Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030158956?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6,424,354
Timestamp: 2014-09-17 22:24:15
Document Index: 14560176

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 220', 'art 221', 'art 222', 'art 220', 'art 221', 'art 222', 'art 223', 'art 221']

Patent US20030158956 - Network device and network device control method - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn object of the present invention is to provide network devices and a network device control method which enable control network devices connected to an IP network, AV devices connected over 1394IF through gateway devices from the IP network, and home devices connected to ECHONET to be controlled without...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030158956?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030158956 - Network device and network device control methodAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20030158956 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/289,897Publication dateAug 21, 2003Filing dateNov 6, 2002Priority dateFeb 15, 2002Also published asCN1438791A, CN100488155C, EP1337080A2, EP1337080A3, US7403982, US7912928, US20080225883Publication number10289897, 289897, US 2003/0158956 A1, US 2003/158956 A1, US 20030158956 A1, US 20030158956A1, US 2003158956 A1, US 2003158956A1, US-A1-20030158956, US-A1-2003158956, US2003/0158956A1, US2003/158956A1, US20030158956 A1, US20030158956A1, US2003158956 A1, US2003158956A1InventorsMayuko Tanaka, Yoshimichi Kudo, Shigeto Oeda, Tadashi KuwabaraOriginal AssigneeHitachi, Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (11), Classifications (10), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetNetwork device and network device control methodUS 20030158956 A1Abstract An object of the present invention is to provide network devices and a network device control method which enable control network devices connected to an IP network, AV devices connected over 1394IF through gateway devices from the IP network, and home devices connected to ECHONET to be controlled without distinction among them. To achieve this object, a network device to serve as a controller comprises a controller application that detects a service of a target network device, using a message complying with an information exchange protocol common to the network, collects information such as an access method for the service, a function name, and parameters, and controls the network device upon request, and an information exchange protocol processing part that exchanges messages according to a protocol common to the network devices. The network device targeted for control comprises service that provides information for the controlling network device to perform control to the controller, and the information exchange protocol processing part. Images(10) Claims(13)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the followings, wherein: [0008]FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a network device control system configured with network devices according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0009]FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a software configuration of a controller and a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0010]FIG. 3 is a drawing showing information of target service, provided to a controller by a target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0011]FIG. 4 is a drawing showing messages exchanged between the controller and the target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0012]FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a software configuration of the controller according to an embodiment of the present invention and a network device having gateway functions; [0013]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing device list information of target services provided to the controller by the target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0014]FIG. 7 is a drawing showing device function list information of target services provided to the controller by the target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0015]FIG. 8 is a drawing showing messages exchanged between the controller and the target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [0016]FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a configuration of access URLs of appliances managed by a target GW device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a network device control system configured with network devices according to the embodiment of the present invention. The reference numeral 100 designates an IP network to which the network devices are connected; 110, a network device (hereinafter referred to as a controller) having a function for controlling other network devices connected to the IP network 100; 120, a digital camera (D-CAM) as an example of network devices of an AV system; and 130, a washer as an example of network devices of a home appliances system. An AV device gateway 140 (hereinafter referred to as an AV device GW) is a network device having gateway functions for networks of an AV device system and has the ability to control digital AV devices connected over 1394IF 143. A home appliance GW 150 is a network device having gateway functions for networks of a home appliance system and has the ability to control home appliances connected over ECHONET 153. [0018] in this embodiment, the controller 110, the network devices (120, 130, 140, and 150) on the network, and the network devices (140, 150) having gateway functions include program modules that can operate in conjunction with each other by message exchange. The controller can obtain information required to control the network devices by message exchange, and can control the network devices, including the devices connected under control of the network devices having gateway functions by a common protocol. [0019] Hereinafter, a description is made of a control method of the present invention and the configuration of the network devices with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a software configuration of the controller and the network devices according to the present invention. In the drawing, components that have the same function as those of FIG. 1 are identified by the same reference numbers and a description of them is omitted. The reference numeral 100 designates an IP network to which the network devices are connected; 110, a function; an information exchange protocol processing part 220 comprising a message creation/interpretation part 221 that interprets a received message, determines a protocol processing part to pass it to, distributes the message, receives a return value, and returns it to a message transmission source, an device control protocol processing part 222 that interprets a message received from the message creation/interpretation 221, presents parameters to a corresponding function, receives processing results, and returns them to the message creation/interpretation 221, and the device information provision protocol 223; and the network driver 210. [0020] The behavior of the controller 110 and the target device 120 is described using FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows an example of information of the target service 240, provided to