Patent Abstract:
A device identification code for identifying an electric device is generated based on electric device information predefined for each electric device. Accordingly, it becomes unnecessary for a communication adapter to be provided with a memory device storing the device identification code for identifying the electric device. A structure of the communication adapter can be therefore simplified, resulting in an avoidance of a network complication. Furthermore, precise identification of the electric device constituting the network can be accomplished using the device identification code.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a communication adaptor, a controller, and a network system, and more particularly, to a communication adaptor that connects electric devices to a network, a controller that controls electric devices connected to a network, and a network system including the electric devices and the controller constituting the network. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Internet and home network connected electric devices are connected to such a network via a communication adapter serving as an interface. An example communication adapter that connects an electric device to a network enables a communication between the electric device and the network by an installation of a program according to the electric device to be connected to the network (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2). This type of communication adapters employs the common hardware specification among devices, thereby achieving low costs and stable availability in the market. Hence, the network is operable with flexibility and at low cost. 
         [0003]    An identification code is allocated to a communication adapter that connects an electric device to a network. The electric device connected to the network is identified by the identification code allocated to the communication adapter. However, when, for example, the electric device connected to a communication adapter is replaced subsequent to the allocation of the identification code to the communication adapter, the initially allocated identification code occasionally becomes inconsistent with the electric device that corresponds to this identification code. In such a case, it occasionally becomes difficult to accurately identify an electric device over the network. 
         [0004]    To address this problem, various technologies have been proposed to achieve precise identification of a communication adapter and of an electric device connected thereto by utilizing both identification code for establishing communication over a network and identification code for identifying solely the electric device (see, for example, Patent Literature 3). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2004-229266. 
         [0006]    Patent Literature 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2006-127432. 
         [0007]    Patent Literature 3: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2008-172570. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0008]    According to the first technology disclosed in Patent Literature 3, a controller provides, to a communication adapter, a first identification code to establish communication and a second identification code to identify the controller. When a communication is carried out, the controller acquires, via the communication adapter, the second identification code, manufacturer information, device model information, control-property information, and the like. Next, by comparing the acquired information with pre-stored information, a communication target is identified. Accordingly, there is a problem of structural complexity of a device as is necessary to include means for storing the manufacturer information and the like in the controller. 
         [0009]    According to the second technology disclosed in Patent Literature 3, an electric device itself also stores an identification code for identifying the local electric device. In this case, it is necessary for the electric device itself to include storage means, whereas the costs of the electric device increase. 
         [0010]    Further, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 3, an identification code is necessary for each network when an electric device belongs to a plurality of networks. In this case, when, for example, the byte length and format of the identification code differ network by network, it is necessary for the electric device to include a large-capacity memory that serves as storage means, thereby bringing about a problem that the structure of the electric device is more complex. In addition, when the electric device possesses the identification code, this causes inconvenience of being unable to cope with any unexpected network. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances above, and it is an objective of the present disclosure to simplify a structure of a device by generating an identification code in a unified format in a network. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0012]    To achieve the objectives above, there is provided in accordance with the present disclosure, a communication adapter to connect an electric device to a network, that comprises acquiring means that acquires, from the electric device, device information on the electric device, and identification code generating means that generates, based on the device information, a device identification code for identifying the electric device in the network. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0013]    According to the present disclosure, electric device information on an electric device is acquired for each electric device, and a device identification code for identifying the electric device over the network is generated based on the electric device information. Hence, without making any alteration to a device structure, the device identification code in a unified format can be generated for each network. Therefore, simplification of the device structure is enabled. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a network system according to a first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a controller and a communication adapter; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a device identification code generator; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a device information manager; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a communication adapter according to a first modified example; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a communication adapter according to a second modified example; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a controller according to a second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram a controller according to a modified example; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a network system according to a modified example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0023]    Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to drawings.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a network system  10  according to this embodiment. The network system  10  includes a plurality of electric devices  40  connected to a communication network  50 , such as the Internet or a local area network, via a communication adapter  30 , and a controller  20  that controls these electric devices  40 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the controller  20  and the communication adapter  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the communication adapter  30  includes a network interface  31 , a communication adapter manager  32 , and a device interface  34 . 
         [0025]    The network interface  31  communicably connects the communication adapter manager  32  to the communication network  50 . This network interface  31  includes a local area network (LAN) interface. 
