Communication system, communication device, communication adapter, communication method, and program

• US 10,256,988 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2014
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Komatsu, Masayuki, Yano, Hirotoshi, Yabe, Masaaki, Minezawa, Satoshi, Maruyama, Ichiro, Nakamura, Shinji, Suzuki, Shiro, Ogawa, Yuki, Sato, Kaori
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bukhari, Sibte H
• Application Number:
  US14/904,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20160156483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 709204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/00 Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 ; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

A standardized information acquirer acquires standardized information from an electric device. A standardized telegraphic message sender sends a standardized telegraphic message including the standardized information to a communication device. An unstandardized information acquirer acquires unstandardized information from the electric device. A standardized telegraphic message receiver receives the standardized telegraphic message including the standardized information. An electric device determiner determines whether the electric device meets a specific condition based on the standardized information included in the received standardized telegraphic message. When the electric device is determined to meet the specific condition, an unstandardized telegraphic message sender sends the unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information. An unstandardized telegraphic message receiver receives the unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a communication adapter adapted to communicate with an electric device, the communication adapter comprises at least one adapter communication interface, an electric device interface, and an adapter processor cooperatively operable with the electric device interface and the at least one adapter communication interface; and

a communication device adapted to communicate with the communication adapter, the communication device comprises at least one communication-device communication interface and a communication-device processor cooperatively operable with the at least one communication-device communication interface, wherein

the adapter processor of the communication adapter is configured to

acquire, via the electric device interface, standardized information from the electric device, wherein the standardized information represents information that is standardized;

send, via the at least one adapter communication interface, to the communication device, a standardized telegraphic message including the standardized information acquired by the adapter processor, wherein the standardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is standardized;

acquire, via the electric device interface, unstandardized information from the electric device, wherein the unstandardized information represents information that is not standardized;

receive, via the at least one adapter communication interface, from the communication device, a first unstandardized telegraphic message including a request for the unstandardized information, wherein the first unstandardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is not standardized; and

send, via the at least one adapter communication interface, to the communication device, a second unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information acquired by the adapter processor when the adapter processor receives the first unstandardized telegraphic message including the request for the unstandardized information, and

the communication-device processor of the communication device is configured to;

receive, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, from the adapter processor of the communication adapter, the standardized telegraphic message;

determine whether the electric device holds the unstandardized information based on the standardized information included in the standardized telegraphic message received by the communication-device processor;

send, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, to the communication adapter, the first unstandardized telegraphic message including the request for the unstandardized information when the electric device is determined by the communication-device processor to hold the unstandardized information;

receive, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, from the adapter processor of the communication adapter, the second unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information; and

create, based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information, a third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized, wherein

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device; and

the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to determine that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to;

send, to the communication adapter, via the at least one communication-device interface, the third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing the unstandardized function, the third unstandardized telegraphic message being created by the communication-device processor;

the adapter processor of the communication adapter is further configured to;

receive, from the communication device, via the at least one adapter communication interface, the third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing the unstandardized function; and

execute a process relevant to the unstandardized function when the adapter processor receives the third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing the unstandardized function.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein:

the unstandardized information includes user interface creation information for creating a user interface applied for utilizing the unstandardized function; and

the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to;

create the user interface based on the user interface creation information included in the unstandardized information, and

create, in accordance with information given to the created user interface, the third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing the unstandardized function.

4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein:

wherein the standardized telegraphic message, the first unstandardized telegraphic message, and the second unstandardized telegraphic message are sent using a first communication protocol,

the adapter processor of the communication adapter is further configured to;

communicate with the communication device, via the at least one adapter communication interface, based on a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol;

the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to;

communicate with the communication adapter based on the second communication protocol; and

create a fourth unstandardized telegraphic message that includes an instruction for communication between the adapter processor of the communication adapter and the communication-device processor of the communication device based on the second communication protocol.

