 10 via the first network Nw1, and this operation flow ends. Note that if Yes in step S105, this means that the IoT device 10 has not been taken out. Next, a case will be described where the IoT device 10 is taken out of the first network Nw1 and No in step S105.

[0077] If the connection to the first network Nw1 is not established (No in S105), the connection control unit 25 determines whether a predetermined condition is met (step S106). For example, the predetermined condition is met when the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 but is unable to establish a connection to the first network Nw1 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, or when a connection forcing signal sa is received that forces a connection to a network other than the first network Nw1.

[0078] If the predetermined condition is not met (No in S106), the network construction device 20 returns to step S103 and executes the processes from step S103 onwards. In this case, the network construction device 20 repeatedly executes the processes from step S103 to S106 until the predetermined condition is met. Meeting the predetermined condition means that a connection with the first network Nw1 is not established even after a predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the connection control unit 25 may determine that the predetermined condition is met when it receives the above-mentioned connection forcing signal sa.

[0079] If the predetermined condition is met (Yes in S106), the matter communication processing unit 24 starts accepting commissioning (step S107). For example, the connection control unit 25 outputs an acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24, instructing the matter communication processing unit 24 to start accepting connections with other networks. By acquiring the acceptance instruction signal s1, the matter communication processing unit 24 becomes able to accept connections with other networks.

[0080] The matter communication processing unit 24 determines whether or not a commissioning request signal s2 has been received from the control device 52 within a certain time period (step S108). The certain time period is set appropriately within a range of, for example, 30 to 60 seconds. If the commissioning request signal s2 has not been received within the certain time period (No in S108), the network construction device 20 returns to step S102 and executes the processes from step S102 onward.

[0081] If the commissioning request signal s2 is received within the predetermined time (Yes in S108), the matter communication processing unit 24 executes the commissioning process with the IoT device 10 based on the Matter standard (step S109).

[0082] Next, the network communication processing unit 23 establishes a connection to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 acquired by the commissioning process (step S110).

[0083] The network communication processing unit 23 outputs the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 to which the connection has been established to the information storage unit 21. The network information i2 of the second network Nw2 is stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S111).

[0084] By executing these steps, the network construction device 20 can be connected to the second network Nw2, which is a new network.

[0085] [Modification 1] A network construction device 20 according to Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described. In Modification 1, an example will be described in which network information for a plurality of networks is stored in advance in the information storage unit 21.

[0086] Similar to the embodiment, the network construction device 20 of the first modification also includes an information storage unit 21, a communication processing unit 22, and a connection control unit 25. The communication processing unit 22 is configured by a network communication processing unit 23 and a matter communication processing unit 24.

[0087] Network information i1 for each of the multiple first networks Nw1 is stored in advance in the information storage unit 21 of Modification 1. In Modification 1, each of the multiple pieces of network information i1 stored in advance in the information storage unit 21 will be referred to as network information i1 of the first network Nw1.

[0088] The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to one or more of the plurality of first networks Nw1. For example, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the plurality of first networks Nw1 in a predetermined order.

[0089] The connection control unit 25 determines whether or not a connection to one or more first networks Nw1 has been successful. For example, when the network communication processing unit 23 successfully connects to the first first network Nw1, the connection control unit 25 causes the network communication processing unit 23 to establish a connection to the first first network Nw1. In this case, the network construction device 20 does not attempt to connect to the second or subsequent first networks Nw1.

[0090] On the other hand, if the connection to the first first network Nw1 is not successful, the connection control unit 25 instructs the network communication processing unit 23 to attempt to connect to the second first network Nw1. Then, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the second first network Nw1.

[0091] In the network construction device 20 of the first modification, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 until it is connected to any one of the first networks Nw1, and then, if it is unsuccessful in connecting to all of the first networks Nw1, it attempts to connect to the second network Nw2.

[0092] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network construction device 20 according to the first modification of the embodiment.

[0093] 7, the network communication processing unit 23 checks the information stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S101). Then, the network communication processing unit 23 determines whether one or more pieces of network information exist in the information storage unit 21 (step S102). The network information checked here is the network information i1 of the multiple first networks Nw1.

[0094] If the network information does not exist (No in S102), the process proceeds to step S107, and the network construction device 20 performs the process from step S107 onwards. The process from step S107 onwards is the same as in the embodiment.

[0095] If the network information exists (Yes in S102), the network communication processing unit 23 prepares for connection to the network (step S102A).

[0096] Then, the network communication processing unit 23 acquires one piece of network information i1 stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S103). Specifically, the network communication processing unit 23 acquires one piece of network information i1 of the plurality of first networks Nw1.

