JP2019036131A - Device, program, update method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of easily updating operation-related information that correlates information on an event of an operation that occurs in another device with an operation to be executed by itself. Kind Code: A1 A device connected to another device via a network, which transmits information about an event of an operation that occurs in the device to the other device, and an event of an operation that occurs in the other device. A means for receiving information, a means for storing operation-related information in which information regarding an operation event and an operation to be executed are stored, and information regarding an event of an operation that has occurred in another device that has been received and an operation to be executed are associated with each other. If the operation-related information is stored, a means for controlling the operation-related information to be executed, a means for receiving the operation-related information from the information processing apparatus and updating the operation-related information, and receiving the received operation-related information to another device. Means for delivering and updating the operation-related information stored in another device, solves the above problem. [Selection diagram]

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, a program, an update method, and an information processing system.

  In recent years, many devices (devices) such as PCs (personal computers) have been connected via a network such as the Internet. Not only Internet communication but also network services called cloud, Web service, ASP (Application Service Provider) and the like are expanding. In addition, the Internet of Things (IoT) that connects devices including devices other than personal computers to the Internet is also known.

  For example, not only computers and computer networks but also the idea that everyday things can be readable, recognizable, positionable, addressable and controllable by an IoT communication network is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  One example of a system form in which various devices in the world are connected via a network is IoT. Conventionally, a group of devices (IoT devices) connected to a network in order to realize IoT supports an interaction between IoT devices by installing an agent. However, there has been a problem in the past that an interaction between IoT devices cannot be performed without installing an agent.

  An object of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a device that can easily update operation-related information that associates information related to an operation event that occurs in another device with an operation that is executed by the device itself.

  In order to achieve the above-described problem, claim 1 of the present application is a device connected to one or more other devices via a network, and information related to an operation event that has occurred in the device itself is transmitted via the network. Transmitting means for transmitting to the other device, first receiving means for receiving information on an operation event occurring in the other device from the other device via the network, and generated in the other device Storage means for storing operation-related information in which information related to an operation event and an operation executed by the own device are associated; information related to an operation event generated by the other device; and an operation executed by the own device; If the operation related information is stored, the received information related to the operation event generated in the other device Control means for performing control so as to execute the operation executed by the own device, and the operation related information received from the information processing apparatus or the other device that provides the operation related information, and stored in the storage means A second receiving unit that updates the operation-related information; and the operation-related information that is stored in the storage unit of the other device by distributing the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device. Distribution means for updating the data.

  It is possible to provide a device that can easily update operation-related information that associates information related to an operation event that occurs in another device with an operation that is executed by the device itself.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of an information processing system concerning a 1st embodiment. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an MFP. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of a computer. It is a functional block diagram of an example of the IoT device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of an example of a server device concerning this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of an example of PC concerning this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a device addition process. It is an image figure of an example of an apparatus addition screen. It is a block diagram of an example of apparatus information. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a rule addition process. It is an image figure of an example of a rule addition screen. It is an image figure of an example of the rule addition screen on which the choice of the setting item “target device” is displayed. It is an image figure of an example of the rule addition screen on which the setting item “main / sub” options are displayed. It is an image figure of an example of the rule addition screen on which the choice of the setting item “type of the device of the interaction source” is displayed. It is a block diagram of an example of choice information. It is an image figure of an example of the rule addition screen on which the choice of the setting item “operation performed by the device as the interaction source” is displayed. It is an image figure of an example of the rule addition screen in which all the setting items were set. It is a figure explaining an example of the added rule. It is an example screen image which displays the addition result of a rule. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a rule delivery process. It is a flowchart of an example of the process regarding the interaction of an IoT device. It is a sequence figure of an example of processing about interaction of an information processing system concerning this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. The information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example in which one or more IoT devices 10, a PC 12, and a router 13 are connected to the same network 14 so that data communication is possible. 1 has a configuration in which a network 14 is connected to a network 15 via a router 13. The server 15 is connected to the network 15 so that data communication is possible.

  Further, in the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1, as an example of one or more IoT devices 10, an illumination device 10A, a projector 10B, an air conditioner 10C, an MFP 10D as an example of an image forming device, an electronic blackboard 10E, and a TV / Web conference system 10F. Is shown. The image forming apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP 10D) and a printer. Various devices (devices) connectable to the network 14 can be applied to the IoT device 10 in addition to the IoT device of FIG. In the embodiment of the present invention, for convenience of explanation, these devices (devices) are referred to as “IoT devices”, but are not limited thereto.

