Abstract:
Disclosed is a technology for a sensor network, machine to machine (M2M), machine type communication (MTC), and internet of things (IoT). The present disclosure can be used for intelligent services (for example, services related to a smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, retail business, security, and safety) based on the technology. A method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a first terminal in a home network system includes: reading home information pre-stored in the communication module when communication with a communication module installed inside the home is possible; transmitting a visit request message including the home information and identification information of the first terminal to the smart home server or a at least on second terminal from among a plurality of second terminals; and communicating with the at least one second terminal when at least one of the plurality of second terminals accepts communication with the first terminal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application Serial No. 10-2015-0108503, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July  31 ,  2015 , the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor call in a home network system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The Internet is evolving from a human-oriented connection network in which humans generate and consume information, to the internet of things (IoT) network in which distributed elements, such as things and the like, exchange and process information. Internet of everything (IoE) technology may be an example of a combination of the IoT technology and big data processing technology through a connection with a cloud server. 
         [0004]    In order to implement the IoT, technical factors such as a sensing technique, a wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure, a service interface technology, and a security technology are required, and thus, recently, technologies such as a sensor network, machine to machine (M2M), machine type communication (MTC), and the like for a connection between objects are being researched. 
         [0005]    In an IoT environment, through collection and analysis of data generated in connected objects, an intelligent internet technology (IT) service to create a new value for people&#39;s life may be provided. The IoT may be applied to fields, such as a smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, smart grid, health care, smart home appliance, or high-tech medical service, through the convergence and combination of the conventional information technology (IT) and various industries. 
         [0006]    In general, in a home network system, an interphone is a device for confirming an identity of a visitor. When the interphone is installed inside a home and the doorphone is installed outside the home in the home network system, if a visitor presses the doorphone, a camera of the doorphone photographs a visitor&#39;s image and outputs the image to the interphone inside the home. Accordingly, a resident within the home may confirm a visitor&#39;s identity through the image output to the interphone. 
         [0007]    However, when the interphone is used in the home network, if there is no resident within the home, it is not possible to confirm the visitor&#39;s identity and the visitor cannot enter the home. Accordingly, in the home network system, a method by which the resident can confirm the visitor&#39;s identity regardless of whether the resident is located within the home is needed. 
         [0008]    Further, constructing a communication system between the doorphone outside the home and the interphone inside the home additionally costs much. In order to solve the problem, a method of confirming the visitor&#39;s identity without the installation of the doorphone outside the home and the interphone inside the home in the home network system is required. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call in a home network system. 
         [0010]    An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call that pages a terminal of a resident through a terminal of the visitor in the home network system. 
         [0011]    An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call that pages the terminal of the resident through a communication module installed outside the home in the home network system. 
         [0012]    An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call that pages the terminal of the resident regardless of a location of the resident in the home network system. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an example aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a first terminal in a home network system is provided. The method includes: reading home information pre-stored in a communication module when communication with the communication module installed inside the home is possible; transmitting a visit request message including the home information and identification information of the first terminal to a smart home server or at least one second terminal among a plurality of second terminals; and communicating with the at least one second terminal when at least one of the plurality of second terminals accepts communication with the first terminal. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a smart home server in a home network system is provided. The method includes: receiving a visit request message including home information and identification information of the first terminal from the first terminal; and transmitting a call message to one of a plurality of second terminals included in a household corresponding to the home information. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a second terminal in a home network system is provided. The method includes: receiving a call message from a smart home server or a gateway existing inside the home; transmitting a call response message including information indicating whether to communicate with a first terminal of a visitor; and performing communication with the first terminal when the information indicating whether to communicate with the first terminal of the visitor corresponds to positive information. 
         [0016]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a gateway existing inside the home in a home network system is provided. The method includes: receiving a call message from a smart home server or a first terminal of a visitor; transferring the call message to at least one of a plurality of second terminals included in a household; and performing communication with the first terminal and relaying the communication to the at least one second terminal. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a first terminal in a home network system is provided. The apparatus includes: a controller configured to read home information pre-stored in a communication module comprising communication circuitry, when communication with the communication module installed outside the home is possible, to read home information pre-stored in the communication module, to control a transmitter to transmit a visit request message including the home information and identification information of the first terminal to a smart home server or at least one second terminal among a plurality of second terminals, and to communicate with the at least one second terminal when at least one of the plurality of second terminals accepts communication with the first terminal; and the transmitter configured to transmit the visit request message to the smart home server or the at least one second terminal. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a smart home server in a home network system is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive a visit request message including home information and identification information of the first terminal from the first terminal; a controller configured to determine at least one second terminal to transmit a call message from among a plurality of second terminals included in a household corresponding to the home information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the call message to the at least one determined second terminal. 
