阅读说明：本技术 设备管理系统、设备管理装置、设备管理方法、和设备管理程序 (Device management system, device management apparatus, device management method, and device management program ) 是由 须藤智浩 水野慎也 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于对配置目标设备进行配置的设备管理系统,包括：候选确定器,被配置为基于多个已安装的设备中的每一个的位置信息和配置目标设备的位置信息,从多个已安装的设备中确定要被参考以对配置目标设备进行配置的参考设备的候选设备；参考设备选择器,被配置为基于配置目标设备上的设备操作,从由候选确定器确定的多个候选设备中选择参考设备；以及配置处理器,被配置为执行将被配置用于由参考设备选择器选择的参考设备的配置信息配置用于配置目标设备的处理。(A device management system for configuring a configuration target device, comprising: a candidate determiner configured to determine a candidate device of a reference device to be referred to configure the configuration target device from among the plurality of installed devices, based on the location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and the location information of the configuration target device; a reference device selector configured to select a reference device from the plurality of candidate devices determined by the candidate determiner based on a device operation on the configuration target device; and a configuration processor configured to perform a process of configuring the configuration information configured for the reference device selected by the reference device selector for configuring the target device.)

1. A device management system comprising at least one processor to configure a configuration target device, wherein

The at least one processor is configured to perform:

a candidate determination process of determining a candidate device, which is a candidate of a reference device to be referred to for configuring the configuration target device, from among a plurality of installed devices based on location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and location information of the configuration target device;

a reference device selection process of selecting a reference device from the plurality of candidate devices determined in the candidate determination process based on a device operation on the configuration target device; and

a configuration process of configuring configuration information of the reference device configured to be selected in the reference device selection process for the configuration target device.

2. The device management system of claim 1, wherein

The candidate determination processing includes:

a process of determining an installed device, which is located closest to the configuration target device among the plurality of installed devices, as a first candidate device, and

a process of determining an installed device different from the first candidate device among the plurality of installed devices as a second candidate device having a lower priority than that of the first candidate device.

3. The device management system of claim 1, wherein

The candidate determination processing includes:

a process of determining an installed device among a plurality of installed devices included in a first device group as a first candidate device, wherein the first device group forms a first area including a location of the configuration target device, and wherein devices of the first device group have the same configuration as each other, an

A process of determining an installed device among a plurality of installed devices included in a second device group as a second candidate device, wherein the second device group forms a second area including a location of the configuration target device, and wherein devices of the second device group have the same configuration as each other, an

The first device group is a device group including an installed device of the plurality of installed devices that is located closest to the configuration target device.

4. The device management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein

The at least one processor further performs a presentation control process that causes at least one of the first candidate device or the configuration target device to present first information indicating that the first candidate device is selected as the reference device, an

The reference device selection process includes: a process of selecting the first candidate device as the reference device in a case where no first device operation is detected within a certain period of time after the start of presenting the first information.

5. The device management system of claim 4, wherein

The configuration target device has a sensor configured to detect an orientation of the configuration target device itself, an

The first device operation is an operation for changing an orientation of the configuration target device.

6. The device management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein

The presentation control process includes: in the event that the first device operation is detected within the particular time period, causing at least one of the second candidate device or the configuration target device to present second information indicating that the second candidate device is selected as the reference device, an

The reference device selection process includes: a process of selecting the second candidate device as the reference device in a case where the first device operation is not detected within a certain period of time after the start of the presentation of the second information.

7. The device management system of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein

The configuration process includes: a process of keeping the configuration information configured for the configuration target device unchanged in a case where the first device operation is detected after the configuration information is configured for the configuration target device.

8. The device management system of claim 7, wherein

The configuration process includes: in a case where a second device operation on the configuration target device is detected after the configuration information is configured for the configuration target device, a process of changing a configuration change process of the configuration information configured for the configuration target device is started, and

the reference device selector includes: a process of reselecting the reference device from the plurality of candidate devices based on the first device operation after the configuration change process starts.

9. The device management system of claim 8, wherein

The configuration target device has a sensor configured to detect an acceleration acting on the configuration target device itself, and

the second device operation is an operation of continuously applying acceleration to the configuration target device for a predetermined period of time.

10. The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one processor further executes an initial value determination process for determining whether the configuration information configured for the configuration target device is an initial value, and

the reference device selection process includes: a process of selecting the reference device from the plurality of candidate devices in a case where the configuration information configured for the configuration target device is determined to be an initial value.

11. A device management apparatus configured to configure a configuration target device, the device management apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to perform:

a candidate determination process of determining a candidate device, which is a candidate of a reference device to be referred to for configuring the configuration target device, from among a plurality of installed devices based on location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and location information of the configuration target device;

a reference device selection process of selecting the reference device from the plurality of candidate devices determined in the candidate determination process based on a device operation on the configuration target device; and

a configuration process of configuring configuration information of the reference device configured to be selected in the reference device selection process for the configuration target device.

12. A device management method for configuring a configuration target device, the method comprising:

determining a candidate device from among a plurality of installed devices, which is a candidate of a reference device to be referred to configure the configuration target device, based on location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and location information of the configuration target device;

selecting the reference device from the determined plurality of candidate devices based on device operations on the configuration target device; and

performing a process of configuring the configuration information configured for the selected reference device for the configuration target device.