  The same network 14 is a network segment in a range where data is transmitted by broadcast (broadcast communication), and is, for example, a subnet. The data broadcast from one IoT device 10 connected to the network 14 is transmitted to all the IoT devices 10 connected to the network 14 and the PC 12, and to the other network 15 connected via the router 13. Not sent. Thus, a subnet is an example of a network of a predetermined management unit.

  When an operation event such as power ON occurs, the IoT device 10 broadcasts information related to the operation event (interaction information). When the IoT device 10 receives the interaction information broadcast from another IoT device 10, the IoT device 10 performs an operation (interaction) according to a rule described later. The operation event is not limited to an operation event that acts on another IoT device 10 (for example, an operation instructing another IoT device 10 or an operation requesting a response). For example, an event of an operation that simply turns on the power or an operation that is completed by the own device is also notified to other IoT devices 10 as interaction information.

  The PC 12 is an example of a client terminal that receives an operation for setting a rule from a user and transmits the rule to the server device 11. The rule may be set from the IoT device 10 having a user interface (UI) such as the MFP 10D. The IoT device 10 having a UI such as the MFP 10 </ b> D is also an example of a client terminal that receives an operation for setting a rule from a user and transmits the rule to the server apparatus 11.

  For example, the PC 12 or the IoT device 10 having a UI that allows the user to set a rule acquires function information from the IoT device 10 connected to the same network 14, and accepts the rule setting in consideration of the function of the IoT device 10. It may be. Further, the IoT device 10 having a PC 12 or a UI that allows the user to set a rule acquires function information of the IoT device 10 connected to the same network 14 from the server apparatus 11, and the rules are taken into consideration for the function of the IoT device 10. You may make it accept the setting of.

  The server device 11 receives and stores a rule that the IoT device 10 having the PC 12 or UI has received a setting from the user. Further, the server apparatus 11 provides a rule in response to a rule acquisition request from the IoT device 10. In the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the rules stored in the IoT device 10 connected to the same network 14 can be easily updated. The server apparatus 11 is an example of an information processing apparatus that receives a rule acquisition request from the IoT device 10 and provides the rule to the IoT device 10.

  The IoT device 10 in which the operation event has occurred broadcasts the interaction information without being aware of the other IoT devices 10 that receive the interaction information. Other IoT devices 10 connected to the same network 14 receive the interaction information, and determine whether or not to execute the interaction according to a rule described later.

  As described above, in the IoT device 10 connected to the same network 14, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment receives an operation event generated in one IoT device 10, and another IoT device 10 executes an interaction. it can.

  The “IoT device” in the present embodiment refers to a device connected to the network 14 for realizing the Internet of Things (IoT). In the present embodiment, as an example of the IoT device 10, a lighting device 10A, a projector 10B, an air conditioner 10C, an MFP 10D, an electronic blackboard 10E, and a TV / Web conference system 10F are shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various devices are included such as household devices with communication functions such as TVs and televisions, vending machines, cameras, industrial or household devices with communication functions, and medical devices with communication functions.

<Hardware configuration>
<< IoT device >>
In the case of an MFP 10D as an example of an image forming apparatus, the IoT device 10 in FIG. 1 is realized by, for example, the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the MFP. An MFP 10D illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a controller 601, an external I / F 603, a communication I / F 604, a printer 605, a scanner 606, and the like.

  The controller 601 includes a CPU 611, a RAM 612, a ROM 613, an NVRAM 614, an HDD 615, and the like. The ROM 613 stores various programs and data. The RAM 612 temporarily stores programs and data. The NVRAM 614 stores setting information, for example. The HDD 615 stores various programs and data.

  The CPU 611 implements control and functions of the entire MFP 10 </ b> D by reading programs, data, setting information, and the like from the ROM 613, NVRAM 614, HDD 615, and the like onto the RAM 612 and executing processing.

  The external I / F 603 is an interface with an external device. Examples of the external device include an operation panel 621, a recording medium 622, and an IC card reader 623. Accordingly, the MFP 10D can communicate with, for example, the operation panel 621 and the IC card reader 623 via the external I / F 603. The operation panel 621 includes an input unit that receives input from the user and a display unit that performs display.

  The MFP 10 </ b> D can read and / or write the recording medium 622 via the external I / F 603. Examples of the recording medium 622 include an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and a SIM card.