         [0019]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a second terminal in a home network system is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive a call message from a smart home server or a gateway existing inside the home; a transmitter configured to transmit a call response message including information indicating whether to perform communication with a first terminal of the visitor; and a controller configured to control the apparatus to communicate with the first terminal, when the information indicating whether to communicate with the first terminal of the visitor corresponds to positive information. 
         [0020]    In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call by a gateway existing inside the home in a home network system is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive a call message from a smart home server or a first terminal of a visitor; a transmitter configured to transfer the call message to at least one of a plurality of second terminals included in a household; and a controller configured to communicate with the first terminal and to cause a relay of the communication to the at least one terminal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of storing home information in a communication module in the home network according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which a first terminal of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which a smart home server of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which a gateway of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which at least one of a plurality of second terminals of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an example device for controlling a visitor&#39;s call in each entity included in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by applying an NAT technology in the home network according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by applying an NAT technology in the home network according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by applying an NAT technology in the home network according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by the first terminal through a browser in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by the first terminal through an app in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call is applied to an identity authentication server according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call is applied to a company visit system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be noted that only portions required for comprehension of operations according to the example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and descriptions of other portions may be omitted to avoid obscuring subject matters of the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call that allow a communication service such as a wireless call, a text chatting, and an image storage service during an absence between a visitor and a resident by paging, by a terminal of the visitor, a terminal of the resident, or the like, regardless of a location of the resident through a communication module installed outside the home in a home network system. Further, another example aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call which allows direct communication between the terminal of the visitor and a gateway existing within the home through a communication module installed outside the home. 
         [0041]    To this end, a method and an apparatus for controlling a visitor&#39;s call in a home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the home network system according to the example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry)  110 , a first terminal  130 , a smart home server  150 , a gateway  170 , and a plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.  The communication module  110  may include various communication circuitry, including, but not limited to at least one of a near field communication (NFC) module which can perform both reading and writing and a device that supports a quick response (QR) code and bluetooth low energy (BLE), and is installed onto a front door or a wall outside the home. For example, the communication module  110  may include a memory that stores home information assigned from the smart home server  150  by a request of at least one second terminal among the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.  For example, the home information may include a home ID in the form of uniform resource locator (URL). A method by which the communication module  110  stores the home information assigned from the smart home server  150  by the request of at least one second terminal among the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]    The first terminal  130  is a terminal that makes a request for visiting home by a visitor and, when the first terminal  130  is located within a predetermined distance in which communication with the communication module  110  is possible, the first terminal  130  reads home information pre-stored in the communication module  110 , inserts the home information into a home visit request message, and transfers the home visit request message to the smart home server  150  or the gateway  170 . A case where the first terminal  130  transfers the home visit request message to the smart home server  150  corresponds to a case where the communication module  110  includes, for example, an NFC module or a QR code, and a case where the first terminal  130  transfers the home visit request message to the gateway  170  corresponds to a case where the communication module  110  includes, for example, a device that supports BLE. Further, the home visit request message may include at least one of the home information pre-stored in the communication module  110  and identification information for identifying the first terminal  130 , and the identification information may include, for example, at least one of a phone number of the first terminal  130  and a visitor&#39;s fingerprint. 
         [0045]    When at least one of the plurality of second terminals (plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n ) accepts communication with the first terminal  130  under control of the smart home server  150 , the first terminal  130  may communicate with the second terminal that accepts the communication. 
         [0046]    The smart home server  150  corresponds, for example, to a server that manages and controls general home automation in the home network system. When the smart home server  150  receives a home information request message that makes a request for generating or changing home information from one second terminal (for example, second terminal  175 - 1 ) among the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n,  the smart home server  150  assigns home information to the second terminal  175 - 1 . When the smart home server  150  receives the home visit request message from the first terminal  130 , the smart home server  150  decodes the home information included in the home visit request message and pages the gateway  170  or at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included in the household corresponding to the decoded home information according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0047]    The smart home server  150  may page the gateway  170  or each of the second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  set to the household, or page the corresponding gateway  170  and at least one second terminal according to a preset terminal call order. The terminal call order may be set by at least one of user settings, time, and a location of the second terminal corresponding to the phone device among the gateway  170  and the second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  set to the household. For example, the terminal call order may be set such that the gateway  170  and the second terminal (for example, second terminal  175 - 1 ) are paged when the second terminal (for example, second terminal  175 - 1 ) corresponding to the phone device is located within a predetermined distance from the home, and only the second terminal (for example, second terminal  175 - 1 ) is paged when the second terminal is not located within the predetermined distance. In another example, the terminal call order may be set such that a mother&#39;s phone device is paged first, a father&#39;s phone device is paged second, and a child&#39;s phone device is paged third according to a family relationship. In another example, the terminal call order may be set such that another second terminal is paged according to time. In another example, the terminal call order may be set such that, when an absence function is activated in a particular second terminal according to the user settings, the particular second terminal is skipped in the call order and another second terminal is paged. 
