Information terminal, communication system, registration method, and program

Abstract

An information terminal (30) comprises: a detection unit (322) that performs communication node (20) detection; a registration unit (323) that, each time the detection is performed, performs network configuration on each of the plurality of communication nodes (20) detected by the detection processing, thereby registering a first communication network constituted by the plurality of communication nodes (20); a determination unit (324) that determines whether or not communication can be performed normally by a target node included in the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network registered by the registration unit (323); and a configuration deletion unit (325) that deletes the network configuration of a target node determined by the determination unit (324) to be unable to perform communication normally.

Description

Information terminal, communication system, registration method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information terminal, a communication system, a registration method, and a program.

[0002] Techniques for configuring a mesh network using communication devices such as lighting fixtures having a wireless communication function are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a mesh network having lighting devices as nodes.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-163573

[0004] As a configuration of a mesh network, a mesh network composed of a plurality of clusters can be considered, in which a plurality of nodes form a cluster, and among the plurality of nodes, a relay node relays communication between clusters.

[0005] Here, when a node that has performed network settings cannot communicate with a registered mesh network, it is necessary to delete the network settings of the node. However, since the network settings of the node cannot be deleted via the mesh network, there is a problem that the operation of excluding the node from the network becomes complicated.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information terminal, a communication system, a registration method, and a program that enable a user to more easily construct a network having a cluster structure.

[0007] One aspect of the information terminal according to the present disclosure includes a detection unit that performs a detection process of communication nodes, and each of the plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process is configured by performing network settings on each of the plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed. A registration unit that registers a first communication network, a determination unit that determines whether a target node included in the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network registered by the registration unit can communicate normally, and the determination unit A setting deletion unit that deletes the network settings of the target node determined not to be able to communicate normally.

[0008] Furthermore, one embodiment of the communication system relating to this disclosure comprises a plurality of communication nodes and the above-mentioned information terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, one embodiment of the registration method relating to this disclosure is a registration method executed by a computer, which includes: a detection step of performing a detection process for communication nodes; a registration step of registering a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes by performing network settings on each of the plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed; a determination step of determining whether a target node included in the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network registered in the registration step can communicate normally; and a setting deletion step of deleting the network settings of the target node that is determined in the determination step to be unable to communicate normally.

[0010] Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented not only as the registration method described above, but also as a program that causes a computer to execute the registration method. Moreover, it can also be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium storing that program.

[0011] According to the information terminal, communication system, registration method, and program described herein, users can more easily construct a network having a cluster structure.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a network diagram of the communication system according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an information terminal according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal when communication confirmation is performed after registration according to an embodiment.

[0013] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the information terminal, communication system, registration method, and program relating to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all preferred specific examples of this disclosure. The numerical values, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in an independent claim will be described as any component constituting a preferred configuration.

[0014] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0015] [Configuration] First, the configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 comprises a plurality of communication nodes 20 and an information terminal 30.

[0016] In the communication system 10, each of the multiple communication nodes 20 has wireless communication capabilities. The multiple communication nodes 20 constitute a hierarchical wireless mesh network (a mesh network that constructs a cluster structure) by having a user perform initial network setup using an information terminal 30. Hereinafter, the hierarchical wireless mesh network will also be simply referred to as the mesh network 40. The user is, for example, a company that installs and configures the communication nodes 20. Note that the construction of a hierarchical mesh network by performing initial setup is just one example; other methods, such as constructing a mesh network from the configured communication nodes 20, are also conceivable.

[0017] Figure 2 is a network diagram of the communication system 10 according to an embodiment. The circles in Figure 2 correspond to one communication node 20 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the mesh network 40 includes multiple clusters 41.

[0018] In the example in Figure 2, each cluster 41 is composed of multiple communication nodes 20 (specific nodes 20a and child nodes 20b). Cluster 41 has one or more specific nodes 20a and multiple child nodes 20b. The inter-cluster network is composed of specific nodes 20a belonging to each of the multiple clusters 41. Specific nodes 20a can be described as relay nodes, bridge nodes, core nodes, or gateway nodes. The number of clusters 41 included in the mesh network 40 is not particularly limited. The number of layers in the mesh network 40 is also not particularly limited. Furthermore, in the example in Figure 2, cluster 41 has multiple child nodes 20b, but it may have one child node 20b, or it may have no child nodes 20b at all.