13. A device management program that causes a computer to execute the device management method according to claim 12.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a device management system, a device management apparatus, a device management method, and a device management program.

Background

Patent document 1 describes a management apparatus configured to receive identification information of a second device located within a predetermined range from a first device from the newly installed first device, retrieve an installation position corresponding to the received identification information from a database, and estimate and display an installation position of the first device based on the retrieved installation position of the second device.

CITATION LIST

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese application laid-open No. 2005-312017.

Disclosure of Invention

The device management system according to the first aspect is a system including at least one processor to configure a configuration target device. The at least one processor is configured to perform: a candidate determination process of determining a candidate device, which is a candidate of a reference device to be referred to configure the configuration target device, from the plurality of installed devices based on the location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and the location information of the configuration target device; a reference device selection process of selecting a reference device from the plurality of candidate devices determined in the candidate determination process based on a device operation on the configuration target device; and a configuration process of configuring configuration information of the reference device configured to be selected in the reference device selection process for the configuration target device.

The device management apparatus according to the second aspect is a device for configuring a configuration target device. The device management apparatus includes a controller configured to perform: a candidate determination process of determining a candidate device, which is a candidate of a reference device to be referred to configure the configuration target device, from the plurality of installed devices based on the location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and the location information of the configuration target device; a reference device selection process of selecting a reference device from the plurality of candidate devices determined in the candidate determination process based on a device operation on the configuration target device; and a configuration process of configuring configuration information of the reference device configured to be selected in the reference device selection process for the configuration target device.

A device management method according to a third aspect is a method for configuring a configuration target device. The device management method comprises the following steps: determining a candidate device from the plurality of installed devices based on the location information of each of the plurality of installed devices and the location information of the configuration target device, the candidate device being a candidate of a reference device to be referred to configure the configuration target device; selecting a reference device from the determined plurality of candidate devices based on device operations on the configuration target device; and performing a process of configuring the configuration information configured for the selected reference device for configuring the target device.

The device management program according to the fourth aspect causes a computer to execute the device management method according to the third aspect.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration of a device management system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates example operations of a device management apparatus in a second scenario according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a device management system configured in accordance with another example;

fig. 4 shows a configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 shows a configuration of a device management apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates installation device information in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a first mode of operation of a candidate determiner according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a first mode of operation of a candidate determiner according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a second mode of operation of a candidate determiner according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates example operations of a device management apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a specific example of a device configuration operation according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a specific example of a configuration change operation according to one embodiment; and

fig. 13 illustrates an example change in the system configuration shown in fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

In recent years, as internet of things (IoT) technology is widely used, devices having a communication function are expected to be explosively increased. Such devices may require various types of configuration at installation.

However, not only does the user manually input the configuration information for each device require a lot of labor, but also it may cause a problem that the device may not operate as intended due to an input error of the configuration information or the like.

Thus, the present disclosure allows for efficient performance of configuration procedures on devices.

Embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals.

(example System configuration)

Fig. 1 shows an example configuration of a device management system 1 according to an embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the device management system 1 has a plurality of communication devices 100 (communication devices 100a and 100b), a communication network 200, and a device management apparatus 300.

The communication apparatus 100 is apparatuses each having a communication function. The communication device 100 is, for example, a sensor device each having various sensors, and communicates via the communication network 200 to transmit measurement information acquired by the various sensors.

The communication device 100 performs Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) wireless communication with the communication network 200. LPWA is a wireless communication scheme that enables remote communication while suppressing power consumption.

LPWA includes, for example, cellular LPWA, SIGFOX, or LoRaWAN. The cellular LPWA may be enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) or narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) defined in 3 rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standards.

The communication device 100 may be installed outdoors or indoors. In the case where the communication device 100 is installed outdoors, the communication device 100 is driven by a battery provided in each device. In the case where the communication device 100 is installed indoors, the communication device 100 may be driven by power supplied from a battery provided in each device, or may be driven by power supplied from a commercial power supply (AC power supply).

The communication network 200 includes a base station 210A configured to perform wireless communication with the communication apparatus 100 and a high-frequency communication network (wide area network (WAN)). The communication network 200 may also include the internet.

The device management apparatus 300 is a server connected to the communication network 200. The device management apparatus 300 manages the communication device 100 by communicating with the communication device 100 via the communication network 200.

The device management apparatus 300 does not necessarily have to be a dedicated server. The device management apparatus 300 may be a general-purpose terminal (e.g., a smart phone or a PC) in which a device management application is installed.

In one embodiment, a case is assumed where the communication apparatus 100b is newly installed on the condition that the communication apparatus 100a has been previously installed. The communication device 100a corresponds to an installed device, and the communication device 100b corresponds to a configuration target device.

The first scenario is a scenario in which the communication apparatus 100a is replaced (exchanged) with the communication apparatus 100 b. For example, when the battery of the communication apparatus 100a has failed or needs to be replaced, the installed communication apparatus 100a is removed, and a new communication apparatus 100b is installed at the installation position where the communication apparatus 100a has been installed. The removal of the communication apparatus 100a refers to moving the communication apparatus 100a from the installation position of the communication apparatus 100a to another position.