         [0048]    The plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  correspond to terminals preset to the household to identify visiting of visitors, and may be phone devices of residents within the home and home appliances installed within the home. Further, each of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  may receive a home call message from the smart home server  150  and communicate with the first terminal  130 . 
         [0049]    The gateway  170  corresponds to terminals preset to the household to identify visiting of visitors and may perform the same operation as that the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.  For example, the gateway  170  simultaneously operates in an AP mode and a station mode. For example, the gateway  170  may be Wi-Fi connected with the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included within the home while operating in a state where the gateway  170  is connected to the AP within the home. Hereinafter, a mode in which the gateway  170  operates in the AP mode and the station mode at the same time may be referred to, for example, as a concurrent mode. For example, after receiving the home call message from the smart home server  150  or the first terminal  130 , the gateway  170  may transfer the home call message to at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.  The gateway  170  should receive a public IP address and port of each of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  from each of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  when a communication service starts or whenever an IP address of the gateway  170  changes. Hereinafter, methods of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network system will be described according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0050]    In order to perform a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure, home information should be first stored in the communication module  110  by at least one second terminal  175 - 1  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of storing home information in the communication module  110  in the home network according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the second terminal  175 - 1  transmits a home information request message  201  that makes a request for generating or changing the home information to the smart home server  150 . When the home information includes a home ID in a URL form, the home information request message may include, for example, URL: http://samsung.smarthome.com/request/id?userid”. 
         [0053]    When the smart home server  150  receives the home information request message  201  from the second terminal  175 - 1 , the smart home server  150  generates and encodes home information on the household including the second terminal  175 - 1 , inserts the encoded home information into a home information response message  203 , and then transmits the home information response message  203  to the second terminal  175 - 1 . 
         [0054]    Further, the second terminal  175 - 1  decodes the home information response message  203 , identifies home information included in the home information response message, and stores the identified home information in the communication module  110  as indicated by reference numeral  205 . The home information may include, for example, at least one of a server ID having transmitted the home information and a home ID for identifying the home including the second terminal  175 - 1 . For example, the identified home information corresponds to a visitor server page address such as “URL: http://samsung.smarthome.com/request/id?abcd” and may include a server ID and a home ID in a URL form. 
         [0055]    As described above, through the method of storing the home information in the communication module  110  according to the example embodiment of the present disclosure, the second terminal  175 - 1  may change the home information stored in the communication module  110  periodically or based on user settings. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the resident can maintain security from the visitor&#39;s visiting. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure. The first example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call when the first terminal  130  reads an NFC module or a QR code through the communication module  110 . Further, the example first embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method by which the smart home server  150  directly pages the gateway  170  set to the household and at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.    