[0019] In cluster 41, when transmitting information from one node (also referred to as the first communication node) to another node (also referred to as the second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, using a routing method.

[0020] Specifically, a communication path is configured in advance within cluster 41 to allow information to be distributed to the communication nodes 20 belonging to cluster 41. When the first communication node unicasts information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node based on the configured communication path, other communication nodes belonging to the same cluster 41 as the first communication node that receive this information further unicast the received information based on the configured communication path. In other words, the other communication nodes relay the information. As this relaying of information is repeated within the same cluster 41, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0021] Note that the routing method is just one example of a method used for transmitting information within cluster 41. Other methods, such as the flooding method, may also be used for transmitting information within cluster 41. In the flooding method, when the first communication node broadcasts information containing the address information (destination information) of the second communication node, each of the other nodes belonging to the same cluster 41 as the first communication node that receives this information further broadcasts the received information. In other words, each of the other nodes relays the information. As this relaying of information is repeated within the same cluster 41, the information transmitted by the first communication node reaches all nodes belonging to the same cluster 41 as the first communication node. Therefore, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0022] When transmitting information from the first communication node to a third node belonging to another cluster 41, the information is relayed by a specific node 20a. In other words, information is transmitted through the inter-cluster network. For example, at least one specific node 20a is provided in one cluster 41. The method used for transmitting information within the inter-cluster network may be a routing method, a flooding method, or any other method.

[0023] If all nodes belonged to the same mesh network, all nodes would relay the information when transmitting it, resulting in a large amount of communication per unit time. In contrast, in a mesh network with a cluster structure as shown in Figure 2, when information is transmitted within one cluster 41, other clusters 41 do not relay the information. In a mesh network with a cluster structure, information is transmitted from one cluster 41 to another via a specific node 20a only when necessary. Therefore, a mesh network with a cluster structure can improve system robustness by suppressing the amount of communication per unit time.

[0024] The information transmitted through the mesh network 40 may include, for example, control information for controlling the lighting fixtures (on / off, dimming, color temperature, color control, or light distribution) if multiple communication nodes 20 include lighting fixtures. In addition, if multiple communication nodes 20 include environmental sensors, measured values ​​(sensing information) from the environmental sensors may be transmitted through the mesh network 40. If multiple communication nodes 20 include cameras, speakers, or other devices, video, images, audio, other information, or control values ​​may also be transmitted.

[0025] Furthermore, for example, the information transmitted through the mesh network 40 is configuration information sent by the information terminal 30. The configuration information includes control group configuration information, control scene configuration information, network information, etc. The control group configuration information indicates a group of communication nodes 20 that perform the same control, and the control scene configuration information indicates the content of the control performed by the communication node 20. The network information is information necessary for the communication node 20 to communicate within the mesh network 40. The network information includes the network ID of the mesh network 40 and address information of the communication node 20 used for communication within the mesh network 40, etc.

[0026] In the communication system 10, wireless communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as communication) between multiple communication nodes 20 is performed, for example, according to a first communication protocol for a mesh network 40. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth® mesh.

[0027] On the other hand, an information terminal 30 that does not belong to the mesh network 40 cannot communicate with multiple communication nodes 20 using the first communication protocol. However, the information terminal 30 is equipped with a communication function using a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication. The second communication protocol is a different communication protocol from the first communication protocol, and is, for example, BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy). Note that the first and second communication protocols may be communication protocols that use the same frequency band (for example, the 2.4 GHz band).

[0028] The communication node 20 and information terminal 30 will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0029] First, let's explain the communication node 20. The communication node 20 can be any device that can communicate with other devices, such as a lighting fixture. Alternatively, the communication node 20 may be a lighting-related device such as a lighting remote controller or an AC relay, or it may be a device not directly related to lighting, such as an environmental sensor, camera, motion sensor, or air conditioner. The device that becomes the communication node 20 may be a device that has two or more of the individual functions of the devices mentioned above, and the type of device that becomes the communication node 20 is not particularly limited.

[0030] The communication node 20 has its network information configured by the information terminal 30 and joins the mesh network 40. The communication node 20 stores network information necessary for belonging to the mesh network 40. The network information includes the network ID of the mesh network 40 and the address information of the communication node 20 used for communication within the mesh network 40.