  The communication I / F 604 is an interface that connects the MFP 10 </ b> D to the network 14. Thus, the MFP 10D can perform data communication via the communication I / F 604. A printer 605 is a printing device for printing print data on a transported object. For example, the object to be conveyed is not limited to paper, such as paper, coated paper, cardboard, OHP, plastic film, prepreg, and copper foil. A scanner 606 is a reading device for reading image data (electronic data) from a document.

"Computer"
The computer constituting the server device 11 and the PC 12 in FIG. 1 is realized by a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer.

  A computer 500 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, an HDD 508, and the like. Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The input device 501 is a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like, and is used by a user or the like to input each operation signal. A display device 502 is a display or the like, and displays a processing result by the computer 500. A communication I / F 507 is an interface for connecting the computer 500 to a network. The HDD 508 is an example of a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and data.

  The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The computer 500 can read and / or write to a recording medium 503 a such as an SD memory card via the external I / F 503. The ROM 505 is an example of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) in which programs and data are stored. The RAM 504 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 506 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 500 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 and the HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executing processing. The server apparatus 11 and the PC 12 in FIG. 1 can realize various functions as described later by the hardware configuration of the computer 500 in FIG. 3, for example.

<Functional configuration>
Here, the functional configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, but description of components unnecessary for the description of the present embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

<< IoT device >>
The IoT device 10 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, functional blocks as illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of the IoT device according to the present embodiment.

  The IoT device 10 shown in FIG. 4 executes a program, thereby causing an interaction processing unit 21, an interaction information transmission unit 22, an interaction information reception unit 23, a control unit 24, a rule reception unit 25, a rule distribution unit 26, and a rule storage unit 27. Realized.

  The interaction processing unit 21 executes the operation of the IoT device 10. For example, in the case of the lighting device 10A, the interaction processing unit 21 performs an operation such as “attach the lighting device with 50% brightness”. In the case of the air conditioner 10C, the interaction processing unit 21 performs an operation such as “strengthen air conditioning”.

  The interaction information transmitting unit 22 performs broadcast communication of information (interaction information) regarding an event of an operation performed by the interaction information transmitting unit 22. Details of the interaction information will be described later. The interaction information receiving unit 23 receives interaction information from other IoT devices 10 by broadcast communication.

  The control unit 24 reads a later-described rule stored in the rule storage unit 27. If a rule for the interaction information received by the interaction information reception unit 23 is set, the control unit 24 executes an operation according to the rule. Details of the processing of the control unit 24 will be described later. The rule receiving unit 25 receives a rule from another IoT device 10 or the server device 11 and updates the rule stored in the rule storage unit 27. The rule storage unit 27 stores rules.

  For example, if no rule is stored in the rule storage unit 27, the rule receiving unit 25 requests the server device 11 to acquire a rule, and acquires the rule from the server device 11. For example, the rule receiving unit 25 of the IoT device 10 newly added to the network 14 acquires a rule from the server device 11 because no rule is stored in the rule storage unit 27.

  The rule distribution unit 26 needs to update the rule (recognition rule) registered in the IoT device 10 of the same network 14 if the rule acquired from the server device 11 includes a rule related to the own device. Judge. If it is necessary to update the recognition rule, the rule distribution unit 26 broadcasts information necessary for updating the recognition rule.

  Note that the rule receiving unit 25 may make an inquiry to the server apparatus 11 as to whether or not it is necessary to update the recognition rule registered in the IoT device 10 of the same network 14. If it is necessary to update the recognition rule, the server device 11 returns information necessary for updating the rule to the rule receiving unit 25. For example, when there is an inquiry from the rule receiving unit 25 after adding a rule to be described later, the server device 11 determines that the recognition rule needs to be updated. The rule distribution unit 26 broadcasts information necessary for updating the recognition rule received from the server device 11.

<Server equipment>
The server device 11 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, functional blocks as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an example of a server apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The server device 11 in FIG. 5 executes the program, thereby accessing the access processing unit 31, the screen data generating unit 32, the device information adding unit 33, the option information providing unit 34, the rule adding unit 35, the rule providing unit 36, and the device information storage. A unit 37, an option information storage unit 38, and a rule storage unit 39 are realized.