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the first terminal  130  reads the NFC module or the QR code of the communication module  110  within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the first terminal  130  transmits pre-stored home information (for example, URL: http://samsung.smarthome.com/request/id?abcd) to the first terminal  130  as indicated by reference numeral  301 . Further, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including the home information and identification information of the first terminal  130  to the smart home server  150  as indicated by reference numeral  303 . Then, the smart home server  150  decodes home information included in the home visit request message and transmits a home call message to at least one second terminal among the gateway  170  and the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included in the household corresponding to the decoded home information as indicated by reference numeral  305  according to a preset terminal call order. The home call message may include, for example, identification information for identifying the first terminal  130  included in the home visit request message. Thereafter, when at least one of the gateway  170  and at least one second terminal that received the home call message accept communication, the first terminal  130  communicates with the device having accepted the communication as indicated by reference numeral  307 . An example in which the first terminal  130  and the second terminal communicate with each other according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure. The example second embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call when the first terminal  130  reads an NFC module or a QR code through the communication module  110 . Further, the example second embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a case where the first terminal  130  pages at least one second terminal through the gateway  170  within the home. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the first terminal  130  reads the NFC module or the QR code of the communication module  110  within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the communication module  110  transmits pre-stored home information (for example, URL: http://samsung.smarthome.com/request/id?abcd) to the first terminal  130  as indicated by reference numeral  401 . Further, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including the home information and identification information of the first terminal  130  to the smart home server  150  as indicated by reference numeral  403 . The smart home server  150  decodes home information included in the home visit request message and transmits a home call message to the gateway  170  of the household corresponding to the decoded home information as indicated by reference numeral  405 . Then, the gateway  170  transfers the received home call message to at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  according to a preset terminal call order as indicated by reference numeral  407 . Thereafter, when at least one second terminal having received the home call message accepts the communication, the first terminal  130  communicates with the second terminal having accepted the communication as indicated by reference numeral  411 . An example in which the first terminal  130  and the second terminal communicate with each other according to the example second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
         [0060]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure. The third example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call when the first terminal  130  performs BLE communication with at least one second terminal through the communication module  110 . Further, the third example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a case where the first terminal  130  pages at least one second terminal through the gateway  170  within the home. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , when the first terminal  130  is set to perform BLE communication with the communication module  110  based on user settings, the communication module  110  transmits pre-stored home information to the first terminal  130  as indicated by reference numeral  501 . Then, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including identification information of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  included within the home through the BLE communication as indicated by reference numeral  503 . 
         [0062]    When receiving the home visit request message, the gateway  170  starts to operate in a concurrent mode and transmits a home visit response message including AP information (for example, service set identifier (SSID) and password) for performing an AP mode to the first terminal  130  as indicated by reference numeral  505 . The first terminal  130  identifies the received AP information and transmits a home call message that makes a request for communication with at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  to the gateway  170  as indicated by reference numeral  507 . Then, the gateway  170  transfers the home call message to at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  according to a preset terminal call order as indicated by reference numeral  509 . Thereafter, when at least one second terminal having received the home call message accepts the communication, the first terminal  130  communicates with the second terminal having accepted the communication as indicated by reference numeral  511 . An example in which the first terminal  130  and the second terminal communicate with each other according to the third example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 13A and 13B . 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which the first terminal  130  of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the first terminal  130  reads the NFC module or the QR code of the communication module  110  or performs BLE communication with the communication module  110  within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110  according to a user&#39;s selection, the first terminal  130  receives home information from the communication module  110  in step  601 . The first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including at least one piece of the home information and identification information of the first terminal  130  to the smart home server  150  or the gateway  170  through BLE communication in step  603 . Thereafter, the first terminal  130  communicates with at least one second terminal having accepted the communication among at least one second terminal having received the home call request message from the smart home server  150  or the gateway  170  in step  605 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which the smart home server  150  of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the smart home server  150  receives a home information request message that makes a request for generating or changing home information from at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  in step  701 . Then, the smart home server  150  generates home information on the household of the second terminal having transmitted the home information request message and transmits the home information response message including the generated home information to the second terminal in step  703 . 
         [0067]    Thereafter, the smart home server  150  receives a home visit request message including at least one piece of home information and identification information from the first terminal  130  in step  705 . Further, the smart home server  150  decodes the received home visit request message, receives home information, and transmits a home call message to at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included in the household corresponding to the home information in step  707 . At this time, the smart home server  150  may transmit the home call message to the gateway  170  and each of all the second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included within the home or transmit the home call message only to at least one of the corresponding gateway  170  and at least one second terminal according to a preset terminal call order. 
         [0068]    Steps  701  to  703  may be performed when the smart home server  150  receives the home information request message from one of the plurality of second terminals  175 -, . . . , and  175 - n.  For example, when there are records of generation and assignment of home information on the second terminal, the smart home server  150  may perform steps  705  and  707  without steps  701  and  703 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which the gateway of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The gateway  170  simultaneously operates in an AP mode and a station mode according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the gateway  170  may be connected to the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  included within the home while operating in a state where the gateway  170  is connected to an AP within the home. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the gateway  170  transmits a home information request message that makes a request for generating or changing home information to the smart home server  150  in step  801 . The gateway  170  receives the home information response message including home information from the smart home server  150  in step  803 . The gateway  170  transmits home information included in the home information request message to the communication module  110  in step  805 . Steps  801  to  805  may be performed on every period according to the user settings. Steps  801  to  805  may not be performed by the gateway  170  when steps  801  to  805  have been already performed by one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n.    
