Communication device and network system

Abstract

The present invention provides technology with which it is possible for a plurality of devices to acquire the state of a home appliance. A communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a communication device that can be mounted to a home appliance, and comprises a communication unit and a control unit. When having received command data from a first device via the communication unit, the control unit delivers the command data to the home appliance, and upon receiving state data from the home appliance, transmits the state data to the first device, and also transmits the state data to a second device.

Description

Communication device and network system

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a network system for communicating over a network. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-029653, filed on February 29, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2015-170938 (Patent Document 1) describes a network system, a communication method, a server, a terminal, and a communication program. Patent Document 1 provides a network system including at least one terminal and a server. The server transmits information to the at least one terminal for suppressing data transmission from the at least one terminal. Each of the at least one terminal transmits at least a portion of the acquired data to the server in accordance with the information from the server.

[0003] JP 2015-170938 A

[0004] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows multiple devices to acquire the status of a home appliance.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device that can be installed in a home appliance, the communication device including a communication unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit receives command data from a first device via the communication unit and passes the command data to the home appliance, and receives status data from the home appliance and transmits the status data to the first device and also to a second device.

[0006] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, a technique is provided that allows a plurality of devices to acquire the status of a home appliance.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing the overall functions and operation outline of the network system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a home appliance according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the overall control of the network system according to the first embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a home appliance according to a second embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First embodiment> <Outline of network system 1>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a network system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Network system 1 according to this embodiment mainly includes home appliances such as an air conditioner 100A, a refrigerator 100B, a microwave oven 100C, and a television 100D, a communication terminal 300 such as a smartphone, an in-home controller 400 for controlling the home appliances, a wireless router 600 for connecting the home appliances to an external network such as the Internet, and servers 500A and 500B.

[0010] The home appliances are not limited to the air conditioner 100A, refrigerator 100B, microwave oven 100C, television 100D, etc., but may also include home appliances such as washing machines, air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, vacuum cleaners, automatic cooking pots, rice cookers, and lighting, AV (audio-visual) equipment such as personal computers, hard disk recorders, projectors, music players, game consoles, and speakers, HEMS equipment such as solar power generation systems, battery systems, and hot water supply systems, and home appliances such as built-in lighting, intercoms, electric locks, hot water heaters, and warm water washing toilet seat controllers. Hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as home appliances 100.

[0011] Furthermore, the communication terminal 300 is not limited to a smartphone, but may also be a personal computer, a tablet, a game console, a speaker, a wearable device, or the like.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , home appliance 100 is equipped with a communication module 200. Communication module 200 is connectable to a first server 500A for controlling home appliance 100 via a wireless router 600A such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a first communication network 601 such as the Internet, using a protocol such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). In particular, in this embodiment, in addition to the above function, communication module 200 is also connectable to a communication terminal 300 such as a smartphone, a home controller 400, or another home appliance 100 via a second communication network 602 using a protocol such as Matter (registered trademark). Communication module 200 is also connectable to a second server 500B having another role via a wireless router 600B such as Wi-Fi or the Internet.

[0013] The specific configuration of the network system 1 for realizing such functions will be described in detail below. <Configuration of Home Appliances and Communication Modules>

[0014] First, the configuration of home appliance 100 constituting network system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Home appliance 100 according to this embodiment includes, as main components, control unit 110, display 130, operation unit 140, communication connector 160, speaker 170, microphone 180, device drive unit 190, and communication module 200.

[0015] The control unit 110 controls each unit of the home appliance 100. More specifically, the control unit 110 is configured from a CPU 111 and a memory 112.

[0016] The CPU 111 controls each part of the home appliance 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 112 .

[0017] The memory 112 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), various types of ROM (Read-Only Memory), etc. The memory 112 stores information necessary for using various services, such as programs executed by the CPU 111, data generated by the execution of the programs by the CPU 111, data input via the operation unit 140, data received from the remote control, data received from the servers 500A and 500B via the router 600 or the Internet, and the address of the first server 500A on the cloud corresponding to the home appliance 100.