[0031] Furthermore, a lighting fixture, which is an example of a communication node 20, will be described. The lighting fixture is a base light or the like, installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. As described above, each of the multiple lighting fixtures, which are multiple communication nodes 20, has a wireless communication function. The multiple lighting fixtures join a mesh network (more specifically, a wireless mesh network) and constitute a mesh network 40. The form of the lighting fixture is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, downlight, spotlight, etc. Specifically, the communication node 20 comprises a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a functional unit 24.

[0032] The communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables communication nodes 20 to communicate wirelessly with other communication nodes 20 and information terminals 30. After a communication node 20 joins the mesh network, the communication unit 21 can communicate via the mesh network 40. Before a communication node 20 joins the mesh network 40, the communication unit 21 periodically transmits beacon signals (sometimes called advertisement signals, etc.) and communicates wirelessly individually with information terminals 30 that receive the beacon signals. The communication standards used for wireless communication by the communication unit 21 are specifically BLE or Bluetooth® mesh, etc.

[0033] The information processing unit 22 performs information processing and other operations necessary for the operation of the communication nodes. The information processing unit 22, for example, uses the communication unit 21 to realize the transmission of information within the mesh network 40. The information processing unit 22 operates the communication nodes 20 by controlling the functional unit 24, for example. The information processing unit 22 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized by the execution of computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 23 by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the information processing unit 22. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221, a control unit 222, and an output unit 223.

[0034] The acquisition unit 221 acquires setting information from the information terminal 30. The acquisition unit 221 also acquires control information transmitted, for example, through the mesh network 40.

[0035] The control unit 222 executes control based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 and the setting information stored in the storage unit 23.

[0036] The output unit 223 transmits the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 to other communication nodes 20 via the mesh network 40.

[0037] The memory unit 23 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the operation of the communication nodes, such as the configuration information of the mesh network 40. The memory unit 23 stores the configuration information set by the information terminal 30. The memory unit 23 is implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory.

[0038] The functional unit 24 realizes the functions of the communication node 20 in the operation of the communication node 20. For example, if the communication node 20 is a lighting device, the functional unit 24 is a light source. The light source irradiates the indoor space with white light so that the communication node 20, which is a lighting device, can illuminate the indoor space. The light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, organic EL (Electroluminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0039] Next, the information terminal 30 will be described. The information terminal 30 is an information terminal used by a user to build a mesh network 40 with multiple communication nodes 20 by adding or removing communication nodes 20 from the mesh network 40. The information terminal 30 is also used by a user to configure the multiple communication nodes 20 that make up the mesh network 40. The information terminal 30 is also used by a user to control the multiple communication nodes 20 that make up the mesh network 40. The user here is, for example, the installer who performed the installation work of the multiple communication nodes 20, but it may be any other user. The user may be, for example, the administrator of the communication system 10.

[0040] The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Alternatively, the information terminal 30 may be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 comprises a communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, and a display unit 35.

[0041] The communication unit 31 is a communication circuit for the information terminal 30 to communicate (more specifically, wirelessly) with the communication node 20. The communication standard used for communication by the communication unit 31 is, for example, BLE.

[0042] The information processing unit 32 performs information processing in response to user operations received by the information terminal 30 via the operation reception unit 34. For example, the information processing unit 32 performs information processing related to the process of allowing the communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40. Here, the process of allowing the node to join is, as an example, the process of storing network information in the storage unit 23 of the communication node 20. The network information is information necessary for communication in the mesh network 40. The information processing unit 32 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 32 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 33 by the hardware such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the information processing unit 32. Specifically, the information processing unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 321, a detection unit 322, a registration unit 323, a determination unit 324, and a setting deletion unit 325.

[0043] The acquisition unit 321 acquires user operations and other information received by the operation reception unit 34.

[0044] The detection unit 322 performs detection processing on the communication node 20. For example, the detection unit 322 detects the communication node 20 by receiving a beacon signal periodically transmitted by the communication node 20. In the present embodiment, the communication node 20 that transmits the beacon signal is the specific node 20a or the communication node 20 that does not belong to the mesh network 40, but the child node 20b may transmit the beacon signal.