The second scenario is a scenario in which a new communication apparatus 100b is additionally installed while maintaining the communication apparatus 100a after the communication apparatus 100a has been installed. For example, in order to two-dimensionally cover an area to be measured (for example, a field or a factory), the communication device 100b is newly installed in the vicinity of the installed communication device 100 a.

In the first and second scenarios, the device management apparatus 300 initially receives first location information indicating an installation location of the already installed communication device 100a from the communication device 100a, and receives second location information indicating a current location of the communication device 100b to be newly installed from the communication device 100 b. Here, the "installation position of the communication apparatus 100 a" refers to a position where the communication apparatus 100a has been installed in the past, or a position where the communication apparatus 100a is currently installed.

Here, when the communication apparatus 100 is used outdoors, the location information (the first location information and the second location information, respectively) may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) location information.

On the other hand, when the communication device 100 is used indoors, signals from GNSS satellites may not reach the communication device 100, and thus the position information may include information on the surrounding environment of the communication device 100. For example, when the communication apparatus 100 is used indoors, the location information (the first location information and the second location information, respectively) may include at least one of: the wireless LAN receives signal strength, proximity sensor measurement information, magnetic field sensor measurement information, atmospheric pressure sensor measurement information, and an external device as a destination of wireless connection.

Next, the device management apparatus 300 determines whether the communication device 100b is located within a predetermined range from the installation position of the communication device 100a based on the first position information and the second position information. The phrase "the communication apparatus 100b is located within a predetermined range from the installation position of the communication apparatus 100 a" means that the communication apparatus 100b is located at the same position as the installation position of the communication apparatus 100a or in the vicinity of the installation position of the communication apparatus 100 a. Here, the phrase "the same position as the mounting position of the communication apparatus 100 a" is intended to also include a position that can be considered to be the same as the mounting position of the communication apparatus 100a in consideration of a measurement error (measurement accuracy) of the position information.

Next, upon determining that the communication device 100b is located within a predetermined range from the installation position of the communication device 100a, the device management apparatus 300 transmits the same configuration information as that applied to the communication device 100a to the communication device 100 b. In other words, the communication device 100b receives the same configuration information as that applied to the communication device 100a already located at the position of the communication device 100b or the communication device 100a located in the vicinity of the communication device 100b from the device management apparatus 300. Subsequently, the communication device 100b stores the configuration information received from the device management apparatus 300, and controls the operation of the communication device 100b based on the stored configuration information.

As a result, the first scenario and the second scenario allow the configuration information of the communication apparatus 100a to be referred to as (applied as) the configuration information of the communication apparatus 100b to be newly installed. Therefore, compared to the case where the user manually inputs the configuration information of the communication device 100b, the labor of the user can be reduced, and also the occurrence of an input error of the configuration information or the like can be prevented.

In the second scenario in which a new communication device 100b is added to the already-installed communication device 100a so as to two-dimensionally cover the area to be measured (e.g., the field or the factory), the device management apparatus 300 may perform operations as described below. Fig. 2 illustrates an example operation of the device management apparatus 300 in the second scenario.

As shown in fig. 2, when there are three or more installed communication devices 100a, the device management apparatus 300 initially receives first location information from each of the three or more communication devices 100a and second location information from a new communication device 100 b.

Next, in the case where the configuration information applied to the three or more communication devices 100a is the same, the device management apparatus 300 determines whether or not the new communication device 100b is located within a polygonal area (area a) whose vertex is the respective installation position of each of the three or more communication devices 100a, based on the respective first position information and second position information of each of the three or more communication devices 100 a.

Upon determining that the communication device 100b is located within the area a, the device management apparatus 300 transmits the same configuration information as that applied to the three or more communication devices 100a to the new communication device 100 b. As a result, the new communication device 100b is configured with the same configuration information as that applied to the three or more communication devices 100 a.

Here, fig. 2 shows an example in which three communication apparatuses 100a are installed. For example, in the case where the area of the object to be measured is a triangle, the communication devices 100a (three in total) are initially installed near each vertex of the triangular area. Next, the new communication device 100b is sequentially additionally installed within the triangular area. In this case, although manual configuration is required when three communication apparatuses 100a are installed, the configuration of all the new communication apparatuses 100b is automatically performed.

Alternatively, when the area to be measured is a quadrangle, the communication device 100a (four in total) is initially installed near each vertex of the quadrangle area. Next, the new communication device 100b is sequentially additionally installed within the quadrangular area. In this case, although manual configuration is required when four communication apparatuses 100a are installed, the configuration of all new communication apparatuses 100b is automatically performed.

Note that in the case where the communication apparatus 100 is installed indoors and has a wireless LAN communication function, the communication apparatus 100 may perform wireless LAN communication with an access point installed indoors, instead of LPWA communication. Fig. 3 shows a device management system 1 configured according to another example.

