JP2014230064A - Communication system, server device, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system capable of controlling a specific controlled device using any one of a plurality of control devices capable of controlling the specific controlled device. A communication system includes a server device, a home server and a communication device, each of which is a control device, and an air conditioner that is a controlled device. Each of home server 200 and communication device 300 is communicably connected to server device 100 and air conditioner 401. Server device 100 selects one control device from home server 200 and communication device 300 based on a predetermined rule. The server device 100 transmits a command for controlling the air conditioner 401 to the selected control device. The selected control device controls the air conditioner 401 based on the command. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a server device, a communication method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication system for controlling a controlled device such as a home appliance, a server device constituting the communication system, a communication method in the server device, and a program for controlling the server device.

  Conventionally, a home network in which a plurality of household appliances are connected is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a distributed home network that enables mutual communication using digital signals as the home network. Specifically, the distributed network of Patent Document 1 includes a tuner unit, a client unit, and a server unit.

  The tuner unit receives a broadcast wave. The tuner unit sends a digital signal including video information based on the received broadcast wave to the network. The client unit receives a digital signal transmitted from a device connected to the network in order to operate the tuner unit and various devices connected to the network. The client unit displays the received digital signal as an image. The server unit stores the digital signal transmitted from the tuner unit. The server unit sends a digital signal including video information to the network in response to a control request from the client unit.

  In Patent Document 1, since the distributed network has the above-described configuration, the problem of the conventional centralized network in which the function of the entire household stops when the controller that centrally controls each household appliance fails is solved. It is described that it can.

  Conventionally, a communication apparatus for controlling a controlled apparatus via a network by a predetermined control protocol is known. Patent Document 2 discloses a controller including an interface unit, an inquiry unit, a reception unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit as the communication device.

  The interface means communicates with the controlled device via the network. The inquiry means inquires of the controlled device via the interface means about the control protocol supported by the controlled device. The receiving means receives list information of one or more control protocols supported by the controlled apparatus from the controlled apparatus via the interface means. The determining means determines a control protocol to be used based on the list information received by the receiving means. The notifying unit notifies the controlled device of the control protocol determined to be used by the determining unit via the interface unit.

  Patent Document 2 describes that the controller has the above-described configuration, so that a protocol to be used with a communication partner can be selected and used when a plurality of higher-level protocols exist.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-88865 JP 2002-315066 A

  However, the conventional network only considers a configuration in which one control device controls one or a plurality of controlled devices. That is, it has not been studied to configure a network using a plurality of control devices in order to control one controlled device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to use any one of a plurality of control devices capable of controlling a specific controlled device, and to control the specific controlled device. It is to provide a controllable communication system, a server device constituting the communication system, a communication method in the server device, and a program for controlling the server device.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a communication system includes a server device, a plurality of control devices, and a controlled device. Each of the plurality of control devices is communicably connected to the server device and the controlled device. The server device selects, based on a predetermined rule, a selection unit that selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices, and a command for controlling the controlled device to the selected control device. Transmitting means for transmitting. The selected control device controls the controlled device based on the command.

  Preferably, each of the plurality of control devices, based on the inquiry, inquiry means for inquiring the server device at a designated timing whether or not a command exists as data to be transmitted to the controlled device. Receiving means for receiving the command.

  Preferably, the command is transmitted from the terminal device to the selected control device via the server device. The selection means selects a control device that is a transmission source of an inquiry that the server device first receives after the server device receives a command from the terminal device.

  Preferably, in a case where the selected control device cannot control the controlled device, the transmission means sends a command to one control device different from the selected control device among the plurality of control devices. Send.

  Preferably, the selection unit is a control device which is a transmission source of an inquiry received first by the server device after the server device has received a signal indicating that the selected control device cannot control the controlled device. Are selected as one different control device.

  Preferably, the communication system further includes another controlled device different from the controlled device. The plurality of control devices include a first control device connected to another controlled device and a second control device not connected to the other controlled device. The selection means selects the first control device from the first control device and the second control device. The server device further includes timing control means for delaying the inquiry timing with respect to the second control device from the timing defined by the default value.

  Preferably, when the server device cannot receive an inquiry from any one of the plurality of control devices, the inquiry device transmits the inquiry timing transmitted by the server device to the default value. Timing control means for making the timing earlier than the timing defined in

  Preferably, the selection unit includes a first control device in which the plurality of control devices communicate with the server device using the first communication method, and a second control device that communicates with the server device using the second communication method. In this case, the second control device is selected as the selection based on the rule. The first communication method is a method of inquiring the server device at a designated timing whether or not a command exists as data to be transmitted to the controlled device, and receiving the command based on the inquiry. The second communication method is a method of receiving a command from the server device without making an inquiry.

Preferably, the inquiry timing is specified by the server device.
Preferably, the inquiry timing is specified by a time interval or time.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the server device communicates with a plurality of control devices. Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device. The server device includes a selection unit that selects one control device from a plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule, and a transmission unit that transmits a command to the selected control device.

  When the further another situation of this invention is followed, the communication method is performed in the server apparatus which communicates with a some control apparatus. Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device. The communication method includes a step of selecting one control device from among a plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule, and a step of transmitting a command to the selected control device.

  If the further another situation of this invention is followed, a program will control the server apparatus which communicates with a some control apparatus. Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device. The program includes a step of selecting one control device from a plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule, and a step of transmitting a command to the selected control device. To run.

  According to the present invention, a specific controlled device can be controlled using any one of a plurality of control devices each capable of controlling the specific controlled device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1. FIG. 3 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1; 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of a hardware configuration of a server apparatus 100. 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of a hardware configuration of a home server 200. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of a hardware configuration of a communication device 300. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of a server device 100, a home server 200, and a communication device 300. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in server apparatus 100. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the flow of a process in the communication system 1A. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of a server device 100A, a home server 200, and a communication device 300. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in 100 A of server apparatuses. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the flow of a process in the communication system 1B. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of a server device 100B, a home server 200, and a communication device 300. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in the server apparatus 100B. It is a figure for demonstrating the detail of the communication system 1C. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the flow of a process in the communication system 1C. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of a server device 100C, a home server 200, and a communication device 300. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in 100 C of server apparatuses. It is a figure showing schematic structure of communication system 1D. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the flow of a process in communication system 1D. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the functional structure of the server apparatus 100D, the home server 200D, and the communication apparatus 300. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in server apparatus 100D. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the communication system 1E. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the communication system 1F.

  The communication system according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
<1A. System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the communication system 1 is provided with the server apparatus 100, the home server 200, the communication apparatus 300, the household appliances 400, and the smart phone 500 as a terminal device. The household appliance group 400 includes an air conditioner 401, a lighting device 402, and a television 403 as a plurality of household appliances (controlled devices). Note that the air conditioner 401, the lighting device 402, and the television 403 are examples of controlled devices, and are not limited thereto.

  Home server 200, communication device 300, and home appliances 401 to 403 are installed in the house. Server apparatus 100 is installed outside the house. In the present embodiment, description will be given assuming that smartphone 500 is possessed by a user outside the home. The communication device 300 may be installed at a position away from the air conditioner 401 or may be installed on the air conditioner 401. In addition, the communication device 300 may be provided inside the air conditioner 401.

  Smartphone 500 is connected to server device 100 so as to be communicable. Server device 100 is connected to home server 200 and communication device 300 in a communicable manner. Home server 200 is communicably connected to server device 100 and home appliances 401 to 403. Communication device 300 is communicably connected to server device 100 and air conditioner 401. As described above, in the communication system 1, the server device 100 is communicably connected to the air conditioner 401 via the home server 200 and is communicably connected to the air conditioner 401 via the communication device 300. ing.

