Device control apparatus and method for monitoring device, client apparatus, and device control system

摘要

A device control apparatus which monitors a state change of a device independently without communication with a client apparatus. A device server as the device control apparatus monitors the state of a device locally connected thereto, using a definition file and a trigger detection algorithm for monitoring the state of the device, and detects a state change of the device. When a state change of the device is detected, the device server transmits a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to the client apparatus. The device server starts a session with the client apparatus having received the trigger notification and relay data communication with the device, of which the state change has been detected. When the session with the client apparatus is disconnected, the device server restarts monitoring of the state of the device.

主权项

1. A device control apparatus connected to a client apparatus via a network and to which a device is to be locally connected, comprising:
a first detection unit configured to monitor a state of the device using a definition file and a trigger detection algorithm for monitoring the state of the device and detect a state change of the device, wherein the definition file is a data file storing information necessary for the trigger detection algorithm, and wherein the trigger detection algorithm is a program code describing an execution procedure for monitoring a state of the device; a transmission unit configured to be operable when the state change of the device is detected, to transmit a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to the client apparatus; a data communication control unit configured to start a session with the client apparatus having received the trigger notification and relay data communication with the device, of which the state change has been detected; a second detection unit configured to detect termination of the data communication with the device and resulting disconnection of the session with the client apparatus; and a restart unit configured to be operable when the session with the client apparatus is disconnected, to cause said first detection unit to restart monitoring of the state of the device.