         [0026]    The communication adapter manager  32  is a computer constituted by a CPU, a main memory, and an auxiliary memory. The communication adapter manager  32  runs a program that is stored in the auxiliary memory. Next, the communication adapter manager  32  generates a device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  connected to the communication network  50 . For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that, in the following description, a function of generating the device identification code by having the CPU to execute a program is performed by a device identification code generator  33 . In addition, the communication adapter manager  32  outputs, to the electric device  40  via the device interface  34 , the information acquired via the network interface  31 . 
         [0027]    Still further, a node identification code for identifying the communication adapter  30  is allocated to the communication adapter manager  32 . This node identification code enables a unique identification of the communication adapter  30  connected to the communication network  50 . The node identification code is, for example, allocated individually by a user or is allocated to each communication adapter manager  32  by the controller  20  without a duplication. 
         [0028]    The device interface  34  communicably connects the electric device  40  with the communication adapter  30 . This device interface  34  includes a serial interface or a parallel interface. 
         [0029]    The electric device  40  is an electric device represented by, for example, an air conditioning device or a lighting device. 
         [0030]    Next, a device identification code generating operation of the device identification code generator  33  will be described.  FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of process steps performed by the device identification code generator  33 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when connected to the electric device  40 , the device identification code generator  33  communicates with the electric device  40  via the device interface  34 . Subsequently, the device identification code generator  33  identifies a device model of the electric device  40  (step S 101 ). The device model represents a type of the electric device  40 , and the device identification code generator  33  identifies, based on information notified by the electric device  40 , whether the electric device  40  is, for example, an air conditioning device or a lightning device. 
         [0031]    Next, the device identification code generator  33  determines whether or not the electric device  40  connected to the communication adapter  30  is suitable for the communication adapter  30  (step S 102 ). This determination is performed based on, for example, whether or not a program installed on the communication adapter  30  is compatible with the device model identified in the step S 101 . When the electric device  40  is not suitable for the communication adapter  30  (step S 102 ; No), the device identification code generator  33  terminates the process. In this case, it is necessary for the user to take measures such as program installation on the communication adapter  30  compatible with the electric device  40 . 
         [0032]    Conversely, when the electric device  40  is suitable for the communication adapter  30  (step S 102 ; Yes), the device identification code generator  33  communicates with the electric device  40  via the device interface  34 , and acquires electric device information from the electric device  40  (step S 103 ). This electric device information includes, for example, an identification code for identifying a manufacturer of the electric device  40 , an identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , and a manufacture&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 . 
         [0033]    Next, the device identification code generator  33  generates, based on the acquired device information, a device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  (step S 104 ). 
         [0034]    The steps of generating the device identification code are specified by the program run by the communication adapter manager  32 . The device identification code generator  33  extracts portions of information of a manufacturer identification code, a device identification code, and a manufacturer&#39;s serial number, respectively, serving as the electric device information described above. Next, the pieces of extracted information are combined to generate the device identification code, such that the electric device  40  is identified. The device identification code generated in this way is used, thereby enabling a unique identification of the electric device  40  connected to the communication network  50 . 
         [0035]    The device identification code generator  33  stores, upon generating the device identification code, information on the device identification code in the auxiliary memory that constitutes the communication adapter manager  32 . 
         [0036]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the controller  20  operates the electric devices  40  connected to the communication network  50  individually or cooperatively. In addition, the controller  20  displays individual status of the electric devices  40 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the controller  20  includes a controller manager  21 , a network interface  23 , a display  24 , and an inputter  25 . 
         [0037]    The controller manager  21  is a computer constituted by a CPU, a main memory, and an auxiliary memory. The controller manager  21  runs a program stored in the auxiliary memory. The controller manager  21  acquires and manages both of a node identification code of the communication adapter  30  that is connected to the communication network  50 , and a device identification code for identifying the electric device  40 . For convenience of explanation, it is presumed below that the function of acquiring and managing the device identification code by having the CPU to run the program is performed by the device information manager  22 . In addition, upon receiving an instruction input by the user via the inputter  25 , the controller manager  21  identifies, based on the node identification code and the device identification code, the electric device to be controlled, and performs a control according to the instruction. 
         [0038]    The network interface  23  communicably connects the controller manager  21  to the communication network  50 . This network interface  23  includes a local area network (LAN) interface. 