  For example, the server device 100 communicates with the home server 200 and the communication device 300 based on a communication specification using a markup language such as XML (Extensible Markup Language). Note that the server device 100 may communicate with the home server 200 and the communication device 300 based on a communication specification using non-markup language such as JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation). The format of data used for communication is not particularly limited.

  More specifically, the home server 200 and the communication device 300 make an inquiry to the server device 100 at a designated timing as to whether or not there is an instruction for controlling the home appliance, and the instruction is based on the inquiry. Receive. That is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300 poll the server device 100.

  In the following, the default value of the inquiry timing is specified (determined) in advance in the home server 200 and the communication device 300, and the home server 200 makes an inquiry at a timing other than the default value as necessary. A configuration instructing the communication device 300 will be described as an example. Specifically, a time interval for polling transmission is defined in each of the home server 200 and the communication device 300, and the server device 100 issues an instruction to change the polling transmission timing as necessary. A configuration for notifying the device 300 will be described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may be such that the next inquiry timing is designated by the server device 100 each time. That is, the polling timing may be designated by the server device 100 each time. The inquiry timing can be specified by, for example, a time interval or a time.

  Also, in the following, in order to simplify the description, the home server 200 and the communication device 300 are “predetermined” as an example of “designated timing” except when the inquiry device time interval is changed by the server device 100. The description will be made assuming that the server apparatus 100 is polled at the “time interval”. In other words, in practice, the polling time interval includes a certain range of random elements, and thus is not accurately determined in advance. For example, in a configuration in which the timing of the next inquiry is specified every time by the server device 100, the time specified by the server device 100 is not a fixed value such as an interval of 15 minutes, but a load on the server device 100. Taking this into account, the value takes into account a random factor such as around 15 minutes. Further, as described above, even if the default value of the inquiry timing is specified in advance in the home server 200 and the communication device 300, random elements are taken into consideration. However, in the following description, in order to simplify the description and facilitate understanding, the description will be given without considering the random element.

  Home server 200 communicates with home appliances 401 to 403 using a communication protocol including a control protocol for a smart house and a sensor net protocol. Home server 200 communicates with each household electric appliance 401-403, for example by ECHONET Lite (trademark). However, the communication between the home server 200 and the home appliances 401 to 403 may be realized not by a general-purpose communication protocol like ECHONET Lite but by a unique communication protocol.

  In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it will be assumed that each of the household electric appliances 401 to 403 has a built-in function that enables communication using ECHONET Lite. If the home appliance does not have a function that enables communication using ECHONET Lite, an adapter for realizing the function may be connected to the home appliance so as to be communicable.

  The smartphone 500 receives an input of a control command for controlling each of the household appliances 401 to 403 based on a user operation. Smartphone 500 transmits the received control command to server device 100.

  When the received control command is a command for controlling either the lighting device 402 or the television 403, the server device 100 transmits a control command to the home server 200 as a response to polling. In this case, home server 200 controls either lighting device 402 or television 403 based on the received control command. More specifically, the home server 200 interprets a control command using a markup language and extracts data necessary for ECHONET LITE communication. The home server 200 controls the home appliance by transmitting the extracted data to the lighting device 402 or the television set 403 that is the control target.

  When the received control command is a command for controlling the air conditioner 401, the server device 100 is used as a main body for controlling the air conditioner 401 based on a predetermined rule as to the home server 200 and the communication device 300. Select one. In this case, the device (home server 200 or communication device 300) selected by the server device 100 controls the air conditioner 401 based on the received control command. For example, when the communication device 300 is selected, the communication device 300 interprets a control command using a markup language and controls the air conditioner 401. When the home server 200 is selected, similarly to the above, the home appliance is controlled by transmitting data extracted from the control command to the air conditioner 401 as the control target.

  In this way, the home server 200 functions as a control device for controlling the home appliances 401 to 403. In addition, the communication device 300 functions as a control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 401. That is, in the communication system 1, the air conditioner 401 can be controlled by two control devices (the communication device 300 and the home server 200). Hereinafter, each of the communication device 300 and the home server 200 is also referred to as a “control device”. In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, the case where there are two devices functioning as control devices for household appliances has been described as an example, but three or more devices may be used. .

  Moreover, below, the aspect which mainly controls the air conditioner 401 from the smart phone 500 is demonstrated. In particular, it will be described which of the home server 200 and the communication device 300 is selected by the server device 100 as a subject that controls the air conditioner 401. That is, an example of a rule (predetermined rule) for selecting one control device from a plurality of control devices will be described. Note that Embodiments 2 to 5 to be described later will be described from the same viewpoint as Embodiment 1.

<1B. Overview of Processing in Communication System 1>
FIG. 2 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1. More specifically, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication state of a certain aspect in the communication system 1.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in sequence SQ102, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100. In sequence SQ104, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100. In sequence SQ <b> 106, smartphone 500 transmits a control command to server device 100 based on a user operation. In sequence SQ108, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100.

  By the way, the server device 100 is a device (control device) that is a transmission source of the polling that the server device 100 first receives after the server device 100 receives the control command from the smartphone 500 among the home server 200 and the communication device 300. select. The server apparatus 100 transmits a control command to the selected device.

  In the case of FIG. 2, server apparatus 100 receives a signal (hereinafter, “polling signal”) transmitted from home server 200 by polling processing in sequence SQ108 after sequence SQ106. That is, the server device 100 receives the polling signal from the home server 200 before the polling signal from the communication device 300.

  Therefore, in sequence SQ110, server device 100 transmits a control command to home server 200. In sequence SQ112, home server 200 transmits the received control command to air conditioner 401. In this case, the air conditioner 401 operates based on the received control command.

  In sequence SQ114, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100. In sequence SQ116, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100. Hereinafter, each of the home server 200 and the communication device 300 performs polling with respect to the server device 100 at a time interval defined for each. Since the number of control targets of the home server 200 (three in FIG. 1) is larger than the number of control targets of the communication device 300 (one in FIG. 1), the polling transmission time interval of the home server 200 ( Hereinafter, “polling interval”) is set shorter than the polling interval of the communication device 300.

<1C. Hardware configuration>
(1) Server device 100
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of the hardware configuration of the server apparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 3, server apparatus 100 includes, as main components, CPU 151 that executes a program, ROM 152 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner, data generated by execution of the program by CPU 151, or an input device (see FIG. 3). RAM 153 for volatile storage of data input via the HDD, 154 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, LED 155, switch 156, communication IF (Interface) 157, power supply circuit 158, monitor 159 and operation keys 160. Each component is connected to each other by a data bus.

  The power supply circuit 158 is a circuit that steps down the voltage of the commercial power received via the outlet and supplies power to each part of the server device 100. The switch 156 is a main power switch for switching whether or not to supply power to the power circuit 158 and other various push button switches. The monitor 159 is a device for displaying various data.

  The communication IF 157 includes data transmission processing for the home server 200 and the communication device 300, data reception processing transmitted from the home server 200 and the communication device 300, data transmission processing for the smartphone 500, and data transmitted from the smartphone 500. Receive processing.

  The LED 155 is various display lamps that indicate the operating state of the server apparatus 100. For example, the LED 155 represents an on / off state of the main power supply of the server apparatus 100, a read / write state to the HDD 154, and the like. The operation key 160 is a key (keyboard) used for the user of the server apparatus 100 to input data to the server apparatus 100.

  The processing in the server device 100 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 151. Such software may be stored in the HDD 154 in advance. The software may be stored in other storage media and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet. Such software is read from the storage medium by the reading device or downloaded via the communication IF 157 or the like and then temporarily stored in the HDD 154. The software is read from the HDD 154 by the CPU 151 and stored in the RAM 153 in the form of an executable program. CPU 151 executes the program.