[0045] The registration unit 323 allows the plurality of detected communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40 by performing network settings for each of the plurality of communication nodes 20 detected by the detection processing. At the same time, it registers a cluster 41 composed of the plurality of communication nodes 20. Registering the cluster 41 means that the registration unit 323 causes the storage unit 33 to store information regarding the cluster 41. The information regarding the cluster 41 includes information for identifying the specific node 20a and the child node 20b belonging to the cluster 41.

[0046] The determination unit 324 determines whether or not the target nodes included in the cluster 41 registered by the registration unit 323 can communicate normally.

[0047] The setting deletion unit 325 deletes the network settings of the target nodes determined by the determination unit 324 to be unable to communicate normally.

[0048] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores information regarding the mesh network 40. The information regarding the mesh network 40 includes the configuration of the mesh network 40 and information regarding the cluster 41. In addition, the storage unit 33 stores information necessary for information processing such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 32. The storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. The computer program stored in the storage unit 33 includes a dedicated application program used for constructing the mesh network 40.

[0049] The operation reception unit 34 receives a user's operation. The operation reception unit 34 is realized by, for example, a touch panel or the like.

[0050] The display unit 35 displays various images. These images are, for example, necessary for the process of allowing the communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40. The display unit 35 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0051] [Registration Operation] When constructing a mesh network 40 consisting of multiple clusters 41, one possible method is to register multiple communication nodes 20 detected in a single scan as one cluster 41.

[0052] This registration method allows multiple communication nodes 20 located in positions that can receive beacon signals from the information terminal 30, in other words, multiple communication nodes 20 that can be estimated to be located relatively close to each other, to be registered in the same cluster 41. Therefore, this registration method makes it possible to efficiently construct a mesh network 40 with a cluster structure.

[0053] Incidentally, generally speaking, if a communication node 20 that has been configured for networking cannot communicate with a registered mesh network 40, it is necessary to delete the network configuration of that communication node 20. However, since it is not possible to delete the network configuration of that communication node 20 via the mesh network 40, there is a problem in that the process of excluding that communication node 20 from the mesh network 40 becomes complicated.

[0054] In the communication system 10 according to this embodiment, after registering the communication node 20 with the mesh network 40 using the information terminal 30, a communication check is performed before disconnecting communication between the information terminal 30 and the communication node 20, thereby allowing the network settings of communication nodes 20 that are not communicating properly to be deleted.

[0055] The operation of such a communication system 10 will be described below. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information terminal 30 according to the embodiment.

[0056] First, the detection unit 322 detects a registrable communication node 20 (S11). A registrable communication node 20 is, in other words, a communication node 20 that has not yet joined the mesh network 40. A communication node 20 that has not yet joined the mesh network 40 periodically transmits a beacon signal. The detection unit 322 performs a detection process to detect a communication node 20 by receiving a beacon signal. A communication node 20 detected by the detection process is a communication node 20 in which an information terminal 30 is located within the range of the beacon signal transmitted by that communication node 20.

[0057] For example, the user takes the information terminal 30 to an area where a communication node 20 that does not belong to the mesh network 40 is expected to be located. For example, when the user uses the operation reception unit 34 to tap the icon for receiving a beacon signal displayed on the display unit 35, the detection unit 322 performs a detection process.

[0058] Next, the determination unit 324 determines whether the detection unit 322 has detected one or more communication nodes 20 (S12). Since the beacon signal contains information for identifying the communication node 20, the determination unit 324 can determine how many communication nodes 20 the detection unit 322 has received beacon signals from.

[0059] If the detection unit 322 does not detect any communication nodes 20 (No in S12), the information terminal 30 terminates its operation.

[0060] If the detection unit 322 detects one or more communication nodes 20 (Yes in S12), the registration unit 323 registers the communication nodes 20 (S13). Specifically, the registration unit 323 registers the one or more communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process as a single cluster 41. At the same time, the registration unit 323 also allows each of the one or more communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40 by performing network configuration. Network configuration is performed, for example, by the registration unit 323 sending configuration information to the communication node 20, which is then stored in the storage unit 23 of the communication node 20. The configuration information includes information to identify the cluster 41 to which the communication node 20 belongs.

[0061] However, at this time, the cluster 41 is registered such that at least one specific node 20a is included in one or more communication nodes 20 that constitute the cluster 41. The specific node 20a belongs to the inter-cluster network and relays information transmitted within the mesh network 40 by communicating with specific nodes 20a belonging to other clusters 41.

