Patent Description:
In a digital home, various home electronic devices communicate and exchange data with each other in different interconnection modes on a basis of computer technologies and network technologies, which implements "interconnection and interworking" between home electronic products, and can implement functions such as content sharing or mutual control, so that comfortableness and entertainment of people's residence are significantly improved.

To implement media content sharing between electronic devices on a home network, the Universal Plug and Play (Universal Plug and Play, UPnP for short) Forum formulates a UPnP AV standard. According to the standard, a control device is used as a UPnP control point (Control Point), and a multimedia device is used as a UPnP device. After acquiring a go-online announcement message of the UPnP device, the UPnP control point further acquires device description information and service description information of the UPnP device, so that the UPnP control point may control the UPnP device by invoking an action command or a variable query command, or establish a connection between the control device and the multimedia device by invoking an action command, thereby implementing media file sharing.

There is an increasing number of electronic devices on a home network, and different devices have their own product models and product names. A user is always confused by irregular product models or naming rules made by manufacturers, and cannot correctly identify a multimedia device that a product model or a naming rule is specifically corresponding to.

Document <CIT> discloses a method for decoding barcodes using mobile devices.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for identifying a device, and a device, which enable a user to correctly identify a multimedia device.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for identifying a device, and a device. In the method for identifying a device, a control device generates an identification identifier of a multimedia device according to device description information of the multimedia device, and sends the identification identifier to the multimedia device, so that the multimedia device displays the identification identifier; the control device acquires the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device and an appearance image of the multimedia device, and acquires the device description information according to the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device; and the control device associates the device description information with the appearance image of the multimedia device, so that a user identifies the multimedia device according to the appearance image. In this way, a user equipment can correctly identify, only according to the appearance image of the multimedia device, the multimedia device corresponding to the appearance image, thereby improving convenience and correctness of device identification.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or in the prior art more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show some embodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

<FIG> is a flowchart of Embodiment <NUM> of a method for identifying a device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method for identifying a device according to this embodiment of the present invention may be executed by a control device. The control device may be implemented by using software and/or hardware. The method for identifying a device according to this embodiment includes:.

In this embodiment, the control device may be an interactive terminal device, such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer, that can take photos, can be networked, and supports wireless connection. The multimedia device may be an interactive device, such as a television, sound equipment, or a notebook computer, that can be networked and can output a video or audio.

During a specific implementation process, before step <NUM>, the control device acquires the device description information and device capability information of the multimedia device; and the control device determines, according to the device description information and the device capability information, that the multimedia device is a video device or an audio device.

Specifically, the control device acquires the device description information of the multimedia device by using the Simple Service Discovery Protocol (Simple Service Discovery Protocol, SSDP for short), and there may specifically be two possible cases. One possible case is that: when connected to a network, the control device may send an "ssdp:discover" message to an SSDP port at a specific multicast address, where the message includes a request for acquiring the device description information; and when the multimedia device obtains the message by listening, the multimedia device analyzes the request sent by the control device, and then returns a response with respect to the request sent by the control device, that is, returns the device description information. The other case is that: when connected to a network, the multimedia device sends an "ssdp:alive" message to an SSDP port at a specific multicast address, where the message includes the device description information.

The device description information includes a series of general attributes of the multimedia device. The general attributes include a service, a device structure, a device attribute, and so on. For example, a universally unique identifier (Universally Unique Identifier, UUID for short), an IP address, and a device type of the multimedia device. A value of a UUID for a same multimedia device is unique at different times. Specifically, a form of a UUID may be as follows: uuid:d1578360-feb3-<NUM>-<NUM>-2c27d742936c; a form of an IP address may be as follows: HOST:<NUM>. <NUM>:<NUM>; and a form of a device type may be as follows: device:Media Renderer. For a specific form of other device description information, details are not described in this embodiment again.

After the control device discovers the multimedia device, the control device may invoke a UPnP acquire action (Get ProtrocolInfo() action) to acquire the device capability information. Specifically, a packet of the device capability information that is of the multimedia device and is acquired by the control device may be shown as follows:
<SinkProtocolInfo>
http-get:*:image/jpeg:DLNA. ORG_PN=JPEG_SM,
http-get:*:audio/mpeg:DLNA. ORG_PN=MP3,
</SinkProtocolInfo>.