  Each component which comprises the server apparatus 100 shown by the figure is a general thing. Therefore, it can be said that the essential part of the present invention is the RAM 153, the HDD 154, software stored in a storage medium, or software downloadable via a network. Since the operation of each hardware of server device 100 is well known, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The recording medium is not limited to a DVD-RAM, and a fixed program such as a semiconductor memory such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an FD, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, an optical disk, an EEPROM, and a flash ROM is supported. It may be a medium to be used. The recording medium is a non-temporary medium that can be read by the computer. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

(2) Home server 200
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of the hardware configuration of the home server 200. Referring to FIG. 4, home server 200 includes, as main components, CPU 251 that executes a program, ROM 252 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner, data generated by execution of the program by CPU 251, or an input device (see FIG. 4). (Not shown) RAM 253 for storing data volatilely, HDD 254 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, LED 255, switch 256, communication IF (Interface) 257, power supply circuit 258, monitor 259 and operation keys 260. Each component is connected to each other by a data bus.

  The power supply circuit 258 is a circuit that steps down the voltage of the commercial power received via the outlet and supplies power to each part of the server device 100. The switch 256 is a main power switch for switching whether or not to supply power to the power circuit 258 and other various push button switches. The monitor 259 is a device for displaying various data.

  Communication IF 257 performs processing for transmitting data to server device 100 and each of household appliances 401 to 403, and processing for receiving data transmitted from server device 100 and each of household appliances 401 to 403.

  The LED 255 is various display lamps that indicate the operating state of the server apparatus 100. For example, the LED 255 represents an on or off state of the main power supply of the server apparatus 100, a read or write state to the HDD 254, and the like. The operation key 260 is a key (keyboard) used for the user of the server apparatus 100 to input data to the server apparatus 100.

  The processing in the server device 100 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 251. Such software may be stored in the HDD 254 in advance. The software may be stored in other storage media and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet. Such software is read from the storage medium by a reading device or downloaded via the communication IF 257 or the like and then temporarily stored in the HDD 254. The software is read from the HDD 254 by the CPU 251 and stored in the RAM 253 in the form of an executable program. The CPU 251 executes the program.

  Each component which comprises the server apparatus 100 shown by the figure is a general thing. Therefore, it can be said that the essential part of the present invention is RAM 253, HDD 254, software stored in a storage medium, or software that can be downloaded via a network. Since the operation of each hardware of server device 100 is well known, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The recording medium is not limited to a DVD-RAM, and a fixed program such as a semiconductor memory such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an FD, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, an optical disk, an EEPROM, and a flash ROM is supported. It may be a medium to be used. The recording medium is a non-temporary medium that can be read by the computer. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

(3) Communication device 300
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of the hardware configuration of the communication device 300. Referring to FIG. 5, communication device 300 includes, as main components, CPU 351 that executes a program, ROM 352 that stores data such as a flash ROM in a nonvolatile manner, data generated by execution of a program by CPU 351, or A RAM 353 that stores data input via an input device (not shown) in a volatile manner, a switch 356, a communication IF (Interface) 357, and a power supply circuit 358 are included. Each component is connected to each other by a data bus.

  The power supply circuit 358 is a circuit that steps down the voltage of the commercial power received via the outlet and supplies power to each part of the communication device 300. The switch 356 is a main power switch for switching whether or not to supply power to the power circuit 358 and other various push button switches. The communication IF 357 performs data transmission / reception processing in order to perform communication between the server apparatus 100 and the air conditioner 401.

  The processing in the communication device 300 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 351. Such software may be stored in the ROM 352 in advance. The software may be stored in other storage media and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet. Such software is read from the storage medium by the reading device or downloaded via the communication IF 357 or the like and then temporarily stored in the ROM 352. The software is read from the ROM 352 by the CPU 351 and stored in the RAM 353 in the form of an executable program. The CPU 351 executes the program.

  Each component which comprises the communication apparatus 300 shown by the figure is a general thing. Therefore, it can be said that the essential part of the present invention is RAM 353, ROM 352, software stored in a storage medium, or software that can be downloaded via a network. Since the operation of each hardware of communication device 300 is well known, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The recording medium is not limited to a DVD-RAM, and a fixed program such as a semiconductor memory such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an FD, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, an optical disk, an EEPROM, and a flash ROM is supported. It may be a medium to be used. The recording medium is a non-temporary medium that can be read by the computer. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

<1D. Functional configuration>
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of the server device 100, the home server 200, and the communication device 300. Referring to FIG. 6, the communication system 1 includes the server device 100, the home server 200, the communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, and the smartphone 500 as described above.

  The server device 100 includes a reception unit 111, a storage unit 112, a selection unit 113, and a transmission unit 114. Home server 200 includes an inquiry unit 211, a reception unit 212, a home appliance control unit 213, and a control result transmission unit 214. Communication device 300 includes an inquiry unit 311, a reception unit 312, a home appliance control unit 313, and a control result transmission unit 314. Hereinafter, each unit included in each device 100, 200, 300 will be described.

(1) Server device 100
The receiving unit 111 receives a control command from the smartphone 500. In addition, the reception unit 111 receives a polling signal transmitted from the home server 200 and the communication device 300. Furthermore, the receiving unit 111 receives a notification representing the control result of the home appliance from the home server 200 and the communication device 300. The control result is information indicating whether control has been performed.

  The storage unit 112 stores an operating system for operating the server device 100, various application programs executed by the server device 100, and various data used by the server device 100. As an example, the storage unit 112 stores identification information (for example, a MAC address) indicating a control target (home appliance) of the home server 200 and identification information indicating a control target of the communication device 300.

  The selection unit 113 selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300) based on a predetermined rule. Specifically, the selection unit 113 selects a device that is a transmission source of a polling signal received first by the server apparatus 100 after the server apparatus 100 receives a control command from the smartphone 500.

  The transmission unit 114 transmits a control command for controlling the air conditioner 401 to the selected control device (either the home server 200 or the communication device 300).

(2) Home server 200
The inquiry unit 211 inquires of the server apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval whether or not a control command exists as data to be transmitted to the home appliances 401 to 403. That is, the inquiry unit 211 polls the server device 100.

  The reception unit 212 receives a control command from the server device 100 when the home server 200 is selected by the selection unit 113 of the server device 100.

  Based on the control command received by the reception unit 212, the home appliance control unit 213 controls the household appliance specified by the control command.

  When the home appliance control unit 213 controls the household appliance, the control result transmission unit 214 transmits a notification that the control has been successful to the server device 100. Moreover, the control result transmission part 214 transmits the notification to the effect of control failure to the server apparatus 100, when control of the household appliances by the household appliance control part 213 cannot be performed. An example of the case where the control could not be performed is a communication failure.

  When the control command from the smartphone 500 is a command for the air conditioner 401, when the home server 200 is selected by the selection unit 113 of the server device 100, the home appliance control unit 213 controls the air conditioner. In this case, the control of the air conditioner 401 by the communication device 300 is not performed.

(3) Communication device 300
The inquiry unit 311 inquires of the server apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval whether or not a control command exists as data to be transmitted to the air conditioner 401. That is, the inquiry unit 311 polls the server device 100.

  The receiving unit 312 receives a control command from the server device 100 when the communication device 300 is selected by the selection unit 113 of the server device 100.

  The home appliance control unit 313 controls the air conditioner 401 based on the control command received by the receiving unit 312.

  When the air conditioner 401 is controlled by the home appliance control unit 313, the control result transmission unit 314 transmits a notification that the control is successful to the server device 100. In addition, when the home conditioner control unit 313 cannot control the air conditioner 401, the control result transmission unit 314 transmits a notification that the control has failed to the server device 100. An example of the case where the control could not be performed is a communication failure.

