Device management system, device management apparatus, and device management method

Abstract

This device management system comprises: a device information storage unit (231) that stores address information of a device (3) belonging to a local network (NW2); an address acquisition unit (115) that, on the basis of a class to which the device (3) belongs when the device (3) is classified based on the classes set by the ECHONET Lite standard, transmits, to a device (3) belonging to the same class, address request information requesting that the device (3) transmit the address information, thereby repeatedly acquiring, for all of a plurality of preset classes, address response information including address information transmitted from the devices (3); and a device information updating unit (215) that uses the address information included in the address response information to update the address information stored in the device information storage unit (231).

Description

Equipment management system, equipment management device, and equipment management method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device management system, a device management apparatus, and a device management method.

[0002] A home device management device has been proposed that manages ECHONET devices, which are devices compatible with the ECHONET (registered trademark) standard, via a home network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This home device management device multicasts an identification information acquisition request to the ECHONET devices connected to the home network, requesting that the ECHONET devices acquire properties of identification information, which is device-specific identification information defined by the ECHONET standard, and receives identification information acquisition responses transmitted from each ECHONET device. The home device management device then registers and manages the identification information included in the received identification information acquisition response in a identification information management table in association with the ECHONET address of the sender of the identification information acquisition response.

[0003] JP 2008-172462 A

[0004] However, in the home device management device described in Patent Document 1, if the buffer capacity for temporarily storing individual identification information acquisition responses is insufficient or if the communication bandwidth of the home network is not sufficiently secured, when multiple ECHONET devices connected to the home network simultaneously transmit individual identification information acquisition responses in response to individual identification information acquisition requests received at the same time, there is a risk that the individual identification information acquisition responses will be missed. Furthermore, the home device management device may prioritize communication speed and communicate with the ECHONET devices using a connectionless communication protocol such as UDP. In this case, the home device management device does not perform a process to confirm the reception of the individual identification information acquisition response for the ECHONET device that sent the individual identification information acquisition response, and therefore there is a risk that the individual identification information of the ECHONET device whose individual identification information acquisition response was missed will be left unregistered in the individual identification information management table.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a device management system, a device management apparatus, and a device management method that are capable of appropriately managing devices.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the device management system according to the present disclosure is a device management system that manages device identification information that identifies a device in a network to which the device belongs, and includes: a device information storage unit that stores the device identification information of the devices that belong to the network; a device identification information acquisition unit that transmits device identification information request information to devices that belong to the same class, based on the class to which the device belongs when the devices are classified according to preset classification criteria, to the devices that belong to the same class, thereby acquiring device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the device, for at least one preset class; and a device information update unit that updates the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit using the device identification information contained in the device identification information response information.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the device identification information acquisition unit transmits the device identification information request information to devices belonging to the same class based on the class to which the devices belong when classifying the devices according to the classification criteria, thereby repeatedly acquiring the device identification information response information transmitted from the devices for at least one preset class. This allows the device identification information acquisition unit to acquire the device identification information response information transmitted from the devices on a class-by-class basis, thereby reducing the possibility of missing device identification information response information, which occurs when attempting to acquire a large amount of device identification information response information simultaneously. Therefore, consistency between the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit and the device identification information of devices actually belonging to the network can be ensured, allowing devices to be managed appropriately.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a device management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an address storage unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a transmission method storage unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a device information storage unit according to the first embodiment; 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the second embodiment; 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the device management system according to the second embodiment;

[0009] (Embodiment 1) A device management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The device management system according to the embodiment manages device identification information that identifies devices in a network to which the devices belong. The device management system includes: a device information storage unit that stores the device identification information of devices belonging to the network; a device identification information acquisition unit that, based on a class to which the devices belong when classified according to preset classification criteria, transmits device identification information request information to devices belonging to the same class, requesting the devices to transmit their device identification information, and thereby acquires device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the devices, for at least one preset class; and a device information update unit that updates the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit using the device identification information included in the device identification information response information.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the device management system according to this embodiment includes a cloud server 2 and a control device 1 that controls the operation of the device 3 by transmitting control information acquired from the cloud server 2 to the device 3. The control device 1 is connected to a local network NW2 to which the device 3 and a router 8 are connected, and the device 3 and the control device 1 can communicate via the local network NW2. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN). The cloud server 2 can communicate with the control device 1 and terminal devices 4 via a wide area network NW1 such as the Internet and a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 8.

[0011] The device 3 has a function of communicating with the control device 1 using a communication protocol conforming to, for example, the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) standard. The device 3 includes an address acquisition unit (not shown) that acquires IP address information from the router 8 by transmitting connection request information to the router 8, and an address storage unit (not shown) that stores the IP address information acquired by the address acquisition unit from the router 8. The device 3 also includes an address response unit (not shown) that, upon receiving address request information from the control device 1 requesting transmission of the device 3's address information, generates address response information including the address information assigned to the device 3 and transmits the address response information to the control device 1. The address information includes IP address information indicating the IP address assigned to the device 3 by the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function unit 811 of the router 8 and MAC address information indicating a MAC address unique to the device 3. Upon receiving control information transmitted from the control device 1, the device 3 starts operating based on the acquired control information and transmits control information acquisition response information to the control device 1 notifying the control device 1 that the control information has been acquired. Furthermore, when the device 3 reaches a preset device status notification time for notifying the control device 1 of its own status, the device 3 generates device status information including parameter information indicating its own status and host information indicating the host name, name, etc. of the device, and transmits the generated device status information to the control device 1. Furthermore, the device 3 employs a connectionless protocol, such as UDP (User Datagram Protocol), as a transport layer protocol for transmitting at least address response information to the control device 1.

[0012] 2, the router 8 has a DHCP function unit 811, and functions as a DHCP server in addition to the function of a normal router. When the DHCP function unit 811 receives connection request information from the device 3 or the control device 1 after communication with the device 3 or the control device 1 is cut off or when the device 3 or the control device 1 is started, the DHCP function unit 811 identifies an IP address to be assigned to the device 3 or the control device 1 that has sent the connection request information from an address pool consisting of multiple pre-set IP addresses. The DHCP function unit 811 then sends IP address information indicating the identified IP address to the device 3 or the control device 1 that has sent the connection request information.

[0013] The terminal device 4 is, for example, a smartphone, and has a display unit (not shown) and an input unit (not shown). The terminal device 4 communicates with the cloud server 2 via the wide area network NW1. When a user operates the input unit to change the settings of the device 3, the terminal device 4 generates operation information including the changed settings of the device 3 and host information of the device 3 in response to the operation information and transmits the operation information to the cloud server 2. When a user operates the input unit to register device information to newly store address information and host information of the device 3 in the device information storage unit 231 of the cloud server 2 (described later), the terminal device 4 generates operation information including the host information of the device 3 to be newly stored and transmits the operation information to the cloud server 2. Here, the host information is information indicating the host name, device name, etc. of the device 3. When the terminal device 4 receives device status notification information indicating the status of the device 3 from the cloud server 2, the terminal device 4 forms a device status notification image indicating the status of the device 3 based on the received device status notification information and displays the image on the display unit.

