INFORMATION PROVIDING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, AND DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

An overall management server acquires device registration information in which device setting information including device identification information of a device and communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and application information on an application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other and generates communication registration information associating communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-130114 filed in Japan on Aug. 17, 2022.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, a method for providing information, a computer-readable recording medium, and a device management system.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, in measurement systems for plants using a cloud environment, in places in which there are no wired communication facilities, wireless communication using a cellular phone network is sometimes used to perform communication with devices. In the above devices, the devices and subscriber identity modules (SIMs) are managed associated with each other. The related technologies are described, for example, in: Japanese Patent No. 6436489.

However, in the conventional technologies, it is difficult to efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of SIMs, and there is room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of SIMs.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, an information providing apparatus includes, an acquisition unit acquiring device registration information in which device setting information including device identification information of a device and communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and application information on an application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other, and a generation unit generating communication registration information associating communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information.

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a method for providing information, the method includes, acquiring device registration information in which device setting information including device identification information of a device and communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and application information on an application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other, and generating communication registration information associating communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information.

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a computer program for providing information that causes a computer to execute a process, the process includes, acquiring device registration information in which device setting information including device identification information of a device and communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and application information on an application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other, and generating communication registration information associating communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information.

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a device management system includes, an information management apparatus executing an application collecting information transmitted from a device, and an information providing apparatus, the information management apparatus including a receiver receiving device setting information including device identification information of the device and communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication from the device, and a transmitter transmitting device registration information associating application information on the application with the device setting information, and the information providing apparatus including an acquisition unit acquiring the device registration information from the information management apparatus, and a generation unit generating communication registration information associating communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an information providing apparatus, a method for providing information, a computer program for providing information, and a device management system according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below.

First Embodiment

The following in a first embodiment describes registration processing for communication registration information associating information on devices, subscriber identity modules (SIMs), and web applications with each other. The following describes a configuration, a configuration of each apparatus, and a processing procedure of a device management system100-1according to the first embodiment in order and finally describes the effects of the first embodiment.

1. Configuration of Device Management System100-1

The following describes the configuration of the device management system100-1according to the first embodiment in detail usingFIG.1.FIG.1is a diagram of a configuration example of the device management system100-1according to the embodiment. The following describes a configuration example of the entire device management system100-1, processing by the device management system100-1, and problems with a device management system of a reference technology in order and finally describes the effects of the device management system100-1. The first embodiment describes factory production remote monitoring using plant devices, which are devices installed in a plant, as an example, but there are no limitations on devices and the field of use, and the embodiment can also be applied to environmental measurement remote monitoring such as power monitoring, wind power generation, water supply and sewage monitoring, and river monitoring.

1-1. Configuration Example of Entire Device Management System100-1

The device management system100-1has an overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus, an application server20, which is an information management apparatus, plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), and SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The overall management server10and the application server20are built in a cloud environment. The plant devices30(30A,30B,30C) are installed in a plant and set the respective SIMs40(40A,40B,40C).

The device management system100-1illustrated inFIG.1may include a plurality of the overall management servers10or a plurality of the application servers20. The overall management server10may be integrated with the application server20.

1-2. Processing by Entire Device Management System100-1: Device Registration Processing

The following describes registration processing for the communication registration information in the device management system100-1as described above. Steps S11to S15below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S11to S15below may be omitted.

1-2-1. Plant Device Setting Processing

An engineer E, who is a plant manager, sets the SIMs40in the plant devices30(Step S11). For example, the engineer E sets the SIMs40by inserting the card-shaped SIMs40(40A,40B,40C) into card slots of the respective plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), which are sensor devices. In addition to including a sensor inside, the sensor device may be a sensor device connected to an external sensor.

1-2-2. Device Setting Information Transmission Processing

The plant devices30or the engineer E transmits device setting information, which is a combination of identification information of the plant devices30and identification information of the set SIMs40, to the application server20(Step S12). For example, the plant devices30transmit a combination of an identification number of hardware and an identification number of a SIM card as the device setting information to the application server20via a cellular phone network line.

1-2-3. Application Information Addition Processing

The application server20adds application information to the device setting information to generate device registration information (Step S13). For example, the application server20generates the device registration information by adding the application information such as identification information of a web application collecting plant information received by the plant devices30and hierarchical information indicating a hierarchical structure of the web application to the device setting information.

1-2-4. Device Registration Information Transmission Processing

The application server20transmits the device registration information to the overall management server10(Step S14).

1-2-5. Communication Registration Information Generation Processing

The overall management server10associates communication contract information of the SIMs40with the device registration information to generate the communication registration information (Step S15). For example, the overall management server10generates the communication registration information by adding the communication contract information such as contractor names and contract phone numbers of the SIMs40to the device registration information.

1-3. Device Management Processing of Reference Technology

The following describes an outline of device management processing as a reference technology and further describes problems with the reference technology.

1-3-1. Outline of Device Management Processing of Reference Technology

The device management processing of the reference technology performs management as follows. For example, in the management of plant devices and SIMs, a combination of hardware is fixed by a phone number of a SIM, and the hardware is identified by the phone number of the SIM. Meanwhile, the plant devices and the SIMs are often arranged as separate components and used in discretionary combinations, and thus a combination of the hardware and the SIMs may be managed by a separately managed list. In general, information on the above combination is managed within individual web applications. In the use of the SIMs, association with the contract information of the SIMs is also necessary, and this information is often managed by associating it with an order form or the like.

1-3-2. Problems with Device Management Processing of Reference Technology

With the device management processing of the reference technology, it is difficult to efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs. For example, a provider of a service including the SIMs (a communication carrier) can monitor, from the phone numbers of the SIMs, their state of operation and identify the SIMs not in use, but it is difficult to identify which SIM is being used on which web application.

That is, a communication service including the SIMs is defined on each web application, and thus the SIMs can only be managed on a per web application basis. In such a case, the communication carrier must log in to the web application to investigate which SIM is being used by which web application, making it difficult to identify the relation between the SIMs and the web applications.

1-4. Effects of Device Management System100-1

The following describes an outline of the device management system100-1according to the first embodiment and further describes the effects of the device management system100-1.

1-4-1. Outline of Device Management System100-1

First, the engineer E, who is the plant manager, sets the SIMs40in the plant devices30. Second, the plant devices30transmit the device setting information, which is a combination of device identification information of the plant devices30and communication identification information of the set SIMs40, to the application server20. Third, the application server20adds the application information to the device setting information to generate the device registration information. Fourth, the application server20transmits the device registration information to the overall management server10. Fifth, the overall management server10associates the communication contract information of the SIMs40with the device registration information to generate the communication registration information.

1-4-2. Effects of Device Management System100-1

By integrating and linking the management of the plant devices30and the SIMs40on individual web applications and the communication contract information of the SIMs40of the communication carrier providing the service including the SIM40, the relation among the plant devices30, the SIMs40, and the communication contract information can be centrally managed. Thus, the communication carrier can easily identify the relation between the SIMs and the web applications. The engineer E, who is the plant manager, can easily identify the plant devices30from the phone numbers of the SIMs40not in use in the plant, judging from communication records. The engineer E can easily identify the phone numbers of the SIMs40from the device identification information of the plant devices30. As described above, the device management system100-1can efficiently grasp the state of use of the SIMs40.