  That is, when the control command from the smartphone 500 is a command for the air conditioner 401, when the communication device 300 is selected by the selection unit 113 of the server device 100, the home appliance control unit 313 controls the air conditioner. Become. In this case, control of the air conditioner 401 by the home server 200 is not performed.

<1E. Processing flow of server apparatus 100>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the server apparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 102, server apparatus 100 starts receiving a polling signal transmitted from home server 200. In step S <b> 104, the server apparatus 100 starts receiving a polling signal transmitted from the communication device 300 connected to the air conditioner 401.

  In step S <b> 106, the server device 100 determines whether a control command has been received from the smartphone 500. When server device 100 determines that a control command has been received (YES in step S106), server device 100 first receives the control command from home server 200 and communication device 300 in step S108 after receiving the control command. Select the polling signal source device. If server device 100 determines that a control command has not been received (NO in step S106), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S110, the server device 100 transmits a control command to the selected control device (home server 200 or communication device 300). For example, in the case of FIG. 2, the server device 100 selects the home server 200 from the home server 200 and the communication device 300 and transmits a control command to the home server 200.

<1F. Advantages of communication system 1>
(1) As described above, the communication system 1 includes the server device 100, a plurality of control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300), and a controlled device (air conditioner 401). Each of home server 200 and communication device 300 is communicably connected to server device 100 and air conditioner 401. The server device 100 includes a selection unit 113 that selects one device (control device) from the home server 200 and the communication device 300 based on a predetermined rule. The server device 100 includes a transmission unit 114 that transmits a control command for controlling the air conditioner 401 to the selected control device. The selected control device controls the air conditioner 401 based on the control command. Therefore, according to the communication system 1, the specific electrical appliance is used by using one of a plurality of control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300) each capable of controlling the specific electrical appliance (air conditioner 401). Can be controlled. The same applies to the communication systems of Embodiments 2 to 7 described later.

  (2) Each of the home server 200 and the communication device 300 determines whether or not a control command exists as data to be transmitted to the air conditioner 401 with respect to the server apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval. Inquiries 211 and 311 for polling are provided. Furthermore, each of home server 200 and communication device 300 includes receiving units 212 and 312 that receive control commands based on polling. Therefore, the communication system 1 can be applied to a configuration including a control device that acquires a control command by polling. The same applies to the communication systems of Embodiments 2, 4, 6, and 7 described later.

  (3) Moreover, the said control command is transmitted to the control apparatus (home server 200 and communication apparatus 300) selected via the server apparatus 100 from the smart phone 500. FIG. The selection unit 113 selects a control device that is a transmission source of a polling signal received first by the server device 100 after the server device 100 receives the control command from the smartphone 500. Therefore, the server apparatus 100 sends the control command to the air conditioner 401 that is the controlled apparatus earlier than the configuration in which the control command is transmitted to the control apparatus that is not the transmission source of the polling signal received first. Can be sent.

[Embodiment 2]
In this embodiment, when the control device selected by the method described in the first embodiment cannot control the air conditioner 401, the control device that is not selected controls the air conditioner 401. explain.

  In the following, for convenience of explanation, the communication system according to the present embodiment is referred to as “communication system 1A” in order to distinguish it from the communication system 1 of the first embodiment. Further, in order to distinguish from the server apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the server apparatus according to the present embodiment is referred to as “server apparatus 100A”. The communication system 1A includes a server device 100A, a home server 200, a communication device 300, a plurality of home appliances 401 to 403, and a smartphone 500. Since the connection mode between the devices is the same as the mode shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the description of the connection mode will not be repeated here. Since server device 100A has the same hardware configuration as server device 100, the description of the hardware configuration of server device 100A will not be repeated.

<2A. Overview of Processing in Communication System 1A>
FIG. 8 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1A. More specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication state of a certain aspect in the communication system 1A.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in sequence SQ202, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100A. In sequence SQ204, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100A. In sequence SQ206, smartphone 500 transmits a control command to server device 100A.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, server device 100A receives first control command from smartphone 500 among server device 100A and server device 100A among home server 200 and communication device 300. The device (control device) that is the transmission source of the polling is selected. Server device 100A transmits a control command to the selected device.

  In the case of FIG. 8, server apparatus 100A receives a polling signal (polling signal) from home server 200 in sequence SQ208 after sequence SQ206. That is, the server device 100A receives the polling signal from the home server 200 before the polling signal from the communication device 300.

  Therefore, in sequence SQ210, server device 100A transmits a control command to home server 200. In sequence SQ212, home server 200 transmits the received control command to air conditioner 401. As an example, it is assumed that the home server 200 has failed to control the air conditioner 401. In this case, in sequence SQ214, home server 200 transmits a notification indicating that the control has failed as a notification of the control result to server device 100A. Further, the server device 100A stores a record (log) indicating that the control by the home server 200 has failed. The server apparatus 100A can continue to recognize the control apparatus that has been selected and failed to be controlled based on the log.

  When the server device 100A receives a notification that the control has failed, the server device 100A responds to the next polling signal from the communication device 300, which is the control device that has not been selected, with respect to the communication device 300, as will be described later. Processing to transmit (retransmit) the same control command is performed.

  In sequence SQ216, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100A. In sequence SQ218, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100A. In sequence SQ220, server device 100A transmits a control command to communication device 300. In sequence SQ222, the communication device 300 controls the air conditioner 401 by transmitting the received control command to the air conditioner 401.

<2B. Functional configuration>
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of the server device 100A, the home server 200, and the communication device 300. Referring to FIG. 9, communication system 1A includes server device 100A, home server 200, communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, and smartphone 500, as described above.

  Server device 100A includes a reception unit 111, a storage unit 112, a selection unit 113A, and a transmission unit 114A. Home server 200 includes an inquiry unit 211, a reception unit 212, a home appliance control unit 213, and a control result transmission unit 214. Communication device 300 includes an inquiry unit 311, a reception unit 312, a home appliance control unit 313, and a control result transmission unit 314.

  That is, the server device 100A is different from the server device 100 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment including the selection unit 113 and the transmission unit 114 in that the server device 100A includes the selection unit 113A and the transmission unit 114A. Other configurations are the same as those of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, below, a different structure from the communication system 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and description is not repeated about the same structure.

  The selection unit 113A selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300) based on a predetermined rule. Specifically, the selection unit 113A selects a device that is a transmission source of a polling signal that the server device 100A first receives after the server device 100 receives a control command from the smartphone 500.

  The transmission unit 114A transmits a control command for controlling the air conditioner 401 to the selected control device (either the home server 200 or the communication device 300).

  When the reception unit 111 receives a notification that the control of the air conditioner 401 has failed from the control device (for example, the home server 200 in the case of FIG. 8) selected by the selection unit 113A, 113A selects a control device (communication device 300 in the case of FIG. 8) that was not selected last time. In this case, the transmission unit 114A transmits a control command to the control device selected again.

  In the above, the case where there are two control devices that can control the air conditioner 401 has been described as an example. For example, when there are two or more devices functioning as a control device, it can be said that the communication system 1A has the following configuration.

<2C. Control structure of server device 100A>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in server apparatus 100A. Referring to FIG. 10, the processes in steps S102 to S110 are the same as the processes in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. Therefore, description of steps S102 to S110 will not be repeated here.

  After step S110, server apparatus 100A determines in step S202 whether or not control of air conditioner 401 by the selected control apparatus has succeeded based on a notification from the device. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the server device 100 </ b> A determines whether or not the home server 200 has successfully controlled the air conditioner 401.