As shown in fig. 3, the communication apparatus 100 is installed in a facility (indoor). For example, the facility is a factory or a residence. The communication apparatus 100 performs wireless LAN communication with an access point 210B included in the in-facility communication network 200. The device management apparatus 300 manages the communication device 100 by communicating with the communication device 100 via the communication network 200 (access point 210B).

(example configuration of communication device)

Fig. 4 shows a configuration of the communication apparatus 100 according to one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4, the communication apparatus 100 has an antenna 110, a communicator 120, a controller 130, a storage 140, a power manager 150, a position sensor 160, various sensors 170, an operation input device 180, and a display 190.

The antenna 110 is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The communicator 120 communicates with the device management apparatus 300 via the communication network 200. In one embodiment, the communicator 120 includes an LPWA communicator 121 configured to perform LPWA communication with a base station 210A included in the communication network 200, and/or a wireless LAN communicator 122 configured to perform wireless LAN communication with an access point 210B included in the communication network 200.

The LPWA communicator 121 and the wireless LAN communicator 122 perform processing such as amplification and filtering of a wireless signal received by the antenna 110 from the base station 210A, convert the wireless signal into a baseband signal, and output the converted signal to the controller 130. The LPWA communicator 121 and the wireless LAN communicator 122 convert the baseband signal input from the controller 130 into a wireless signal, perform amplification processing and the like thereon, and transmit the resultant signal from the antenna 110.

The controller 130 performs various processes and controls in the communication device 100. For example, the controller 130 controls the communicator 120 to communicate with the device management apparatus 300 via the communication network 200. The controller 130 may control the position sensor 160 to periodically acquire the position information and control the communicator 120 to periodically transmit (upload) the position information to the device management apparatus 300. The controller 130 includes at least one processor. The processor may include a baseband processor and a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The baseband processor performs modulation and demodulation, encoding and decoding, and the like of a baseband signal. The CPU executes programs stored in the storage device 140 to perform various processes.

The storage device 140 includes volatile memory and nonvolatile memory. The storage device 140 stores programs to be executed by the controller 130 and information used by the controller 130 in processing.

The storage 140 stores configuration information for configuring functions and operations of the communication apparatus 100 under the control of the controller 130.

For example, the configuration information includes information for configuring transmission timing of measurement information acquired by various sensors 170 (at least one sensor). The information may be information for configuring a point in time (e.g., 10 o ' clock, 14 o ' clock, and/or 18 o ' clock) or a period of time (e.g., 12 hours and/or 24 hours) for uploading measurement information acquired by the various sensors 170 to the device management apparatus 300 or another server. At the timing determined according to the configuration information, the controller 130 uploads the measurement information acquired by the various sensors 170 via the communicator 120.

Further, the configuration information includes information for configuring a sensor to be enabled or disabled among the various sensors 170 (a plurality of sensors). In other words, the information is information for configuring the type of measurement information to be uploaded to the device management apparatus 300 or another server. For example, in the case where the various sensors 170 include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic field sensor (geomagnetic sensor), and an acceleration sensor, the temperature and the humidity are configured as measurement information to be uploaded. In this case, the controller 130 enables (turns on) the humidity sensor and the atmospheric pressure sensor, and disables (turns off) the atmospheric pressure sensor, the magnetic field sensor, and the acceleration sensor based on the configuration information.

In addition, the configuration information may include a program to be executed by the controller 130. The program may be a control program (firmware) or an application program.

Further, the storage 140 stores an address (for example, an IP address) of the device management apparatus 300 in advance, thereby allowing the communication device 100 to access the device management apparatus 300. In addition, the storage device 140 stores device identification information (device ID) for identifying a device in advance.

The power manager 150 includes a battery and its peripheral circuits. The power manager 150 provides driving power of the communication device 100. Here, in the case where the communication device 100 receives power supply from the outside, the power manager 150 may include a circuit configured to convert power supplied from the outside.

The position sensor 160 is a sensor for acquiring position information indicating the current position of the communication apparatus 100. For example, position sensor 160 is configured to include a GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a Global navigation satellite System (GLONASS) receiver, an India Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) receiver, a COMPASS receiver, a Galileo receiver, and/or a QZSS satellite System receiver, among others. The position sensor 160 acquires position information under the control of the controller 130, and outputs the acquired position information (GNSS position information) to the controller 130.

The various sensors 170 include an acceleration sensor configured to detect acceleration added to the communication device 100. The various sensors 170 may include at least one of: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic field sensor (geomagnetic sensor), an illuminance sensor, and a proximity sensor. The various sensors 170 may include image sensors for acquiring images via image capture. The various sensors 170 perform measurement under the control of the controller 130, and output measurement information acquired through the measurement to the controller 130.

The various sensors 170 include sensors configured to detect the orientation of the communication device 100. Although, for example, a multi-axis acceleration sensor and/or a geomagnetic sensor may be used as such a sensor, any sensor capable of detecting the orientation of the communication apparatus 100 may be used.

The operation inputter 180 receives a user operation and outputs a signal indicating details of the operation to the controller 130. For example, the operation inputter 180 includes a power switch for powering on or off the communication apparatus 100. The operation inputter 180 may include various keys (various buttons) configured to accept manual input of configuration information.