[0014] The control device 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, a communication unit 107, and a bus 109 connecting the various components. The main memory 102 is a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM) and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory 103 is a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, functions as a read-only memory (ROM) and storage, and stores programs for implementing various functions of the control device 1. The communication unit 107 includes, for example, a wireless module and performs wireless communication with the device 3 and the router 8. The wireless module includes a signal generation circuit and an antenna for generating wireless signals, and the data link layer communicates using, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series communication protocol. When the control device 1 is powered on, the control device 1 shares key information for encrypting messages with the cloud server 2 by executing, for example, a secure sockets layer (SSL) handshake protocol from the control device 1 side, and stores the key information in the main memory 102.

[0015] In the control device 1, the CPU 101 loads the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103 into the main memory unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an encapsulated message acquisition unit 111, a message transmission unit 112, a message acquisition unit 113, an event occurrence detection unit 114, and an encapsulated message transmission unit 116, as shown in Figure 3.

[0016] 2 , when the encapsulated message acquisition unit 111 acquires a message encapsulated with wide-area communication header information for communication between the cloud server 2 and the control device 1, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 111 performs a decapsulation process in which the encapsulated message acquisition unit 111 removes the wide-area communication header information from the acquired message and decrypts the encrypted payload of the encapsulated message using the key information described above. Here, the wide-area communication header information includes information for communication based on an application layer protocol such as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol over SSL) or MQTTS (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport over SSL). Here, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 111 notifies the message transmission unit 112 of the decapsulated message.

[0017] When the message sending unit 112 is notified of a decapsulated message by the encapsulated message acquisition unit 111, it transmits the notified message to the device 3 based on the destination IP address information and destination MAC address information included in the notified message. Furthermore, when the message sending unit 112 transmits control information from the message to the device 3, it notifies the event occurrence detection unit 114 of control information transmission notification information indicating that the control information has been transmitted.

[0018] When the message acquisition unit 113 acquires the device status information transmitted from the device 3, it notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 116 of the acquired device status information. Furthermore, when the message acquisition unit 113 acquires the above-mentioned control information acquisition response information transmitted from the device 3, it notifies the event occurrence detection unit 114 of the acquired control information acquisition response information.

[0019] If the event occurrence detection unit 114 does not receive control information acquisition response information from the message acquisition unit 113 within a preset time period after receiving control information transmission notification information from the message transmission unit 112, the event occurrence detection unit 114 determines that an address update event has occurred, in which the IP address of the device 3 to which the control information is to be transmitted is updated. This IP address update event occurs, for example, when the lease period for the IP address assigned to the device 3 by the DHCP function unit 811 of the router 8 expires. Upon detecting the occurrence of an address update event, the event occurrence detection unit 114 notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 116 of the event occurrence notification information.

[0020] When the encapsulated message sending unit 116 receives device status information from the message acquisition unit 113, it encrypts the received device status information using the key information and then performs encapsulation processing to add the wide-area communication header information. Based on the wide-area communication header information, the encapsulated message sending unit 116 transmits the encapsulated device status information to the cloud server 2. When the encapsulated message sending unit 116 receives event occurrence notification information from the event occurrence detection unit 114, it encrypts the received address update event occurrence notification information using the key information and then performs encapsulation processing to add the wide-area communication header information. Based on the wide-area communication header information, the encapsulated message sending unit 116 transmits the encapsulated event occurrence notification information to the cloud server 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the cloud server 2 includes a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 connecting the various units. The CPU 201 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 202 is composed of volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary memory unit 203 is composed of large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for implementing various functions of the cloud server 2. The communication unit 206 is connected to the wide area network NW1. The cloud server 2 shares key information for encrypting messages with the control device 1 by, for example, executing an SSL handshake protocol from the control device 1, and stores the key information in the main memory unit 102 in association with control device identification information that identifies the control device 1 on the wide area network NW1. Examples of the control device identification information include host name information indicating a host name assigned to the control device 1, identification information including the host name information, IP address information, etc.

[0022] In the cloud server 2, the CPU 201 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as an operation information acquisition unit 211, a device control unit 212, an encapsulated message transmission unit 213, an encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, a device information update unit 215, a device status update unit 216, a device status notification unit 217, a device information request unit 218, an address acquisition unit 225, and a transmission method setting unit 227, as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in Fig. 2 has a device information storage unit 231, a device status storage unit 232, an address storage unit 241, a class information storage unit 242, and a transmission method storage unit 243, as shown in Fig. 3. 4A , the address storage unit 241 is a device identification information storage unit that stores address information included in address response information acquired from device 3 by multicasting address request information (described below) to device 3 via the control device 1, and address information included in address response information acquired from device 3 by broadcasting the address request information to device 3 via the control device 1, in association with class code information indicating the class to which the device 3 belongs when classified according to preset classification criteria. This class code information indicates, for example, a class code defined in the ECHONET Lite standard. In the example shown in Figure 4A, the address response information acquired from device 3 by multicasting address request information to device 3 with class code "0x01" contains address information ADR[0], ADR[1] and host information IDE[0], IDE[1], and the address response information acquired from device 3 by broadcasting address request information to device 3 with class code "0x01" contains address information ADR[0], ADR[1], ADR[2] and host information IDE[0], IDE[1], IDE[2].

[0023] Returning to Fig. 3 , the class information storage unit 242 stores class code information indicating a class code that identifies at least one preset class. The transmission method storage unit 243 stores, as shown in Fig. 4B , transmission method information indicating a method for transmitting address request information to a device 3, in association with class code information indicating the class to which the device 3 that is the destination of the address request information belongs. The example shown in Fig. 4B indicates that the address request information is to be broadcast to devices 3 that belong to a class identified by class code "0x01" (e.g., a class of air-conditioning-related devices including "air conditioners"). On the other hand, it indicates that the address request information is to be multicast to devices 3 that belong to a class identified by class code "0x02" (e.g., a class of home / facility-related devices including "lighting fixtures") and devices 3 that belong to a class identified by class code "0x03" (e.g., a class of cooking / housework-related devices including "refrigerators").

[0024] 5, the device information storage unit 231 stores MAC address information of multiple devices 3 connected to the local network NW2 in association with network identification information that identifies the local network NW2. Furthermore, for each piece of network identification information, the device information storage unit 231 stores address information and host information for each of multiple devices 3 connected to the local network NW2 identified by the network identification information in association with each other. Returning to FIG. 3, the device status storage unit 232 stores parameter information indicating the device status of the device 3 in association with the host information of the device 3. The device information storage unit 231 may also store host information in association with host information that identifies the device 3 at the application layer.

[0025] When the operation information acquisition unit 211 acquires operation information transmitted from the terminal device 4, if the acquired operation information indicates a setting change operation for the device 3, it notifies the device control unit 212 of the host information of the target device 3 included in the operation information and the changed setting content information. On the other hand, if the acquired operation information indicates the above-mentioned device information registration operation, the operation information acquisition unit 211 notifies the device information request unit 218 of the host information included in the operation information.