[0097] Next, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 based on the network information i1 acquired in step S103 (step S104).

[0098] The connection control unit 25 determines whether the connection to the first network Nw1 attempted in step S104 has been established (step S105).

[0099] If the connection to the first network Nw1 is established (Yes in S105), the network construction device 20 becomes able to control the IoT device 10 via the first network Nw1, and this operation flow ends. Note that, if Yes in step S105, this means that the IoT device 10 has not been taken outside.

[0100] If a connection to the first network Nw1 is not established (No in S105), the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to all networks stored in the information storage unit 21 (step S105A).

[0101] After completing the process of step S105A, the connection control unit 25 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is met (step S106). If the predetermined condition is not met (No in S106), the network construction device 20 returns to step S102A and executes the process from step S102A onward. If the predetermined condition is met (Yes in S106), the matter communication processing unit 24 starts accepting commissioning (step S107). The process from step S107 onward is the same as in the embodiment.

[0102] By performing these steps, it is possible to confirm whether or not connection to the multiple first networks Nw1 is possible. Then, after confirming that connection to the multiple first networks Nw1 is not possible, it is possible to connect to the second network Nw2, which is a new network.

[0103] [Modification 2] A network construction device 20A according to Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described. In Modification 2, an example will be described in which the IoT device 10A does not include the network construction device 20A, and the IoT device 10A and the network construction device 20A are separate entities.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a network construction device 20A and an IoT device 10A according to the second modification.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 8, the IoT device 10A includes an operation control unit 16. Note that the operation mechanism of the IoT device 10A is not shown in Fig. 8.

[0106] The operation control unit 16 is a control unit that controls the operation of the IoT device 10A. The operation control unit 16 operates the IoT device 10A based on a device control signal s3 output from the network construction device 20A. For example, after communication between the network construction device 20A and the control device 52 is established, the operation control unit 16 acquires the device control signal s3 output from the control device 52 via the network construction device 20A, and controls the operation of the IoT device 10A based on this device control signal s3.

[0107] 8, the network construction device 20A includes an information storage unit 21, a communication processing unit 22, a connection control unit 25, and a user interface 27. The communication processing unit 22 is made up of a network communication processing unit 23 and a matter communication processing unit 24.

[0108] The configurations of the information storage unit 21, the connection control unit 25, and the user interface 27 are the same as those in the embodiment. The configurations of the network communication processing unit 23 and the matter communication processing unit 24 are almost the same as those in the embodiment.

[0109] The network construction device 20A controls the IoT device 10A via the second network Nw2. Specifically, the matter communication processing unit 24 controls the operation of the IoT device 10A by using the second network Nw2.

[0110] In the second modification, the matter communication processing unit 24 receives a device control signal s3 for controlling the operation of the IoT device 10A from an external control device 52, and outputs the device control signal s3 to the IoT device 10A via the second network Nw2. The operation control unit 16 of the IoT device 10A operates the operating mechanism unit based on the device control signal s3.

[0111] According to the above, the network construction device 20A that complies with the Matter standard can be easily connected to a new network. Furthermore, when connecting to a new network, it is possible to connect to the new network without deleting the network information of the original network.

[0112] (Summary) Network construction devices 20 and 20A according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be illustrated.

[0113] The network construction device 20, 20A of Example 1 includes an information storage unit 21 in which network information of a network is stored, a network communication processing unit 23 that attempts to connect to the network based on the network information stored in the information storage unit 21, a connection control unit 25 that controls the connection to the network, and a matter communication processing unit 24 that performs commissioning with a control device 52 that holds the network information of the network. When a predetermined condition is met, the connection control unit 25 outputs an acceptance instruction signal s1 to the matter communication processing unit 24 that instructs the matter communication processing unit 24 to start accepting a connection with a network different from the first network Nw1. After acquiring the acceptance instruction signal s1, when the matter communication processing unit 24 receives a commissioning request signal s2 that requests commissioning with a second network Nw2, which is another network, the matter communication processing unit 24 commissions the control device 52 that holds network information i2 of the second network Nw2, and stores the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 in the information storage unit 21. The network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 stored in the information storage unit 21.

[0114] In this way, by attempting to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 acquired by commissioning, the network construction devices 20 and 20A can be easily connected to the second network Nw2.

[0115] The network construction device 20, 20A in Example 2 is the network construction device described in Example 1, and if the above-mentioned specified conditions are met, it may be the case that the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 but is unable to establish a connection to the first network Nw1 even after a specified time has elapsed.

[0116] This allows the network construction device 20, 20A to be easily connected to the second network Nw2 when a connection with the first network Nw1 cannot be established.