         [0071]    Thereafter, when receiving a home call message from the smart home server  150  or the first terminal  130  in step  807 , the gateway  170  transfers the received home call message to at least one of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  in step  809 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example method by which one of a plurality of second terminals of the home network system controls a visitor&#39;s call according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the second terminal transmits a home information request message that makes a request for generating or changing home information to the smart home server  150  in step  901 . The second terminal receives the home information response message including home information from the smart home server  150  in step  903 . The second terminal transmits home information included in the home information request message to the communication module  110  in step  905 . Steps  901  to  905  may be performed on every period according to the user settings. Steps  901  to  905  may not be performed by the second terminal when steps  901  to  905  have been already performed by the gateway  170 . 
         [0074]    Thereafter, when receiving a home call message from the smart home server  150  or the gateway  170  in step  907 , the second terminal may accept communication with the first terminal  130  and communicate with the first terminal  130  in step  909 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an example device for controlling a visitor&#39;s call in each entity included in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The entity included in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may refer, for example, to the first terminal  130 , the smart home server  150 , the gateway  170 , and each of the plurality of second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n,  respectively. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , each entity included in the home network system includes a transmitter  1001 , a controller  1003 , a receiver  1005 , an output unit (e.g., including storage circuitry)  1007 , and a storage unit  1009 . 
         [0077]    First, the controller  1003  is configured to control the general operation of each entity and, for example, controls the operation related to the operation for controlling a visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the operation for controlling the visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as that described in  FIGS. 2 to 9 , a repeated detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0078]    The transmitter  1001  is configured to transmit various signals and various messages to different entities included in the home network system under control of the controller  1003 . Since the various signals and the various messages transmitted by the transmitter  1003  are the same as those described in  FIGS. 2 to 9 , a repeated detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0079]    Further, the receiver  1005  receives various signals and various messages from different entities included in the home network system under control of the controller  1003 . Since the various signals and the various messages received by the receiver  1005  are the same as those described in  FIGS. 2 to 9 , a repeated detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0080]    The output unit  1007  stores programs and various pieces of information related to the operation for controlling the visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure under control of the controller  1003 . 
         [0081]    Further, the output unit  1007  stores the various signals and various messages which the receiver  1005  receives from the different entities. 
         [0082]    The storage unit  1009  outputs various signals and various messages related to the operation for controlling the visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure under control of the controller  1003 . Since the various signals and various messages output by the storage unit  1009  are the same as those described in  FIGS. 2 to 9 , a repeated detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0083]    Meanwhile, although  FIG. 10  illustrates a case where the entities are implemented as separated unit such as the transmitter  1001 , the controller  1003 , the receiver  1005 , the output unit  1007 , and the storage unit  1009 , each entity can be implemented in a combination of at least two of the transmitter  1001 , the controller  1003 , the receiver  1005 , the output unit  1007 , and the storage unit  1009 . Further, each entity can be implemented as one processor. 
         [0084]    Hereinafter, a method of performing communication between the first terminal  130  and the second terminal will be described according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. In various example embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication between the first terminal  130  and the second terminal may be performed using a network address translation (NAT) technology. In the NAT technology, for the communication between the first terminal  130  and the second terminal, the second terminal looks up a public IP of the first terminal through an NAT server or, when there is no NAT function in a router, the NAT server performs a packet relay function. For example, in the NAT technology, the NAT server registers the IP address of the first terminal  130 , issues a Nat ID corresponding to the registered IP address, and transmits the Nat ID to the second terminal. Further, the second terminal starts communication with the first terminal  130  after looking up the Nat ID through the NAT server and identifying the IP address of the first terminal  130 . 
         [0085]    When the NAT technology is applied to example embodiments of the present disclosure, communication may be performed between the first terminal  130  and the second terminal as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A to 13B  below. Hereinafter,  FIGS. 11A to 13B  illustrate only one second terminal  175 - 1  for convenience of the description, and it is assumed that the second terminal  175 - 1  currently exists outside the home. Example embodiments of the present disclosure can be equally applied to all home network systems in which at least one second terminal exists. Further, in example embodiments of  FIGS. 11A to 13B , it is assumed that home information has been already stored in the communication module  110 . 
         [0086]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example in which the home network controls a visitor&#39;s call by applying the NAT technology according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the second terminal  175 - 1  transits an IP registration request message to the NAT server  190  in step  1101 . The IP registration request message may include an IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1 . Then, the NAT server  190  receives the IP registration request message from the second terminal  175 - 1 , registers the IP address included in the IP registration request message, inserts a Nat ID of the IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1  into an IP registration response message, and transmits the IP registration response message to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1103 . Further, the second terminal  175 - 1  transmits a Nat ID registration request message including a home ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  and the Nat ID to the smart home server  150  in step  1105 . The smart home server  150  may identify the household corresponding to the home ID and store the Nat ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  in a management list of the household. 