  The access processing unit 31 receives an access request from the PC 12. The screen data generation unit 32 generates UI screen data and transmits it to the PC 12. The device information adding unit 33 adds device information to the device information storage unit 37 in accordance with a device addition request from the PC 12. The option information providing unit 34 provides the PC 12 with option information for displaying options on the UI screen. The rule addition unit 35 adds a rule to the rule storage unit 39 in accordance with the rule addition request from the PC 12. The rule providing unit 36 provides the rules stored in the rule storage unit 39 to the IoT device 10 in accordance with the rule acquisition request from the IoT device 10. The device information storage unit 37 stores device information. The option information storage unit 38 stores option information. The rule storage unit 39 stores rules.

<< PC >>
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an example of a PC according to the present embodiment. The PC 12 in FIG. 6 implements an access request unit 41, a screen control unit 42, a device addition request unit 43, and a rule addition request unit 44 by executing a program.

  When the access request unit 41 receives a login operation from the user, the access request unit 41 issues an access request to the server device 11. The screen control unit 42 receives UI screen data from the server device 11 and displays a UI screen. For example, the screen control unit 42 displays a device addition screen or a rule addition screen, which will be described later, and accepts device addition operations and rule addition operations from the user. Upon receiving a device addition operation from the user, the device addition request unit 43 makes a device addition request to the server device 11. When the rule addition request unit 44 accepts a rule addition operation from the user, it makes a rule addition request to the server device 11.

<Processing>
<Add equipment>
The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment displays a device addition screen on the IoT device 10 or the PC 12 having a UI and accepts addition of a device from the user. Here, an example of accepting addition of a device from the PC 12 will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of device addition processing.

  In step S11, the access request unit 41 of the PC 12 receives a login operation from the user. In step S12, the access request unit 41 makes an access request to the server device 11. In the access request in step S12, authentication with a login ID and a password may be performed. When performing authentication, the server device 11 manages a login ID and a password.

  When the access request from the PC 12 is received, the access processing unit 31 of the server device 11 proceeds to step S13 and requests the screen data generation unit 32 to generate device addition screen data described later. The screen data generation unit 32 generates device addition screen data. The screen data generation unit 32 proceeds to step S14, and transmits the generated device addition screen data to the PC 12.

  In step S15, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 receives the device addition screen data from the server device 11, and displays, for example, the device addition screen shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an image diagram of an example of the device addition screen. The device addition screen is a screen image for additionally registering a new IoT device 10 to be added.

  The device addition screen in FIG. 8 includes a device ID input field and an additional device type registration field. The device ID input field is an example of an input field for receiving an input of the device ID of the IoT device 10 from the user. The additional device type registration field is an example of a registration field for accepting registration of the additional device type from the user as necessary. Registration of the type of the additional device is not essential, but if the type is not registered, the operation that can be registered as a rule is “ON / OFF”.

  In step S16, the screen control unit 42 accepts a device addition operation by the user from the device addition screen shown in FIG. For example, the user inputs the device ID of the IoT device 10 to be added to the device ID input field. Further, the user registers the type of the IoT device 10 to be added in the registration column for the type of additional device. Thereafter, the user presses the add button on the device addition screen in FIG. When the add button is pressed, the device addition request unit 43 of the PC 12 issues a device addition request to the server apparatus 11 in step S17.

  In step S 18, the device information adding unit 33 of the server device 11 adds device information to the device information storage unit 37 in accordance with a device addition request from the PC 12. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an example of device information. The device information in FIG. 9 is a database that associates a login ID, a device ID, and a device type. Based on the device information in FIG. 9, the server device 11 manages the device ID and the device type in association with the login ID. The login ID is an example of information for identifying the user who registered the device information. The device ID is an example of identification information that uniquely identifies the IoT device 10. The type of device is an example of identification information that identifies the type of the IoT device 10.

  When the addition of the device information to the device information storage unit 37 is completed, the device information adding unit 33 returns a result to the PC 12 in step S19. In step S20, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the result of adding device information.

<Add rule>
The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment displays a rule addition screen on the IoT device 10 or the PC 12 having a UI and accepts addition of a rule from the user. Here, an example of accepting addition of a rule from the PC 12 will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the rule addition process.

  In step S31, the access request unit 41 of the PC 12 receives a login operation from the user. In step S 32, the access request unit 41 makes an access request to the server device 11. In the access request in step S32, authentication with a login ID and a password may be performed. When performing authentication, the server device 11 manages a login ID and a password.

  When the access request from the PC 12 is received, the access processing unit 31 of the server device 11 proceeds to step S33 and requests the screen data generation unit 32 to generate rule addition screen data described later. The screen data generation unit 32 generates rule addition screen data. The screen data generation unit 32 proceeds to step S34, and transmits the generated rule addition screen data to the PC 12.