         [0039]    The display  24  includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display  24  displays the device identification code, the status of the electric device  40  that is connected to the communication network  50 , the status of the communication adapter  30 , and the like. 
         [0040]    The inputter  25  includes a touch panel and input keys. A user instruction is notified to the controller manager  21  via this inputter  25 . 
         [0041]    Hereinafter, an identification-code setting operation of the device information manager  22  will be described.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of process steps executed by the device information manager  22 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the electric device  40  is connected to the communication network  50 , the device information manager  22  acquires, from the communication adapter  30  via the network interface  23 , information on the node identification code for identifying the communication adapter  30  and the device identification code generated by device identification code generator  33  of the communication adapter  30  (step S 201 ). 
         [0042]    Next, when the device information manager  22  possesses information on the node identification code and that of the device identification code (step S 202 ; Yes), the device information manager  22  determines whether or not these existing node identification code and device identification code respectively match the new node identification code and device identification code acquired in the step S 201  (step S 203 ). 
         [0043]    When the existing node identification code and device identification code match the new node identification code and device identification code, respectively (step S 203 ; Yes), the device information manager  22  terminates the process. Conversely, when details on the existing node identification code and device identification code do not match those of the new node identification code and device identification code, respectively (step S 203 ; No), the device information manager  22  updates the details of the node identification code and that of the device identification code with the details of the new node identification code and that of the new device identification code. 
         [0044]    In addition, when the device information manager  22  does not possess information on the node identification code of the communication adapter  30  and that of the device identification code (step S 202 ; No), the device information manager  22  sets and stores the new node identification code and device identification code acquired in the step S 201  as identification information to identify the electric device  40  in a later communication (step S 205 ). 
         [0045]    Next, the device information manager  22  determines whether or not the node identification code corresponds to the device identification code (step S 206 ). This determination is carried out by determining whether or not the device identification code corresponding to the new node identification code matches the device identification code that corresponds to the device identification code of another communication adapter  30 , by comparing the node identification code with the device identification code in each of the electric devices  40   1  to  40   N  stored in the auxiliary memory that constitutes the controller manager  21 . 
         [0046]    As is clear from  FIG. 1 , when the new node identification code is utilized, for example, to identify the communication adapter  30   k,  and when the new device identification code represents the device identification code of the electric device  40   2  connected to the communication adapter  302  other than the communication adapter  30   k , the device information manager  22  determines that the new node identification code do not correspond to the new device identification code. Conversely, when the new node identification code is, for example, utilized to identify the communication adapter  30   k , and when the new device identification code represents the device identification code of the electric device  40   1  connected to the communication adapter  30   k,  the device information manager  22  determines that the new node identification code corresponds to the new device identification code. 
         [0047]    When the new node identification code corresponds to the new device identification code (step S 206 ; Yes), the device information manager  22  terminates the process. Accordingly, the existing node identification code and the existing device identification code are set as identification information in order to identify the electric device  40 . Conversely, when the new node identification code does not correspond to the new device identification code (step S 206 ; No), the device information manager  22  associates the new node identification code with the new device identification code and stores those pieces of information in the auxiliary memory that constitutes the controller manager  21 , and terminates the sequence of process steps. In this way, the new node identification code and the new device identification code are set as identification information to identify the electric device  40 . 
         [0048]    As discussed above, according to this embodiment, the communication adapter manager  32  acquires the electric device information predefined for each electric device, more specifically, the communication adapter manager  32  acquires, from the electric device  40  via the device interface  34 , the identification code for identifying the manufacturer of the electric device  40 , the identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , the manufacture&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 , and the like. In addition, the device identification code is generated based on this electric device information so as to identify the electric device  40 . 
         [0049]    Accordingly, the electric device information on the electric device is acquired for each electric device, and based on the electric device information, the device identification code for identifying the electric device over the network is thus generated. Hence, without making any alteration to a device structure, the device identification code in a unified format can be generated for each network. Additionally, it becomes unnecessary to provide, on the communication adapter  30 , any memory device to store the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40 . Therefore, simplification of the structure of the communication adapter  30  is accomplished. Further, it is capable of precisely identifying the electric device  40  that constitutes the network by utilizing the device identification code generated by the communication adapter manager  32  of the communication adapter  30 . 