2. Configuration of Each Apparatus of Device Management System100-1

The following describes a functional configuration of each apparatus of the device management system100-1illustrated inFIG.1usingFIG.2.FIG.2is a block diagram of a configuration example of each apparatus according to the first embodiment. The following describes a configuration example of the entire device management system100-1according to the first embodiment and further specifically describes configuration examples of the overall management server10, the application server20, the plant devices30, and the SIMs40according to the first embodiment.

2-1. Configuration Example of Entire Device Management System100

As illustrated inFIG.2, the device management system100-1has the overall management server10, the application server20, the plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), and the SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The overall management server10and the application server20are communicably connected to each other with a certain communication network in the cloud environment. The plant devices30are communicably connected to each other with a communication network N such as a cellular phone network.

The overall management server10and the application server20are not limited to server apparatuses built in the cloud environment but may be physical servers, virtual machines, containers, or the like.

2-2. Configuration Example of Overall Management Server10

The following first describes a configuration example of the overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus, usingFIG.2. The overall management server10has a communication unit11, a storage unit12, and a controller13. The overall management server10may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) receiving various types of operations from a manager of the device management system100-1and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various types of information.

The communication unit11is responsible for data communication with other apparatuses. For example, the communication unit11performs data communication with each communication apparatus via a router or the like. The communication unit11can also perform data communication with an operator's terminal not illustrated.

The storage unit12stores therein various types of information referred to when the controller13operates and various types of information acquired when the controller13operates. The storage unit12has a communication registration information storage unit12a. The storage unit12can be implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, or the like. In the example inFIG.2, the storage unit12is installed inside the overall management server10, but it may be installed outside the overall management server10, or a plurality of storage units may be installed.

2-2-2-1. Communication Registration Information Storage Unit12a

The communication registration information storage unit12astores therein the communication registration information generated by a generation unit13bof the controller13described below. The following describes an example of information that the communication registration information storage unit12astores therein usingFIG.3.FIG.3is a diagram of an example of the communication registration information storage unit12aof the overall management server10according to the first embodiment. In the example inFIG.3, the communication registration information storage unit12ahas items such as “contractor information,” “communication identification information,” “communication-specific information,” “device identification information,” “application identification information,” and “application hierarchy information.”

The “contractor information” indicates information on a contractor of communication services and is, for example, a contract number, a name, an address, a contact address, or the like of the contractor. The “communication identification information” indicates identification information for identifying a component that enables the communication services and is, for example, a card identification number of the SIMs40. The “communication-specific information” indicates information for use in each communication service and is, for example, a phone number given to the SIMs40. The “device identification information” indicates identification information for identifying the device and is, for example, a hardware identification number of the plant devices30. The “application identification information” indicates identification information for identifying the application and is, for example, an identification number of the application server20or an identification number of an application use area. The “application hierarchy information” indicates location information for identifying an area in which the application is installed and is, for example, location information for identifying a hierarchical structure of a management area managed by a communication service provider, an application area managed by a communication service operator, and the like.

That is,FIG.3illustrates an example in which, for the SIMs40contracted by the contractor information “Contractor U1,” the communication-specific information of the SIM40A identified by the communication identification information “SIM-A” is “111-1111-1111,” the device identification information thereof is “Plant Device A,” the application identification information thereof is “Application A,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 001,” the communication-specific information of the SIM40B identified by the communication identification information “SIM-B” is “222-2222-2222,” the device identification information thereof is “Plant Device B,” the application identification information thereof is “Application B,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 002,” and the communication-specific information of the SIM40C identified by the communication identification information “SIM-C” is “333-3333-3333,” the device identification information thereof is “Plant Device C,” the application identification information thereof is “Application C,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 003.”

The controller13is responsible for the control of the entire overall management server10. The controller13has an acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, an identification unit13c, and a notification unit13d. The controller13can be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) or an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The acquisition unit13aacquires the device registration information in which the device setting information including the device identification information of a device and the communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and the application information on an application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other. The device is, for example, the plant device30including at least either a communication device or a sensor device installed in a plant, acquiring plant information (for example, sensor values) from the plant, and transmitting the plant information to a designated destination. The communication identification information included in the device setting information is identification information of a SIM card inserted into the device for causing the device to transmit information to the application. The application information is information including the application identification information, which is the identification information of the application, and the application hierarchy information, which is the location information of the application. For example, the application identification information is the identification number of the application server20and the identification number of the application use area. The application hierarchy information is location information for identifying the hierarchical structure of the management area managed by the communication service provider, the application area managed by the communication service operator, and the like.

To describe it using a specific example, the acquisition unit13aacquires, as the device registration information of the plant device30A, information in which the application information {the application identification information: Application A, the application hierarchy information: Hierarchical Structure 001} is added to the device setting information {the device identification information: Plant Device A, the communication identification information: SIM-A}.

The acquisition unit13aalso acquires the device registration information in which the application information of the application and the device setting information of the device having acquired the plant information are associated with each other from the application collecting the plant information. To describe it using a specific example, the acquiring unit13aacquires, as the device setting information of the plant device30A, information with the application information of Application A collecting the plant information of the plant device30A added, acquires, as the device setting information of the plant device30B, information with the application information of Application B collecting the plant information of the plant device30B added, and acquires, as the device setting information of the plant device30C, information with the application information of Application C collecting the plant information of the plant device30C added.

The generation unit13bgenerates the communication registration information associating the communication contract information indicating a contract state of the communication with the device registration information. The communication contract information indicates information on a contract for the communication service and is information including the contractor information, the communication identification information, and the communication-specific information. For example, the contractor information is the contract number, the name, the address, the contact address, or the like of the contractor. The communication identification information is the card identification number or the like of the SIMs40. The communication-specific information is the phone number or the like given to the SIMs40.

To describe it using a specific example, the generation unit13bgenerates, as the communication registration information of the plant device30A, information in which the communication contract information {the contractor information: Contractor U1, the communication identification information: SIM-A, the communication-specific information: 111-1111-1111} is added to the device registration information {the device identification information: Plant Device A, the communication identification information: SIM-A, the application identification information: Application A, the application hierarchy information: Hierarchical Structure 001}. In this process, the generation unit13bgenerates the communication registration information based on, for example, {the communication identification information: SIM-A} commonly included in the device registration information and the communication contract information.

The generation unit13bmanages each of a plurality of applications and the communication registration information associated with each other. To describe it using a specific example, the generation unit13bmanages the communication registration information of Application A collecting the plant information of the plant device30A, the communication registration information of Application B collecting the plant information of the plant device30B, and the communication registration information of Application C collecting the plant information of the plant device30C by storing them in the communication registration information storage unit12a.

The identification unit13cidentifies information stored in the storage unit12in response to various types of inquiries. The details of the processing by the identification unit13cwill be described below in second to fourth embodiments.

The notification unit13dprovides notification of various types of information in accordance with a result identified by the identification unit13c. For example, the notification unit13doutputs the communication registration information that the communication registration information storage unit12astores therein as a display screen. The details of the processing by the notification unit13dwill be described below in the second to fourth embodiments. A specific example of the display screen output by the notification unit13dwill be described in (2-3. Specific Example of Display Screen) of the first embodiment.