[0018] The display 130 outputs characters, images, etc. based on signals from the CPU 111. The display 130 may simply be an LED light or the like.

[0019] The operation unit 140 is realized by buttons, a touch panel, etc., and receives commands from the user and inputs the commands to the CPU 111. For example, it includes buttons necessary for connecting to Wi-Fi. Note that it may also be configured with a touch panel 150 that has the functions of the display 130 and the operation unit 140.

[0020] The communication connector 160 is provided on the control board and is connected to the wireless communication module 200. The wireless communication module 200 will be described later.

[0021] The speaker 170 outputs a voice message or the like based on the voice data from the CPU 111. The microphone 180 acquires the user's voice or the like and inputs the voice data to the CPU 111.

[0022] The device driving unit 190 controls each part (motor, heater, sensor, antenna, etc.) of the home appliance 100 based on signals from the CPU 111. For example, in the case of the air conditioner 100A or the refrigerator, this may be a compressor, fan, or airflow direction changing mechanism. In the case of the washing machine, this may be a motor, and in the case of the microwave oven, this may be an antenna or a turntable for cooking.

[0023] The wireless communication module 200 mainly includes an antenna 260 for performing wireless communication conforming to Wi-Fi or wireless communication conforming to BLE, a connector for performing wired communication, and a communication control unit 210. The wireless communication module 200 may be provided on a communication adapter board separate from the main control board of the home appliance 100. The communication control unit 210 transmits and receives data to and from the wireless router 600, the servers 500A and 500B, and the communication terminal 300 by a communication method conforming to Wi-Fi, in accordance with instructions from the main control unit 110 of the home appliance 100.

[0024] In particular, in this embodiment, the communication control unit 210 of the wireless communication module 200 uses the wireless communication antenna 260 to transmit and receive data to and from the router 600 and the home appliance server 500A in accordance with a first communication protocol such as ECHONET Lite, and to transmit and receive data to and from the router 600, the server 500B for other applications, and the home controller 400 in accordance with a second communication protocol such as Matter.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication control unit 210 of the wireless communication module 200 functions as a command bridge 221 for the first communication protocol and a command bridge 222 for the second protocol. The first command bridge 221 passes data exchanged according to the first protocol to the second command bridge 222, and conversely, receives data exchanged according to the second protocol from the second command bridge 222. Meanwhile, the second command bridge 222 passes data exchanged according to the second protocol to the first command bridge 221, and conversely, receives data exchanged according to the first protocol from the first command bridge 221.

[0026] For example, the communication control unit 210 of the wireless communication module 200 functions as a command bridge 221 for ECHONET Lite, which can be interpreted by the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100, and a command bridge 222 for other protocols such as Matter, which cannot be interpreted by the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100, in accordance with a program stored in the memory 212 by the CPU 211. The command bridge 221 for ECHONET Lite passes data exchanged according to ECHONET Lite to the command bridge 222 for Matter, and conversely, receives data exchanged according to Matter from the command bridge 222 for Matter. Meanwhile, the command bridge 222 for Matter passes data exchanged according to Matter to the command bridge 221 for ECHONET Lite, and conversely, receives data exchanged according to ECHONET Lite from the command bridge 221 for ECHONET Lite. <Information Processing of Network System>

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, information processing in the network system 1 using the communication module 200 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0028] First, in this embodiment, when the power supply of the home appliance 100 is turned on, the control unit 110 uses the communication module 200 to connect to a preset service server on the cloud.

[0029] When the communication module 200 is connected to the communication connector 160 and powered on for the first time, the device control unit 110 communicates with the communication control unit 210 of the communication module 200, and various device information stored in the memory 112 is also stored in the memory 212, allowing the communication module 200 to recognize what type of device 100 is connected. The communication module 200 can use this information to pair and register the device 100 with the cloud server 500 or the smartphone 300. Furthermore, after installing the home appliance 100, the device 100 is powered on and paired with the cloud server 500 by using the smartphone 300 or the like, and only then can the device 100 be connected to the cloud server 500. The communication module 200 then notifies the cloud service server (the first server 500A or the second server 500B) of various device information and device states for the first time.