5. A communication device that communicates with a communication adapter provided for communication of an electric device, the communication device comprising:

at least one communication-device communication interface, and a communication-device processor cooperatively operable with the at least one communication-device communication interface,

the communication-device processor is configured to

receive, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, from the communication adapter, a standardized telegraphic message including standardized information acquired from the electric device, wherein the standardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is standardized, and the standardized information represents information that is standardized;

determine whether the electric device holds unstandardized information based on the standardized information included in the standardized telegraphic message received by the communication-device processor, wherein the unstandardized information is not standardized;

send, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, to the communication adapter, a first unstandardized telegraphic message including a request for the unstandardized information acquired from the electric device when the electric device is determined by the communication-device processor of the communication device to hold the unstandardized information, wherein the first unstandardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is not standardized;

receive, from the communication adapter, via the at least one communication-device communication interface, a second unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information sent by the communication adapter; and

create, based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information, a third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized, wherein

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device; and

the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to determine that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.

6. A communication adapter enabling an electric device to communicate with a communication device, the communication adapter comprising:

at least one adapter communication interface, an electric device interface, and an adapter processor cooperatively operable with the electric device interface and the at least one adapter communication interface,

wherein the adapter processor is configured to

acquire, via the electric device interface, standardized information from the electric device, wherein the standardized information represents information that is standardized;

determine whether the electric device holds the unstandardized information based on the standardized information acquired by the adapter processor, wherein the unstandardized information is not standardized;

acquire, via the electric device interface, the unstandardized information from the electric device; and

send, via the at least one adapter communication interface, to the communication device, the unstandardized information acquired by the adapter processor when the electric device is determined by the adapter processor to hold the unstandardized information, wherein

an unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized is based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information;

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device; and

the adapter processor of the communication adapter is further configured to determine that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.

7. A communication method executed by a communication system comprising a communication adapter configured to provide for communication of an electric device and a communication device configured to communicate with the communication adapter, the communication method comprising:

causing the communication adapter to acquire standardized information from the electric device, wherein the standardized information represents information that is standardized;

causing at least either the communication adapter or the communication device to determine whether the electric device holds unstandardized information based on the acquired standardized information, wherein the unstandardized information is not standardized;

causing the communication adapter to acquire the unstandardized information from the electric device; and

causing the communication adapter to send the acquired unstandardized information to the communication device when the electric device is determined to hold the unstandardized information, wherein

an unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized is based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information;

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device;

further comprising determining that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.

8. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program for a computer of a communication device configured to communicate with a communication adapter provided for communication of an electric device, the program causing the computer to:

receive a standardized telegraphic message including standardized information from the communication adapter, wherein the standardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is standardized, the standardized information represents information that is standardized, and the standardized information is acquired from the electric device;

determine whether the electric device holds unstandardized information based on the standardized information included in the standardized telegraphic message received by the communication device, wherein the unstandardized information is not standardized;

send, to the communication adapter, a first unstandardized telegraphic message including a request for the unstandardized information acquired from the electric device when the electric device is determined by the communication device to hold the unstandardized information, wherein the first unstandardized telegraphic message represents a telegraphic message that is not standardized;

receive, from the communication adapter, a second unstandardized telegraphic message including the unstandardized information; and

create, based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information, a third unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized, wherein

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device;

the program further causing the computer to

determine that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.

9. A communication system comprising:

a communication adapter adapted to communicate with an electric device, the communication adapter comprises at least one adapter communication interface, an electric device interface, and an adapter-processor cooperatively operable with the electric device interface and the at least one adapter communication interface; and

a communication device configured to communicate with the communication adapter, the communication device comprises at least one communication-device communication interface and a communication-device processor cooperatively operable with the at least one communication-device communication interface, wherein

the adapter-processor of the communication adapter is configured to

acquire, via the electric device interface, standardized information from the electric device, wherein the standardized information represents information that is standardized; and

acquire, via the electric device interface, unstandardized information from the electric device, wherein the unstandardized information represents information that is not standardized;

at least one of the adapter-processor of the communication adapter and the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to;

determine whether the electric device holds the unstandardized information based on the standardized information acquired by the adapter-processor of the communication adapter; and

create, based on unstandardized telegraphic message creation information included in the unstandardized information, an unstandardized telegraphic message for utilizing an unstandardized function that is a function not standardized;

the adapter-processor of the communication adapter is further configured to;

send, to the communication device, unstandardized information acquired by the adapter-processor of the communication adapter when the electric device is determined to hold the unstandardized information, wherein

the standardized information includes information that indicates a manufacturer of the electric device; and

the at least one of the adapter-processor of the communication adapter and the communication-device processor of the communication device is further configured to determine that, in response to the manufacturer indicated by the standardized information being a pre-specified manufacturer, the electric device holds the unstandardized information.