[0026] When the device information requesting unit 218 is notified of the host information by the operation information acquiring unit 211, it stores the notified host information in the device information storage unit 231. Then, the device information requesting unit 218 notifies the address acquiring unit 225 of device information request information that requests the device 3 to transmit address information, which is device identification information that identifies the device 3 in the local network NW2, and host information. This address information includes IP address information and MAC address information.

[0027] The address acquisition unit 225 is a device identification information acquisition unit that, upon receiving device information request information, transmits address request information requesting the transmission of the address information to devices 3 belonging to the same class based on the class to which the devices 3 belong, thereby acquiring address response information including the address information transmitted from the devices 3. The address acquisition unit 225 then repeats the process of transmitting address request information to acquire address response information for at least one class corresponding to the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242. Here, upon receiving device information request information, the address acquisition unit 225 selects one piece of class code information from the class code information storage unit 242, generates address request information to be multicast transmitted to devices 3 belonging to the class indicated by the selected class code information, and notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 213 of the generated address request information. Thereafter, the address acquisition unit 225 acquires address response information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, generates address request information to be broadcast transmitted to devices 3 belonging to the class indicated by the selected class code information, and notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 213 of the generated address request information. On the other hand, when the address acquisition unit 225 receives event occurrence notification information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, it selects one piece of class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242, generates address request information to be transmitted to the device 3 by the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the selected class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, and notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 213 of the generated address request information. Thereafter, when the address acquisition unit 225 receives address response information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, it extracts the address information and host information included in the notified address response information, and stores the extracted address information and host information in the address storage unit 241 in association with class code information indicating the transmission method of the address request information and the class of the device 3 of the destination.

[0028] When the device control unit 212 receives from the operation information acquisition unit 211 the model information, host information, and changed setting content information of the device 3 to be operated, it generates control information based on the received host information and setting content information. Furthermore, the device control unit 212 determines whether or not the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated, based on the parameter information of each device 3 stored in the device status storage unit 232. If the device control unit 212 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated, it generates control information corresponding to the updated control content of the device 3, including the host information corresponding to the controlled device 3 stored in the device information storage unit 231. The device control unit 212 then adds address information corresponding to the host information of the controlled device 3 stored in the device information storage unit 231 to the generated control information, and then notifies the encapsulated message transmission unit 213.

[0029] When the encapsulated message sending unit 213 receives control information from the device control unit 212, it encrypts the received control information and then performs encapsulation processing to add the wide-area communication header information described above. Based on the wide-area communication header information, the encapsulated message sending unit 213 transmits the encapsulated control information to the control device 1. When the encapsulated message sending unit 213 receives address request information from the address acquisition unit 225, it encrypts the received address request information using the key information described above and then performs encapsulation processing to add the wide-area communication header information described above. Based on the wide-area communication header information, the encapsulated message sending unit 213 transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1.

[0030] When the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 acquires an encapsulated message transmitted from the control device 1, it executes a decapsulation process in which it removes wide-area communication header information from the acquired encapsulated message and decrypts the encrypted payload of the encapsulated message using the shared key information described above. Here, if the decapsulated message is address response information, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 notifies the address acquisition unit 225 of the address response information. On the other hand, if the decapsulated message is device status information, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 notifies the device status update unit 216 of the device status information.

[0031] If the address information stored in address storage unit 241 contained in address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class matches the address information contained in address response information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class, transmission method setting unit 227 then sets multicast transmission as the method for transmitting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the class. On the other hand, if the address information contained in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class does not match the address information contained in the address response information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class, transmission method setting unit 227 then sets broadcast transmission as the method for transmitting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the class. For example, as shown in Fig. 4A, if the address information acquired by multicast transmission to devices 3 belonging to the class with class code "0x01" does not match the address information acquired by broadcast transmission to devices 3 belonging to the class with class code "0x01," the transmission method setting unit 227 stores transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in association with the class code information indicating the class code "0x01" in the transmission method storage unit 243, as shown in Fig. 4B. On the other hand, if the address information acquired by multicast transmission to devices 3 belonging to the class with class code "0x02" matches the address information acquired by broadcast transmission to devices 3 belonging to the class with class code "0x02," the transmission method setting unit 227 stores transmission method information indicating multicast transmission in association with the class code information indicating the class code "0x02," as shown in Fig. 4B.That is, the transmission method setting unit 227 compares the address information stored in the address storage unit 241, which is included in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class, with the address information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class, and if the two match, sets the transmission method information of the corresponding class code information to multicast transmission, and stores it in the transmission method storage unit 243 in association with the class code information of the device 3 that is the destination of the address request information. On the other hand, if the two do not match, the transmission method setting unit 227 stores the transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243 in association with the class code information of the device 3 that is the destination of the address request information.

[0032] When either the MAC address information or the IP address information of a device 3 corresponding to each piece of host information stored in the address storage unit 241 is updated, the device information update unit 215 references the transmission method information corresponding to each piece of class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, and selects address information and related information corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the class code information from the address information and host information corresponding to each of the two types of transmission methods associated with each piece of class code information stored in the address storage unit 241. Then, the device information update unit 215 updates the IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231 using the selected MAC address information and IP address information.

[0033] When the device status update unit 216 is notified of device status information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, it extracts the parameter information, model information, and host information contained in the notified device status information, and stores the extracted information in the device status memory unit 232 in association with each other.

[0034] The device status notification unit 217 generates device status notification information including the parameter information and model-related information stored in the device status storage unit 232 and transmits it to the terminal device 4 .

[0035] Next, the operation of the device management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. Here, we will describe a case in which devices 3A and 3B belonging to different classes are connected to the local network NW2. First, assume that the user of device 3 adds device 3 to the local network NW2 and then performs the device information registration operation described above on the input unit of the terminal device 4. In this case, the terminal device 4 generates operation information including the host information of the newly added device 3 entered by the user through the device information registration operation (step S1), and the generated operation information is transmitted from the terminal device 4 to the cloud server 2 (step S2). Meanwhile, upon receiving the operation information, the cloud server 2 selects one class code from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S3). Here, the class code indicates the class to which device 3A, an air conditioner, belongs. Next, the cloud server 2 generates address request information including the selected class code and with the destination IP address set to a multicast address (step S4). As shown in Fig. 7A, the source IP address of this address request information is set to the IP address of the control device 1, and the address request information also includes class code information. The example shown in Fig. 7A shows a case where the class code information selected is "0x01," which indicates the class of air conditioning-related devices, including air conditioners. Returning to Fig. 6, the cloud server 2 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information described above and encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S5). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S6).

[0036] On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the encapsulated address request information, it decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information attached to the acquired address request information and then decrypting it using key information (step S7). Next, the decapsulated address request information is multicast from the control device 1 to the air conditioner device 3A (step S8). On the other hand, when the device 3A acquires the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which the device 3A belongs, it generates address response information including the device's IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S9), and the generated address response information is transmitted from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S10). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S11). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S12). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the address response information by removing the wide area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypting the information using the key information (step S13). Subsequently, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S14).