The display 190 performs various types of transmission under the control of the controller 130. The display 190 includes indicators configured to display the current status of the communication device 100. The indicator comprises, for example, an LED. The display 190 may include a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper. Here, the communication apparatus 100 may have an audio outputter (speaker) instead of or in addition to the display 190.

(example configuration of device management apparatus)

Fig. 5 shows a configuration of the device management apparatus 300 according to an embodiment.

As shown in fig. 5, the device management apparatus 300 includes a communicator 310, a controller 320, and a storage 330.

The communicator 310 receives location information and measurement information from the communication device 100. The communicator 310 is configured to include a wired communication module or a wireless communication module to communicate with the communication device 100 via the communication network 200. The wireless communication module may be a bluetooth (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as "BT") communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module.

The controller 320 performs various processes and controls in the device management apparatus 300. For example, the controller 320 controls the communicator 310 to communicate with the communication device 100 via the communication network 200. The controller 320 may include at least one processor. The processor executes a program stored in the storage device 330 to perform various processes.

The storage 330 includes volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and a secondary storage device (e.g., a hard disk). The storage device 330 stores programs to be executed by the controller 320, and information to be used by the controller 320 in processing.

The storage 330 stores, for example, installation apparatus information such as that shown in fig. 6. The controller 320 manages the installation apparatus information stored in the storage 330. As shown in fig. 6, the installation apparatus information includes apparatus identification information (apparatus ID) for identifying the communication apparatus 100, position information (first position information) indicating an installation position of the communication apparatus 100a, and configuration information applied to the communication apparatus 100a for each of the installed communication apparatuses 100 a.

When the communication device 100b to be newly installed is detected, and after the configuration has been completed for the communication device 100b to be newly installed, the controller 320 may add information corresponding to the communication device 100 to the installation device information. Further, even if it has been detected that the installed communication device 100a has been removed, the controller 320 may hold information corresponding to the removed communication device 100a in the installation device information.

The controller 320 performs a process of configuring the new communication device 100b as the configuration target device. In one embodiment, the controller 320 executes a program stored in the storage 330 to configure the initial value determiner 321, the candidate determiner 322, the presentation controller 323, the reference device selector 324, and the configuration processor 325.

The initial value determiner 321 determines whether the configuration information applied to the new communication device 100b is an initial value. For example, the initial value determiner 321 receives a notification indicating whether the configuration information is an initial value from the new communication device 100b via the communicator 310, and performs determination based on the notification. In the case where the user or the like has applied configuration information different from the initial value to the new communication apparatus 100b, the configuration information is prioritized so as not to refer to the configuration information of the already-installed communication apparatus 100 a.

The candidate determiner 322 determines a candidate device of a reference device to be referred to when configuring the new communication device 100b from among the installed communication devices 100a, based on the position information (first position information) of each of the installed communication devices 100a and the position information (second position information) of the new communication device 100 b. For example, the modes for determining candidate devices include two modes described below.

In the first mode, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication apparatus 100a located closest to the new communication apparatus 100b as the first candidate apparatus. Further, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication device 100a different from the first candidate device as a second candidate device having a lower priority than that of the first candidate device.

Fig. 7 shows an example of the first mode. As shown in fig. 7, communication devices 100a-1 and 100a-2 of different configurations from each other are installed. The new communication apparatus 100b having the initial value applied thereto as the configuration information is powered on in the vicinity of the already-installed communication apparatus 100 a-1.

In the example shown in fig. 7, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication device 100a-1 located closest to the new communication device 100b as the first candidate device, and determines the installed communication device 100a-2 as the second candidate device.

Fig. 8 shows another example of the first mode. As shown in fig. 8, there are a plurality of installed communication apparatuses 100a-1 and an installed communication apparatus 100a-2 of a different configuration from the installed communication apparatus 100 a-1. The plurality of installed communication apparatuses 100a-1 form an area a including the location of the new communication apparatus 100 b. The new communication apparatus 100b having the initial value applied thereto as the configuration information is powered on in the vicinity of the already-installed communication apparatus 100 a-2.

In the example shown in fig. 8, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication device 100a-2 located closest to the new communication device 100b as the first candidate device, and determines the installed communication device 100a-1 as the second candidate device.

On the other hand, in the second mode, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication apparatus 100a included in the first apparatus group, which forms the first area including the position of the new communication apparatus 100b and is configured identically to each other, as the first candidate apparatus. Further, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication device 100a included in the second device group, which forms the second area including the position of the new communication device 100b and which are configured identically to each other, as the second candidate device. Here, the first device group is a device group including the installed communication device 100a located closest to the new communication device 100 b.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the second mode. As shown in fig. 9, there are a plurality of installed communication devices 100a-1 (first device group) and a plurality of installed communication devices 100a-2 (second device group) configured differently from the communication devices 100 a-1. The plurality of installed communication apparatuses 100a-1 form an area a including the location of the new communication apparatus 100 b. The plurality of installed communication apparatuses 100a-2 form an area B including the location of the new communication apparatus 100B. In the vicinity of the already installed communication apparatus 100a-1, a new communication apparatus 100b having an initial value applied thereto as configuration information is powered on.