  If the control is successful (YES in step S202), server device 100A ends the series of processing. If the control fails (NO in step S202), server apparatus 100A transmits a control command to the unselected device (control apparatus) in step S204. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, server device 100 </ b> A transmits a control command to communication device 300.

<2D. Advantages of Communication System 1A>
(1) As described above, when the selected control device cannot control the air conditioner 401 that is the controlled device, the transmission unit 114A includes a plurality of control devices (the home server 200 and the communication device 300). ), A control command is transmitted to one control device different from the selected control device. Therefore, in the communication system 1A, it is possible to improve robustness (network robustness) against a communication error as compared with a configuration in which a control command is not transmitted to one control device different from the selected control device.

  (2) In addition, the selection unit 113A first receives the signal indicating that the selected control device cannot control the air conditioner 401, which is the controlled device, after the server device 100A receives the signal. The control device that is the transmission source of the received polling signal is selected as the one different control device. Therefore, in the communication system 1A, it is possible to quickly transmit a control command to the air conditioner 401 that is a controlled device while increasing the robustness of the network.

[Embodiment 3]
Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the communication system according to the present embodiment is referred to as “communication system 1B” in order to distinguish it from the communication systems 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments. Further, in order to distinguish from the server apparatuses 100 and 100A of the first and second embodiments, the server apparatus according to the present embodiment is referred to as a “server apparatus 100B”. The communication system 1B includes a server device 100B, a home server 200, a communication device 300, a plurality of home appliances 401 to 403, and a smartphone 500. Since the connection mode between the devices is the same as the mode shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the description of the connection mode will not be repeated here. Further, since server device 100B has the same hardware configuration as server device 100, the description of the hardware configuration of server device 100B will not be repeated.

  When the received control command is a command for controlling the air conditioner 401, the server apparatus 100 </ b> B serves as a main body that controls the air conditioner 401 based on a predetermined rule as to the home server 200 and the communication device 300. Select one.

  Server apparatus 100B uses the following rule as a predetermined rule. The communication device 300 controls only the air conditioner 401. On the other hand, the home server 200 controls the air conditioner 401, the lighting device 402, and the television 403. Thus, the home server 200 can control the air conditioner 401 that is the control target of the communication device 300. However, the communication device 300 cannot control the lighting device 402 and the television set 403 that are controlled by the home server 200. Therefore, the server device 100B selects a device (control device) that can also control the control target of another device (control device) from the home server 200 and the communication device 300. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, server device 100B selects home server 200.

  In the present embodiment, server device 100B makes the polling interval of one of the two control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300) longer than a default value (predetermined time interval). The configuration will be described. Specifically, the server device 100B makes the polling interval of devices (that is, the communication device 300) not selected by the server device 100B longer than the default value.

<3A. Overview of Processing in Communication System 1B>
FIG. 11 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1B. More specifically, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication state of a certain aspect in the communication system 1B.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in sequence SQ302, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100B. In sequence SQ304, communication device 300 polls server device 100B.

  Server apparatus 100B selects home server 200 as the transmission destination of the control command, and therefore, in sequence SQ306, a command for increasing the polling interval for communication device 300 (hereinafter referred to as “polling interval change command”). Send. Specifically, the server device 100B transmits a command that designates a time interval until the next polling as a time longer than the default value. For specifying the time interval until the next polling, for example, a specific time may be notified, or a value to be multiplied by a default value may be notified. Although details will be described later, FIG. 11 shows an example in which the time interval until the next polling is twice the default value.

  In sequence SQ308, smartphone 500 transmits a control command to server device 100B. In sequence SQ310, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100B. In sequence SQ312, server apparatus 100B transmits a control command to home server 200 as a response to the polling signal. In sequence SQ 314, home server 200 controls air conditioner 401 by transmitting a control command to air conditioner 401.

  In sequence SQ316, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100B. After the sequence SQ316, it is originally a polling time from the communication device 300, but since the polling interval is controlled twice as described above, the communication device 300 performs polling at this timing. Absent.

  In sequence SQ318, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100B. In sequence SQ320, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100B. In sequence SQ322, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100B. In addition, when receiving a polling signal in sequence SQ322, server apparatus 100A transmits a polling interval change command to communication device 300 again as described in sequence SQ306.

<3B. Functional configuration>
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of the server device 100B, the home server 200, and the communication device 300. 12, communication system 1B includes server device 100B, home server 200, communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, and smartphone 500, as described above.

  Server device 100B includes a reception unit 111, a storage unit 112, a selection unit 113B, a transmission unit 114B, and a setting unit 115. Home server 200 includes an inquiry unit 211, a reception unit 212, a home appliance control unit 213, and a control result transmission unit 214. Communication device 300 includes an inquiry unit 311, a reception unit 312, a home appliance control unit 313, and a control result transmission unit 314.

  That is, the server device 100B is different from the server device 100 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment including the selection unit 113 and the transmission unit 114 in that the server device 100B includes the selection unit 113B, the transmission unit 114B, and the setting unit 115. Other configurations are the same as those of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, below, a different structure from the communication system 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and description is not repeated about the same structure.

  The selection unit 113B selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300) based on a predetermined rule. Specifically, the selection unit 113B selects, from the home server 200 and the communication device 300, a device (control device) that can also control a control target of another device (control device). That is, in the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, the selection unit 113B selects the home server 200.

  The setting unit 115 makes the polling interval for the unselected device (communication device 300) longer than the default value. That is, the setting unit 115 performs control to delay the transmission timing of the polling signal. In other words, the setting unit 115 performs timing control for delaying the inquiry timing from the timing defined by the default value. Specifically, the setting unit 115 notifies the communication device 300 of the set polling interval using the transmission unit 114B, thereby making the polling interval of the communication device 300 longer than the default value. That is, the setting unit 115 causes the transmission unit 114B to transmit a polling interval change command to make the polling interval of the communication device 300 longer than the default value.

  The transmission unit 114B transmits a control command for controlling the air conditioner 401 to the selected control device (home server 200). Further, as described above, the transmission unit 114B transmits the polling interval change command to the device (communication device 300) that has not been selected.

  In the above, the case where there are two control devices that can control the air conditioner 401 has been described as an example. For example, when there are two or more devices functioning as control devices, it can be said that the communication system 1B has the following configuration.

<3C. Control structure of server apparatus 100B>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server apparatus 100B. Referring to FIG. 13, the processes in steps S102, S104, and S106 are the same as the processes in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. Therefore, description of steps S102, S104, and S106 will not be repeated here.

  After step S104, server device 100B selects home server 200 capable of controlling all household appliances (home appliances) from home server 200 and communication device 300 in step S302. In step S304, the server apparatus 100B sets a polling interval longer than the default value for the communication device 300 that has not been selected. After step S106, in step S306, server apparatus 100B transmits a control command to home server 200.

<3D. Advantages of Communication System 1B>
As described above, the communication system 1B further includes an electric appliance (the lighting device 402 and the television 403) that is different from the air conditioner 401. A plurality of control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300) include a control device (home server 200) connected to lighting device 402 and television 403, and a control device (communication device) not connected to lighting device 402 and television 403. 300). The selection unit 113B selects the first control device from the first control device and the second control device. Server device 100B further includes a setting unit 115 that sets a polling interval longer than a predetermined time interval for the second control device. Therefore, the communication system 1B can reduce the load applied to the server device as compared with a configuration in which the polling interval is not set to be long.