2-3. Specific Example of Display Screen

The following describes the specific example of the display screen output by the notification unit13dof the overall management server10usingFIG.5.FIG.5is a diagram of the specific example of the display screen of a device registration list according to the first embodiment. The following describes “display condition” and “list of registered devices” on a management screen of “device registration system” in this order.

2-3-1. Display Condition

As illustrated inFIG.5, the overall management server10displays a display condition, which is a condition for the order of displaying the registered plant devices30. In the example inFIG.5, the overall management server10displays, as the display condition, “order of device ID” displaying them sorted in order of the device identification information of the registered plant device30, “order of installation date and time” displaying them sorted in order of the date and time when the plant devices30were installed in the plant, and “order of registration date and time” displaying them sorted in order of the date and time when the communication registration information of the SIMs40set in the plant devices30were registered in a selectable manner by a radio button each. The overall management server10can also display the management screen for each contractor of the SIMs40.

2-3-2. List of Registered Devices

As illustrated inFIG.5, the overall management server10displays a list of registered devices, which is an outline of the communication registration information of the registered plant devices30in accordance with the condition selected as the display condition. In the example inFIG.5, the overall management server10displays, as the list of registered devices, “device ID,” which is the device identification information of the plant devices30, “SIM ID,” which is the communication identification information of the SIMs40set in the plant devices30, and “application ID,” which is the identification information of the web applications collecting information transmitted by the plant devices30in order of device ID selected by the radio button. That is, the overall management server10displays {device ID: Plant Device A, SIM ID: SIM-A, application ID: Application A, . . . }, {device ID: Plant Device B, SIM ID: SIM-B, application ID: Application B, . . . }, {device ID: Plant Device C, SIM ID: SIM-C, application ID: Application C, . . . }, . . . in this order.

2-3-3. Other Display

Furthermore, the overall management server10can display more detailed information in response to operations by a user of a terminal apparatus to which the display screen is output. For example, when “Plant Device A” is clicked on in the above list of registered devices, the overall management server10may display information on the device type (sensor device, gateway device, or control device) of Plant Device A and/or the plant in which it is installed. When “SIM-A” is clicked on in the above list of registered devices, the overall management server10may display a phone number indicating the communication-specific information of SIM-A. When “Application A” is clicked on in the above list of registered devices, the overall management server10may display the application hierarchy information indicating the hierarchical structure of Application A.

2-4. Configuration Example of Application Server20

The following describes a configuration example of the application server20, which is an information management apparatus, usingFIG.2. The application server20has a communication unit21, a storage unit22, and a controller23. The application server20executes applications collecting information transmitted from devices. The application server20may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) receiving various types of operations from the manager of the device management system100-1and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various types of information.

The communication unit21is responsible for data communication with other apparatuses. For example, the communication unit21performs data communication with each communication apparatus via a router or the like. The communication unit21can also perform data communication with an operator's terminal not illustrated.

The storage unit22stores therein various types of information referred to when the controller23operates and various types of information acquired when the controller23operates. The storage unit22has a device registration information storage unit22a. The storage unit22can be implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, or the like. In the example inFIG.2, the storage unit22is installed inside the application server20, but it may be installed outside the application server20, or a plurality of storage units may be installed.

2-4-2-1. Device Registration Information Storage Unit22a

The device registration information storage unit22astores therein the device registration information generated by a generation unit23bof the controller23described below. With reference toFIG.4, the following describes an example of the information that the device registration information storage unit22astores therein.FIG.4is a diagram of an example of the device registration information storage unit22aof the application server20according to the embodiment. In the example inFIG.4, the device registration information storage unit22ahas items such as “device identification information,” “communication identification information,” “application identification information,” and “application hierarchy information.”

The “device identification information” indicates the identification information for identifying the device and is, for example, the hardware identification number of the plant devices30. The “communication identification information” indicates the identification information for identifying the component that enables the communication services and is, for example, the card identification number of the SIMs40. The “application identification information” indicates the identification information for identifying the application and is, for example, the identification number of the application server20, the identification number of the application use area, or the like. The “application hierarchy information” indicates the location information for identifying the area in which the application is installed and is, for example, the location information for identifying the hierarchical structure of the management area managed by the communication service provider, the application area managed by the communication service operator, and the like.

That is,FIG.4illustrates an example in which, for the plant devices30set by the engineer E in the plant, the communication identification information of the plant device30A identified by the device identification information “Plant Device A” is “SIM-A,” the application identification information thereof is “Application A,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 001,” the communication identification information of the plant device30B identified by the device identification information “Plant Device B” is “SIM-B,” the application identification information thereof is “Application B,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 002,” and the communication identification information of the plant device30C identified by the device identification information “Plant Device C” is “SIM-C,” the application identification information thereof is “Application C,” and the application hierarchy information thereof is “Hierarchical Structure 003.”

The controller23is responsible for the control of the entire application server20. The controller23has a receiver23aand a transmitter23c. The controller23can be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU or a MPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

The receiver23areceives the device setting information including the device identification information of a device and the communication identification information for causing the device to perform communication from the device. To describe it using a specific example, the receiver23areceives the device setting information {the device identification information: Plant Device A, the communication identification information: SIM-A} transmitted from the plant device30A, the device setting information {the device identification information: Plant Device B, the communication identification information: SIM-B} transmitted from the plant device30B, and the device setting information {the device identification information: Plant Device C, the communication identification information: SIM-C} transmitted from the plant device30C.

The receiver23acan also receive various types of inquiries from the engineer E. For example, the receiver23areceives, as inquiries about the plant managed by the engineer E, requests of the device identification information of the plant devices30, the communication identification information of the SIMs40, and the identification information of the web applications.

The generation unit23bgenerates the device registration information associating the application information on the application with the device setting information. To describe it using a specific example, the generation unit23bgenerates, as the device registration information of the plant device30A, information in which the application information {the application identification information: Application A, the application hierarchy information: Hierarchical Structure 001} is added to the device setting information {the device identification information: Plant Device A, the communication identification information: SIM-A}. The generation unit23bstores the device registration information in the device registration information storage unit22a.

The transmitter23ctransmits the device registration information associating the application information on the application with the device setting information. To describe it using a specific example, the transmitter23ctransmits, as the device registration information of the plant device30A generated by the generation unit23b, {the device identification information: Plant Device A, the communication identification information: SIM-A, the application identification information: Application A, the application hierarchy information: Hierarchical Structure 001} to the overall management server10.

The transmitter23ccan also transmit answers to various types of inquiries to the engineer E. For example, the transmitter23ctransmits, as answers to inquiries about the plant managed by the engineer E, the device identification information of the plant devices30, the communication identification information of the SIMs40, and the identification information of the web applications.

2-5. Configuration Example of Plant Devices30

The following describes a configuration example of the plant devices30usingFIG.2. For example, the plant devices30include a sensor device, which is a measurement device, a gateway device, which is a communication device, and a control device, which is responsible for the control of the devices. The plant devices30(30A,30B,30C) have transmitter-receivers31(31A,31B,31C).

The transmitter-receivers31transmit various types of information. For example, the transmitter-receivers31transmit the received plant information to the application server20. The transmitter-receivers31also receive various types of information. For example, the transmitter-receivers31receive the plant information in the plant.