[0030] Now, for example, first server 500A, which is the service server, sends status setting request data to home appliance 100 (step S112). Note that this data is sent via the Internet or wireless router 600 in accordance with a protocol that conforms to the first protocol.

[0031] The first command bridge 221 of the communication module 200 installed in the home appliance 100 receives the data via the communication antenna 260 and passes the data to the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 as data compliant with the first protocol (step S114).

[0032] The control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 controls the device driving unit 190 in accordance with the status setting request. The control unit 110 passes information about the latest status after execution of the status setting request command to the command bridge 221 as a status setting completion response in a data format conforming to the first protocol (step S116). Here, depending on the type of command, the status setting completion response may be returned to indicate that the status setting request has been accepted without waiting for the execution to be completed, and execution of the command may continue thereafter.

[0033] The command bridge 221 returns status setting completion response data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 (step S118).

[0034] In particular, in this embodiment, the command bridge 221 also passes information about the latest state of the home appliance 100 to the command bridge 222 as a state change notification based on the state setting completion response (step S120).

[0035] The command bridge 222 transmits the status change notification data conforming to the second protocol to the second server 500B via the communication antenna 260 (step S122).

[0036] Furthermore, for example, first server 500A, which is the service server, sends status read request data to home appliance 100 (step S125). Note that this data is sent via the Internet or wireless router 600 in accordance with a protocol that conforms to the first protocol.

[0037] The first command bridge 221 of the communication module 200 installed in the home appliance 100 receives the data via the communication antenna 260 and passes the data to the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 as data compliant with the first protocol (step S126).

[0038] In response to the status read request, the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 reads the latest status information and passes it to the command bridge 221 as a status setting completion response in a data format conforming to the first protocol (step S127).

[0039] The command bridge 221 returns status read completion response data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 (step S128).

[0040] In particular, in this embodiment, the command bridge 221 also passes information about the latest state of the home appliance 100 to the command bridge 222 as a state notification based on the state setting read response (step S130).

[0041] The command bridge 222 transmits status notification data conforming to the second protocol to the second server 500B via the communication antenna 260 (step S132).

[0042] Preferably, the command bridge 222 has a means for storing the latest status of the home appliance 100 from data such as the status notification (step S132), status change notification (step S122, step S152), status read response (step S194), and status setting completion response (step S174) previously sent to the second server 500B, and may transmit status change notification data conforming to the second protocol via the communication antenna 260 to the second server 500B only if the status of the home appliance 100 has changed from that value (step S132).

[0043] That is, if the state of the home appliance 100 has not changed in the state notification (step S130), the command bridge 222 does not need to connect to the second server 500B (step S132).

[0044] This determination may be made by the command bridge 221. That is, the command bridge 221 may have a means for storing the latest state of the home appliance 100 from data such as a state notification (step S130), a state change notification (steps S120 and S150), a state read response (step S192), and a state setting completion response (step S172) previously transmitted to the command bridge 222, and may be configured not to pass the state notification (step S130) to the command bridge 222 if there has been no change from the previous state of the home appliance 100 based on the state read response.

[0045] The change in state may be triggered by the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 based on a predetermined condition, or may be initiated by a user in the home using the operation unit 140 or controller of the home appliance 100.

[0046] In this case, the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 controls the device driving unit 190. The control unit 110 passes information about the latest state after the command execution as a state change notification to the command bridge 221 in a data format conforming to the first protocol (step S146).

[0047] The command bridge 221 transmits the status change notification data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 (step S148).

[0048] In particular, in this embodiment, the command bridge 221 also passes information about the latest state of the home appliance 100 to the command bridge 222 based on the state change notification (step S150).