         [0088]    A process for requesting and registering the Nat ID is performed between each of all the second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  and the gateway  170  included in the household and the NAT server  190  and the smart home server  150 . For example, the gateway  170  also transmits the IP registration request message including an IP address of the gateway  170  to the NAT server  190  like the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1107 . Then, the NAT server  190  receives the IP registration request message from the gateway  170 , registers the IP address included in the IP registration request message, inserts a Nat ID of the IP address of the gateway  170  into an IP registration response message, and transmits the IP registration response message to the gateway  170  in step  1109 . Further, the gateway  170  transmits a Nat ID registration request message including a home ID of the gateway  170  and the Nat ID to the smart home server  150  in step  1111 . The smart home server  150  may identify the household corresponding to the home ID and store the Nat ID of the gateway  170  in a management list of the household. 
         [0089]    When the first terminal  130  carried by the visitor receives a Nat ID from the NAT server  190 , the first terminal  130  may perform communication using the NAT technology between the first terminal  130  and at least one of the gateway  170  and at least one second terminal. Accordingly, the first terminal  130  transmits the IP registration request message including the IP address of the first terminal  130  to the NAT server  190  in step  1113 . Further, the first terminal  130  receives an IP registration response message including the Nat ID from the NAT server  190  in step  1115 . 
         [0090]    Thereafter, when the first terminal  130  is located within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the first terminal  130  receives home information (for example, home ID) from the communication module  110  in step  1117 . 
         [0091]    Further, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including the home ID and identification information of the first terminal  130  to the smart home server  150  in step  1119 . The smart home server  150  identifies the home ID included in the home visit request message received from the first terminal  130  and looks up the gateway  170  and at least one second terminal  175 - 1  included in the household corresponding to the home ID in step  1121 . The smart home server  150  pages each of the gateway  170  and at least one second terminal  175 - 1  included in the household corresponding to the home ID. For example, the smart home server  150  transmits a home call message including identification information of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  in step  1123 . The gateway  170  transmits an IP request message including at least the Nat ID among the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the NAT server  190  in step  1125 . Then, the NAT server  190  identifies the Nat ID of the first terminal  130  included in the IP request message and transmits an IP response message including a public IP of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  in step  1127 . The gateway  170  may start a streaming service for at least one of an image and a voice with the first terminal  130  by using the public IP of the first terminal  130  included in the IP response message received from the NAT server  190  in step  1129 . 
         [0092]    The smart home server  150  transmits a home call message including the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1131 . The second terminal  175 - 1  transmits an IP request message including at least the Nat ID among the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the NAT server  190  in step  1133 . Then, the NAT server  190  identifies the Nat ID of the first terminal  130  included in the IP request message and transmits an IP response message including the public IP of the first terminal  130  to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1135 . The second terminal  175 - 1  may start a streaming service for at least one of an image and a voice with the first terminal  130  by using the public IP of the first terminal  130  included in the IP response message received from the NAT server  190  in step  1137 . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example in which the home network controls a visitor&#39;s call by applying the NAT technology according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure. The second example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a direct connection between the first terminal  130  and the gateway  170  operating in a concurrent mode. However, the communication module  110  cannot perform direct communication with the gateway  170 , so that the first terminal  130  receives AP information for performing an AP mode through the smart home server  150 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the second terminal  175 - 1  located outside the home transmits an IP registration request message to the NAT server  190  in step  1201 . The IP registration request message may include an IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1 . Then, the NAT server  190  receives the IP registration request message from the second terminal  175 - 1 , registers the IP address included in the IP registration request message, inserts a Nat ID of the IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1  into an IP registration response message, and transmits the IP registration response message to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1203 . Further, the second terminal  175 - 1  transmits a Nat ID registration request message including a home ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  and the Nat ID to the gateway  170  in step  1205 . The gateway  170  may store the Nat ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  in a management list of the household. 
         [0095]    Thereafter, when the first terminal  130  is located within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the first terminal  130  receives home information (for example, home ID) from the communication module  110  in step  1207 . Further, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including the home ID and identification information of the first terminal  130  to the smart home server  150  in step  1209 . The smart home server  150  identifies the home ID included in the home visit request message and transmits a home call message including the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  existing in the household corresponding to the home ID in step  1211 . 