[0037] The cloud server 2 then generates address request information that includes the selected class code information and has the destination IP address set to the broadcast address (step S15). This address request information includes the IP address of the control device 1 as the source IP address and class code information, as shown in FIG. 7B . The example shown in FIG. 7B illustrates a case where the class code information selected is "0x01," which indicates the class of air conditioning-related devices, including air conditioners. Returning to FIG. 6 , the cloud server 2 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S16). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S17). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8 , upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S18). The decapsulated address request information is then broadcast from the control device 1 to the air conditioner 3A (step S19). On the other hand, when device 3A receives the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which device 3A belongs, device 3A generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S20), and transmits the generated address response information to control device 1 (step S21). On the other hand, when the control device 1 receives the address response information, it encrypts the received address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S22). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from control device 1 to cloud server 2 (step S23). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2 receives the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the received address response information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the received address response information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S24).Next, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information contained in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S25).

[0038] Thereafter, the cloud server 2 compares the address information stored in the address storage unit 241, which is included in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to the devices 3 belonging to the same class, with the address information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to the devices 3 belonging to the same class. If the two information match, the control device stores transmission method information indicating multicast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243, in association with the class code information of the devices 3 to which the address request information is to be sent. On the other hand, if the two information do not match, the control device 1 stores transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243, in association with the class code information of the devices 3 to which the address request information is to be sent (step S26).

[0039] Next, the cloud server 2 selects another piece of class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S27). Here, the class code information indicates the class to which the lighting fixture device 3B belongs. The cloud server 2 then generates address request information that includes the selected class code information and has a destination IP address set to a multicast address (step S28), encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, and then encapsulates the information by adding wide-area communication header information (step S29). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S30). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S31). The decapsulated address request information is then transmitted via multicast from the control device 1 to the lighting fixture device 3B (step S32). On the other hand, when device 3B receives the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which device 3B belongs, device 3B generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S33), and transmits the generated address response information to device 3B to control device 1 (step S34). On the other hand, when device 3B receives the address response information, control device 1 encrypts the received address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S35). Subsequently, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from control device 1 to cloud server 2, as shown in FIG. 9 (step S36). On the other hand, when cloud server 2 receives the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the received address response information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the received address response information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S37).Thereafter, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information contained in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S38).

[0040] Next, the cloud server 2 generates address request information including the selected class code information and with the destination IP address set to a broadcast address (step S39), encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, and then encapsulates the information by adding wide-area communication header information (step S40). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S41). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the address request information and decrypting it using the key information (step S42). The decapsulated address request information is then broadcast from the control device 1 to the lighting fixture, device 3B (step S43). Meanwhile, upon receiving the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which the device 3B belongs, the device 3B generates address response information including the device's IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S44), and the generated address response information is transmitted from device 3B to the control device 1 (step S45). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S46). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S47). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the acquired address response information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S48). Next, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S49).

[0041] Next, the cloud server 2 compares the address information stored in the address storage unit 241, which is included in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to the devices 3 belonging to the same class, with the address information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to the devices 3 belonging to the same class. If the two information match, the control device stores transmission method information indicating multicast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243, in association with the class code information of the devices 3 to which the address request information is to be sent. On the other hand, if the two information match, the control device stores transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243, in association with the class code information of the devices 3 to which the address request information is to be sent (step S50).

[0042] Thereafter, the cloud server 2 updates the IP address information, MAC address information and host information stored in the device information storage unit 231 using the MAC address information, IP address information and host information of the devices 3A and 3B stored in the address storage unit 241 (step S51).

[0043] Next, as shown in FIG. 10 , assume that the aforementioned address update event occurs, such as communication interruption with devices 3A, 3B, or the control device 1, or restart of devices 3A, 3B, or the control device 1. In this case, the DHCP function unit 811 of the router 8 assigns new IP addresses to each of devices 3A, 3B, and the control device 1 connected to the network NW1. In this case, when the control device 1 detects the occurrence of the address update event, it generates event occurrence notification information (step S52). Next, the control device 1 encrypts the generated event occurrence notification information using the aforementioned key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S53). Next, the encapsulated event occurrence notification information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S54). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated event occurrence notification information, the cloud server 2 decapsulates the acquired event occurrence notification information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the event occurrence notification information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S55). Thereafter, the cloud server 2 determines that an address update event has occurred based on the decapsulated event occurrence notification information (step S56). In this case, the cloud server 2 selects one class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S57). Next, based on the transmission method information corresponding to the selected class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, the cloud server 2 generates address request information including the selected class code information and setting the destination IP address to an address corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (step S58). Here, if the transmission method information indicates multicast, the destination IP address is set to a multicast address, and if the transmission method information indicates broadcast, the destination IP address is set to a broadcast address. Next, the cloud server 2 encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S59). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S60).On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the encapsulated address request information, it decapsulates the address request information by decrypting the wide-area header information attached to the acquired address request information and then using the key information to decapsulate the information (step S61). The decapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the device 3A using the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (step S62). On the other hand, when the device 3A acquires the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which the device 3A belongs, it generates address response information including the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information of the device 3A (step S63), and transmits the generated address response information from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S64). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding the wide-area header information (step S65). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S66). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the address response information by removing the wide area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypting the information using the key information (step S67). Next, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S68).

[0044] Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the cloud server 2 selects another piece of class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S69). Then, based on the transmission method information corresponding to the selected class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, the cloud server 2 generates address request information that includes the selected class code information and sets the destination IP address to an address corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (step S70). Next, the cloud server 2 encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S71). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S72). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S73). The decapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the device 3B using the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (step S74). On the other hand, when device 3B acquires the address request information, if the class indicated by the class code information included in the address request information matches the class to which device 3B belongs, device 3B generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S75), and the generated address response information is transmitted from device 3B to control device 1 (step S76). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S77). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to cloud server 2 (step S78). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it removes the wide-area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypts it using the key information to decapsulate it (step S79).Next, the cloud server 2 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information contained in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S80).

[0045] Next, the cloud server 2 refers to the transmission method information corresponding to each piece of class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, and selects address information and related information corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the class code information from the address information and host information corresponding to each of the two types of transmission methods associated with each piece of class code information stored in the address storage unit 241. Then, the device information update unit 215 updates the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information stored in the device information storage unit 231 using the MAC address information, IP address information, and host information of the selected devices 3A and 3B (step S81).

[0046] Furthermore, when the aforementioned device status notification time arrives, for example, the device 3A generates the aforementioned device status information (step S82), and the generated device status information is transmitted from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S83). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the device status information, the control device 1 encrypts the acquired device status information using the aforementioned key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S84). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12 , the encapsulated device status information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2 (step S85). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the device status information, the cloud server 2 decapsulates the acquired device status information by removing the wide-area communication header information and then decrypting it using the aforementioned key information (step S86). Next, the cloud server 2 extracts the parameter information, model information, and host information of the device 3A included in the device status information, associates them with each other, and stores them in the device status storage unit 232 (step S87).