[0049] The command bridge 222 transmits the status change notification data conforming to the second protocol to the second server 500B via the communication antenna 260 (step S152).

[0050] Meanwhile, second server 500B may send status setting request data to home appliance 100 (step S162). This data is sent via the Internet or wireless router 600 in accordance with a protocol that conforms to the second protocol. Here, it is assumed that control unit 110 of home appliance 100 cannot interpret the second protocol.

[0051] The second command bridge 222 of the communication module 200 mounted on the home appliance 100 receives the data via the communication antenna 260 and passes it to the command bridge 221 as a status setting request (step S164).

[0052] The first command bridge 221 converts the status setting request into data conforming to the first protocol, and passes the data to the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 (step S166).

[0053] The control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 controls the device driving unit 190 in accordance with the status setting request. The control unit 110 passes information about the latest status after execution of the status setting request command to the command bridge 221 as a status setting completion response in a data format conforming to the first protocol (step S168). Here, depending on the type of command, the status setting completion response may be returned to indicate that the status setting request has been accepted without waiting for the execution to be completed, and execution of the command may continue thereafter.

[0054] The command bridge 221 transmits the status change notification data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 (step S170).

[0055] In particular, in this embodiment, based on the status setting completion response, the command bridge 221 also passes information about the latest status of the home appliance 100 to the command bridge 222 as a status setting completion response (step S172).

[0056] The command bridge 222 transmits the status setting completion data conforming to the second protocol to the second server 500B via the communication antenna 260 (step S174).

[0057] In addition, second server 500B may send status read request data to home appliance 100 (step S182). Note that this data is sent via the Internet or wireless router 600 in accordance with a protocol that conforms to the second protocol.

[0058] The second command bridge 222 of the communication module 200 mounted on the home appliance 100 receives the data via the communication antenna 260 and passes it to the command bridge 221 as a status read request (step S184).

[0059] The first command bridge 221 converts the status read request into data conforming to the first protocol, and passes it to the control unit 110 of the home appliance 100 (step S186).

[0060] The control unit 110 passes the latest status information to the command bridge 221 as a status read response in a data format conforming to the first protocol (step S188).

[0061] The command bridge 221 transmits state change notification data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 (step S190). Preferably, the command bridge 221 has a means for storing the latest state of the home appliance 100 from data such as a state change notification (steps S190, S170, and S148) previously transmitted to the first server 500A, a state read response (step S128), and a state setting completion response (step S118), and transmits state change notification data conforming to the first protocol to the first server 500A via the communication antenna 260 only when the state of the home appliance 100 has changed from that value (step S190).

[0062] In particular, in this embodiment, the command bridge 221 also passes information about the latest state of the home appliance 100 to the command bridge 222 as a status read response based on the status read response (step S192).

[0063] The command bridge 222 transmits the status read response data conforming to the second protocol to the second server 500B via the communication antenna 260 (step S194).

[0064] In the above embodiment, the case where home appliance 100 can connect to first server 500A via first wireless router 600A and to second server 500B via second wireless router 600B has been described. However, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, either of the servers may be a home controller 400 compliant with Matter or the like that is installed in the home, or both may be controllers or other communication devices. <Third Embodiment>

[0065] In the above embodiment, the communication module 200 mounted on the home appliance 100 has one wireless communication antenna 260. However, as shown in Fig. 5, the communication module 200 may have two wireless communication antennas 261.

[0066] In this embodiment, the communication control unit 210 of the wireless communication module 200 provides data exchanged with the first device using the first wireless communication antenna 261 to the second device using the second wireless communication antenna 262. Conversely, the communication control unit 210 provides data exchanged with the second device using the second wireless communication antenna 262 to the first device using the first wireless communication antenna 261. <Fourth embodiment>

[0067] In the above embodiment, the communication module 200 mounted on the home appliance 100 has the wireless communication antenna 260. The communication module 200 may have a communication interface for wired communication instead of or in addition to the wireless communication antenna 260. <Summary>

[0068] Until now, the method used to effectively advance IoT (Internet of Things) adoption was to develop and install a common communication module with a specific communication protocol compatible with the cloud server to be connected for non-IoT (Internet of Things) compatible sensor devices, actuator devices, home appliances, etc., to expand the communication section. Also, in order to connect IoT-compatible devices to a different communication network, the communication module was replaced with one compatible with the corresponding communication protocol, or the connection was made via a conversion device with a gateway or bridge function to convert the communication protocol.