[Embodiment 4]
Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the communication system according to the present embodiment is referred to as “communication system 1C” in order to distinguish from the communication systems 1, 1A, and 1B of the first to third embodiments. Further, in order to distinguish from the server apparatuses 100, 100A, and 100B of the first to third embodiments, the server apparatus according to the present embodiment is referred to as a “server apparatus 100C”. The communication system 1C includes a server device 100C, a home server 200, a communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, and a smartphone 500. Since the connection mode between the devices is the same as the mode shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the description of the connection mode will not be repeated here. Since server device 100C has the same hardware configuration as server device 100, the description of the hardware configuration of server device 100C will not be repeated.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, server device 100C is the first server device 100C that receives the control command from smartphone 500 among home server 200 and communication device 300. The device (control device) that is the transmission source of the polling received is selected. Server device 100C transmits a control command to the selected device.

  In the present embodiment, server device 100C shortens the polling interval of one of the two control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300) from a default value (predetermined time interval). The configuration will be described. Specifically, the server apparatus 100C sets the polling interval of a device different from the device from which the polling signal transmission is stopped short.

<4A. Details of System Configuration of Communication System 1C>
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the details of the communication system 1C. Referring to FIG. 14, communication system 1 </ b> C includes server device 100 </ b> C, home server 200, communication device 300, air conditioner 401, smartphone 500, router 600, lighting device 402 and television 403 (not shown). It has.

  Server device 100C is connected to router 600 so as to be communicable. The home server 200 is communicably connected to the server device 100C via the router 600.

  The air conditioner 401 is communicably connected to the server device 100C via the communication device 300 and the router 600. The air conditioner 401 is communicably connected to the server device 100C via the router 600 and the home server 200.

  That is, in one aspect, home server 200 receives a control command from server device 100C via router 600. The home server 200 also sends a control command to the air conditioner 401 via the router 600. In another aspect, communication device 300 receives a control command from server device 100C via router 600. In this case, the communication device 300 transmits a control command directly to the air conditioner 401 without going through the router 600.

<4B. Overview of Processing in Communication System 1C>
FIG. 15 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1C. More specifically, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a communication state of a certain aspect in the communication system 1C. In the communication system 1C, the default value of the polling interval of the home server 200 is Ta seconds, and the default value of the polling interval of the communication device 300 is Tb seconds.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in sequence SQ402, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100C. In sequence SQ404, communication device 300 polls server device 100C. After sequence SQ404, polling from home server 200 stops.

  In sequence SQ406, smartphone 500 transmits a control command to server device 100C. In sequence SQ408, communication device 300 performs polling on server device 100C Tb seconds after the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ404). In sequence SQ410, server device 100C transmits a control command to communication device 300. In sequence SQ412, server device 100C transmits a polling interval change command to the communication device. In the following, the polling interval change command is a command for setting the polling interval from the default value (Tb seconds) to a time (Tc seconds) shorter than the default value. Server device 100C may transmit a command including a control command and a polling interval change command to communication device 300 instead of sequences SQ410 and SQ412.

  In sequence SQ414, the communication device 300 transmits a control command to the air conditioner 401. That is, the communication device 300 controls the air conditioner 401 based on the control command received via the server device 100C.

  In sequence SQ416, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100C after Tc (<Tb) seconds from the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ408). In sequence SQ418, server device 100C transmits a polling interval change command to communication device 300.

  In sequence SQ420, communication device 300 performs polling on server device 100C Tc seconds after the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ416). In sequence SQ422, server device 100C transmits a polling interval change command to communication device 300.

  In sequence SQ424, home server 200 resumes polling for server device 100C. In sequence SQ426, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100C after Tc seconds from the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ416). Server device 100C does not send a polling interval change command to communication device 300 because polling from home server 200 has resumed.

  In sequence SQ428, home server 200 polls server apparatus 100C after Ta seconds from the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ424). In sequence SQ430, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100C for Tb seconds after the previous polling (polling in sequence SQ426).

<4C. Functional configuration>
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of the server device 100C, the home server 200, and the communication device 300. Referring to FIG. 16, as described above, communication system 1C includes server device 100C, home server 200, communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, smartphone 500, and a router (not shown). 600.

  The server device 100C includes a reception unit 111, a storage unit 112, a selection unit 113C, a transmission unit 114C, and a setting unit 115C. Home server 200 includes an inquiry unit 211, a reception unit 212, a home appliance control unit 213, and a control result transmission unit 214. Communication device 300 includes an inquiry unit 311, a reception unit 312, a home appliance control unit 313, and a control result transmission unit 314.

  That is, the server device 100C is different from the server device 100 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment in that the server device 100C includes a selection unit 113C, a transmission unit 114C, and a setting unit 115C. Other configurations are the same as those of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, below, a different structure from the communication system 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and description is not repeated about the same structure.

  The selection unit 113C selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300) based on a predetermined rule. Specifically, when the selection unit 113C determines that polling from each of the home server 200 and the communication device 300 is not interrupted, the server device 100C receives the control command from the smartphone 500, and then the server device 100C The device that is the source of the polling signal received first is selected. If the selection unit 113C determines that polling from either the home server 200 or the communication device 300 has stopped, the selection unit 113C selects a device that has not stopped polling. That is, in the case of the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 15, the selection unit 113C selects the communication device 300.

  When the setting unit 115C cannot receive a polling signal from any one of a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200 and the communication device 300), the source of the polling signal that the server device 100C can receive The polling time interval transmitted by the control device is set to be shorter than the default value. That is, the setting unit 115 performs control to advance the transmission timing of the polling signal. In other words, the setting unit 115 performs timing control that makes the inquiry timing earlier than the timing specified by the default value. For example, in the case of the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 15, the setting unit 115 </ b> C sets the polling interval of the communication device 300 to be short. Specifically, the setting unit 115C causes the transmission unit 114C to transmit a polling interval change command, thereby shortening the polling interval of the communication device 300 from the default value.

<4D. Control structure of server device 100C>
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server apparatus 100C. Referring to FIG. 17, the processes in steps S102, S104, S106, and S108 are the same as the processes in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of steps S102, S104, S106, and S108 will not be repeated here.

  After step S104, server device 100C determines whether or not the polling signal from home server 200 and communication device 300 could not be received in step S402. Note that the server device 100C makes the determination in step S104 based on whether or not the polling signal periodically transmitted from the home server 200 and the communication device 300 has been received.

  When server device 100C determines that the data cannot be received (NO in step S402), the process proceeds to step S106. When it is determined that the server apparatus 100C has been able to receive (YES in step S402), the server apparatus 100C determines whether or not a control command has been received from the smartphone 500 in step S404.

  In step S406, the server device 100C transmits a control command to the device that has transmitted the polling signal that the server device 100C has received. In step S408, the polling interval is set shorter than the default value for the device that is the source of the polling signal that can be received by the server apparatus 100C.

<4E. Advantages of Communication System 1C>
As described above, when the server apparatus 100C cannot receive the polling signal from any one of the plurality of control apparatuses (home server 200 and communication device 300), the polling signal that the server apparatus 100C has received. It further includes a setting unit 115C that sets the polling interval transmitted by the transmission source control device to be shorter than a predetermined time interval. Therefore, when a communication error occurs between the server device 100C and one control device, the communication system 1C performs quick communication with another control device as compared with a configuration in which the polling interval is not shortened. It becomes possible.

[Embodiment 5]
In the present embodiment, a case where the communication standard between the server device and the home server is different from those in the first to fourth embodiments will be described. A case where communication between the server device and the home server is a web socket will be described as an example.

<5A. System configuration of communication system 1D>
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1D according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 18, the communication system 1D includes a server device 100D, a home server 200D, a communication device 300, a household electric appliance group 400, and a smartphone 500 as a terminal device.