2-6. Configuration Example of SIMs40

The following describes a configuration example of the SIMs40usingFIG.2. For example, the SIMs40(40A,40B,40C) are card-shaped components set by being inserted into the card slots of the respective plant devices30(30A,30B,30C). The SIMs40also have the card identification number, which is identification information for identifying the SIM card, and the phone number of the SIMs40, which is information in order to use each communication service.

3. Processing Procedure of Device Management System100-1

The following describes the processing procedure of the device management system100-1according to the first embodiment usingFIG.6.FIG.6is a sequence diagram of an example of the procedure of device management processing according to the first embodiment. The processing at Steps S101to S107below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S101to S107below may be omitted.

3-1. Plant Device Setting Processing

The engineer E, who is the plant manager, sets the SIMs40in the plant devices30(Step S101). For example, the engineer E sets the SIMs40by inserting the card-shaped SIMs40into the card slots of the respective plant devices30(30A,30B,30C).

3-2. Device Setting Information Transmission Processing

The engineer E sets the device setting information in the application server20(Step S102). For example, the engineer E sets the device setting information, which is a combination of the device identification information of the plant devices30and the communication identification information of the SIMs40, in the application server20.

3-3. Application Information Addition Processing

The application server20generates the device registration information by adding the application information to the device setting information (Step S103). For example, the application server20generates the device registration information by adding the identification information of the application and the hierarchy information of the application as the application information. The application server20then stores the generated device registration information in the storage unit22(Step S104). For example, the application server20stores a combination of the device identification information of the plant devices30, the communication identification information of the SIMs40, and the application information as the device registration information in the device registration information storage unit22a.

3-4. Device Registration Information Transmission Processing

The application server20transmits the device registration information to the overall management server10(Step S105). For example, the application server20transmits a combination of the device identification information of the plant devices30, the communication identification information of the SIMs40, and the application information as the device registration information to the overall management server10.

3-5. Communication Registration Information Generation Processing

The overall management server10generates the communication registration information by adding the communication contract information to the device registration information (Step S106). For example, the overall management server10generates the communication registration information by adding the contractor information and the communication-specific information as the communication contract information. The overall management server10then stores the generated communication registration information in the storage unit12(Step S107). For example, the overall management server10stores a combination of the communication identification information of the SIMs40, the communication-specific information of the SIMs40, the device identification information of the plant devices30, and the application information for each communication contractor as the communication registration information in the communication registration information storage unit12a.

4. Effects of First Embodiment

The following finally describes the effects of the first embodiment. The following describes Effects 1 to 3 corresponding to the processing according to the first embodiment.

First, in the processing according to the first embodiment described above, the overall management server10acquires the device registration information in which the device setting information including the device identification information of a device and the communication identification information set for causing the device to perform communication and the application information on the application collecting information transmitted from the device are associated with each other and generates the communication registration information associating the communication contract information indicating the contract state of the communication with the device registration information. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40.

Second, in the processing according to the first embodiment described above, the device is the plant device including the communication device and the sensor device installed in the plant and transmitting the plant information acquired from the plant to the designated destination, and the overall management server10acquires, from each of a plurality of applications collecting the plant information, the device registration information in which the application information of each of the applications and the device setting information of the device having acquired the plant information are associated with each other and manages each of the applications and the communication registration information associated with each other. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40even when a plurality of applications are being used in the plant.

Third, in the processing according to the first embodiment described above, the communication identification information included in the device setting information is the identification information of the SIM card inserted into the device for causing the device to transmit information to the application. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40by managing the information on the devices in which the SIMs40are set.

Second Embodiment

The following in a second embodiment describes processing of referring to the communication registration information registered by the registration processing of the first embodiment to identify the application information and the device identification information. The following describes a configuration, a configuration of each apparatus, and a processing procedure of a device management system100-2according to the second embodiment in order and finally describes the effects of the second embodiment. For the configurations and processing common to those of the first embodiment, descriptions thereof are omitted.

1. Configuration of Device Management System100-2

The following describes the configuration of the device management system100-2according to the second embodiment in detail usingFIG.7.FIG.7is a diagram of a configuration example of the device management system100-2according to the second embodiment. The following describes a configuration example of the entire device management system100-2, processing by the device management system100-2, and problems with the device management system of the reference technology in order and finally describes the effects of the device management system100-2.

1-1. Configuration Example of Entire Device Management System100-2

The device management system100-2has the overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus, the plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), and the SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The overall management server10is built in a cloud environment. The plant devices30(30A,30B,30C) are installed in a plant and set the respective SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The device management system100-2illustrated inFIG.7may include a plurality of the overall management servers10.

1-2. Processing by Entire Device Management System100-2: Device and Application Identification Processing

The following describes device and application identification processing identifying the plant device30and the application with the SIM40not in use set in the device management system100-2as described above. Steps S21to S24below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S21to S24below may be omitted.

The engineer E, who is the plant manager, checks the state of use of the SIMs40set in the plant devices30(Step S21). For example, the engineer E acquires information on the state of use provided by a communication carrier terminal50to check the state of use of the SIMs40and to acquire the communication-specific information of the SIM40not in use.

1-2-2. Communication-Specific Information Transmission Processing

The engineer E transmits the communication-specific information of the SIM40not in use to the overall management server10(Step S22). For example, the engineer E transmits the phone number of the SIM40C not in use to the overall management server10via a terminal apparatus not illustrated.

1-2-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10identifies the web application and the plant device30based on the communication-specific information of the SIM40by the identification unit13c(Step S23). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information illustrated inFIG.3, searches for the phone number of the SIM40C, and identifies Application C and the plant device30C associated with the phone number.

1-2-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

Based on the identified information, the overall management server10provides notification of the application information and the device identification information to the engineer E by the notification unit13d(Step S24). For example, the overall management server10provides notification of the identification information of Application C having been identified and the device identification information of the plant device30C having been identified to a terminal apparatus of the engineer E (not illustrated).

1-3. Problems with Device Management Processing of Reference Technology

The management of SIMs of the reference technology makes it difficult to efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs. For example, there is a following problem: the plant devices, the web applications, and the communication contract information are separately managed, and thus to grasp the relation of such information, it is necessary to investigate the relation between a plurality of pieces of information, which takes time and effort.

1-4. Effects of Device Management System100-2

The following describes an outline of the device management system100-2according to the second embodiment and further describes the effects of the device management system100-2.

1-4-1. Outline of Device Management System100-2

First, the engineer E, who is the plant manager, checks the state of use of the SIMs40set in the plant devices30. Second, the engineer E transmits the communication-specific information of the SIM40not in use to the overall management server10. Third, the overall management server10identifies the web application and the plant device30based on the communication-specific information of the SIM40. Fourth, the overall management server10provides notification of the application information and the device identification information to the engineer E based on the identified information.

1-4-2. Effects of Device Management System100-2

The communication carrier and the plant manager can monitor, from the phone number of the SIM40, its operating state and can thus identify the SIM40not in use and easily identify which SIM40is being used in which web application and plant device30. That is, from the information on the SIMs40, the related web applications and the set plant devices30can be managed. As described above, the device management system100-2can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40.