[0062] The specific node 20a is determined, for example, based on the radio wave strength of the beacon signal received by the detection unit 322. Specifically, among a plurality of communication nodes 20, the communication node 20 with the highest beacon signal strength is set to communicate as the specific node 20a. The specific node 20a may also be determined based on user input or based on information indicating the type of device included in the beacon signal.

[0063] Next, the determination unit 324 checks whether the communication of each of the communication nodes 20 registered in step S13 is normal (S14). Normal communication of a communication node 20 means that the communication node 20 is able to transmit information normally within the mesh network 40.

[0064] As described above, cluster 41 includes a specific node 20a belonging to the inter-cluster network and a child node 20b that does not belong to the inter-cluster network.

[0065] The determination unit 324 determines whether the specific node 20a can perform communication in the inter-cluster network normally (S15). If the specific node 20a cannot perform communication in the inter-cluster network normally, all communication nodes 20 belonging to the cluster 41 to be registered cannot communicate with communication nodes 20 belonging to other registered clusters 41.

[0066] Furthermore, the determination unit 324 determines whether the child node 20b can successfully perform communication within the cluster 41.

[0067] Whether or not to perform the process in step S14 can be set in advance. In other words, the user can set it so that the determination unit 324 does not determine whether or not communication by the communication node 20 belonging to the cluster 41 that has been registered in advance is being performed normally.

[0068] Furthermore, the process in step S14 does not have to be performed automatically. In other words, the determination of whether or not communication by the communication node 20 belonging to the registered cluster 41 is being performed may be performed by user operation. For example, after the process in step S13 is performed, the information processing unit 32 may display a screen on the display unit 35 that allows the user to select whether or not to perform the determination, and accept user input using the operation reception unit 34.

[0069] If it is determined that communication is normal (Yes in S15), the information terminal 30 terminates its operation.

[0070] If an abnormality is detected in the communication (No in S15), the information processing unit 32 displays information on the display unit 35 indicating the communication node 20 whose communication was determined to be abnormal (S16). For example, the information processing unit 32 displays a list of device identification information for the communication node 20 whose communication was determined to be abnormal on the display unit 35.

[0071] In step S14, if it is determined that a specific node 20a is unable to communicate properly within the inter-cluster network, all communication nodes 20 belonging to the cluster 41 to which the specific node 20a belongs are displayed.

[0072] The user uses the operation reception unit 34 to select the communication node 20 displayed on the display unit 35 from which to delete the network settings.

[0073] Finally, the setting deletion unit 325 deletes the network settings of the communication node 20 selected by the user (S17). Specifically, the setting deletion unit 325 communicates with the communication node 20 selected by the user on a one-to-one basis and sends a signal to delete the network settings. Here, the deletion of the network settings is achieved, for example, by deleting the setting information stored in the storage unit 23 of the communication node 20. For example, if the user selects multiple communication nodes 20, the unit communicates with each of the multiple communication nodes 20 one-to-one in turn and sends a signal to delete the network settings.

[0074] Note that the process in step S16 is not necessarily required. In other words, the setting deletion unit 325 may delete the network settings for a communication node 20 that the determination unit 324 has determined is not performing communication properly, regardless of the user's selection.

[0075] With this operation, after registering the communication node 20 with the mesh network 40, the information terminal 30 can perform a communication check before disconnecting communication between the information terminal 30 and the communication node 20, and delete the network settings of any communication node 20 that is not communicating properly.

[0076] Therefore, since the user does not need to restart communication with communication node 20 in order to delete the network settings of communication node 20 that is not communicating properly, it becomes easier to build a network with a cluster structure.

[0077] [Post-registration operation] In the above embodiment, the determination of whether the communication of the communication node 20 is normal was made when the cluster 41 was registered, that is, while the communication node 20 and the information terminal 30 were communicating. However, the communication check can also be performed after the registration of the cluster 41.

[0078] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30 when communication verification is performed after registration according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the display unit 35 of the information terminal 30 displays a maintenance icon 51 to present the user with options for actions to perform maintenance on the mesh network 40. In the display screen of Figure 4, when the user selects "Maintenance" from the maintenance icon 51, the display unit 35 displays options for maintaining the mesh network 40. Furthermore, when the user selects "Communication Verification" from the communication verification icon 52 among these options, communication verification of the mesh network 40 is performed.