         [0050]    According to this embodiment, even if the electric device  40  connected to the communication adapter  30  is replaced, the device identification code for identifying this electric device  40  is generated when the electric device  40  is connected to the communication adapter  30 . Hence, even if there is a change in combination of the communication adapter  30  and the electric device  40  connected to the communication adapter  30 , the electric device  40  can be uniquely identified over the network. 
         [0051]    According to this embodiment, the network system  10  is configured by having the electric devices  40  connected one another via the communication adapter  30 . 
         [0052]    Thus, even if the specification of each of the electric devices  40  constituting the network system  10  is different, a network of electric devices can be established by utilizing the common communication adapter  30 . Hence, a flexible operation of the network system  10  is enabled. 
         [0053]    According to this embodiment, the device identification code for identifying this electric device  40  is generated when the electric device  40  is connected to the communication adapter  30 . Thus, even if the network system  10  is constituted by a plurality of the same type of electric devices  40 , the controller  20  is capable of accurately identifying, based on the device identification code, the electric device  40  over the network. 
         [0054]    According to this embodiment, the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  is generated when the electric device  40  is connected to the communication adapter  30 . Thus, when, for example a breakdown controller  20  is replaced with a new controller  20 , the device identification code of each electric device is automatically acquired by such a new controller  20 . Hence, it becomes unnecessary to have, for example, an operator to upload data on the device identification code when replacing the device. 
         [0055]    Note that the types of necessary information in order to generate the device identification code, and a code generating method by a device identification code generator  26  are predefined for each device model by a communication adapter manager  104 . 
         [0056]    The types of information necessary to generate the device information code includes a manufacturer identification code of the electric device, a device model identification code, and a manufacturer&#39;s serial number. In this embodiment, the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  is generated by combining respective pieces of device information, but the device identification code containing a hash value calculated for each device using a hash function may be generated. 
         [0057]    In this embodiment, generation of the device identification code by the communication adapter manager  32  that constitutes the communication adapter  30  was described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such case, and when, for example, the device identification code is allocated to the electric device  40  in advance, the controller  20  may acquire and manage this device identification code. 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, generation of the device identification based on the device information was described. This device information may be, for example, a code that is set by a DIP switch installed in the electric device. The communication adapter manager  32  is capable of generating the device identification code by combining the identification code for identifying the manufacturer of the electric device  40 , the identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , the manufacture&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 , and the code specified by the DIP switch. 
         [0059]    Further, the device identification code identifiable of each electric device can be generated based on the code that is specified by the DIP switch even if there is no inconsistency in the device information of the electric device connected to the network among the electric devices, or even if the electric device possesses no device information, such as the manufacture&#39;s serial number. 
         [0060]    Still further, when the device identification code that uniquely identifies the electric device  40  cannot be generated based only on the predefined electric device information possessed by the electric device  40 , the device identification code may be generated by combining the identification code for identifying the manufacturer of the electric device  40 , the identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , the manufacture&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 , and a random number. 
         [0061]    The device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  that constitutes the network needs simply to accomplish a unique identification of the electric device  40  over the network. Thus, the necessary information to generate the device identification code is not limited to the above-described identification code for identifying the manufacturer and the like. In addition, the device identification code may be generated by the process steps in accordance with the device model of the electric device  40  and the manufacturer thereof. 
         [0062]    In this embodiment, a case in which the communication adapter  30  is connected only to the communication network  50  is described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the communication adapter  30  may be connected to two or more networks, such as the Internet and the local area network. In this scenario, the communication adapter  30  may generate the device identification code for each network. 
         [0063]    According to this embodiment, the controller manager  21  that constitutes the controller  20  determines, upon acquiring the node identification code and the device identification code, whether or not the node identification code corresponds to the device identification code (step S 206 ). Next, the node identification code and the device identification code are updated in accordance with the determined result. When the electric device  40  connected to the communication adapter  30  is replaced with the same type of electric device  40 , more specifically, when an air conditioner connected to the communication adapter  30  is replaced with a new air conditioner, a device model of the electric device  40  that is specified by the node identification code and the device identification code remains the same. In this case, the controller manager  21  determines that the electric device  40  has been replaced, and the original device identification code that was given to the replaced electric device may be allocated to the new electric device  40 . 
         [0064]    When executing the process in the step S 207  to update the correspondence between the node identification code and the device identification code, the controller manager  21  that constitutes the controller  20  may notify, through the display  24 , the user of the determined result in the step S 206 , and may prompt the user to confirm such an update. 