  In step S35, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 receives the rule addition screen data from the server device 11, and displays, for example, the rule addition screen shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen. The rule addition screen is a screen image for additionally registering a new rule to be added.

  The rule addition screen in FIG. 11 has, as setting items, the target device, main / sub, the type of the interaction source device, the operation executed by the interaction source device, and the operation executed by the own device. The setting item “target device” is information for identifying the IoT device 10 that is the target of the rule to be added, and is information indicating the type of the device, for example. The setting item “main / sub” is information for identifying main interaction information or sub-interaction information.

  The setting item “type of interaction source device” is information for identifying the type of the transmission source device of the main interaction information or the sub interaction information. The setting item “operation executed by the interaction source device” is information for identifying an operation that occurs in the transmission source device of the main interaction information or the secondary interaction information. The setting item “operation executed by the own device” is information for identifying an operation executed by the IoT device 10 as a target of the rule to be added.

  In step S36, when the user selects a setting item (device type, operation information corresponding to the device, etc.) on the rule addition screen of FIG. 11 by the user, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S37 and is selected. The server device 11 is requested for the selected setting item option. In step S 38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server apparatus 11 acquires the option of the setting item selected by the user from the option information storage unit 38. In step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information.

  In step S40, the screen controller 42 of the PC 12 displays the setting item options selected by the user. By displaying the setting item options, the user can select a desired setting from the options in step S41.

  For example, when the setting item “target device” is selected from the rule addition screen of FIG. 11 in step S 36, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S 37 and requests the server device 11 for an option of the setting item “target device”. In step S 38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server device 11 acquires the option of the setting item “target device” selected by the user from the option information storage unit 38. In step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option of the setting item “target device” acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information. In step S40, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the option of the setting item “target device” selected by the user as shown in FIG. 12, for example, and accepts the selection of the target device from the user in step S41. it can. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen on which options of the setting item “target device” are displayed.

  The options of the setting item “target device” include devices added by the device addition process described above. The option of the setting item “target device” may display the device ID instead of the device type, or may display the device type and the device ID together. The processes in steps S36 to S41 are repeatedly performed, and setting items are sequentially selected by the user.

  Subsequently, when the setting item “main / secondary” is selected from the rule addition screen in step S <b> 36, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S <b> 37 and requests the server device 11 for an option of the setting item “main / secondary”. In step S 38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server device 11 acquires the option of the setting item “main / sub” selected by the user from the option information storage unit 38. In step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option of the setting item “main / sub” acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information. In step S40, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the setting item “main / sub” selected by the user as shown in FIG. 13, for example, so that the user can select main interaction information or sub-interaction information. Can be accepted. When the setting item “main / secondary” is selected from the rule addition screen, the option is fixed, and thus the option information may not be acquired from the server device 11 and the option may be displayed as shown in FIG. . FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen on which options for the setting item “main / sub” are displayed.

  Subsequently, when the setting item “interaction source device type” is selected from the rule addition screen in step S36, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S37, and selects the setting item “interaction source device type” as the server. Request to device 11. In step S 38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server device 11 acquires from the option information storage unit 38 the option of the setting item “interaction source device type” selected by the user. Proceeding to step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option of the setting item “interaction source device type” acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information. In step S40, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the setting item “interaction source device type” selected by the user as shown in FIG. 14, for example, so that the main interaction information or sub-interaction from the user is displayed. It is possible to accept selection of the type of information transmission source device. FIG. 14 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen on which the setting item “interaction source device type” options are displayed.

  The setting item “interaction source device type” includes the device added by the device addition process described above. It should be noted that the option of the setting item “interaction source device type” may display the device ID instead of the device type, or may display the device type and the device ID together.

  Subsequently, when the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device” is selected from the rule addition screen in step S36, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S37, and the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device”. Is requested to the server device 11. Proceeding to step S38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server apparatus 11 stores the option of the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device” selected by the user in the option information storage unit 38, for example, as shown in FIG. Obtained from option information.

  FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of an example of option information. The option information in FIG. 15 is a database that associates device types with device operations. The option information in FIG. 15 associates device operations that can be added by rules for each device type. Accordingly, the option information providing unit 34 of the server device 11 can acquire the option of the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device” according to the type of device set in the setting item “type of interaction source device”.