In the example shown in fig. 9, the candidate determiner 322 determines the installed communication device 100a-1 as the first candidate device and determines the installed communication device 100a-2 as the second candidate device.

After the candidate determiner 322 has determined the candidate devices, the presentation controller 323 causes at least one of the first candidate device and the new communication device 100b to present first information indicating that the first candidate device is selected as the reference device. Here, "presenting" refers to at least one of displaying or audio outputting.

For example, the first information may be a predetermined color. The presentation controller 323 sends an instruction to the first candidate device via the communicator 310 to cause the display 190 (indicator) of the first candidate device to emit light of a predetermined color. The first candidate device causes the display 190 (indicator) to emit light of a predetermined color in response to the instruction. Thus, the user can check which configuration information of the communication device 100a is to be applied to the new communication device 100 b.

Further, the presentation controller 323 may send an instruction to the new communication device 100b via the communicator 310 to cause the display 190 (indicator) of the new communication device 100b to emit light of a predetermined color. The new communication device 100b causes the display 190 (indicator) to emit light of a predetermined color in response to the instruction. Here, the presentation controller 323 may cause the first candidate device and the new communication device 100b to emit light of the same color. Note that the first candidate device and the new communication device 100b may use not only the same light emission color but also the same light emission pattern (time interval of light emission).

Alternatively, the presentation controller 323 may cause the new communication device 100b to display the device ID of the first candidate device. However, there may be a case where the user of the new communication device 100b does not know the device ID of the first candidate device. Therefore, the display (lighting) of the presentation controller 323 using the first information as described above is intuitively easier for the user to know.

The first information may be a predetermined sound. The presentation controller 323 may send an instruction to the first candidate device via the communicator 310 to cause the audio outputter of the first candidate device to output a predetermined sound. In response to the instruction, the first candidate device causes an audio output of the first candidate device to output a predetermined sound.

The reference device selector 324 selects a reference device to be referred to when configuring the new communication device 100b from the candidate devices determined by the candidate determiner 322 based on the device operation performed on the new communication device 100 b.

In the event that no first device operation is detected within a certain period of time after presentation of the first information has begun, the reference device selector 324 determines that the user desires to apply the configuration information of the first candidate device to the new communication device 100b and selects the first candidate device as the reference device.

Here, the first device operation may be an operation of changing the orientation of the new communication device 100 b. The reference device selector 324 acquires measurement information acquired by the sensor of the new communication device 100b via the communicator 310, and identifies the orientation of the new communication device 100b and its change.

Alternatively, the first device operation may be an operation of pressing a predetermined button provided on the new communication device 100 b. However, for example, a user interface of a communication device, such as a sensor device, is poor, and there may be only a power button. In this case, the change of orientation is preferably considered as a first device operation.

On the other hand, in the case where the first device operation is detected within a certain period of time, the presentation controller 323 determines that the user does not desire to apply the configuration information of the first candidate device to the new communication device 100 b. Subsequently, the presentation controller 323 causes at least one of the second candidate device and the new communication device 100b to present second information indicating that the second candidate device is selected as the reference device.

For example, the second information may be a predetermined color. The presentation controller 323 sends an instruction to the second candidate device via the communicator 310 to cause the display 190 (indicator) of the second candidate device to emit light of a predetermined color. The second candidate device causes the display 190 (indicator) to emit light of a predetermined color in response to the instruction.

Further, the presentation controller 323 may send an instruction to the new communication device 100b via the communicator 310 to cause the display 190 (indicator) of the new communication device 100b to emit light of a predetermined color. In response to the instruction, the new communication device 100b causes the display 190 (indicator) to emit light of a predetermined color. Here, the presentation controller 323 may cause the second candidate device and the new communication device 100b to emit light of the same color. Note that the second candidate device and the new communication device 100b may emit light according to the same light emission pattern (time interval of light emission), but the second candidate device and the new communication device 100b are not limited to emitting light of the same color.

Alternatively, the presentation controller 323 may cause the new communication device 100b to display the device ID of the second candidate device. However, there may be a case where the user of the new communication device 100b does not know the device ID of the second candidate device. Therefore, the display (lighting) of the presentation controller 323 using the second information as described above is intuitively easier for the user to know.

The second information may be a predetermined sound. The presentation controller 323 may send an instruction to the second candidate device via the communicator 310 to cause the audio outputter of the second candidate device to output a predetermined sound to the second candidate device. The second candidate device causes an audio output of the second candidate device to output a predetermined sound in response to the instruction.

In the event that the first device operation is not detected within a certain period of time after the presentation of the second information has started, the reference device selector 324 determines that the user wants to apply the configuration information of the second candidate device to the new communication device 100b and selects the second candidate device as the reference device.

Note that in the case where the first device operation is detected within a certain period of time after the presentation of the second information has started, the presentation controller 323 may redo the process. In other words, the presentation controller 323 causes at least one of the first candidate device and the new communication device 100b to present the first information indicating that the first candidate device is selected as the reference device.