         [0065]    In this embodiment, the controller manager  21  runs the pre-stored program. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the controller manager  21  may run a program that is downloaded from a device, such as the controller  20 , via the communication network  50 . 
       First Modified Example 
       [0066]    Hereinafter, a first modified example of the communication adapter  30  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a communication adapter  30  according to the first modified example includes a download controller  35 . When, for example, the communication adapter manager  32  is constituted by hardware resources, the download controller  35  downloads a control program to be run by the communication adapter manager  32  from the server or the like connected to the communication network  50  via the network interface  31 . Subsequently, the control program is uploaded to the communication adapter manager  32 . By running the program, the communication adapter manager  32  can serve as the device identification code generator  33 . 
         [0067]    Further, when the control program is stored in the electric device  40 , the download controller  35  downloads, from the electric device  40  via the device interface  34 , the control program run by the communication adapter manager  32 . Next, the control program is uploaded to the communication adapter manager  32 . By running this program, the communication adapter manager  32  can serve as the device identification code generator  33 . 
         [0068]    Still further, the download controller  35  may download the control program from a setting device  70  that is directly connected to the download controller  35 , and upload the control program to the communication adapter manager  32 . The setting device  70  can be constituted by, for example, a personal computer. 
         [0069]    As discussed above, according to the first modified example, by uploading the control program to the communication adapter manager  32 , the communication adapter manager  32  can serve as the device identification code generator  33 . Hence, the device-identification-code generating method can be modified by changing the control program that is uploaded to the communication adapter manager  32 . Thus, a flexible operation of the network system is achievable. More specifically, the optimal device identification code can be generated for each device  40  by applying an optimal control program according to the device information of the electric device  40 . 
         [0070]    In addition, the same communication adapter  30  can be applied to different devices by uploading, to the communication adapter manager  32 , the control program in accordance with the device. 
         [0071]    Still further, the control program is downloadable without preparing the Internet setting and any predetermined setting devices by connecting the communication adapter to a device that is the download source, and downloading the program from this device. 
       Second Modified Example 
       [0072]    Hereinafter, a communication adapter  30  according to a second modified example will be described. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the communication adapter  30  of the second modified example connects a plurality of electric devices  40   1 ,  40   2  to the communication network  50 . The communication adapter manager  32  includes a device identification code generator  33   1  that generates a device identification code of the electric device  40   1 , and a device identification code generator  33   2  that generates a device identification code of the electric device  40   2 . 
         [0073]    According to the second modified example, a single communication adapter  30  can connect the plurality of electric devices  40  to the communication network  50 , thereby simplifying the structure of network system  10 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0074]    Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or equivalent structures as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numbers, and the duplicated discussion thereof will be omitted or simplified. 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a controller  20  of the second embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the controller  20  of the network system  10  of this embodiment differs from the controller  20  of the first embodiment in that the controller manager  21  constituting the controller  20  of the second embodiment includes a device identification code generator  26 . 
         [0076]    Hereinafter, an example operation of the controller  20  utilizing the device identification code generator  26  will be described. Note that, it is presumed that the device information containing the device identification code for the network-connected electric device has already been managed by the controller  20 . 
         [0077]    When a user inputs necessary information to generate the device identification code to the inputter  25 , the device identification code generator  26  of the controller  20  generates a device identification code. Next, the controller  20  searches for, among the electric devices  40  managed by the controller  20 , the electric device  40  that possesses the device identification code containing the same details. Subsequently, among the electric devices  40  that are to be managed, the controller  20  displays, on the display  24 , a management number and the device identification code of the electric device  40  that uses a common identification number. 
         [0078]    Note that the display  24  may display icons and the like representing the electric device  40  that is to be displayed. When the device identification name and the like are input by the user while the management number and the device identification code are displayed, the controller  20  may save the device information of ongoing display in association with the device identification name 
         [0079]    When, for example, the user inputs necessary information to generate the device information for an air conditioner in a living room, the controller  20  generates a device identification code, and displays corresponding management number and device identification code. When the user further inputs the device identification name such as, “living room air conditioner”, the controller  20  manages the input device identification name in association with the device identification code. From this point on, the user can operate this electric device as the “living room air conditioner”. 