2. Configuration of Each Apparatus of Device Management System100-2

The following describes a functional configuration of the overall management server10of the device management system100-2illustrated inFIG.7. A configuration example of the entire device management system100-2and configuration examples of the plant devices30, the SIMs40, and the application server20, which is not illustrated, are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

2-1. Configuration Example of Overall Management Server10

The overall management server10has the communication unit11, the storage unit12, and the controller13. The overall management server10may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) receiving various types of operations from a manager of the device management system100-2and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various types of information.

The communication unit11is responsible for data communication with other apparatuses. The communication unit11performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The storage unit12stores therein various types of information referred to when the controller13operates and various types of information acquired when the controller13operates. The storage unit12performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The controller13is responsible for the control of the entire overall management server10. The controller13has the acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, the identification unit13c, and the notification unit13das inFIG.2. The controller13can be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU or a MPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

The acquisition unit13aacquires various types of information. The details of the processing by the acquisition unit13aare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The generation unit13bgenerates various types of information. The details of the processing by the generation unit13bare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

When receiving an inquiry about at least one of the device, the communication contract information, and the application, the identification unit13cidentifies information for the inquiry by referring to the communication registration information stored in the storage unit12. The communication registration information is information with which the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information of the SIMs40is associated. For example, when receiving the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information of a certain SIM40, the identification unit13cidentifies at least either the device identification information or the application information associated with the communication-specific information of the certain SIM40by referring to the communication registration information stored in the storage unit12.

To describe it for a specific example, the identification unit13creceives the phone number “333-3333-3333” of the SIM40C not in use from the terminal apparatus of the engineer E, who is the plant manager, and identifies related Web Application C and the plant device30C in which the SIM40C is set by referring to the communication registration information of the communication registration information storage unit12aillustrated inFIG.3.

The notification unit13dprovides notification of an answer based on an identification result by the identification unit13cto an inquiry source. For example, the notification unit13dprovides notification of an answer including at least either the device identification information of the identified device or the identified application information. To describe it for a specific example, the notification unit13dprovides notification of the application identification information “Application C” of Web Application C related to the SIM40C and the device identification information “Plant Device C” of the plant device30C in which the SIM40C is set, which have been identified by the identification unit13c, to the terminal apparatus of the engineer E, who is the plant manager. A specific example of a display screen output by the notification unit13dwill be described in (2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen) of the second embodiment.

2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen

The following describes the specific example of the display screen output by the notification unit13dof the overall management server10usingFIG.8.FIG.8is a diagram of the specific example of the display screen of a device search result according to the second embodiment. The following describes “object to be searched for,” “search condition,” and “search result” on the management screen of “device registration system” in this order.

2-2-1. Object to be Searched for

As illustrated inFIG.8, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information and displays an object to be searched for, which is an object to be identified, in a selectable manner. In the example inFIG.8, the overall management server10displays “device,” which is the registered plant device30, “SIM,” which is the registered SIM40, and “application,” which is the registered web application, as the object to be searched for in a selectable manner by a radio button each. The overall management server10can also display the management screen for each contractor of the SIMs40. In the example inFIG.8, “device” and “application” are selected.

2-2-2. Search Condition

As illustrated inFIG.8, the overall management server10, in accordance with the object selected as the object to be searched for, displays a search condition to be input in order to search for the object. In the example inFIG.8, the overall management server10displays a pull-down menu from which “SIM phone number” can be selected as a type of the search condition and a text box corresponding to the type of the search condition. The overall management server10starts search processing by the phone number “333-3333-3333” of the SIM40C being input to the text box and the “search” button being clicked on.

2-2-3. Search Result

As illustrated inFIG.8, the overall management server10performs search and displays a search result, which is information on the identified object to be searched for. In the example inFIG.8, the overall management server10displays, as a search result corresponding to the SIM40C the phone number of which has been input, “Plant Device C,” which is the device identification information “device ID” of the plant device30C, and “Application C,” which is the identification information “application ID” of the web application collecting information transmitted by the plant device30C.

2-2-4. Other Display

Furthermore, the overall management server10can display more detailed information in response to operations by a user of a terminal apparatus to which the display screen is output. For example, when “Plant Device C” is clicked on in the above search result, the overall management server10may display information on the device type (sensor device, gateway device, or control device) of Plant Device C and/or the plant in which it is installed. When “Application C” is clicked on in the above search result, the overall management server10may display the application hierarchy information indicating the hierarchical structure of Application C.

3. Processing Procedure of Device Management System100-2

The following describes the processing procedure of the device management system100-2according to the second embodiment usingFIG.9.FIG.9is a sequence diagram of an example of the procedure of device management processing according to the second embodiment. The processing at Steps S201to S208below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S201to S208below may be omitted.

The engineer E, who is the plant manager, checks the state of use of the SIMs40set in the plant devices30(Step S201). For example, the engineer E acquires the information on the state of use provided by the communication carrier terminal50to check the state of use of the SIMs40. The engineer E then identifies the SIMs40not in use (Step S202). For example, the engineer E identifies the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the SIMs40not in use.

3-2. Communication-Specific Information Transmission Processing

The engineer E transits the communication-specific information of the SIMS40to the overall management server10(Step S203). For example, the engineer E transmits the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the identified SIM40, to the overall management server10.

3-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10searches for the communication-specific information of the SIM40(Step S204). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information and searches for the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the SIM40.

Next, the overall management server10identifies the web application (Step S205). For example, the overall management server10identifies the web application associated with the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the SIM40.

The overall management server10identifies the plant device30(Step S207). For example, the overall management server10identifies the plant device30associated with the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the SIM40.

3-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

The overall management server10provides notification of the application information to the engineer E (Step S206). For example, the overall management server10provides notification of the identification information and the hierarchy information of the identified web application to the engineer E.

The overall management server10provides notification of the device identification information to the engineer E (Step S208). For example, the overall management server10provides notification of the identification information of the identified plant device30to the engineer E.

4. Effects of Second Embodiment

The following finally describes the effects of the second embodiment. The following describes Effects 1 and 2 corresponding to the processing according to the second embodiment.

First, in the processing according to the embodiment described above, the generated communication registration information is retained, and when an inquiry about the device, the communication contract information, or the application is received, the information for the inquiry is identified by referring to the retained communication registration information, and notification of an answer based on an identification result is provided to an inquiry source. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs by managing the relation among the devices, the SIMs, and the applications.

Second, in the processing according to the embodiment described above, when the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information of a certain SIM is received, the device in which the SIM indicated by the communication-specific information is set and the application in which the communication-specific information is registered are identified, and notification of an answer including the device identification information of the identified device and the application information of the identified application is provided. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs by identifying the relation between the devices and the applications from the information on the SIMs.

Third Embodiment

The following in a third embodiment describes processing of referring to the communication registration information registered by the registration processing of the first embodiment to identify the communication identification information. The following describes a configuration, a configuration of each apparatus, and a processing procedure of a device management system100-3according to the third embodiment in order and finally describes the effects of the third embodiment. For the configurations and processing common to those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, descriptions thereof are omitted.

1. Configuration of Device Management System100-3

The following describes the configuration of the device management system100-3according to the third embodiment in detail usingFIG.10.FIG.10is a diagram of a configuration example of the device management system100-3according to the third embodiment. The following describes a configuration example of the entire device management system100-3, processing by the device management system100-3, and problems with the device management system of the reference technology in order and finally describes the effects of the device management system100-3.