the controller 110 by the target device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an example of messages exchanged between the controller 110 and the target device 120 when the controller 110 controls the zooming of the camera function of the target device. [0021] Upon detecting the target device 120 on the network, the controller 110 transmits a message to the target device ((1) of FIG. 4) and obtains information of the target service 240 as exemplified in FIG. 3. As a possible method of the controller's detecting a desired target device, the controller transmits a multicast message of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) for inquiring about a target device having a desired function to the network, judges a network device responding to the inquiry as a target device, and obtains the IP address of a desired target device from the response message. However, the present invention imposes no limitation on a method of detecting a target device. FIG. 3 shows that the target device 120 has, as target services, device control service 241 having VCR control and camera control functions, and device information provision service 242, and shows information such as the names of individual functions, and parameters used and URLs for access. Upon obtaining format information such as service functions and access functions, provided by the target device, the controller transmits a message containing functions for controlling the target device according to user operations and requests from other applications to the access URL of the target device to control the target device. In an example of FIG. 4, the controller transmits an device list acquisition request ((3) of FIG. 4) and recognizes from a response that the target device 120 has a camera function and a VCR function. Further to obtain the function name of the camera function, the controller transmits a function name acquisition request with CAMERA as a parameter ((5) of FIG. 4) and obtains a zoom function Zoom. The controller transmits the zoom function Zoom with a parameter of zoom magnification 10 so that a zoom magnification of the target device 120 is set to 10�, and obtains the specified zoom magnification 10 as a return value. [0022] As described above, the controller 110, by message exchange with the target device 120, obtains information such as the functions of the target device, URLs and function names for accessing the functions, and parameters, and controls the target device. Therefore, according to this method, since the controller does not need to know information for controlling the target device in advance and only a message exchange protocol and a data representation format have only to be shared between the controller and the target device, a network device control system can be built which is flexible to an increase or decrease in network devices and differences of types of devices such as AV devices and home appliances. [0023] As an example of application components constituting the controller AP 230 of the controller and the target service 240 of the target device, there is Web service accessible using various types of Internet-standard Web protocols. In the Web service, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format is used as a data representation format, and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is used for message exchange. To describe functions provided by the Web service, the language specifications of WSDL (Web Service Description Language), which is based on XML, are used. Although network control devices and a control method according to the present invention can be achieved by an original message protocol and data format, a system having higher versatility can be built by applying Internet-standard technologies. [0024]FIG. 5 shows a software configuration of the controller according to an embodiment of the present invention and a network device having gateway functions. In the drawing, components having the same function are identified by the same reference numerals. The reference numeral 100 designates a controller, and 140 designates STB, which is one of network devices having GW functions controlled, hereinafter referred to as a target GW device. The functions of the controller are the same as those in FIG. 2; a description of them is omitted. The target GW device 140 comprises: a target service 240 that provides services for controlling the target device itself and devices under management of the gateway, wherein the target service 240 comprises an device control service 241 that provides an interface for controlling the target GW device itself and devices (141 and 142 in FIG. 1) under management of a gateway, and an device information service 242 that provides information required to control the target GW device itself and devices (141 and 142 in FIG. 1) under management of the gateway; an information exchange protocol processing part 220 comprising a message creation/interpretation part 221 that creates messages according to an information processing protocol and interprets a received message and passes it to a corresponding object, an device control protocol processing part 222 that accesses a corresponding device control service according to a control message received from the device control protocol processing 222, and an device information protocol processing part 223 that accesses an device information acquisition service according to an information request message received from the message creation/interpretation part 221, and acquires and returns device information; a network driver 210; a network 2 driver 520 that sends and receives data through devices under management of the gateway and a second network 143; and a network 2 middleware 510 used in the second network. [0025] The target GW device detects an increase or decrease in devices connected to the second network, using the network 2 middleware 510. Using the functions of the network 2 middleware 510, the target GW device acquires or creates device 2 control 531 and device 3 control 532, which are applications for controlling devices under control of the gateway, from the device control service 241, and device 2 information 541 and device 3 information 542, which are applications for acquiring device information under control of the gateway, from the device information provision service 242. [0026] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, a description is made of the procedure in which the controller according to one embodiment of the present invention collects information about an device to be controlled to control the device. [0027]FIG. 6 shows an example of device list information, represented by an XML data structure. The device list information contains device information of the network device itself (140) and devices (141, 142) connected to the second network (143). In the drawing, the notation of an enclosure constituted of �<� and �>�, referred to as a tag, denotes the meaning of described information. In this example, <target list> indicates a target device managed by the target GW device 140, <device> indicates isolating physical devices, and <target> indicates an operable function of individual devices. <device name> indicates a name for identifying an device, <device display name> indicates a display name shown to users. The device