Alternatively, in the case where the first device operation is detected within a certain period of time after the presentation of the second information has started, and the configuration information different from the initial value is applied to the new communication device 100b, the reference device selector 324 determines that the user desires to use the configuration information. Subsequently, the presentation controller 323 may cause the new communication device 100b to present third information indicating the usage configuration information. The third information may be a predetermined color or a predetermined sound.

The configuration processor 325 performs a process of configuring the configuration information configured for the reference device selected by the reference device selector 324 for the new communication device 100 b. For example, in the case where the second candidate device has been selected as the reference device, the configuration processor 325 sends configuration information applied to the second candidate device to the new communication device 100b via the communicator 310. The new communication device 100b stores the received configuration information.

Alternatively, in the case where the communication device 100 supports direct inter-device communication, the following configuration processing may be performed. Here, the direct inter-device communication is intended to be bluetooth communication. Initially, the configuration processor 325 sends an instruction to the communication device 100a to send configuration information to the communication device 100b via bluetooth communication. Next, the communication device 100a transmits the configuration information to the communication device 100b in response to the instruction. Subsequently, the communication device 100b performs configuration based on the configuration information received from the communication device 100 a.

The new communication device 100b controls the operations performed therein based on the stored configuration information. For example, the communication device 100b may upload measurement information acquired by various sensors 170 at timing determined in accordance with the configuration information. Further, the communication device 100b may enable (turn on) some of the various sensor 170(s) based on the configuration information.

After applying the configuration information to the new communication device 100b in the manner described above, the configuration processor 325 leaves the configuration information applied to the new communication device 100b unchanged even if the first device operation is detected. Therefore, even when the orientation of the communication device 100b is unintentionally changed after a new communication device 100b has been installed, unintentional change of the configuration information can be prevented.

However, there is a possibility that: after the configuration information has been applied to the new communication device 100b, the user may desire to change the configuration information. In one embodiment, the configuration processor 325 determines that the user desires to change the configuration information of the communication device 100b in the event that a second device operation on the new communication device 100b is detected after the configuration information has been applied to the new communication device 100 b. Subsequently, the configuration processor 325 starts a configuration change process of changing the configuration information applied to the communication device 100 b.

Here, the second device operation is an operation different from the first device operation. The second device operation may be an operation of continuously adding acceleration to the communication device 100b over a predetermined period of time. For example, the user shakes the communication device 100b for a predetermined period of time so that acceleration is continuously added to the communication device 100 b.

The configuration processor 325 identifies the acceleration added to the communication device 100b by acquiring measurement information acquired by the sensor of the communication device 100b via the communicator 310. Alternatively, the communication device 100b may detect that acceleration has been continuously added, and the configuration processor 325 may obtain a notification of this fact from the communication device 100 b.

Alternatively, the second device operation may be an operation of pressing a predetermined button provided on the communication device 100 b. However, for example, a user interface of a communication device, such as a sensor device, is poor, and there may be only a power button. In this case, an operation of continuously adding acceleration to the communication device 100b is preferably selected as the second device operation.

After the configuration change process of changing the configuration information applied to the communication device 100b has started, the reference device selector 324 reselects a reference device from the candidate devices determined by the candidate determiner 322 based on the first device operation. Upon reselection of the reference device, the configuration processor 325 performs a process of configuring the configuration information of the reference device configured for reselection for the communication device 100 b.

(example operation of device management apparatus)

FIG. 10 illustrates example operations of the device management apparatus 300 according to one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10, in step S1, the initial value determiner 321 determines whether the configuration information applied to the communication device 100b is an initial value. When the configuration information applied to the communication device 100b is not the initial value (no at step S1), the configuration information takes precedence. Alternatively, as described below, even when configuration information different from the initial value is applied, the configuration information of the already-installed communication apparatus 100a may be configured for the communication apparatus 100 b.

In the case where the configuration information applied to the communication apparatus 100b is the initial value (yes at step S1), at step S2, the candidate determiner 322 determines a candidate apparatus from among the installed communication apparatuses 100a based on the position information (first position information) of each of the installed communication apparatuses 100a and the position information (second position information) of the communication apparatus 100 b.

In step S3, after the candidate determiner 322 has determined the candidate device, the presentation controller 323 causes the candidate device that should be selected as the reference device to present information. The reference device selector 324 selects a reference device from the candidate devices based on the first device operation performed on the communication device 100 b.

In step S4, the configuration processor 325 performs a process of configuring the configuration information configured for the reference device selected by the reference device selector 324 for the communication device 100 b. The communication device 100b controls the operations performed therein based on the stored configuration information.

In step S5, in the event that a second device operation performed on the communication device 100b has been detected, the configuration processor 325 starts a configuration change process (configuration change mode) of changing the configuration information applied to the communication device 100 b. When the configuration change mode starts (yes at step S5), the process returns to step S3 (or step S2).

FIG. 11 illustrates a specific example of a device configuration operation according to one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 11 (a), there are a plurality of installed communication devices 100a-1 (first device group) and a plurality of installed communication devices 100a-2 (second device group) configured differently from the communication devices 100 a-1. Here, the communication device 100b as the configuration target device is moved to the overlapping portion between the area formed by the communication device 100a-1 and the area formed by the communication device 100 a-2. The candidate determiner 322 of the device management apparatus 300 determines the communication device 100a-1 as the first candidate device and determines the communication device 100a-2 as the second candidate device.