In the acquired device capability information, image represents an image, jpeg represents a format of an image file, audio represents a sound, and mpeg represents a format of an audio file. Persons skilled in the art may understand that the foregoing format of the packet of the device capability information is merely exemplary, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

The multimedia device may determine, according to the device description information and the device capability information, that the multimedia device is a video device or an audio device. For example, the device type is a media renderer (Media Renderer) and the device capability information is image/jpeg, it may be determined that the multimedia device is a video device; and if the device capability information is audio/mpeg, it may be determined that the multimedia device is an audio device.

In step <NUM>, the control device generates an identification identifier of the multimedia device according to device description information of the multimedia device.

During a specific implementation process, the control device may generate the identification identifier of the multimedia device according to the device description information of the multimedia device, where the device description information may be a UUID, an IP address, and a device type. The identification identifier may be a picture with a specific color, a two-dimensional code, a sound, a specific shape, or the like.

Optionally, the control device generates the identification identifier of the multimedia device according to a universally unique identifier (Universally Unique Identifier, UUID for short) and an IP address of the multimedia device in the device description information of the multimedia device.

After the identification identifier of the multimedia device is generated, the control device sends the identification identifier to the multimedia device, so that the multimedia device acquires the identification identifier. Specifically, the control device sends a universal resource identifier (Universal Resource Identifier, URI for short) of the identification identifier to the multimedia device, and the multimedia device may acquire the identification identifier according to the URI.

In step <NUM>, the control device acquires the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device and an appearance image of the multimedia device, and acquires the device description information according to the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device.

Specifically, when the multimedia device is a video device, the control device may capture, in a manner of photographing or scanning, an identification identifier played by the video device; and when the multimedia device is an audio device, the control device may acquire, in a manner of recording by a microphone, an identification identifier played by the audio device, and then acquire the device description information according to a picture with a specific color, a two-dimensional code, a sound, a specific shape, or the like.

In addition, the multimedia device acquires an appearance image of the multimedia device by using a camera, learns whether the media playback device is a video device or an audio device by means of an image recognition technology, and then learns appearance information such as a brand and a screen size of the multimedia device by analyzing the multimedia device.

In step <NUM>, the control device associates the device description information with the appearance image of the multimedia device, so that a user identifies the multimedia device according to the appearance image.

During a specific implementation process, the device description information may be associated with the appearance image of the multimedia device in a manner of establishing a table, mapping, or binding, and association information is stored on the control device.

Optionally, the control device may associate the UUID and the IP address in the device description information with the appearance image.

When a user needs to implement media content sharing between electronic devices on a home network, the user may identify and select a multimedia device according to appearance images of multimedia devices displayed on the control device. Because an association relationship exists between an appearance image and device description information, after the user identifies and selects the multimedia device according to the appearance images, the control device may directly acquire device description information of the multimedia device, and then establishes a connection with the multimedia device according to the device description information, thereby implementing media file sharing.

In the method for identifying a device according to this embodiment of the present invention, a control device generates an identification identifier of a multimedia device according to device description information of the multimedia device, and sends the identification identifier to the multimedia device, so that the multimedia device displays the identification identifier; the control device acquires the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device and an appearance image of the multimedia device, and acquires the device description information according to the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device; and the control device associates the device description information with the appearance image of the multimedia device, so that a user identifies the multimedia device according to the appearance image. In this way, a user equipment can correctly identify, only according to the appearance image of the multimedia device, the multimedia device corresponding to the appearance image, thereby improving convenience and correctness of device identification.

The following uses several specific embodiments to describe, with respect to the video device and the audio device in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, in detail the method for identifying a device.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a process, in Embodiment <NUM> of a method for identifying a device, for identifying a video device according to the present invention. That a multimedia device is a video device is described in detail for description in this embodiment. Specific steps are as follows:
Step <NUM>: A control device generates an identification identifier of the video device according to a UUID and an IP address of the video device in device description information of the video device, and sends the identification identifier to the video device, so that the video device displays the identification identifier.