         [0080]    According to this embodiment, like the first embodiment, without making any alteration to the device structures, the controller  20  is identifiable of the electric device  40  with the device identification code in a unified format, thereby simplifying the controller structure. In addition, as discussed above, the controller  20  includes the device identification code generator  26  to generate the device identification code upon inputting by the user. Therefore, the user is easily recognizable of the correspondence between the device information that is managed by the controller  20  and the actual device. 
         [0081]    Further, in this embodiment, the controller manager  21  generates the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  based on the electric device information predefined for each electric device, more specifically, the identification code for identifying the manufacturer of the electric device  40 , the identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , the manufacturer&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 , and the like. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to provide, in the communication adapter  30  and the controller  20 , any memory device to store the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40 . Hence, the complexity of the network system  10  can be avoided. In addition, the electric device  40  constituting the network can be precisely identified with the device identification code. 
         [0082]    Note that in this embodiment, generation of the device identification code by the controller manager  21  was described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such case, and the controller manager  21  may acquire, from the electric device  40  via the communication adapter  30 , the electric device information, such as the identification code for identifying the manufacturer of the electric device  40 , the identification code for identifying the device model of the electric device  40 , and the manufacture&#39;s serial number of the electric device  40 , and generate the device identification code based on the acquired electric device information. 
         [0083]    The embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed above, but the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments above. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, the controller manager  21  may include a device-identification-code inverse converter  27 . 
         [0085]    The device-identification-code inverse converter  27  converts the device identification code to information that is easy to understand for the user, and displays such information on the display  24 . The device-identification-code inverse converter  27  displays, for example, a manufacturer&#39;s serial number corresponding to the device identification code on the display  24 . Thus, the user can easily identify the electric device that corresponds to the device identification code. 
         [0086]    Still further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the network system  10  may include a server  60  to allow the controller  20  to communicate with the server  60 . 
         [0087]    The server  60  includes a device identification code generator  61 . Upon receiving, from the controller  20 , information that is input through the inputter  25  and information acquired via the communication adapter  30 , the device identification code generator  61  generates the device identification code for identifying the electric device  40  based on the received information. By acquiring information on the device identification code through the communication with the server  60 , the controller  20  can communicate with each of the electric devices  40  and comprehensively control these electric devices  40 . In addition, individual status and the like of the electric devices  40  can be displayed on the display  24 . 
         [0088]    As discussed above, when the network system  10  includes the server  60 , it becomes unnecessary for the controller  20  to include the device identification code generator  33  that generates the device identification code in accordance with the device model. Hence, structures of the controller  20  and the communication adapter  30  can be simplified. 
         [0089]    The electric device  40  of the above-discussed embodiment is not limited to an air conditioning device and a lighting device, but may be a solar power generating system, an electric hot water dispenser, an induction heating cooker, and the like. The network system of this embodiment enables an efficient control of these electric devices  40 . 
         [0090]    In addition, home-installed temperature sensor, illuminance sensor, and motion sensor functioning as the electric device  40  may be connected to the communication adapter  30 . Accordingly, it becomes possible to control the electric devices, such as the air conditioning device and the like, based on an output by each sensor. 
         [0091]    A function of the controller manager  21  and that of the communication adapter manager  32  of the embodiment described above can be realized by either special-purpose hardware resources and a normal computer system. 
         [0092]    Various embodiments and modifications can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and the broad scope thereof. The embodiments described above are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the embodiments described above. Further, various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the same purposes thereof should be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0093]    The communication adapter of the present disclosure is suitable for connecting an electric device to a network. The controller of the present disclosure is suitable for controlling the electric device connected to the network. The network system of the present disclosure is suitable for operating the electric device. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0094]      10  Network system 
         [0095]      20  Controller 
         [0096]      21  Controller manager 
         [0097]      22  Device information manager 
         [0098]      23  Network interface 
         [0099]      24  Display 
         [0100]      25  Inputter 
         [0101]      26  Device identification code generator 
         [0102]      27  Device-identification-code inverse converter 
         [0103]      30  Communication adapter 
         [0104]      31  Network interface 
         [0105]      32  Communication adapter manager 
         [0106]      33  Device identification code generator 
         [0107]      34  Device interface 
         [0108]      35  Download controller 
         [0109]      40  Electric device 
         [0110]      50  Communication network 
         [0111]      60  Server 
         [0112]      61  Device identification code generator 
         [0113]      70  Setting device

Technology Classification (CPC): 7