         [0096]    The second terminal  175 - 1  starts the operation in the concurrent mode in step  1213 , and transmits AP information (for example, service set identifier (SSID) and password) for performing the AP mode in the concurrent mode to the smart home server  150  in step  1215 , and the AP information is transmitted to the first terminal  130  through the smart home server  150  in step  1217 . The first terminal  130  identifies the received AP information, connects to the gateway  170 , and makes a request for communication in step  1219 . 
         [0097]    When the first terminal  130  is connected to the gateway  170 , the gateway  170  looks up at least one second terminal  175 - 1  to communicate with the first terminal  130  based on the managed management list in step  1221 . In order to make a request for an IP for communication with the first terminal  130 , the gateway  170  transmits an IP request message including a Nat ID of the first terminal  130  to the NAT server  190  in step  1223 . Then, the NAT server  190  identifies the Nat ID of the first terminal  130  included in the IP request message and transmits an IP response message including a public IP of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  in step  1225 . 
         [0098]    The gateway  170  transmits a home call message to the second terminal  175 - 1  found in the management in step  1227 , and transmits a home response message including the existence or non-existence of a response to the home call to the gateway  170  in step  1229 . When the home response message includes call acceptance information, the gateway  170  starts a streaming service for at least one of an image and a voice with the first terminal  130  in step  1231 . Further, the gateway  170  relays the streaming service with the first terminal  130  to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1223 . 
         [0099]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are flow diagrams illustrating an example method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by applying the NAT technology in the home network according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure. The third example embodiment relates to a direct connection between the first terminal  130  and the gateway  170  operating in the concurrent mode when the first terminal  130  and the gateway  170  perform BLE communication. In the third example embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication module  110  is configured as a device that supports BLE. 
         [0100]    Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the second terminal  175 - 1  existing outside the home transmits an IP registration request message to the NAT server  190  in step  1301 . The IP registration request message may include an IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1 . Then, the NAT server  190  receives the IP registration request message from the second terminal  175 - 1 , registers the IP address included in the IP address request message, inserts a Nat ID of the IP address of the second terminal  175 - 1  into an IP registration response message, and transmits the IP registration response message to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1203 . Further, the second terminal  175 - 1  transmits a Nat ID registration request message including a home ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  and the Nat ID to the gateway  170  in step  1302 . The gateway  170  may store the Nat ID of the second terminal  175 - 1  in a management list of the household. 
         [0101]    Thereafter, the first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  through the communication module  110  in steps  1307  and  1309 . Further, the gateway  170  starts the operation in the concurrent mode in step  1311  and transmits AP information (for example, SSID and password) for performing the AP mode in the concurrent mode to the first terminal  130  in step  1313 . The first terminal  130  identifies the received AP information, connects to the gateway  170 , and makes a request for communication in step  1315 . 
         [0102]    When the first terminal  130  is connected to the gateway  170 , the gateway  170  looks up at least one second terminal  175 - 1  to communicate with the first terminal  130  based on the managed management list in step  1317 . In order to make a request for an IP for communication with the first terminal  130 , the gateway  170  transmits an IP request message including a Nat ID of the first terminal  130  to the NAT server  190  in step  1319 . Then, the NAT server  190  identifies the Nat ID of the first terminal  130  included in the IP request message and transmits an IP response message including a public IP of the first terminal  130  to the gateway  170  in step  1321 . 
         [0103]    The gateway  170  transmits a home call message to the second terminal  175 - 1  found in the management in step  1323 , and transmits a home response message including the existence or non-existence of a response to the home call to the gateway  170  in step  1325 . When the home response message includes call acceptance information, the gateway  170  starts a streaming service for at least one of an image and a voice with the first terminal  130  in step  1327 . Further, the gateway  170  relays the streaming service with the first terminal  130  to the second terminal  175 - 1  in step  1329 . 
         [0104]    When the home visit request starts, the streaming service can be performed between the first terminal  130  and at least one second terminal  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  through BLE communication without relevant operation between the smart home server  150  and the gateway  170  in the method of controlling the visitor&#39;s call according to the third example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0105]    The streaming service described in  FIGS. 11A to 13B  may be provided to the user of the terminal through, for example, a browser or an app through a web real time communication (RTC) technology. Hereinafter, a method of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by the first terminal  130  through a browser or an app in the home network system is described with reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a visitor&#39;s call by the first terminal  130  through the browser in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 14  describes a case where home information corresponds to a URL as an example. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the first terminal  130  of the visitor reads a URL stored in the communication module  110  based on an NFC function in step  1401 . The first terminal  130  executes a browser and makes a request for a URL page to the smart home server  150  in step  1403 . The first terminal  130  receives a corresponding household visitor page from the smart home server  150  and outputs the received household visitor page on the browser in step  1405 . The smart home server  150  selects at least one second terminal to communicate with the first terminal  130  in the corresponding household in step  1407 . The at least one second terminal may include the gateway  170 . The smart home server  150  transmits a home call message to at least one selected second terminal in step  1409 . The second terminal outputs a message or an image of the home call on the screen in step  1411 . When a call key is input, the second terminal starts a call with the first terminal  130  in step  1413 . When a call termination key or a door open key is input, the second terminal transmits an image termination signal to the first terminal  110  in step  1415 . For example, when the call key is input in the second terminal, the smart home server  150  may terminate a home call message of another second terminal. 