  In step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option of the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device” acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information. In step S40, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the option of the setting item “operation performed by the device as the interaction source” selected by the user as shown in FIG. It is possible to accept selection of an operation that occurs in the device that is the source of the interaction information. FIG. 16 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen on which options of the setting item “operation performed by the device as the interaction source” are displayed. Note that “ON” and “OFF” included in the options of the setting item “operations performed by the interaction source device” in FIG. 16 are included in the options by default.

  Subsequently, when the setting item “operation executed by the own device” is selected from the rule addition screen in step S36, the screen control unit 42 proceeds to step S37, and selects an option of the setting item “operation executed by the own device” as a server. Request to device 11. In step S 38, the option information providing unit 34 of the server apparatus 11 stores the option of the setting item “operation executed by the own device” selected by the user in the option information storage unit 38, for example, option information of FIG. Get from.

  The option information providing unit 34 of the server apparatus 11 can acquire the option of the setting item “operation executed by the own device” according to the type of the device set in the setting item “target device”. In step S39, the option information providing unit 34 provides the option of the setting item “operation executed by the own device” acquired in step S38 to the PC 12 as option information. In step S40, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the option of the setting item “operation performed by the interaction source device” selected by the user, so that the IoT device 10 that is the target of the rule to be added executes. An operation selection can be accepted.

  FIG. 17 is an image diagram of an example of a rule addition screen in which all setting items are set. By pressing an “add button” on the rule addition screen of FIG. 17 in which all setting items are set, the user can instruct to add a rule. In step S42, the user performs an operation of pressing an “add button” on the rule addition screen in FIG.

  In step S43, when the rule addition request unit 44 of the PC 12 receives an instruction to add a rule from the user, a rule addition request corresponding to the combination of setting items set on the rule addition screen of FIG. Do it. In step S44, the rule adding unit 35 of the server device 11 adds a rule to the rule storage unit 39 as shown in FIG. 18, for example, according to the rule addition request from the PC 12.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an added rule. The rule of FIG. 18 shows a rule in which the third record from the top is set on the rule addition screen of FIG. If the rule storage unit 39 has already logged in, the rule storage unit 39 may store the rule in association with the login ID. The login ID may be information that identifies a user, an organization, a company, a group, or the like. As shown in FIG. 18, a rule is an example of operation-related information in which “an operation executed by the own device” is associated with “an operation executed by an interaction source device”. Information other than the items described in FIG. 18 may be added to the operation related information.

  When the addition of the rule to the rule storage unit 39 is completed, the rule addition unit 35 returns a result to the PC 12 in step S45. In step S46, the screen control unit 42 of the PC 12 displays the rule addition result as shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is an example of a screen image that displays the result of adding a rule.

《Rule delivery》
When the MFP 10D is added to the network 14, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment distributes rules related to the MFP 10D to the IoT device 10 other than the MFP 10D, for example, as illustrated in FIG. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of rule distribution processing.

  In step S51, the rule receiving unit 25 of the MFP 10D makes a rule acquisition request to the server device 11. In step S52, the rule providing unit 36 of the server device 11 provides the rule stored in the rule storage unit 39 to the MFP 10D. In step S53, the rule receiving unit 25 of the MFP 10D stores the rule in the rule storage unit 27.

  The rule distribution unit 26 determines that it is necessary to update the rule (recognition rule) registered in the IoT device 10 of the same network 14 as the MFP 10D, and information necessary for updating the recognition rule is obtained in step S54. Broadcast communication. The illumination device 10A, the projector 10B, and the air conditioner 10C other than the MFP 10D that have received the information necessary for updating the recognition rules update the recognition rules stored in the rule storage unit 27 in steps S55 to S57, respectively.

  By updating the recognition rules stored in the rule storage unit 27, the IoT device 10 other than the MFP 10D added to the network 14 can perform a corresponding operation based on the interaction information transmitted from the MFP 10D. become able to.

<< Process related to IoT device interaction >>
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an example of processing related to IoT device interaction. In step S71, the interaction information transmission unit 22 of the IoT device 10 determines whether or not an operation event has occurred in its own device. If an operation event has occurred in the own device, the interaction information transmitting unit 22 proceeds to step S72 and transmits the generated operation event as interaction information by broadcast.

  Note that the interaction information transmitted in step S72 is performed based on information indicating whether the event is a main operation event or a sub operation event, information indicating the type of the own device, and an operation event. Information indicating the operation.