[0117] The network construction device 20, 20A of Example 3 is the network construction device described in Example 2, in which the information storage unit 21 stores network information i1 of the first network Nw1, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to the first network Nw1 based on the network information i1 of the first network Nw1, and the connection control unit 25 may determine whether the connection to the first network Nw1 is successful or not to determine whether specified conditions are met.

[0118] This allows the success or failure of the connection to the first network Nw1 to be determined, and if the connection to the first network Nw1 is not established, the network construction device 20, 20A can be easily connected to the second network Nw2.

[0119] The network construction device 20, 20A in Example 4 may be the network construction device described in Example 1, and if the above-mentioned specified conditions are met, it may be the case that it receives a connection force signal sa that forces connection to another network other than the first network Nw1.

[0120] This allows the network construction device 20, 20A to be easily connected to the second network Nw2 when the network construction device 20, 20A receives a connection forcing signal sa for forcing a connection to another network.

[0121] The network construction device 20, 20A of Example 5 is the network construction device described in Example 4, and further includes a user interface 27 that accepts user operation input, and the connection control unit 25 may determine whether or not a forced connection signal sa has been received via the user interface 27 to determine whether or not a specified condition is met.

[0122] This allows a determination to be made as to whether or not a forced connection signal sa has been received via the user interface 27, and if the forced connection signal sa has been received, the network construction device 20, 20A can be easily connected to the second network Nw2.

[0123] The network construction device 20, 20A of Example 6 is a network construction device described in any of Examples 1 to 5, in which the information storage unit 21 stores network information i1 for each of a plurality of first networks Nw1, the network communication processing unit 23 attempts to connect to one or more of the plurality of first networks Nw1, and the connection control unit 25 may determine whether the connection to the one or more first networks is successful.

[0124] According to this configuration, it is possible to check whether or not connection to the multiple first networks Nw1 is possible. Then, after it is confirmed that connection to the multiple first networks Nw1 is not possible, it is possible to connect to the second network Nw2, which is a new network.

[0125] The network construction device 20, 20A of Example 7 is a network construction device described in any of Examples 1 to 5, and when the connection control unit 25 determines that a connection with the second network Nw2 has been established, the network communication processing unit 23 outputs network information i2 of the second network Nw2 to the information storage unit 21, and the network information i2 of the second network Nw2 may be stored in the information storage unit 21.

[0126] In this way, the network construction device 20, 20A can be easily connected to the second network Nw2 by storing the network information i2 in the information storage unit 21. Furthermore, the network construction device 20, 20A can be connected to the second network Nw2 without deleting the network information i1 of the first network Nw1.

[0127] The network construction device 20A of Example 8 is the network construction device described in Example 7, and the second network Nw2 is a network for communication connection with the IoT device 10A. After the connection with the second network Nw2 is established, when the matter communication processing unit 24 receives an equipment control signal s3 that controls the operation of the IoT device 10A from an external control device 52, the matter communication processing unit 24 may output the equipment control signal s3 to the IoT device 10A via the second network Nw2.

[0128] This network construction device 20A can control the IoT device 10A via the second network Nw2.

[0129] The IoT device 10 of Example 9 is an IoT device including the network construction device 20 described in Example 7, and the second network Nw2 is a network for communication connection with the IoT device 10, and when it receives an equipment control signal s3 that controls the operation of the IoT device 10 from an external control device 52, it operates based on the equipment control signal s3.

[0130] According to this configuration, the IoT device 10 can be operated based on the device control signal s3 output from the control device 52.

[0131] A network construction system 1 of Example 10 is a network construction system including the network construction device 20, 20A described in any one of Examples 1 to 7 and a control device 52 that holds network information i2 for a second network Nw2. The network construction device 20, 20A enters a state in which it can accept a connection request with the other network by receiving a reception instruction signal s1 that instructs it to start accepting connections with a network different from the first network Nw1. The control device 52 outputs a commissioning request signal s2 to the network construction device 20, 20A, requesting commissioning with the other network, the second network Nw2.

[0132] According to this, the network construction devices 20, 20A perform commissioning with the control device 52 based on the above-mentioned commissioning request signal s2, and can acquire network information i2 of the second network Nw2 from the control device 52. This makes it possible to easily connect the network construction devices 20, 20A to the second network Nw2.

[0133] The network construction method of Example 11 includes a network communication processing step of attempting a connection to a network based on network information of the network, a connection control step of controlling the connection to the network, and a commissioning step of performing commissioning with a control device that holds the network information of the network. In the connection control step, if a predetermined condition is met, an acceptance instruction signal s1 is output that instructs the start of acceptance of a connection to a network different from the first network Nw1. In the commissioning step, after the acceptance instruction signal s1 is output, if a commissioning request signal s2 requesting commissioning with a second network Nw2, which is another network, is received, network information i2 of the second network Nw2 is acquired by commissioning with a control device 52 that holds network information i2 of the second network Nw2. In the network communication processing step, a connection to the second network Nw2 is attempted based on the network information i2 of the second network Nw2.