list information comprises a combination of device information of the device 2 (141) and device 3 (142) connected to the second network (143), acquired or created using the device 2 information 541 and the device 3 information 542 by the device information provision service 240. [0028]FIG. 7 shows an example of a device function list. In this embodiment, a device function list is provided for each of <target> tags of FIG. 6, and below <function list>, detailed information of each function is given under a <function> tag. As an example of detailed information of functions, there are provided <function name> to indicate a function name, <function type> to indicate whether the operation of the function is control or status inquiry, and <parameter name> to indicate the name of a parameter used, followed by detailed information of the parameter such as <parameter direction> to indicate whether the parameter is an input parameter, output parameter, or input output parameter, and <parameter type> to indicate the type of the parameter. The device function list, like the device list information, is acquired or created and managed using the device 2 information 541 and the device 3 information 542 of the device 2 (141) and device 3 (142) connected to the second network (143) by the device information provision service 240. [0029]FIG. 8 shows a procedure in which the controller 110 obtains information of the target device 140 and operates a desired target function. Upon detecting the target device 140 on the network, the controller 110 transmits a message to the target device ((1) of FIG. 8), and as a response, obtains information for accessing the device information provision service. If the target device 140 discloses the device information provision service as Web service, the response is a WSDL address for using the device information provision service ((2) of FIG. 8). The controller obtains service provided by the device information provision service 242 and its interface information from WSDL. Service provided here is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 (242). The controller 110 transmits a device list acquisition request, using the device information provision service ((3) of FIG. 8). The device information provision service 242 of the target device refers to created device list information (FIG. 6), creates an device list, including information of devices connected to the second network, and returns a response ((4) of FIG. 8). [0030] Next, to obtain the function of a desired device, the controller transmits a device function list acquisition request. In an example of FIG. 8, the controller requests a list of the functions of TV ((5) of FIG. 8). The device information provision service 242 refers to the device list information (FIG. 6) and includes a tuner function (tuner) and a clock function (clock) in the function list and returns the function list ((6) of FIG. 8). Furthermore, to obtain the names of desired functions, the controller transmits a function acquisition request ((7) of FIG. 8). In this example, with no parameters specified, the controller requests a list of functions related to overall operations of devices. The device information provision service 242 refers to the device function list (FIG. 7) and returns a list of functions on overall device operations and access destination information ((8) of FIG. 8). [0031] The controller transmits ((9) of FIG. 8) getPowerState for consulting a power state to an access destination obtained in (8) of FIG. 8, and from a response, can recognize that the power to the TV is on ((10) of FIG. 8). The function getPowerState transmitted according to a protocol common to the first network is interpreted by the device control protocol 222 and passed to a corresponding control object device 2 control 531 of the device control service 241. The device 2 control converts the function into a protocol interpretable to the device 2 (141) and transmits the resulting function to the device 2 (141). A response from the device 2 (141) is received in the device 2 control 531 and converted into a protocol common to the first network, and passed to the controller through the information exchange protocol 220. That is, the controller can obtain information of devices connected to the second network in the same procedure for devices connected to the second network, to control the devices. [0032] According to the present invention, since the target GW device 140 manages devices under control of the gateway, and manages device information and device control service in a format accessible from the controller, the controller can manage both network devices directly connected to the IP network and devices connected under control of the gateway, using a common method. [0033] Access URL of devices managed by the target GW device may, as shown in FIG. 9, take a form 620 that follows a directory structure from the IP address 610 of the target GW device, or Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7805485Jan 28, 2008Sep 28, 2010Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc.Web services interface extension channelUS7903670May 14, 2004Mar 8, 2011Lg Electronics Inc.Home network systemUS7949786May 14, 2004May 24, 2011Lg Electronics Inc.Method of assigning a node address in a local networkUS8031724 *May 14, 2004Oct 4, 2011Lg Electronics Inc.Home network systemUS8443055Jun 23, 2005May 14, 2013Fujitsu LimitedSystem and method to provide device control service, and computer productUS8458325 *Mar 30, 2010Jun 4, 2013Canon Kabushiki KaishaInformation processing apparatus for executing detection of a target network device and its methodUS8677350Sep 1, 2009Mar 18, 2014Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.System and method for managing an application or software component for use in a device to be controlled in a home networkUS8707295 *Oct 16, 2003Apr 22, 2014Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.System and method for managing an application or software component for use in a device to be controlled in a home networkUS20100250741 *Mar 30, 2010Sep 30, 2010Canon Kabushiki KaishaInformation processing apparatus and its methodUS20110026535 *Oct 5, 2010Feb 3, 2011Daisuke AjitomiBridge apparatus and bridge systemUS20120062360 *Feb 3, 2010Mar 15, 2012Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.System and method for controlling the access to a networked control system* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification709/230, 709/246International ClassificationH04L12/66, H04L12/24Cooperative ClassificationH04L12/24, H04L12/66, H04L41/00European ClassificationH04L41/00, H04L12/24, H04L12/66Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 12, 2013ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HITACHI, LTD.;REEL/FRAME:030648/0217Effective date: 20130607Owner name: HITACHI CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., JAPANDec 21, 2011FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 6, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: HITACHI, LTD., JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TANAKA, MAYUKO;KUDO, YOSHIMICHI;OEDA, SHIGETO;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013476/0798;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020930 TO 20021007RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google