         [0108]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an example for controlling a visitor&#39;s call by the first terminal  130  through an app in the home network system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0109]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the first terminal  130  of the visitor reads home information stored in the communication module  110  based on an NFC function in step  1501 , and automatically executes a visit-related app in step  1503 . The first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message to the smart home server  150  through the app in step  1505 . The smart home server  150  selects at least one second terminal to communicate with the first terminal  130  in the corresponding household in step  1507 . The at least one second terminal may include the gateway  170 . The smart home server  150  transmits a home call message to at least one selected second terminal in step  1509 . The second terminal outputs a message or an image of the home call on the screen in step  1511 . When a call key is input, the second terminal starts a call with the first terminal  130  in step  1513 . When a call termination key or a door open key is input, the second terminal transmits an image termination signal to the first terminal  110  in step  1515 . For example, when the call key is input in the second terminal, the smart home server  150  may terminate a home call message of another second terminal. 
         [0110]    Hereinafter, example embodiments to which the method of controlling the visitor&#39;s call in the home network system according to the various example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the method of controlling the visitor&#39;s call is applied to an identity authentication server according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , when the first terminal  130  reads the NFC module or the QR code of the communication module  110  within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the communication module  110  transmits pre-stored home information to the first terminal  130  in step  1601 . The first terminal  130  transmits a home visit request message including home information (for example, home ID) and identification information for identifying the terminal to the smart home server  150  in step  1603 . Then, the smart home server  150  may transmit an identity inquiry message including the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the identity authentication server  1600  in order to confirm the visitor&#39;s identity in step  1605 . The smart home server  150  receives an identity response message including identity information (for example, name, job, and phone number) of the first terminal  130  from the identity authentication server  1600  in step  1607 . Accordingly, the smart home server  150  may transmit a home call message including the identity information to the gateway  170  of the household corresponding to the home information included in the home visit request message and at least one of the second terminals  175 - 1 , . . . , and  175 - n  in step  1609 . The second terminal having received the home call message may output the identity information of the user of the first terminal  130  on the screen. 
         [0113]      FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the method of controlling the visitor&#39;s call is applied to a company visit system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0114]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the first terminal  130  of the visitor or a staff transmits a visit reservation message to a visit reservation server  1700  to make an appointment for a visit. The visit reservation message may include at least one of a phone number of the visitor, a phone number of the staff in charge, and a conference room. Thereafter, when the first terminal arrives at the company and reads the NFC module or the QR code of the communication module  110  within a predetermined distance for communication with the communication module  110 , the communication module  110  transmits pre-stored home information (for example, company ID) to the first terminal  130  in step  1703 . Further, the first terminal  130  transits a home visit request message including home information (for example, company ID) and identification information to the smart home server  150  in step  1705 . Then, the smart home server  150  transmits a visit confirmation request message including the identification information of the first terminal  130  to the visit reservation server  1700  in step  1707 . The visit reservation server  1700  identifies whether the visit reservation is permitted with respect to the identification information of the first terminal  130  in response to the visit confirmation request message and, when the visit reservation is permitted, transmits a visit confirmation response message including at least one of the phone number of the staff in charge and the conference room to the smart home server  150  in step  1709 . 
         [0115]    Further, the smart home server  150  transmits a home visit response message including at least one of the phone number of the staff in charge and the conference room included in the visit confirmation response message to the first terminal  130  in step  1711  or transmits a home call request message that informs of arrival of the visitor to the second terminal  175 - 1  of the corresponding staff in step  1713 . 
         [0116]    According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently identify information on the visitor through a link with the identity authentication server or the visit reservation server separated from the smart home server and to directly perform communication between the first terminal  130  and at least one second terminal. 
         [0117]    Although various example embodiments are described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, the present disclosure may be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure shall not be determined merely based on the described example embodiments and rather determined based on the accompanying claims and the equivalents thereto.