[0047] Next, let us assume that the cloud server 2 determines, based on the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 232, that the control content of the device 3A needs to be updated (step S88). In this case, the cloud server 2 generates control information corresponding to the updated control content of the device 3A (step S89), encrypts the generated control information using the key information, and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S90). The encapsulated control information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2 to the control device 1 (step S91). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated control information, the control device 1 decapsulates the control information by removing the wide-area communication header information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S92). The decapsulated control information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the device 3A based on the destination IP address information and MAC address information included in the control information (step S93). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, the device 3A starts operating based on the received control information (step S94).

[0048] Next, the device control process executed by the cloud server 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 . This device control process is initiated, for example, when a program for executing the device control process is launched in the cloud server 2, and an SSL handshake protocol is executed with the cloud server 2 to establish a connection with the cloud server 2. First, the operation information acquisition unit 211 determines whether operation information indicating a device information registration operation transmitted from the terminal device 4 has been acquired (step S101: No). If the operation information acquisition unit 211 determines that operation information indicating a device information registration operation has not been acquired (step S101: Yes), the operation information acquisition unit 211 executes the process of step S114, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the operation information acquisition unit 211 determines that operation information indicating a device information registration operation has been acquired (step S101: Yes), the operation information acquisition unit 211 notifies the device information request unit 218 of the host information included in the acquired operation information. Then, when the device information requesting unit 218 is notified of the host information from the operation information acquiring unit 211, it stores the notified host information in the device information storage unit 231 and notifies the device information requesting unit 225 of the device information. Then, when the address acquiring unit 225 is notified of the device information requesting information, it selects one piece of class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S102).

[0049] Next, the address acquisition unit 225 generates address request information in which the destination IP address is set to a multicast address. The encapsulated message transmission unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, performs encapsulation processing by adding the wide-area communication header information, and transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide-area communication header information (step S103). The encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 then decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to determine whether address response information has been acquired (step S106). If the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that address response information has not been acquired (step S104: No), the processing of step S106, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that address response information has been acquired (step S104: Yes), the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 notifies the address acquisition unit 225 of the address response information. Then, the address acquisition unit 225 extracts the address information and host information contained in the notified address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address memory unit 241 in association with class code information indicating the method of transmitting the address request information and the class of the destination device 3 (step S105).

[0050] Next, the address acquisition unit 225 generates address request information in which the destination IP address is set to a broadcast address. The encapsulated message transmission unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, performs encapsulation processing by adding the wide-area communication header information, and transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide-area communication header information (step S106). The encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 then decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to obtain address response information (step S107), and notifies the address acquisition unit 225 of the address response information. The address acquisition unit 225 then extracts the address information and host information included in the notified address response information, associates the extracted information with class code information indicating the method of transmitting the address request information and the class of the destination device 3, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 (step S108).

[0051] Thereafter, the address acquisition unit 225 determines whether or not it has acquired address response information for all classes indicated by all class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S109). If the address acquisition unit 225 determines that there is a device 3 belonging to a class for which it has not yet acquired address response information (step S109: No), the process of step S102 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the address acquisition unit 225 determines that it has acquired address response information for all classes indicated by all class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S109: Yes). In this case, the transmission method setting unit 227 sets transmission method information for each class by comparing the address information included in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information stored in the address storage unit 241 to devices 3 belonging to the same class with the address information included in the address response information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class, and stores the transmission method information in the transmission method storage unit 243 (step S110). If the two aforementioned values ​​match, the transmission method setting unit 227 sets the transmission method information of the corresponding class code information to multicast transmission, and stores the transmission method information in the transmission method storage unit 243 in association with the class code information of the device 3 that is the destination of the address request information. On the other hand, if the two aforementioned values ​​do not match, the transmission method setting unit 227 stores the transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243 in association with the class code information of the device 3 that is the destination of the address request information.

[0052] Next, the device information update unit 215 refers to the transmission method information corresponding to each piece of class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, and selects address information and device identification information corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the class code information from the address information and host information corresponding to each of the two types of transmission methods associated with each piece of class code information stored in the address storage unit 241. Then, the device information update unit 215 uses the selected MAC address information and IP address information to update the IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S111).

[0053] Next, the device control unit 212 determines whether a control content update event has occurred (step S112). Here, the device control unit 212 determines that a control content update event has occurred if the operation information acquisition unit 211 notifies the device control unit 212 of the host information and changed setting content information of the device 3 to be operated, or if the device control unit 212 determines that the control content of the device 3 needs to be updated based on the parameter information of each device 3 stored in the device status storage unit 232. Here, if the device control unit 212 determines that a control content update event has not occurred (step S112: No), the device control unit 212 executes the processing of step S114 described below. On the other hand, if the device control unit 212 determines that a control content update event has occurred (step S112: Yes), the device control unit 212 generates control information corresponding to the updated control content of the device 3, including the host information corresponding to the device 3 to be controlled stored in the device information storage unit 231. Then, the encapsulated message sending unit 213 encrypts the generated control information using the above-mentioned key information, then performs an encapsulation process to add the above-mentioned wide area communication header information, and then sends the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide area communication header information (step S113).

[0054] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14 , the address acquisition unit 225 determines whether the aforementioned address update event has occurred (step S114). Here, when the address acquisition unit 225 receives event occurrence notification information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, it determines that an address update event has occurred. If the address acquisition unit 225 determines that an address update event has not occurred (step S114: No), the processing of step S122, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if the address acquisition unit 225 determines that an address update event has occurred (step S114: Yes), it selects one piece of class code information from the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S115) and identifies the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the selected class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243 (step S116). Next, the address acquisition unit 225 generates address request information in which the destination IP address is set to an address corresponding to the identified transmission method. The encapsulated message sending unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, performs encapsulation processing by adding the wide-area communication header information, and transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide-area communication header information (step S117). The encapsulated message acquiring unit 214 then decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to acquire address response information (step S118), and notifies the address acquiring unit 225 of the address response information. The address acquiring unit 225 then extracts the address information and host information included in the notified address response information, associates the extracted information with class code information indicating the method of transmitting the address request information and the class of the destination device 3, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 (step S119).

[0055] Thereafter, the address acquisition unit 225 determines whether or not it has acquired address response information for all classes indicated by all class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S120). If the address acquisition unit 225 determines that there is a device 3 belonging to a class for which it has not yet acquired address response information (step S120: No), it executes the process of step S115 again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the address acquisition unit 225 determines that it has acquired address response information for all classes indicated by all class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242 (step S120: Yes). In this case, when either the MAC address information or the IP address information of a device 3 corresponding to each host information stored in the address storage unit 241 is updated, the device information update unit 215 refers to the transmission method information corresponding to each class code information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, and selects address information and related information corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information corresponding to the class code information from the address information and host information corresponding to each of the two types of transmission methods associated with each class code information stored in the address storage unit 241. Then, the device information update unit 215 uses the selected MAC address information and IP address information to update the IP address information and MAC address information stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S121).