  Server device 100D and home server 200D are connected by a communication method capable of bidirectional communication without polling. For this reason, home server 200D can receive a control command from server apparatus 100D without performing polling. Typically, as described above, the server device 100D is connected to the home server 200D so as to be communicable based on a web socket that is one of communication standards.

  Note that the connection mode between the devices is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, except that the server device 100D and the home server 200D are communicably connected via a web socket. For this reason, description of a connection aspect is not repeated here. Further, since server device 100D has the same hardware configuration as server device 100, the description of the hardware configuration of server device 100D will not be repeated. Furthermore, since home server 200D has the same hardware configuration as home server 200, the description of the hardware configuration of home server 200D will not be repeated.

<5B. Overview of Processing in Communication System 1D>
FIG. 19 is a sequence chart for explaining the flow of processing in the communication system 1D. More specifically, FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a communication state of a certain aspect in the communication system 1D.

  Referring to FIG. 19, in sequence SQ502, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100D. Since home server 200D is connected to server device 100 via a web socket, polling is not performed.

  In sequence SQ504, smartphone 500 transmits a control command to server device 100D. In sequence SQ506, server apparatus 100D is polled. Server device 100D is connected to home server 200D via a web socket, and therefore transmits a control command to home server 200D in sequence SQ508. That is, the server apparatus 100D does not transmit the control command received from the smartphone 500 to the communication device 300 that performs communication using polling. In other words, the server device 100D selects a device connected by the web socket from the home server 200D and the communication device 300, and transmits a control command to the selected device.

  In sequence SQ510, home server 200D sends the control command received from server device 100D to air conditioner 401. That is, the home server 200D controls the air conditioner 401. In sequence SQ512, communication device 300 polls server apparatus 100D.

<5C. Functional configuration>
FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram for explaining functional configurations of the server device 100D, the home server 200D, and the communication device 300. Referring to FIG. 20, communication system 1D includes server device 100D, home server 200D, communication device 300, a plurality of household appliances 401 to 403, and smartphone 500, as described above.

  Server apparatus 100D includes a reception unit 111D, a storage unit 112, a selection unit 113D, and a transmission unit 114D. Home server 200D includes a reception unit 212D, a home appliance control unit 213, and a transmission unit 215. Communication device 300 includes an inquiry unit 311, a reception unit 312, a home appliance control unit 313, and a control result transmission unit 314.

  That is, the server device 100D according to the first embodiment including the reception unit 111, the selection unit 113, and the transmission unit 114 in that the server device 100D includes the reception unit 111D, the selection unit 113D, and the transmission unit 114D. Is different. For this reason, below, a different structure from the communication system 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and description is not repeated about the same structure. The home server 200D is different from the home server 200 of the first embodiment in that the home server 200D does not include the inquiry unit 211 and the control result transmission unit 214 and includes the transmission unit 215.

  The receiving unit 111D of the server device 100D receives various data transmitted from the transmitting unit 215 of the home server 200D. The selection unit 113D selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices (that is, the home server 200D and the communication device 300). Specifically, the selection unit 113D selects a device connected via a web socket (that is, the home server 200D. Reason why the selection unit 113D selects the home server 200D instead of the communication device 300 that performs communication by polling). This is because faster communication than polling communication is possible.

  The transmission unit 114D transmits the control command received from the smartphone 500 to the control device (that is, the home server 200D) selected by the selection unit 113D. The receiving unit 212D of the home server 200D receives the control command transmitted from the transmitting unit 114D. The receiving unit 212D sends the received control command to the home appliance control unit 213.

<5D. Control structure of server device 100D>
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server apparatus 100D. Referring to FIG. 21, the processes in steps S102, S104, S106, and S110 are the same as the processes in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the description of steps S102, S104, S106, and S110 will not be repeated here.

  After step S104, server apparatus 100D selects a device that performs web socket communication from home server 200 and communication device 300 in step S502. Server apparatus 100D advances the process to step S106 after step S502. Moreover, server apparatus 100D advances a process to step S110 after step S106.

<5E. Advantages of Communication System 1D>
As described above, the communication system 1D determines whether or not a control command exists as data to be transmitted to the air conditioner 401 that is a controlled device, with respect to the server device 100D at a predetermined time interval. This includes a first communication method (polling method) that receives a control command based on an inquiry, and a second communication method that receives a control command from server device 100D without performing polling. The selection unit 113D includes a first control device (communication device 300) in which a plurality of control devices (home server 200 and communication device 300) communicate with the server device 100D using the first communication method, and a second communication method. When the second control device (home server 200) communicating with the server device 100D is included, the second control device is selected as the selection based on the rule.

  Therefore, the server device 100D sends the control command to the air conditioner 401 that is the controlled device earlier than when the control command is transmitted to the control device by polling (the first communication method). Can be sent.

<5F. Modification>
In the above description, the case where the server apparatus 100D and the home server 200D are connected by a web socket has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processing described above can also be applied when the server apparatus 100D and the communication device 300 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a web socket. In the case of such an aspect, the server device 100D selects the communication device 300 and transmits a control command to the communication device 300.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1E according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 22, the communication system 1E includes a server device 100E, a home server 200, a home server 200E, a communication device 300, a household electric appliance group 400, and a smartphone 500 as a terminal device.

  That is, the communication system 1E is different from the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 1 in that the communication system 1E includes the home server 200E and the server apparatus 100E instead of the server apparatus 100.

  Server device 100E is different from server device 100 in that it can communicate with home server 200E. Except for this point, the server apparatus 100E has the same configuration as the server apparatus 100. Therefore, the configuration of the server device 100E will not be repeatedly described.

  The home server 200E communicates with the lighting device 402 and the television 403 using a communication protocol having a control protocol for a smart house and a sensor net protocol. Home server 200E communicates with lighting device 402 and television 403 by ECHONET LITE. That is, the home server 200E does not communicate with the air conditioner 401.

  For example, the home server 200 and the home server 200E may have different manufacturers or the same manufacturer. In other words, the communication specification between the home server 200 and the server device 100E and the communication specification between the home server 200 and the server device 100E may be different or the same.

  The server device 100E selects a device for controlling the air conditioner 401 from the home server 200 and the communication device 300. In addition, the server device 100E selects a device for controlling the lighting device 402 from the home server 200 and the home server 200E. Furthermore, the server device 100E selects a device for controlling the television 403 from the home server 200 and the home server 200E.

  Thus, even in a system configuration including a plurality of home servers, the same effect as that of the communication system 1 can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the above, although the structure provided with the server apparatus 100E instead of the server apparatus 100 demonstrated in Embodiment 1 was mentioned as an example, it demonstrated, It is not limited to this. For example, a configuration having a plurality of home servers can be applied to a communication system including the server device 100E instead of the server devices 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D described in the second to fifth embodiments.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the communication system 1E includes two home servers is described as an example, but may be three or more.

[Embodiment 7]
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1F according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 23, communication system 1F includes server device 100F, two home servers 200, a household appliance group 400, and a smartphone 500 as a terminal device.

  That is, the communication system 1F includes the two home servers 200, the communication device 300, and the server device 100F instead of the server device 100. Different from 1.

  Server apparatus 100F differs from server apparatus 100 in that it can communicate with two home servers 200. Further, since the communication system 1F does not include the communication device 300, the server device 100F differs from the server device 100 in that the server device 100F does not transmit a control command to the communication device 300. Except for these points, the server apparatus 100F has the same configuration as the server apparatus 100. Therefore, the configuration of the server device 100F will not be described repeatedly.

  The server device 100F selects a device for controlling the air conditioner 401 from the two home servers 200. In addition, the server device 100F selects a device for controlling the lighting device 402 from the two home servers 200. Furthermore, the server device 100F selects a device for controlling the television 403 from the two home servers 200.