1-1. Configuration Example of Entire Device Management System100-3

The device management system100-3has the overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus, the application server20, which is an information management apparatus, the plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), and the SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The overall management server10and the application server20are built in a cloud environment. The plant devices30(30A,30B,30C) are installed in a plant and set the respective SIMs40(40A,40B,40C). The device management system100-3illustrated inFIG.10may include a plurality of the overall management servers10or a plurality of the application servers20.

1-2. Processing by Entire Device Management System100-3: SIM Identification Processing

The following describes SIM identification processing identifying the communication identification information of the SIM40set in the plant device30not in use in the device management system100-3as described above. Steps S31to S35below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S31to S35below may be omitted.

1-2-1. Device Identification Information Notification Processing

The application server20transmits the device identification information to the engineer E, who is the plant manager (Step S31). For example, the application server20provides notification of the device identification information of the plant devices30in response to a request transmitted from the terminal apparatus of the engineer E (not illustrated).

1-2-2. Device Identification Information Transmission Processing

The engineer E transmits the device identification information of the plant device30not in use to the overall management server10(Step S32). For example, the engineer E transmits the device identification information of the plant device30A not in use to the overall management server10via the terminal apparatus not illustrated.

1-2-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10identifies the communication identification information of the SIMs40based on the device identification information of the plant devices30(Step S33). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information, searches for the device identification information of the plant device30A, and identifies the SIM40A associated with the device identification information.

1-2-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

Based on the identified information, the overall management server10provides notification of the communication-specific information to the engineer E (Step S34). For example, the overall management server10provides notification of the phone number of the identified SIM40A to the terminal apparatus of the engineer E (not illustrated).

1-2-5. SIM Stopping Processing

Based on the information the notification of which has been provided, the SIM40associated with the device not in use is not in use, and thus the engineer E stops the SIM40via the communication carrier terminal50performing SIM management (Step S35). For example, the engineer E transmits the phone number of the identified SIM40A to the communication carrier terminal50to cancel the communication contract with the SIM40A.

1-3. Problems with Device Management Processing of Reference Technology

The management of SIMs of the reference technology makes it difficult to efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs. For example, the plant manager cannot grasp the phone number of the SIMs in the plant, designates the identification information of the plant device to stop the plant device, and may thus want to identify the SIM from the identification information of the plant device when stopping the plant device. Meanwhile, if management is done for each communication service, it is difficult to identify the relation between the plant devices and the SIMs, and thus there is a problem in that the plant device is stopped but the contract with the SIM continues, thus continuing billing.

1-4. Effects of Device Management System100-3

The following describes an outline of the device management system100-3according to the third embodiment and further describes the effects of the device management system100-3.

1-4-1. Outline of Device Management System100-3

First, the application server20transmits the device identification information to the engineer E, who is the plant manager. Second, the engineer E transmits the device identification information of the plant device30not in use to the overall management server10. Third, the overall management server10identifies the SIM40based on the device identification information of the plant device30. Fourth, the overall management server10provides notification of the communication-specific information to the engineer E based on the identified information. Fifth, the engineer E stops the SIM40based on the information the notification of which has been provided.

1-4-2. Effects of Device Management System100-3

The plant manager can grasp the state of use of the SIMs40, grasp whether there is any SIM40not in use by any web application, and save a wasteful use charge for the SIM40by stopping the SIM40. In addition, the communication carrier can identify the SIM40the communication contract of which will expire and can confirm with the plant manager the decision to continue use and the like. As described above, the device management system100-3can efficiently grasp the state of use of the SIMs40.

2. Configuration of Each Apparatus of Device Management System100-3

The following describes a functional configuration of the overall management server10of the device management system100-3illustrated inFIG.10. A configuration example of the entire device management system100-3and configuration examples of the application server20, the plant devices30, and the SIMs40are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

2-1. Configuration Example of Overall Management Server10

The overall management server10has the communication unit11, the storage unit12, and the controller13. The overall management server10may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) receiving various types of operations from a manager of the device management system100-3and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various types of information.

The communication unit11is responsible for data communication with other apparatuses. The communication unit11performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The storage unit12stores therein various types of information referred to when the controller13operates and various types of information acquired when the controller13operates. The storage unit12performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The controller13is responsible for the control of the entire overall management server10. The controller13has the acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, the identification unit13c, and the notification unit13das inFIG.2. The controller13can be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU or a MPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

The acquisition unit13aacquires various types of information. The details of the processing by the acquisition unit13aare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The generation unit13bgenerates various types of information. The details of the processing by the generation unit13bare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

When receiving an inquiry about at least one of the device, the communication contract information, and the application, the identification unit13cidentifies information for the inquiry by referring to the communication registration information stored in the storage unit12. The communication registration information is information with which the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information of the SIMs40is associated. For example, when receiving the device identification information of a certain device by referring to the communication registration information stored in the storage unit12, the identification unit13cidentifies the communication identification information of a certain SIM40associated with the received device identification information.

To describe it for a specific example, the identification unit13creceives the device identification information “Plant Device A” of the plant device30A not in use from the terminal apparatus of the engineer E, who is the plant manager, and identifies the certain SIM40A set in the plant device30A by referring to the communication registration information storage unit12a.

The notification unit13dprovides notification of an answer based on an identification result by the identification unit13cto an inquiry source. For example, the notification unit13dprovides notification of an answer including the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information associated with the communication identification information of the identified SIM40. To describe it for a specific example, the notification unit13dprovides notification of the phone number “333-3333-3333,” which is the communication-specific information, of the SIM40A set in the plant device30A identified by the identification unit13cto the terminal apparatus of the engineer E, who is the plant manager. A specific example of a display screen output by the notification unit13dwill be described in (2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen) of the third embodiment.

2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen

The following describes the specific example of the display screen output by the notification unit13dof the overall management server10usingFIG.11.FIG.11is a diagram of the specific example of the display screen of a search result of the SIM40according to the third embodiment. The following describes “object to be searched for,” “search condition,” and “search result” on the management screen of “device registration system” in this order.

2-2-1. Object to be Searched for

As illustrated inFIG.11, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information and displays an object to be searched for, which is an object to be identified, in a selectable manner. In the example inFIG.11, the overall management server10displays “device,” which is the registered plant device30, “SIM,” which is the registered SIM40, and “application,” which is the registered web application, as the object to be searched for in a selectable manner by a radio button. The overall management server10can also display the management screen for each contractor of the SIMs40. In the example inFIG.11, “SIM” is selected.

2-2-2. Search Condition

As illustrated inFIG.11, the overall management server10, in accordance with the object selected as the object to be searched for, displays a search condition to be input in order to search for the object. In the example inFIG.11, the overall management server10displays a pull-down menu from which “device ID” can be selected as a type of the search condition and a text box corresponding to the type of the search condition. The overall management server10starts search processing by the device identification information “Plant Device A” of the plant device30A being input to the text box and the “search” button being clicked on.

2-2-3. Search Result

As illustrated inFIG.11, the overall management server10performs search and displays a search result, which is information on the identified object to be searched for. In the example inFIG.11, the overall management server10displays, as a search result corresponding to the plant device30A the device identification information of which has been input, “111-1111-1111,” which is the communication-specific information “SIM phone number” of the SIM40A.