[0056] Next, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to determine whether or not device status information has been acquired (step S122). If the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that device status information has not been acquired (step S122: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that device status information has been acquired (step S122: Yes), the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 notifies the device status update unit 216 of the acquired device status information. Then, upon receiving the device status information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, the device status update unit 216 extracts parameter information, model information, and host information included in the notified device status information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the extracted information in the device status storage unit 232 (step S123). Then, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0057] As described above, in the device management system according to the present embodiment, the address acquisition unit 225 acquires address response information transmitted from a device 3 by transmitting address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class based on the class to which the device 3 belongs, and repeats this process for all classes indicated by the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242. This allows the address acquisition unit 225 to acquire address response information transmitted from the device 3 on a class-by-class basis, thereby reducing the possibility of missing address response information, which occurs when attempting to acquire a large amount of address response information at the same time. Therefore, consistency between the address information and host information stored in the device information storage unit 231 and the address information and host information of the device 3 actually belonging to the local network NW2 can be ensured, and the device 3 can be appropriately managed.

[0058] When sending address request information to devices 3 belonging to a local network NW2, there may be devices 3 that cannot acquire the address request information even if the address request information is multicast. For example, a router 8 may manage a local network NW2 consisting of multiple physical segments based on the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). In this case, if there is a device 3 in the local network NW2 that does not support IGMP, the address request information multicast to that device may not be delivered. As a result, there is a risk that the device 3 that does not support IGMP may not be managed appropriately.

[0059] In contrast, in the device management system according to this embodiment, if a device 3 that does not support IGMP exists within the local network NW2, address request information is broadcast to devices 3 that belong to the same class as the device 3. As a result, even if the IGMP snooping function of the router 8 is enabled, for example, the address request information can be delivered to all devices 3 that belong to the local network NW2, and address response information transmitted from all devices 3 that belong to the local network NW2 can be obtained. Therefore, the devices 3 can be managed appropriately.

[0060] Furthermore, in the device management system according to this embodiment, address request information is multicast to a class consisting only of IGMP-compliant devices 3. This reduces traffic on the local network NW2, thereby suppressing communication delays.

[0061] Second Embodiment A device management system according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the content of the address response information is changed depending on the number of devices 3 that belong to the local network NW2.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 15 , the device management system according to this embodiment includes a cloud server 2002 and a control device 1 that controls the operation of the device 3 by transmitting control information acquired from the cloud server 2002 to the device 3. In Fig. 15 , the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the cloud server 2002 has the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 2 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, the hardware configuration according to this embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2.

[0063] In cloud server 2002, CPU 201 loads the program stored in auxiliary memory unit 203 into main memory unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as operation information acquisition unit 211, device control unit 212, encapsulated message transmission unit 213, encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, device information update unit 215, device status update unit 216, device status notification unit 217, device information request unit 218, address acquisition unit 2225, transmission method setting unit 227, and device number identification unit 2219.

[0064] When the number of devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference device number, the address acquisition unit 2225 transmits address request information requesting the transmission of address information of the devices 3 to the devices 3 belonging to the same class based on the class to which the devices 3 belong, as described in embodiment 1, thereby acquiring address response information including address information transmitted from the devices 3, and repeats this process for at least all of the classes corresponding to the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242. On the other hand, when the number of devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 is less than the predetermined reference device number, the address acquisition unit 2225 transmits address request information to all of the devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2, thereby acquiring address response information simultaneously from all of the devices 3. When the address acquisition unit 2225 receives device information request information from the device information request unit 218 or event occurrence notification information from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, the address acquisition unit 2225 notifies the device number request information to the device number identification unit 2219, thereby acquiring device number information (described below) from the device number identification unit 2219. The address acquisition unit 2225 then determines whether the number of devices indicated by the acquired device count information is equal to or greater than the reference device number. The address acquisition unit 2225 then extracts the address information and host information included in the address response information notified from the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214, and stores the extracted address information and host information in the address storage unit 241 in association with class code information indicating the method of transmitting the address request information and the class of the destination device 3.

[0065] When the device number determination unit 2219 receives device number request information from the address acquisition unit 2225, it determines the number of devices based on the number of combinations of model information and host information of devices 3 that belong to the local network NW2 together with the control device 1, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231, and notifies the address acquisition unit 2225 of the device number information indicating the determined number of devices.

[0066] Next, the operation of the control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19. Note that in FIGS. 16 to 19, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 6, 8 to 12. First, after the processes in steps S1 and S2 described in the first embodiment are executed, the cloud server 2002 identifies the number of devices based on the number of combinations of model information and host information of the devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 together with the control device 1, as stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S2001). Assume that the cloud server 2002 determines that the device number Ne indicated by the device number information is less than a predetermined reference device number Neth (step S2002). In this case, the cloud server 2002 generates address request information in which the destination IP address is set to a multicast address (step S2003). Next, the cloud server 2002 encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2004). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2002 to the control device 1 (step S2005). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the received address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S2006). The decapsulated address request information is then multicast from the control device 1 to all devices 3A and 3B belonging to the local network NW2 (steps S2007 and S2008). Here, the address request information does not specify class code information. Therefore, when all of the devices 3A and 3B belonging to different classes in the local network NW2 receive the address request information, they generate address response information accordingly. Therefore, when device 3A receives the address request information, it generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2009), and the generated address response information is sent from device 3A to the control device 1 (step S2010).Meanwhile, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2011). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2012). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 2002 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the acquired address response information by removing the wide-area communication header information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S2013). Next, the cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information contained in the decapsulated address response information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 (step S2014). Similarly, when the device 3B acquires the address request information, it generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2015), and transmits the generated address response information from the device 3B to the control device 2001 (step S2016). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information, as shown in FIG. 17 (step S2017). The encapsulated address response information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2018). On the other hand, when the cloud server 2002 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates the acquired address response information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S2019). Next, the cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S2020).

[0067] Next, the cloud server 2002 generates address request information in which the destination IP address is set to a broadcast address (step S2021). The cloud server 2002 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2022). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2002 to the control device 1 (step S2023). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address request information, the control device 1 decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the received address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S2024). The decapsulated address request information is then broadcast from the control device 1 to all devices 3A and 3B belonging to the local network NW2 (steps S2025 and S2026). On the other hand, upon receiving the address request information, the device 3A generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2027), and transmits the generated address response information from the device 3A to the control device 1 (step S2028). On the other hand, upon receiving the address response information, the control device 1 encrypts the address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2029). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2030). On the other hand, upon receiving the encapsulated address response information, the cloud server 2002 decapsulates the address response information by decrypting it using the key information (step S2031). Next, the cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information contained in the decapsulated address response information and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S2032).Similarly, upon receiving the address request information, device 3B generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2033), and transmits the generated address response information to control device 1 (step S2034). Meanwhile, upon receiving the address response information, control device 1 encrypts the address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2035). The encapsulated address response information is then transmitted from control device 1 to cloud server 2002, as shown in FIG. 18 (step S2036). Meanwhile, upon receiving the encapsulated address response information, cloud server 2002 decapsulates the address response information by decrypting it using the key information (step S2037). Next, cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information from the decapsulated address response information and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with each other (step S2038).