[0079] The information terminal 30 can initiate one-to-one communication with a specific node 20a by detecting a beacon signal transmitted by a specific node 20a using the detection unit 322, and can communicate with other communication nodes 20 via the mesh network 40.

[0080] For example, the determination unit 324 sends a signal requesting a response to each of the multiple communication nodes 20 belonging to the mesh network 40, and if it receives a response to the signal, it determines that the communication of the communication node 20 that sent the response is normal.

[0081] This post-registration operation allows for the determination of whether the communication node 20 belonging to the registered cluster 41 is performing communication correctly.

[0082] Therefore, with such an information terminal 30, users can more easily verify whether a network with a pre-established cluster structure is being maintained properly. In other words, with such an information terminal 30, users can more easily perform maintenance on a network with a pre-established cluster structure.

[0083] [Effects, etc.] The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification include, for example, the following technologies. The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification will be described below, along with the effects, etc., that can be obtained by such technologies.

[0084] Technology 1 is an information terminal 30 comprising: a detection unit 322 that performs detection processing of communication nodes 20; a registration unit 323 that registers a first communication network composed of multiple communication nodes 20 by performing network settings on each of the multiple communication nodes 20 detected by the detection processing each time the detection processing is performed; a determination unit 324 that determines whether a target node included in the multiple communication nodes 20 that constitute the first communication network registered by the registration unit 323 can communicate normally; and a setting deletion unit 325 that deletes the network settings of a target node that the determination unit 324 has determined cannot communicate normally. The cluster 41 in the above embodiment is an example of a first communication network.

[0085] Such an information terminal 30 can delete network settings if each of the communication nodes 20, which have been configured by the registration unit 323, is unable to communicate properly. The determination of whether communication is working properly is made before the communication between the communication node 20 and the information terminal 30 for configuring the network settings on the communication node 20 is completed. Therefore, with such an information terminal 30, users can more easily build a network with a cluster structure.

[0086] Technology 2 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 1 in which the registration unit 323 registers a plurality of first communication networks such that each of the plurality of communication nodes 20 constituting the first communication network includes a specific node 20a, and after the plurality of first communication networks are registered, the specific node 20a belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitutes a second communication network. The inter-cluster network in the above embodiment is an example of a second communication network.

[0087] Such an information terminal 30 can be used to construct a network having a cluster structure.

[0088] Technology 3 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 2, in which the target node is a specific node 20a, and the setting deletion unit 325 deletes the network settings of all multiple communication nodes 20 included in the first communication network, including the specific node 20a, when the determination unit 324 determines that the target node is unable to communicate normally in the second communication network.

[0089] Such an information terminal 30 can delete the network settings of all communication nodes 20 belonging to the cluster 41 to which a specific node 20a belongs if the specific node 20a is unable to communicate properly with other clusters 41.

[0090] Technology 4 is a communication node 20 that is not a specific node 20a, and the determination unit 324 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 2 that determines whether the target node can communicate normally in the first communication network.

[0091] Such an information terminal 30 can delete the network settings of the child node 20b if the child node 20b is unable to communicate properly within the cluster 41.

[0092] Technology 5 is an information terminal 30 from technologies 1 to 4, whose decision-making process can be set in advance.

[0093] Such an information terminal 30 can be configured so that the determination unit 324 does not determine whether or not communication by the communication node 20 belonging to the registered cluster 41 is being performed normally.

[0094] Technology 6 is an information terminal 30 of technologies 1 to 5, in which the determination is performed by user operation.

[0095] Such an information terminal 30 allows the user to decide whether or not to perform a determination by the determination unit 324 to determine whether or not communication by the communication node 20 belonging to the registered cluster 41 is being performed normally.

[0096] Technology 7 is an information terminal 30 from any of Technologies 1 to 6, which includes a display unit 35 that displays information indicating a communication node 20 that has been determined by the determination unit 324 to be unable to communicate normally.

[0097] Such an information terminal 30 can present the user with a communication node 20 that is unable to communicate properly.

[0098] Technology 8 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 7 in which the user selects a communication node 20 whose network settings to delete based on information indicating the communication node 20 displayed on the display unit 35, and the setting deletion unit 325 deletes the network settings of the communication node 20 selected by the user.

