Device control apparatus, device control system, device control method, and recording medium

A device control system that controls a device connected to a control apparatus, or another device connected to another control apparatus, wherein

• the control apparatus comprises:
• an object creating unit that creates an object constituting a name, a function name, and argument information to control the device or the other device to be controlled;
• a communication processing unit that refers to a communication scheme and a communication parameter of the device or the other device included in information that is preset and related to the network, the communication processing unit acquiring information to access the object;
• a packet processing unit that converts the object name, the function name, and the argument information into a predetermined packet, selects a port that supports the communication scheme, and delivers the packet;
• and
• a communicating unit that transmits the packet to the device or the other control apparatus to which the other device is connected.

A device control system in which a control apparatus controls another device connected by communication to another control apparatus, wherein

• the control apparatus comprises:
• an acquiring unit that is connected to the other control apparatus and that acquires control information of the other device controlled by the other control apparatus;
• an executing unit that, during predetermined control for the other device connected to the other control apparatus, executes a predetermined command having a format same as that of an interface in the control apparatus and an identifier other than that of the control apparatus attached thereto,
• the executing unit referring to the control information and transmitting to the other control apparatus, a request corresponding to the predetermined command,
• the executing unit using a response from the other control apparatus as a result for the executed command;
• and
• a communicating unit that transmits the request and receives a response to the request.

A device control method executed by a computer and comprising:

• creating an object constituted by a name, a function name, and argument information to control a device connected to a control apparatus, or another device connected to another control apparatus through a network;
• referring to a communication scheme and a communication parameter of the device or the other device included in information related to the network and acquiring information to access the object;
• converting the object name, the function name, and the argument information into a predetermined packet, selecting a port that supports the communication scheme, and delivering the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet to the device or the other control apparatus to which the other device is connected.

A device control method in which a control apparatus controls another device connected to another control apparatus, the device control method being executed by a computer of the control apparatus and comprising:

• connecting to the other control apparatus and acquiring control information of the other device controlled by the other control apparatus;
• executing, during predetermined control for the other device connected to the other control apparatus, a predetermined command having a format same as that of an interface in the control apparatus and an identifier other than that of the control apparatus attached thereto;
• referring to the control information and transmitting to the other control apparatus, a request corresponding to the predetermined command;
• and
• using a response from the other control apparatus as a result for the executed command.

A non-transitory, computer-readable recording medium storing therein a device control program that causes a computer to execute a process comprising:

• creating an object constituted by a name, a function name, and argument information to control a device connected to a control apparatus, or another device connected to another control apparatus through a network;
• referring to a communication scheme and a communication parameter of the device or the other device included in information that is preset and related to the network, and acquiring information to access the object;
• converting the object name, the function name, and the argument information into a predetermined packet, selecting a port that supports the communication scheme, and delivering the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet to the device connected to the control apparatus or to the other control apparatus to which the other device is connected.