[0068] Thereafter, the cloud server 2002 compares the address information stored in the address storage unit 241, which is included in the address response information acquired by multicasting the address request information to the devices 3A and 3B belonging to the same class, with the address information acquired by broadcasting the address request information to the devices 3A and 3B belonging to the same class. If the two information match, the control device stores transmission method information indicating multicast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243, in association with the class code information of the device 3 to which the address request information is to be sent. On the other hand, if the two information do not match, the control device 1 stores transmission method information indicating broadcast transmission in the transmission method storage unit 243 (step S2039).

[0069] Next, cloud server 2002 references the transmission method information stored in transmission method storage unit 243 and selects address information and host information associated with the transmission method information from the address information and host information stored in address storage unit 241. Then, device information update unit 215 updates the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information stored in device information storage unit 231 using the MAC address information, IP address information, and host information of the selected devices 3A and 3B (step S2040).

[0070] Suppose that an address update event described in the first embodiment occurs. In this case, the cloud server 2002 identifies the number of devices based on the number of combinations of model information and host information of devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 along with the control device 1, as stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S2041). Here, assume that the cloud server 2002 determines that the number of devices Ne indicated by the device number information is less than a predetermined reference number Neth (step S2042). In this case, the cloud server 2002 generates address request information based on the transmission method information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243, in which the destination IP address is set to an address corresponding to the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (step S2043). Next, the cloud server 2002 encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding wide-area communication header information (step S2044). The encapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the cloud server 2002 to the control device 1 (step S2045). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the encapsulated address request information, it decapsulates the address request information by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the acquired address request information and then decrypting it using the key information (step S2046). The decapsulated address request information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to both devices 3A and 3B using the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information (steps S2047 and S2048). On the other hand, when device 3A acquires the address request information, it generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2049), and transmits the generated address response information from device 3A to the control device 1 (step S2050). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding the wide-area communication header information (step S2051). Next, the encapsulated address response information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2052).On the other hand, when the cloud server 2002 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it decapsulates it by removing the wide-area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and then decrypting it using the key information, as shown in FIG. 19 (step S2053). Next, the cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the associated information in the address storage unit 241 (step S2054). Similarly, when the device 3B acquires the address request information, it generates address response information including its own IP address information, MAC address information, and host information (step S2055), and transmits the generated address response information from the device 3B to the control device 1 (step S2056). On the other hand, when the control device 1 acquires the address response information, it encrypts the acquired address response information using the key information and then encapsulates it by adding the wide-area communication header information (step S2057). The encapsulated address response information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the cloud server 2002 (step S2058). On the other hand, when cloud server 2002 acquires the encapsulated address response information, it releases the wide area communication header information added to the acquired address response information and decrypts it using the key information to decapsulate it (step S2059). Next, cloud server 2002 extracts the IP address information, MAC address information, and host information included in the decapsulated address response information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores them in address storage unit 241 (step S2060). Thereafter, the series of processes from step S80 onwards described in the first embodiment are executed.

[0071] Next, the device control process executed by the cloud server 2002 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. Note that processes in Figures 20 and 21 that are similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figures 13 and 14. First, in step S101, the operation information acquisition unit 211 determines that operation information indicating a device information registration operation has been acquired (step S101: Yes) and notifies the device information request unit 218 of the host information included in the acquired operation information. Upon receiving the host information from the operation information acquisition unit 211, the device information request unit 218 stores the notified host information in the device information storage unit 231 and notifies the address acquisition unit 225 of device information request information. In this case, the address acquisition unit 2225 notifies the device number identification unit 2219 of device number request information. The device number determination unit 2219 then determines the number of devices based on the number of combinations of model information and host information of the devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 together with the control device 1, which are stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S2101), and notifies the address acquisition unit 2225 of the device number information indicating the determined number of devices. The address acquisition unit 2225 then determines whether the number of devices indicated by the notified device number information is equal to or greater than the reference number of devices (step S2102). If the address acquisition unit 2225 determines that the number of devices indicated by the device number information is equal to or greater than the reference number of devices (step S2102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if the address acquisition unit 2225 determines that the number of devices indicated by the device number information is less than the reference number of devices (step S2102: No), the address acquisition unit 2225 sets the destination IP address to a multicast address and generates address request information that is multicast-transmitted to all devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2. The encapsulated message sending unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information, performs encapsulation processing to add the wide-area communication header information, and transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide-area communication header information (step S2103). Subsequently, the encapsulated message acquiring unit 214 decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to determine whether or not address response information has been acquired (step S2104).If the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that it has not acquired address response information (step S2104: No), it executes the processing of step S2106, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 determines that it has acquired address response information (step S2104: Yes), it notifies the address acquisition unit 225 of the address response information. The address acquisition unit 225 then extracts the address information and host information included in the notified address response information, and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with transmission method information that indicates the method of transmitting the address request information (step S2105).

[0072] The address acquisition unit 2225 then generates address request information whose destination IP address is set to a broadcast address and which is broadcast to all devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2. The encapsulated message transmission unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and performs an encapsulation process to add the wide-area communication header information. The encapsulated message transmission unit 213 then transmits the encapsulated address request information to the control device 1 based on the wide-area communication header information (step S2106). The encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 then decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to acquire address response information (step S2107) and notifies the address acquisition unit 2225 of the acquired address response information. The address acquisition unit 2225 then extracts the address information and host information contained in the notified address response information and stores the extracted information in the address storage unit 241 in association with transmission method information indicating the method for transmitting the address request information (step S2108). Next, a series of processes from steps S110 to S114 are executed.

[0073] 21 , if the address acquisition unit 2225 determines in step S114 that an address update event has occurred (step S114: Yes), it notifies the device number determination unit 2219 of device number request information. The device number determination unit 2219 then determines the number of devices based on the number of combinations of model information and host information for devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2 together with the control device 1, as stored in the device information storage unit 231 (step S2109), and notifies the address acquisition unit 2225 of device number information indicating the determined number of devices. Next, the address acquisition unit 2225 determines whether the number of devices indicated by the notified device number information is equal to or greater than the reference device number (step S2110). If the address acquisition unit 2225 determines that the number of devices indicated by the device number information is equal to or greater than the reference device number (step S2110: Yes), the series of processes from step S115 onward are executed. On the other hand, if the address acquisition unit 2225 determines that the number of devices indicated by the device count information is less than the reference number of devices (step S2110: No), it identifies the transmission method indicated by the transmission method information stored in the transmission method storage unit 243 for the destination IP address (step S2111) and generates address request information set to the address corresponding to the identified transmission method.The encapsulated message transmission unit 213 then encrypts the generated address request information using the key information and performs an encapsulation process to add the wide-area communication header information.Based on the wide-area communication header information, the encapsulated address request information is transmitted to the control device 1 (step S2112).Then, the encapsulated message acquisition unit 214 decapsulates the acquired encapsulated message to acquire address response information (step S2113) and notifies the address acquisition unit 2225 of the acquired address response information. The address acquisition unit 2225 then extracts the address information and host information contained in the notified address response information, associates the extracted information with transmission method information indicating the method for transmitting the address request information, and stores the information in the address storage unit 241 (step S2114). Thereafter, the series of processes from step S121 onwards are executed.