[0069] Furthermore, if an IoT-enabled device is connected to a different communication network and the previous module is replaced with a communication module that supports a different communication protocol, the device will no longer be able to connect to the cloud server it was previously connected to, and the assets it had previously accumulated will no longer be able to be carried over.In addition, developing and deploying a new conversion device with gateway or bridge functionality to support the new communication protocol required will incur significant costs in terms of development, maintenance, and operation.

[0070] Therefore, in the above embodiment, a communication module that has the following features and can be commonly used with various devices is provided.

[0071] (1) It is characterized by having multiple communication protocol control means between the cloud server and the devices connected to it within one module, and having a means to convert the communication content between the cloud and the devices communicated using one communication protocol into another communication protocol control means and notify other clouds of the status of the above devices.

[0072] This means that a single module contains the appropriate communication protocol control means for connecting to multiple cloud servers, eliminating the need to switch to a module with different specifications or to prepare a separate conversion device with gateway or bridge functions.

[0073] (2) The communication module described in (1) above can be connected to various devices, and is characterized by its ability to obtain information such as the type, status, and control means of the connected device when the power is first turned on.

[0074] This means that when this communication module is attached to various devices and the power is turned on for the first time, the module can obtain information such as the type, status, and control means of the connected device, and as a result, this communication module can be commonly applied to various devices.

[0075] (3) It is characterized by having a means for registering the relevant device to the cloud server based on the device information acquired by the means in (2) above.

[0076] This allows various devices equipped with the above communication modules to be connected and registered to the cloud server.

[0077] (4) Based on the information connected and registered by the means described in (3) above, it is possible to obtain status information of the device and remotely control it via the cloud server to which the device is connected.

[0078] This makes it possible to obtain status information about various devices and remotely control them via a cloud server.

[0079] (5) The device is characterized by having a means for connecting and registering the device to a cloud server via another network using the means described in (1) and (2) above.

[0080] This allows various devices to be connected and registered to cloud servers via other networks.

[0081] (6) Based on the information registered for connection by the means of (5) above, it is possible to obtain status information of the device and remotely control it via another cloud server (1) above to which the device is connected.

[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication device that can be installed in a home appliance, comprising: a communication unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit receives command data from a first device via the communication unit and passes it to the home appliance, and receives status data from the home appliance and transmits it to the first device, while also transmitting the status data to a second device.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes: a first bridge function that receives command data from the first device via the communication unit and passes it to the home appliance, and receives status data from the home appliance and transmits it to the first device; and a second bridge function that accepts the status data from the first bridge function and transmits the status data to a second device via the communication unit.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes: a first communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the first device; and a second communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the second device.

4. The communication device of claim 1, which exchanges data with the first device according to a first communication protocol and exchanges data with the second device according to a second communication protocol.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, upon receiving command data from the second device via the communication unit, passes the command data to the home appliance, and upon receiving status data from the home appliance, transmits the status data to the second device and also transmits the status data to the first device.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a server for controlling the home appliance, and the second device is a home controller for controlling the home appliance or a server different from the server.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a home controller for controlling the home appliance, and the second device is a server for controlling the home appliance.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores device information relating to the home appliance and registers the device information in the first device and the second device.

9. A network system comprising: a first device that transmits commands; a second device; and a home appliance that can be connected to the first device and the second device via a network, wherein the home appliance operates in accordance with the command from the first device and transmits information indicating its state after receiving the command to the first device and the second device.

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