  As described above, the IoT device 10 connected to the network 14 broadcasts an event of an operation executed by the interaction processing unit 21 to the network 14 as interaction information. If an operation event has not occurred in the own device, the interaction information transmitting unit 22 skips step S72.

  In step S73, the interaction information receiving unit 23 of the IoT device 10 determines whether or not the interaction information has been received from another IoT device 10 by broadcast communication. If the interaction information receiving unit 23 has received the interaction information from the other IoT device 10, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the corresponding rule exists in step S74.

  The corresponding rule presence / absence determination in step S74 is a process of reading the rule stored in the rule storage unit 27 and determining the presence / absence of the rule of the interaction information received from the other IoT device 10 by the interaction information receiving unit 23. Whether or not there is a rule for the interaction information received from another IoT device 10 is determined based on whether or not a rule corresponding to the received interaction information is stored in the rule storage unit 27.

  If it is determined in step S75 that there is a rule (corresponding rule) for the interaction information received from the other IoT device 10, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S76, and performs control for executing “operation executed by own device” of the corresponding rule. I do. The interaction processing unit 21 executes the operation set in the “operation executed by own machine” of the corresponding rule.

  Progressing to step S77 following step S76, the interaction information transmitting unit 22 broadcasts the secondary interaction information of the operation executed by the interaction processing unit 21 in step S76, and returns to step S71. Note that if the interaction information receiving unit 23 has not received interaction information from another IoT device 10 in step S73, and if it is determined in step S75 that there is no corresponding rule, the process returns to step S71.

  As described above, when the IoT device 10 connected to the network 14 performs the operation set in the “operation executed by the own device” of the corresponding rule, the IoT device 10 transmits the secondary interaction information by broadcast.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing related to the interaction of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 22, the electronic blackboard 10E and the TV / Web conference system 10F are omitted.

  In step S <b> 81, the projector 10 </ b> B generates a power ON operation event by a user operation. In step S82, the interaction information transmission unit 22 of the projector 10B transmits main interaction information by broadcast. The main interaction information transmitted in step S82 includes information indicating a main operation event, information indicating a projector, and information indicating power ON.

  The lighting device 10A, the air conditioner 10C, and the MFP 10D receive the main interaction information transmitted from the projector 10B by broadcasting, and perform the presence / absence of the corresponding rule in step S83 and execute the operation in step S84. Note that the presence / absence determination of the corresponding rule in step S83 corresponds to the determination of presence / absence of the corresponding rule in step S74 of FIG. The operation execution in step S4 corresponds to the operation execution in step S76 in FIG.

  Further, in FIG. 14, it is determined that there is a corresponding rule in each of the lighting device 10A, the air conditioner 10C, and the MFP 10D in the determination of the presence / absence of the corresponding rule in step S83, and the operation is executed in step S84. If it is determined that there is no corresponding rule, the operation execution in step S84 is skipped.

  Steps S85 to S87 are processes in which each of the lighting device 10A, the air conditioner 10C, and the MFP 10D that has performed the operation in step S84 transmits the sub-interaction information of the operation performed by the interaction processing unit 21 in step S84 by broadcast. Each of lighting device 10A, projector 10B, air conditioner 10C, and MFP 10D that has received the secondary interaction information performs the presence / absence determination of the corresponding rule in step S83, and if it is determined that there is a corresponding rule, the execution of step S84 is performed. .

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. It should be noted that the information processing system 1 described in the present embodiment is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 IoT device 10A Illumination device 10B Projector 10C Air conditioner 10D MFP
10E Electronic blackboard 10F TV / Web conference system 11 Server device 12 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Router 14, 15 Network 21 Interaction processing part 22 Interaction information transmission part 23 Interaction information receiving part 24 Control part 25 Rule receiving part 26 Rule delivery part 27 Rule memory | storage part 31 Access processing part 32 Screen data generation part 33 Device information addition part 34 Option information providing unit 35 Rule adding unit 36 Rule providing unit 37 Device information storage unit 38 Option information storage unit 39 Rule storage unit 41 Access request unit 42 Screen control unit 43 Device addition request unit 44 Rule addition request unit

JP-T-2006-515328

Claims (13)