[0074] As described above, according to the device management system of this embodiment, a transmission method is selected depending on the number of devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2. Specifically, when the number of devices 3 is small and the control device 2001 is unlikely to miss any address response information even if it simultaneously receives it from the devices 3, the control device 2001 transmits address request information to all devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2, thereby obtaining the address response information transmitted from all devices 3 in a relatively short time. This has the advantage that when a new device 3 is added to the local network NW2 or when an address update event occurs, the address information and host information stored in the device information storage unit 231 of the cloud server 2002 can be quickly updated.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in each embodiment, the operation information may include flag information indicating whether or not the operation information is associated with the addition of a new device 3 to the local network NW2, and the cloud server 2, 2002 may set a method for transmitting address request information to the device 3 only when the flag information included in the operation information transmitted from the terminal device 4 indicates the addition of a new device 3.

[0076] According to this configuration, the frequency with which the method of sending address request information to device 3 is reset can be reduced, thereby shortening the time required to update the address information and host information stored in the device information storage unit 231.

[0077] In each embodiment, the device 3 may monitor whether the IP address assigned to the device 3 has been changed, and if the IP address assigned to the device 3 has been changed, the device 3 may generate address change notification information notifying that the IP address has been changed and transmit the address change notification information to the control device 1 as the destination. In this case, the event occurrence detection unit 114 may determine that the above-mentioned address update event has occurred when it acquires the address change notification information from the device 3. Furthermore, in each embodiment, the event occurrence detection unit 114 may determine that an address update event has occurred when it determines that the IP address assigned to the control device 1 has been changed.

[0078] According to this configuration, the occurrence of an address update event can be directly detected, thereby increasing the accuracy of detecting the address update event, and accordingly reducing unnecessary updates to the address information and host information stored in the device information memory unit 231.

[0079] In each embodiment, an example has been described in which the cloud server 2, 2002 includes the device information storage unit 231, but this is not limiting, and the control device 1 may also include the device information storage unit. For example, the control device 1 may include: a device information storage unit that stores address information and host information of devices 3 belonging to the local network NW2; an address acquisition unit that, based on the class to which the device 3 belongs, transmits address request information to devices 3 belonging to the same class and thereby acquires address response information including address information and host information transmitted from the device 3, for all classes indicated by the class code information stored in the class information storage unit 242; and a device information update unit that updates the address information and host information stored in the device information storage unit using the address information and host information included in the address response information.

[0080] In each embodiment, the IP address is described as an IPv4 IP address, but this is not limiting, and an IPv6 IP address may also be used.

[0081] Furthermore, the various functions of the control device 1, 2001 and cloud server 2, 2002 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc). A computer capable of realizing each of the above-described functions may be configured by loading and installing the program on a computer. Furthermore, if each function is realized by sharing the work between an operating system (OS) and an application, or by collaboration between an OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

[0082] Furthermore, each program may be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs may then be started and executed under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-described processing to be performed.

[0083] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] The present disclosure is suitable as a control system including a HEMS installed in a home.

[0085] 1 Control device, 2, 200 2 Cloud server, 3, 3A, 3B Equipment, 4 Terminal device, 8 Router, 101, 201 CPU, 102, 202 Main memory unit, 103, 203 Auxiliary memory unit, 107, 206 Communication unit, 109, 209 Bus, 111, 2111 Encapsulated message acquisition unit, 112 Message transmission unit, 113 Message acquisition unit, 114 Event occurrence detection unit, 116 Encapsulated message transmission unit, 211 Operation information acquisition unit, 212 Equipment control unit, 213 Encapsulated message transmission unit, 214 Encapsulated message acquisition unit, 215 Equipment information update unit, 216 Equipment status update unit, 217 Equipment status notification unit, 218 Equipment information request unit, 225, 2225 Address acquisition unit, 227 Transmission method setting unit, 231 Device information storage unit, 232 device status storage unit, 241 address storage unit, 242 class information storage unit, 243 transmission method storage unit, 811 DHCP function unit, 2219 device number identification unit, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. A device management system that manages device identification information that identifies a device in a network to which the device belongs, comprising: a device information storage unit that stores the device identification information of the devices that belong to the network; a device identification information acquisition unit that transmits device identification information request information to devices that belong to the same class based on the class to which the device belongs when the devices are classified according to preset classification criteria, and acquires device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the device, repeating this process for at least one preset class; and a device information update unit that updates the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit using the device identification information contained in the device identification information response information.

2. The device identification information acquisition unit acquires the device identification information response information transmitted from the device by multicasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class, and acquires the device identification information response information transmitted from the device by broadcasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class; 2. The device management system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission method setting unit that, if the device identification information included in the device identification information response information obtained by multicasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class matches the device identification information included in the device identification information response information obtained by broadcasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class, subsequently sets a transmission method of the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the class to multicast transmission, and if the device identification information included in the device identification information response information obtained by multicasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class does not match the device identification information included in the device identification information response information obtained by broadcasting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class, subsequently sets a transmission method of the device identification information request information to broadcast transmission.

3. The device management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device identification information acquisition unit, when the number of devices belonging to the network is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference number of devices, acquires device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the device by transmitting the device identification information request information to the devices belonging to the same class based on the class to which the device belongs, repeating this process for all of the at least one class, and when the number of devices is less than the reference number of devices, acquires the device identification information response information transmitted from the device by transmitting the device identification information request information to all of the devices belonging to the network.

4. A device management system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a device identification information storage unit that stores the device identification information obtained from the device by multicasting the device identification information request information to the device and the device identification information obtained from the device by broadcasting the device identification information request information to the device, in association with transmission method information that indicates a method of transmitting the device identification information request information; and a transmission method storage unit that stores transmission method information that indicates a method of transmitting the device identification information request information set by the transmission method setting unit, wherein the device information update unit updates the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit by using the device identification information that is associated with the transmission method information stored in the transmission method storage unit from the device identification information stored in the device identification information storage unit.

5. A device management device that manages device identification information that identifies a device in a network to which the device belongs, comprising: a device information storage unit that stores the device identification information of the devices that belong to the network; a device identification information acquisition unit that transmits device identification information request information to devices that belong to the same class based on the class to which the device belongs when the devices are classified according to preset classification criteria, and acquires device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the device, repeating this process for at least one preset class; and a device information update unit that updates the device identification information stored in the device information storage unit using the device identification information contained in the device identification information response information.

6. A device management method for managing device identification information that identifies a device and is assigned to the device in a network to which the device belongs, comprising: a step of: repeating, for at least one preset class, device identification information request information that requests the device to transmit the device identification information to the device belonging to the same class based on the class to which the device belongs when the device is classified according to preset classification criteria, thereby obtaining device identification information response information including the device identification information transmitted from the device; and a step of updating the device identification information stored in a device information storage unit that stores the device identification information of the devices belonging to the network using the device identification information included in the device identification information response information.

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