[0134] In this way, by attempting to connect to the second network Nw2 based on the network information i2 acquired by commissioning, it is possible to easily connect to the second network Nw2.

[0135] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0136] 3B of the embodiment shows an example in which no network is formed at the destination of the IoT device 10, but this is not limiting. For example, if a second network Nw2 is formed between another IoT device and the control device 52 at the destination of the IoT device 10, the IoT device 10 may connect to the network by joining the already formed second network Nw2.

[0137] In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by making various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0138] 1 Network construction system 10, 10A IoT device (controlled device) 16 Operation control unit 20, 20A Network construction device 21 Information storage unit 22 Communication processing unit 23 Network communication processing unit 24 Matter communication processing unit 25 Connection control unit 26 Operation control unit 27 User interface 51, 52 Control device 61 Storage unit 63 Network communication unit 64 Matter communication unit 67 Display input unit i1, i2 Network information Nw1 First network Nw2 Second network sa Connection forced signal s1 Acceptance instruction signal s2 Commissioning request signal s3 Device control signal

Claims

1. A network construction device comprising: an information storage unit in which network information of a network is stored; a network communication processing unit that attempts to connect to the network based on the network information stored in the information storage unit; a connection control unit that controls the connection to the network; and a matter communication processing unit that performs commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the network, wherein the connection control unit outputs an acceptance instruction signal to the matter communication processing unit when a predetermined condition is met, instructing the matter communication processing unit to start accepting connections with another network different from a first network; and when the matter communication processing unit receives a commissioning request signal that requests commissioning with a second network, which is the other network, after acquiring the acceptance instruction signal, the matter communication processing unit commissions with a control device that holds network information of the second network to acquire network information of the second network and stores it in the information storage unit; and the network communication processing unit attempts to connect to the second network based on the network information of the second network stored in the information storage unit.

2. The network construction device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when the network communication processing unit attempts to connect to the first network but a connection to the first network is not established even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

3. The network construction device according to claim 2, wherein the information storage unit stores network information about the first network, the network communication processing unit attempts to connect to the first network based on the network information about the first network, and the connection control unit determines whether the connection to the first network is successful in order to determine whether the specified conditions are met.

4. The network construction device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a connection forcing signal forcing a connection to another network different from the first network is received.

5. The network construction device according to claim 4, further comprising a user interface that accepts user input, wherein the connection control unit determines whether the forced connection signal has been received via the user interface in order to determine whether the predetermined conditions are met.

6. The network construction device according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit stores network information for each of the plurality of first networks, the network communication processing unit attempts to connect to one or more of the plurality of first networks, and the connection control unit determines whether or not a connection to one or more of the first networks has been successful.

7. The network construction device according to claim 1, wherein the network communication processing unit outputs network information of the second network to the information storage unit when the connection control unit determines that a connection with the second network has been established, and the network information of the second network is stored in the information storage unit.

8. The network construction device according to claim 7, wherein the second network is a network for communication connection with an IoT (Internet of Things) device, and the matter communication processing unit, after establishing connection with the second network, when receiving a device control signal for controlling the operation of the IoT device from an external control device, outputs the device control signal to the IoT device via the second network.

9. An IoT (Internet of Things) device including the network construction device according to claim 7, wherein the second network is a network for communication connection with the IoT device, and when a device control signal for controlling the operation of the IoT device is received from an external control device, the IoT device operates based on the device control signal.

10. A network construction system comprising: a network construction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a control device that holds network information of the second network, wherein the network construction device receives a reception instruction signal that instructs it to start accepting connections with a network different from the first network, thereby becoming capable of accepting connection requests with the other network; and the control device outputs a commissioning request signal to the network construction device that requests commissioning with the other network, the second network.

11. A network construction method comprising: a network communication processing step of attempting a connection to a network based on network information of the network; a connection control step of controlling the connection to the network; and a commissioning step of performing commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the network, wherein in the connection control step, if a predetermined condition is met, an acceptance instruction signal is output that instructs the start of acceptance of a connection to another network different from a first network; in the commissioning step, if a commissioning request signal requesting commissioning with the other network, a second network, is received after the acceptance instruction signal is output, network information of the second network is obtained by commissioning with a control device that holds network information of the second network; and in the network communication processing step, a connection to the second network is attempted based on the network information of the second network.

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