[0099] Such an information terminal 30 allows the user to select a communication node 20 from which to delete network settings.

[0100] Technology 9 further includes an information terminal 30, one of technologies 1 to 8, which determines whether each of the multiple communication nodes 20 included in the multiple registered first communication networks can communicate normally.

[0101] Such an information terminal 30 can determine whether the communication nodes 20 belonging to the registered cluster 41 are communicating normally. Therefore, with such an information terminal 30, users can more easily confirm whether the network with the established cluster structure is being maintained normally. In other words, with such an information terminal 30, users can more easily perform maintenance on the network with the established cluster structure.

[0102] Technology 10 is a communication system 10 comprising a plurality of communication nodes 20 and an information terminal 30 that is one of technologies 1 to 9.

[0103] In such a communication system 10, if any of the communication nodes 20 whose network settings have been configured by the registration unit 323 are unable to communicate properly, the network settings can be deleted. Therefore, with such a communication system 10, users can more easily construct a network with a cluster structure.

[0104] Technology 11 is a registration method executed by a computer, comprising: a detection step of performing a detection process for communication nodes 20; a registration step of registering a first communication network composed of multiple communication nodes 20 by performing network settings on each of the multiple communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed; a determination step of determining whether a target node included in the multiple communication nodes 20 constituting the first communication network registered in the registration step can communicate normally; and a setting deletion step of deleting the network settings of a target node that is determined in the determination step to be unable to communicate normally.

[0105] This registration method allows users to more easily build networks with a cluster structure.

[0106] Technology 12 is a program that causes a computer to execute the registration method of Technology 11.

[0107] Such programs can help users more easily build networks with cluster structures.

[0108] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0109] For example, in the above embodiment, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0111] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be implemented by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits.

[0112] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0113] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a communication system or information terminal as described in the above embodiment, or as a registration method executed by an information terminal. The present invention may be implemented as a program for causing an information terminal (computer) to execute such a registration method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. In other words, the program is a computer program product. Such a program includes an application program for causing a computer, such as a general-purpose information terminal, to function as an information terminal as described in the above embodiment.

[0114] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0115] 10 Communication system 20 Communication node 20a Specific node 30 Information terminal 322 Detection unit 323 Registration unit 324 Judgment unit 325 Setting deletion unit 35 Display unit 41 Cluster (First communication network)

Claims

1. An information terminal comprising: a detection unit that performs a detection process for communication nodes; a registration unit that, each time the detection process is performed, registers a first communication network composed of the plurality of communication nodes by performing network settings on each of the plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process; a determination unit that determines whether a target node included in the plurality of communication nodes that constitute the first communication network registered by the registration unit can communicate normally; and a setting deletion unit that deletes the network settings of the target node that the determination unit has determined cannot communicate normally.

2. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit registers a plurality of first communication networks such that a specific node is included in the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network, and after the plurality of first communication networks have been registered, the specific node belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitutes a second communication network.

3. The information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the target node is the specific node, and the setting deletion unit deletes the network settings of all of the plurality of communication nodes included in the first communication network, including the specific node, if the determination unit determines that the target node is unable to communicate normally in the second communication network.

4. The information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the target node is a communication node other than the specified node, and the determination unit determines whether the target node can perform communication in the first communication network normally.

5. The information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein whether or not to perform the above determination can be set in advance.

6. The information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination is performed by user operation.

7. The information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a display unit that displays information indicating a communication node that the determination unit has determined is unable to perform communication normally.

8. The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the user selects a communication node from which to delete the network settings based on information indicating the communication node displayed on the display unit, and the setting deletion unit deletes the network settings of the communication node selected by the user.

9. The information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit further determines whether each of the registered plurality of communication nodes included in the first communication network can communicate normally.

10. A communication system comprising a plurality of communication nodes and an information terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A registration method performed by a computer, comprising: a detection step of performing a communication node detection process; a registration step of registering a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes by performing network settings on each of the plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed; a determination step of determining whether a target node included in the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network registered in the registration step can communicate normally; and a setting deletion step of deleting the network settings of the target node that is determined in the determination step to be unable to communicate normally.

12. A program for causing the computer to execute the registration method described in claim 11.

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