A device connected to one or more other devices via a network,
Transmitting means for transmitting information related to an operation event occurring in the own device to the other device via the network;
First receiving means for receiving, from the other device, information on an operation event that has occurred in the other device via the network;
Storage means for storing operation-related information in which information on an event of an operation that has occurred in the other device is associated with an operation executed by the own device;
If the operation related information that associates the received information related to the operation event generated in the other device and the operation executed by the own device is stored, the received information related to the event generated in the other device. Control means for controlling to execute the operation executed by the own device associated with
Second receiving means for receiving the motion related information from the information processing apparatus or the other device that provides the motion related information and updating the motion related information stored in the storage means;
Distribution means for distributing the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device and updating the operation-related information stored in the storage unit of the other device;
Having a device. The second receiving unit of the device added to the network receives the operation-related information from the information processing apparatus and stores the operation-related information in the storage unit;
The distribution unit of the device added to the network distributes the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus by the second reception unit to the other device;
The device of claim 1. The distribution unit distributes information necessary for updating the operation-related information to the other device when the operation-related information stored in the storage unit of the other device needs to be updated. The device according to claim 2. 4. The information on the operation event includes information indicating a type of a device in which the operation event has occurred and information indicating an operation performed by the operation event. A device according to claim 1. The device according to claim 1, wherein the network is a subnet. The transmission means transmits information on an event of an operation that has occurred in the own device to the other device by broadcasting,
The device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving unit receives information related to an event of an operation that has occurred in the other device by broadcasting. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit transmits the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device by broadcast. The device according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the operation event is information related to an interaction. A device connected to one or more other devices over a network
Transmitting means for transmitting information related to an operation event occurring in the own device to the other device via the network;
First receiving means for receiving, from the other device, information related to an operation event that has occurred in the other device via the network;
Storage means for storing operation-related information in which information related to an event of an operation that has occurred in the other device is associated with an operation executed by the own device;
If the operation related information that associates the received information related to the operation event generated in the other device and the operation executed by the own device is stored, the received information related to the event generated in the other device. Control means for controlling to execute the operation executed by the own device associated with
Second receiving means for receiving the motion related information from the information processing apparatus or the other device providing the motion related information and updating the motion related information stored in the storage means;
Distribution means for distributing the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device and updating the operation-related information stored in the storage unit of the other device;
Program to function as. An update method performed by a device connected to one or more other devices via a network,
A transmission step of transmitting information related to an operation event occurring in the own device to the other device via the network;
A first receiving step of receiving information on an operation event that has occurred in the other device from the other device via the network;
The storage unit stores operation-related information in which information related to an operation event generated in the other device is associated with an operation executed by the own device, and the received information related to the operation event generated in the other device; If the operation-related information that associates the operation executed by the own device is stored, the operation executed by the own device associated with the received information related to the event of the operation that has occurred in the other device is executed. Control steps to control,
A second receiving step of receiving the operation related information from the information processing apparatus or the other device that provides the operation related information and updating the operation related information stored in the storage unit;
A distribution step of distributing the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device and updating the operation-related information stored in the storage unit of the other device;
An updating method. An information processing system in which one or more devices and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network,
The device is
Transmitting means for transmitting information related to an operation event occurring in the own device to another device via the network;
First receiving means for receiving, from the other device, information on an operation event that has occurred in the other device via the network;
Storage means for storing operation-related information in which information on an event of an operation that has occurred in the other device is associated with an operation executed by the own device;
If the operation related information that associates the received information related to the operation event generated in the other device and the operation executed by the own device is stored, the received information related to the event generated in the other device. Control means for controlling to execute the operation executed by the own device associated with
Second receiving means for receiving the motion related information from the information processing apparatus or the other device that provides the motion related information and updating the motion related information stored in the storage means;
Distribution means for distributing the operation-related information received from the information processing apparatus to the other device and updating the operation-related information stored in the storage unit of the other device;
An information processing system. An information processing system in which one or more devices and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network,
The device is
Acquisition request means for requesting the information processing apparatus that provides the operation-related information to acquire operation-related information in which information related to an event of an operation that has occurred in another device is associated with an operation performed by the own device;
Receiving means for receiving the operation-related information from the information processing apparatus;
First storage means for storing the received motion-related information;
Have
The information processing apparatus includes:
Second storage means for storing the operation related information;
Upon receiving a request for acquisition of the operation related information from the device, providing means for providing the operation related information stored in the second storage unit to the device;
An information processing system. The information processing apparatus includes:
An adding means for adding the operation related information to the second storage means in accordance with a request for adding the operation related information from a terminal device connected via the network;
The information processing system according to claim 12, further comprising:

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