2-2-4. Other Display

Furthermore, the overall management server10can display more detailed information in response to operations by a user of a terminal apparatus to which the display screen is output. For example, when “111-1111-1111” is clicked on in the above search result, the overall management server10may display a screen to cancel the communication contract with the SIM40A.

3. Processing Procedure of Device Management System100-3

The following describes the processing procedure of the device management system100-3according to the third embodiment usingFIG.12.FIG.12is a sequence diagram of an example of the procedure of device management processing according to the third embodiment. The processing at Steps S301to S307below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S301to S307below may be omitted.

3-1. Device Identification Information Notification Processing

The engineer E, who is the plant manager, requests the device identification information from the application server20(Step S301). For example, the engineer E requests the device identification information of the plant device30not in use. The application server20then provides notification of the device identification information to the engineer E (Step S302). For example, the application server20provides notification of the device identification information of the plant device30not in use to the engineer E. The engineer E can also request the identification information from the overall management server10.

3-2. Device Identification Information Transmission Processing

The engineer E transmits the device identification information to the overall management server10(Step S303). For example, the engineer E transmits the device identification information of the plant device30not in use to the overall management server10.

3-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10searches for the device identification information (Step S304). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information to search for the device identification information of the plant device30.

Next, the overall management server10identifies the SIM40(Step S305). For example, the overall management server10identifies the SIM40associated with the device identification information of the plant device30.

3-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

The overall management server10provides notification of the communication-specific information of the SIM40to the engineer E (Step S306). For example, the overall management server10provides notification of the phone number, which is the communication-specific information, of the identified SIM40to the engineer E.

3-5. SIM Stopping Processing

The engineer E stops the SIM40(Step S307). For example, the engineer E cancels the communication contract with the SIM40by transmitting the phone number of the SIM40not in use to the communication carrier via the terminal apparatus not illustrated.

4. Effects of Third Embodiment

The following finally describes the effects of the third embodiment. The following describes Effects 1 and 2 corresponding to the processing according to the third embodiment.

First, in the processing according to the embodiment described above, the generated communication registration information is retained, and when an inquiry about the device, the communication contract information, or the application is received, the information for the inquiry is identified by referring to the retained communication registration information, and notification of an answer based on an identification result is provided to an inquiry source. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40by managing the relation among the devices, the SIMs40, and the applications.

Second, in the processing according to the embodiment described above, when the device identification information of a certain device is received, the SIM40associated with the received device identification information is identified, and notification of an answer including the communication-specific information indicated by the communication contract information of the identified SIM40is provided. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40by identifying the relation with the SIMs40from the information on the devices.

Fourth Embodiment

The following in a fourth embodiment describes processing of referring to the communication registration information registered by the registration processing of the first embodiment to provide notification of an alarm when the object to be searched for cannot be identified. The following describes a configuration, a configuration of each apparatus, and a processing procedure of a device management system100-4according to the fourth embodiment in order and finally describes the effects of the fourth embodiment. For the configurations and processing common to those of the first to third embodiments, descriptions thereof are omitted.

1. Configuration of Device Management System100-4

The following describes the configuration of the device management system100-4according to the fourth embodiment in detail usingFIG.13.FIG.13is a diagram of a configuration example of the device management system100-4according to the fourth embodiment. The following describes a configuration example of the entire device management system100-4and processing by the device management system100-4in order and finally describes the effects of the device management system100-4.

1-1. Configuration Example of Entire Device Management System100-4

The device management system100-4has the overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus, the plant devices30(30A,30B,30C), and the SIMs40(40A,40D,40C). The overall management server10is built in a cloud environment. The plant devices30(30A,30B,30C) are installed in a plant and set the respective SIMs40(40A,40D,40C). The device management system100-4illustrated inFIG.13may include a plurality of the overall management servers10.

1-2. Processing by Entire Device Management System100-4: Alarm Notification Processing

The following describes alarm notification processing along with a change in the setting of the plant device30in the device management system100-4as described above. Steps S41to S44below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S41to S44below may be omitted.

1-2-1. Plant Device Setting Change Processing

The engineer E changes the settings of the plant devices30and the SIMs40(Step S41). For example, the engineer E removes the SIM40B having been inserted into the plant device30B and inserts the SIM40D thereinto instead.

1-2-2. Communication Registration Information Inquiry Processing

The engineer E makes an inquiry to the overall management server10about the plant devices30and the SIMs40(Step S42). For example, the engineer E transmits the communication identification information of all the SIMs40(40A,40D,40C) set in the plant devices30in the plant to the overall management server10in order to check where the combination of the plant devices30and the SIMs40has been changed.

1-2-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10refers to the communication registration information (Step S43). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information, searches for the transmitted communication identification information of the SIMs40, and identifies the device identification information with which the communication identification information is associated. That is, the overall management server10identifies the device identification information for the SIM40A and the SIM40C. On the other hand, the overall management server10cannot identify the device identification information for the SIM40D because the communication registration information of the plant device30B and the SIM40D is not registered.

1-2-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

The overall management server10provides notification of the device identification information or an alarm to the engineer E based on the identified information (Step S44). For example, for the SIM40A and the SIM40C among the transmitted SIMs40, the overall management server10provides notification of the device identification information of the plant device30A and the plant device30C, respectively, indicated by the communication registration information. On the other hand, for the SIM40D among the transmitted SIMs40, the overall management server10provides notification of an answer indicating that the communication registration information is not registered as an alarm. In this process, the overall management server10may provide notification of an answer prompting registration after the setting change.

1-3. Effects of Device Management System100-4

The following describes an outline of the device management system100-4according to the fourth embodiment and further describes the effects of the device management system100-4.

1-3-1. Outline of Device Management System100-4

First, the engineer E changes the settings of the plant devices30and the SIMs40. Second, the engineer E makes an inquiry to the overall management server10about the plant devices30and the SIMs40. Third, the overall management server10searches for the communication registration information. Fourth, the overall management server10provides notification of the device identification information or an alarm to the engineer E based on the identified information.

1-3-2. Effects of Device Management System100-4

Even when changing the settings of the plant devices30during a plant maintenance or the like, the plant manager can grasp the combination of the plant devices30and the SIMs40after the change. In addition, even when the plant devices30are incorrectly set, the plant manager can promptly perform resetting of the plant devices30by receiving alarm notification.

2. Configuration of Each Apparatus of Device Management System100-4

The following describes a functional configuration of the overall management server10of the device management system100-4illustrated inFIG.13. A configuration example of the entire device management system100-4and configuration examples of the application server20, the plant devices30, and the SIMs40are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

2-1. Configuration Example of Overall Management Server10

The overall management server10has the communication unit11, the storage unit12, and the controller13. The overall management server10may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) receiving various types of operations from a manager of the device management system100-4and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various types of information.

The communication unit11is responsible for data communication with other apparatuses. The communication unit11performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The storage unit12stores therein various types of information referred to when the controller13operates and various types of information acquired when the controller13operates. The storage unit12performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.2, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The controller13is responsible for the control of the entire overall management server10. The controller13has the acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, the identification unit13c, and the notification unit13das inFIG.2. The controller13can be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU or a MPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

The acquisition unit13aacquires various types of information. The details of the processing by the acquisition unit13aare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The generation unit13bgenerates various types of information. The details of the processing by the generation unit13bare common to those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

When receiving an inquiry about at least one of the device, the communication contract information, and the application, the identification unit13cidentifies information for the inquiry by referring to the storage unit12.