  Thus, even if the system configuration includes a plurality of home servers without including the communication device 300, the same effect as that of the communication system 1 can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the above, although the structure provided with the server apparatus 100E instead of the server apparatus 100 demonstrated in Embodiment 1 was mentioned as an example, it demonstrated, It is not limited to this. For example, a configuration having a plurality of home servers can be applied to a communication system including the server device 100E instead of the server devices 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D described in the second to fifth embodiments.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the communication system 1F includes two home servers is described as an example, but may be three or more. One of the plurality of home servers 200 may be the home server 200E described in the sixth embodiment.

<< Summary >>
(1) As described above, the communication system (specifically, the communication systems 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F) includes a server device, a plurality of control devices, and controlled devices. In the communication system, each of the plurality of control devices is communicably connected to the server device and the controlled device. The server device selects, based on a predetermined rule, a selection unit that selects one control device from among a plurality of control devices, and a command for controlling the controlled device to the selected control device. Transmitting means for transmitting. The selected control device controls the controlled device based on the command.

  Therefore, according to the communication system, each of the plurality of control devices (for example, the home server 200 and the communication device 300) that can control a specific controlled device (for example, the air conditioner 401) is used. It becomes possible to control a specific controlled device.

  (2) In the communication system (specifically, in the communication systems 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1F), each of the plurality of control devices has a command as data to be transmitted to the controlled device. Inquiry means for making an inquiry to the server device at a designated timing and receiving means for receiving an instruction based on the inquiry. Therefore, the communication system can be applied to a configuration including a control device that acquires a control command by polling.

  (3) The command is transmitted from the terminal device (for example, smartphone 500) to the selected control device via the server device. The selection means selects a control device that is a transmission source of an inquiry that the server device first receives after the server device receives a command from the terminal device. Therefore, the server device issues the control command to the controlled device (for example, the air conditioner 401) earlier than the configuration in which the control command is transmitted to the control device that is not the transmission source of the polling signal received first. Can be sent.

  (4) In the communication system (specifically, the communication system 1A), when the selected control device cannot control the controlled device, the transmission means is selected from the plurality of control devices. A command is transmitted to one control device different from the control device. Therefore, in the above communication system, robustness against communication errors (robustness of the network) can be improved as compared with a configuration in which a control command is not transmitted to one control device different from the selected control device.

  (5) In the communication system (specifically, the communication system 1A), the selecting unit receives the signal indicating that the selected control device cannot control the controlled device after the server device receives the signal. The control device that is the transmission source of the inquiry received first by the device is selected as one different control device. Therefore, in the communication system, the control command can be quickly transmitted to the controlled device (for example, the air conditioner 401) while increasing the robustness of the network.

  (6) The communication system (specifically, the communication system 1B) further includes another controlled device different from the controlled device. The plurality of control devices include a first control device connected to another controlled device and a second control device not connected to the other controlled device. The selection means selects the first control device from the first control device and the second control device. The server device further includes timing control means for delaying the inquiry timing with respect to the second control device from the timing defined by the default value. Therefore, the communication system can reduce the load applied to the server device as compared with a configuration in which the timing is not delayed from the timing defined by the default value (a configuration in which the polling interval is not set longer).

  (7) In the communication system (specifically, the communication system 1C), when the server apparatus cannot receive an inquiry from any one of the plurality of control apparatuses, the inquiry that the server apparatus has received. Further includes timing control means for making the inquiry timing transmitted by the transmission source control device earlier than the timing defined by the default value. Therefore, in the communication system, when a communication error occurs between the server device and one control device, the communication system is compared with a configuration in which the timing is not earlier than the timing specified by the default value (a configuration in which the polling interval is not shortened). Thus, it is possible to perform rapid communication with other control devices.

  (8) In the communication system (specifically, the communication system 1D), the selection means includes a first control device in which a plurality of control devices communicate with the server device in the first communication method, and a second communication method. When the second control device that communicates with the server device is included, the second control device is selected as the selection based on the rule. The first communication method is a method of inquiring the server device at a designated timing whether or not a command exists as data to be transmitted to the controlled device, and receiving the command based on the inquiry. The second communication method is a method of receiving a command from the server device without making an inquiry. Therefore, the server device issues the control command to the controlled device (for example, the air conditioner 401) earlier than when the control command is transmitted to the control device by polling (first communication method). Can be sent.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above contents. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F communication system, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F server device, 111, 111D, 212, 212D, 312 receiving unit, 112 storage unit, 113, 113A, 113B, 113C, 113D Selection unit, 114, 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, 215 Transmission unit, 115, 115C Setting unit, 151, 251, 351 CPU, 200, 200D, 200E Home server, 211, 311 Query Unit, 213, 313 Home appliance control unit, 214, 314 Control result transmission unit, 300 Communication device, 400 Home appliance group, 401 Air conditioner, 402 Lighting device, 403 TV, 500 Smartphone, 600 router.

Claims (13)

A communication system comprising a server device, a plurality of control devices, and a controlled device,
Each of the plurality of control devices is communicably connected to the server device and the controlled device,
The server device
Selection means for selecting one control device from among the plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule;
Transmitting means for transmitting a command for controlling the controlled device to the selected control device;
The selected control device is a communication system that controls the controlled device based on the command. Each of the plurality of control devices is
Inquiry means for inquiring of the server device at a specified timing whether or not the command exists as data to be transmitted to the controlled device;
The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving the command based on the inquiry. The command is transmitted from the terminal device to the selected control device via the server device,
The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects a control device that is a transmission source of the inquiry first received by the server device after the server device receives the command from the terminal device.   When the selected control device cannot control the controlled device, the transmission means applies to one control device different from the selected control device among the plurality of control devices. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the command is transmitted.   The selection means is a transmission source of the inquiry first received by the server apparatus after the server apparatus receives a signal indicating that the selected control apparatus cannot control the controlled apparatus. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein a control device is selected as the different one control device. The communication system further includes another controlled device different from the controlled device,
The plurality of control devices include a first control device connected to the other controlled device and a second control device not connected to the other controlled device,
The selection means selects the first control device from the first control device and the second control device,
The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the server device further includes a timing control unit that delays the inquiry timing with respect to the second control device from a timing defined by a default value.   When the server device fails to receive the inquiry from any one of the plurality of control devices, the server device transmits the inquiry timing transmitted by the control device that transmitted the inquiry received by the server device. The communication system according to claim 2, further comprising timing control means for making a timing earlier than a timing defined by a default value. The selection means includes: a first control device in which the plurality of control devices communicate with the server device in a first communication method; and a second control device in communication with the server device in a second communication method. If included, select the second control device as a selection based on the rule,
The first communication method inquires the server device at a designated timing whether or not the command exists as data to be transmitted to the controlled device, and the command is issued based on the inquiry. It is a method to receive,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication method is a method of receiving the command from the server device without performing the inquiry.   The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the inquiry timing is specified by the server device.   The communication system according to claim 9, wherein the inquiry timing is specified by a time interval or a time. A server device that communicates with a plurality of control devices,
Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device,
The server device
Selection means for selecting one control device from among the plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule;
The server apparatus provided with the transmission means which transmits the said instruction | command with respect to the said selected control apparatus. A communication method in a server device that communicates with a plurality of control devices,
Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device,
The communication method is:
Selecting one control device from the plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule;
Transmitting the command to the selected control device. A program for controlling a server device that communicates with a plurality of control devices,
Each of the plurality of control devices can control the controlled device based on a command received from the server device,
The program is
Selecting one control device from the plurality of control devices based on a predetermined rule;
The program which makes the processor of the said server apparatus perform the step which transmits the said instruction | command with respect to the said selected control apparatus.

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