As shown in (b) in fig. 11, the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100a-1 and the communication device 100b to display first information indicating that the communication device 100a-1 is selected as the reference device. Fig. 11 (b) shows an example in which the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100a-1 and the communication device 100b to emit light of the same color. In addition, (b) in fig. 11 shows an example in which the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100a-2 to emit light of a different color.

As shown in (c) in fig. 11, in the case where the orientation of the communication device 100b is changed within a certain period of time, the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100a-2 and the communication device 100b to display second information indicating that the communication device 100a-2 is selected as the reference device. Fig. 11 (c) shows an example in which the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100a-2 and the communication device 100b to emit light of the same color.

As shown in (d) in fig. 11, in the case where the orientation of the communication device 100b is further changed within a certain period of time after the orientation of the communication device 100b is changed in (c) in fig. 11, the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100b to display third information indicating that the configuration information applied to the communication device 100b in advance is selected. The pre-applied configuration information may be an initial value, or may be any configuration information different from the initial value. Fig. 11 (d) shows an example in which the presentation controller 323 of the device management apparatus 300 causes the communication device 100b to emit light having a color different from the color of the light of the communication devices 100a-1 and 100 a-2.

FIG. 12 illustrates a specific example of a configuration change operation according to one embodiment.

As shown in (a) in fig. 12, after configuring the configuration information for the communication device 100b, the configuration processor 325 of the device management apparatus 300 detects that the acceleration has continuously acted on the communication device 100b within a predetermined period of time.

As shown in (b) in fig. 12, upon detecting that acceleration has been continuously added to the communication device 100b within a predetermined period of time, the configuration processor 325 of the device management apparatus 300 starts changing the configuration change mode applied to the configuration information of the communication device 100 b.

(example Change in System configuration)

In the example system configuration shown in fig. 3, it is assumed that the communication device 100b to be newly installed has configuration information (network information) for performing wireless LAN communication applied thereto in advance. In a case where the network information has not been configured for the communication device 100b to be newly installed, the device management apparatus 300 may transmit the network information to the communication device 100b and configure the network information for the communication device 100 b.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example modification of the system configuration shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 13, the device management apparatus 300 receives first location information indicating an installation location of an installed communication device 100a from the communication device 100a via the access point 210B. The device management apparatus 300 receives the second location information indicating the current location of the communication device 100b to be newly installed from the communication device 100b via a communication means (e.g., BT) different from the wireless LAN communication.

For example, the device management apparatus 300 determines whether the communication device 100b is located within a predetermined range from the installation position of the communication device 100a based on the first position information and the second position information. Subsequently, upon determining that the communication device 100b is located within a predetermined range from the installation position of the communication device 100a, the device management apparatus 300 transmits the same configuration information as that applied to the communication device 100a to the communication device 100 b.

Here, the configuration information includes network information for configuring connection of wireless LAN communication. The network information includes, for example, identification information (SSID) of the access point 210B and an authentication code (password) for accessing the access point 210B.

Subsequently, the communication device 100b stores the configuration information (network information) received from the device management apparatus 300, and controls the operation on the communication device 100b based on the stored configuration information. Specifically, the communication device 100B configures a connection to the access point 210B based on the network information received from the device management apparatus 300.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the initial value determiner 321, the candidate determiner 322, the presentation controller 323, the reference device selector 324, and the configuration processor 325 are set in the device management apparatus 300 has been described. However, some or all of the initial value determiner 321, the candidate determiner 322, the presentation controller 323, the reference device selector 324, and the configuration processor 325 may be provided in the communication device 100 b.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the case where the communication device 100b has a sensor (geomagnetic sensor) configured to detect an orientation, the reference device selector 324 may select the reference device from the candidate devices based on the orientation at which the communication device 100b is pointed as the orientation of the communication device 100 b. Specifically, the reference device selector 324 may identify an orientation of each candidate device with reference to the communication device 100b based on the first location information and the second location information, and select the candidate device corresponding to the orientation at which the communication device 100b is pointed as the reference device. In this case, the presentation controller 323 may cause the candidate device to present information, the candidate device corresponding to the orientation at which the communication device 100b is pointed.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the communication apparatus 100 is a sensor apparatus having various sensors. However, the communication device 100 is not limited to the sensor device, and may be any device having a communication function and installed at a specific location. For example, the communication device 100 may be a household appliance having a communication function, a distributed power supply (a power generation device or an electrical storage device) having a communication function, and/or an industrial device having a communication function, or the like.

A program that causes a computer to execute processing performed by the communication device 100 or the device management apparatus 300 may be provided. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable medium. The use of the computer-readable medium enables the program to be installed on a computer. Here, the computer readable medium in which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. Further, functional units (circuits) configured to perform processes to be performed by the communication device 100 or the device management apparatus 300 may be integrated, whereby the communication device 100 or the device management apparatus 300 may be implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chipset or SoC).

In the above, the embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above configuration, and various design modifications can be made within a scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

This application claims priority to japanese patent application No.2019-078024, filed on 16.4.2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.