The notification unit13dprovides notification of an answer based on an identification result by the identification unit13cto an inquiry source. For example, the notification unit13drefers to the communication registration information stored in the storage unit12and, when the information for the inquiry is not identified, provides notification of an answer indicating that at least one of information on the device, the communication contract information, and the application is unregistered. To describe it for a specific example, when the phone number “444-4444-4444,” which is the communication-specific information, of the SIM40D about which the inquiry has been received is not identified, the notification unit13dprovides notification of “SIM40D is unregistered. Do you register it?” or the like to the terminal apparatus of the engineer E, who is the plant manager. A specific example of a display screen output by the notification unit13dwill be described in (2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen) of the fourth embodiment.

2-2. Specific Example of Display Screen

The following describes the specific example of the display screen output by the notification unit13dof the overall management server10usingFIG.14.FIG.14is a diagram of the specific example of the display screen of a device search result according to the fourth embodiment. The following describes “object to be searched for,” “search condition,” and “search result” on the management screen of “device registration system” in this order.

2-2-1. Object to be Searched for

As illustrated inFIG.14, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information and displays an object to be searched for, which is an object to be identified, in a selectable manner. In the example inFIG.14, the overall management server10displays “device,” which is the registered plant device30, “SIM,” which is the registered SIM40, and “application,” which is the registered web application, as the object to be searched for in a selectable manner by a radio button. In the example inFIG.14, “device” and “application” are selected.

2-2-2. Search Condition

As illustrated inFIG.14, the overall management server10, in accordance with the object selected as the object to be searched for, displays a search condition to be input in order to search for the object. In the example inFIG.14, the overall management server10displays a pull-down menu from which “SIM phone number” can be selected as a type of the search condition and a text box corresponding to the type of the search condition. The overall management server10starts search processing by the phone number “444-4444-4444” of the SIM40D being input to the text box and the “search” button being clicked on.

2-2-3. Search Result

As illustrated inFIG.14, the overall management server10performs search and displays a search result, which is information on the identified object to be searched for. In the example inFIG.14, the overall management server10displays, as a search result corresponding to the SIM40D the phone number of which has been input, the device identification information “device ID” of the plant devices30being “unregistered” and the identification information “application ID” of the web applications being “unregistered.” That is, the overall management server10provides notification of the fact that the device setting information and the communication registration information corresponding to the SIM40D have not been registered.

2-2-4. Other Display

Furthermore, the overall management server10can display more detailed information in response to operations by a user of a terminal apparatus to which the display screen is output. For example, when “unregistered” is clicked on in the above search result, the overall management server10may display a screen to perform resetting of the SIM40D.

3. Processing Procedure of Device Management System100-4

The following describes the processing procedure of the device management system100-4according to the fourth embodiment usingFIG.15.FIG.15is a sequence diagram of an example of the procedure of device management processing according to the fourth embodiment. The processing at Steps S401to S406below can be executed in a different order. Some processing at Steps S401to S406below may be omitted.

3-1. Plant Device Setting Change Processing

The engineer E changes the settings of the plant devices30and the SIMs40(Step S401). For example, the engineer E changes the SIM40having been inserted into the plant device30.

3-2. Communication Registration Information Inquiry Processing

The engineer E makes an inquiry to the overall management server10about the plant devices30and the SIMs40(Step S402). For example, the engineer E transmits the communication identification information of all the SIMs40set in the plant devices30in the plant to the overall management server10in order to check where the combination of the plant devices30and the SIMs40has been changed.

3-3. Communication Registration Information Reference Processing

The overall management server10refers to the communication registration information (Step S403). For example, the overall management server10refers to the registered communication registration information and searches for the transmitted communication identification information of the SIMs40. The overall management server10then identifies the plant devices30and the SIMs40(Step S404). For example, the overall management server10identifies the plant devices30of the registered SIMs40.

3-4. Identification Result Notification Processing

The overall management server10provides notification of an alarm to the engineer E if there is unidentified information (Step S405). For example, if the device setting information cannot be identified for the transmitted SIMs40, the overall management server10provides notification of an answer of being unregistered. In this process, the overall management server10may provide notification of an answer prompting resetting after the setting change (Step S406).

4. Effects of Fourth Embodiment

The following finally describes the effects of the fourth embodiment. The following describes Effects 1 and 2 corresponding to the processing according to the fourth embodiment.

First, in the processing according to the fourth embodiment described above, the generated communication registration information is retained, and when an inquiry about the device, the communication contract information, or the application is received, the information for the inquiry is identified by referring to the retained communication registration information, and notification of an answer based on an identification result is provided to an inquiry source. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40by managing the relation among the devices, the SIMs40, and the applications.

Second, in the processing according to the fourth embodiment described above, when the information for the inquiry is not identified, notification of an answer indicating that information on the device, the communication contract information, or the application is unregistered is provided. Thus, this processing can efficiently manage and grasp the state of use of the SIMs40even when the device and/or the SIMs40are unregistered.

System

The processing procedures, the control procedures, the specific names, and the information including various types of data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise noted.

Each component of each apparatus illustrated in the drawings is a functionally conceptual one and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. That is, the specific forms of dispersion and integration of each apparatus are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. In other words, the whole or part thereof can be configured dispersed and integrated functionally or physically in any units in accordance with various loads and the state of use.

Furthermore, the whole or any part of each processing function performed by each apparatus can be implemented by a CPU and a computer program analyzed and executed by the CPU or implemented by hardware with wired logic.

Hardware

The following describes a hardware configuration example of the overall management server10, which is an information providing apparatus. Other apparatuses such as the application server20can have the same hardware configuration.FIG.16is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example. As illustrated inFIG.16, the overall management server10has a communication apparatus10a, a hard disk drive (HDD)10b, a memory10c, and a processor10d. The units illustrated inFIG.16are interconnected by a bus or the like.

The communication apparatus10ais a network interface card or the like and performs communication with other servers. The HDD10bstores therein computer programs and databases (DBs) operating the functions illustrated inFIG.2.

The processor10dreads a computer program executing the same processing as that by each processing unit illustrated inFIG.2from the HDD10bor the like and expands it into the memory10c, thereby operating a process executing each function described inFIG.2and the like. For example, this process executes the same function as that by each processing unit of the overall management server10. Specifically, the processor10dreads a computer program having the same functions as those of the acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, the identification unit13c, the notification unit13d, and the like from the HDD10bor the like. The processor10dthen executes a process executing the same processing as that by the acquisition unit13a, the generation unit13b, the identification unit13c, the notification unit13d, and the like.

Thus, the overall management server10operates as an apparatus executing various types of methods of processing by reading and executing the computer program. The overall management server10can also read the above computer program from a recording medium by a medium reading apparatus and execute the read computer program to implement the same functions as those of the above embodiments. The computer program referred to in this other embodiment is not limited to being executed by the overall management server10. For example, the present invention can be applied in the same manner to a case in which another computer or server executes the computer program or a case in which they collaborate to execute the computer program.

This computer program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. This computer program can be executed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MO), or a digital versatile disc (DVD) and read by a computer from the recording medium.

Others

The following describes some examples of a combination of the disclosed technical features.

The present invention produces the effect of making it possible to efficiently grasp the state of use of SIMs.