For a method used by the control device to discover and determine a video device, and a method for acquiring device description information and device capability information, reference may be made to step <NUM>, and details are not described herein again in this embodiment.

When the multimedia device is a video device, the control device compiles information such as the UUID and the IP address of the video device into a two-dimensional code for the video device. If multiple video devices are discovered on a home network, UUIDs and IP addresses of the video devices are different, and therefore, two-dimensional codes generated for the video devices are also different.

Alternatively, the control device may also generate, according to UUIDs and IP addresses of different video devices discovered on the home network, pictures with preset colors for the different video devices. For example, if a video device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>. <NUM> is acquired by the control device, the control device generates a red picture for the video device; and if a video device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>. <NUM> is acquired by the control device, the control device generates a blue picture for the video device. The control device generates two-dimensional codes or pictures with preset colors for video devices with different UUIDs and IP addresses.

Persons skilled in the prior art can understand that both the foregoing two-dimensional code and the picture with a preset color are identification identifiers in this embodiment.

When the multimedia device is a video playback device, the control device invokes a Set AV Transport URI() action command of the video device, where the command carries a URI of a picture with a preset color or a URI of a two-dimensional code, where the picture with a preset color or the two-dimensional code is generated for the video device. After acquiring the URI of the picture with a preset color or the URI of the two-dimensional code, the video device acquires the picture with a preset color or the two-dimensional code by using HTTP GET, and displays the picture with a preset color or the two-dimensional code on a screen.

Step <NUM>: The control device acquires the identification identifier displayed by the video device, acquires the UUID and the IP address according to the identification identifier, and acquires an appearance image of the video device by using a camera.

When the multimedia device is a video device, the camera on the control device captures the appearance image of the video playback device, and captures a preset picture or a two-dimensional code picture in a manner of photographing or scanning.

When the identification identifier is a two-dimensional code picture, the UUID and the IP address may be directly acquired by parsing.

When the identification identifier is a preset picture, the preset picture may be a picture with a preset pattern, or may be a picture with a preset color. If the control device determines that a preset picture played by the video device is consistent with a preset picture generated by the control device, the control device acquires device description information corresponding to the preset picture. Specifically, the control device determines whether the captured preset picture played by the video device is a preset picture generated by an audio device; and if the captured preset picture played by the video device is a preset picture generated by an audio device, the control device determines that the identification identifier played by the video device is consistent with the identification identifier generated by the control device.

In addition, the control device may learn that the multimedia device is a video device according to an appearance image by means of an image recognition technology, and then learns appearance information such as a brand and a screen size of the multimedia device by analyzing the multimedia device.

Step <NUM>: The control device associates the UUID and the IP address with the appearance image of the video device.

After the camera of the control device captures the appearance image of the video device and key information such as the UUID and the IP address of the video device is acquired, the control device matches and associates the appearance image of the video device with the UUID and the IP address. For example, the control device correspondingly binds the appearance image of the video device collected by the video device and a red picture with a corresponding UUID and a corresponding IP address, and the binding information is stored on the control device. A manner for associating device description information with an appearance image in a form of a table may be listed in Table <NUM>.

By using the method for identifying a device according to this embodiment of the present invention, a user equipment can correctly identify, only according to an appearance image of a multimedia device, the multimedia device corresponding to the appearance image, thereby improving convenience and correctness of device identification.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a process, in Embodiment <NUM> of a method for identifying a device, for identifying an audio device according to the present invention. That a multimedia device is an audio device is described in detail in this embodiment.

Step <NUM>: A control device generates an identification identifier of the audio device according to a UUID and an IP address of the audio device in device description information of the audio device, and sends the identification identifier to the audio device, so that the audio device displays the identification identifier.

For a method used by the control device to discover and determine an audio device, and a method for acquiring device description information and device capability information, reference may be made to step <NUM>, and details are not described herein again in this embodiment.

When the multimedia device is an audio device, the control device may generate, according to UUIDs and IP addresses of different audio devices discovered on a home network, preset music for the different video devices. For example, if an audio device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>. <NUM> is acquired by the control device, the control device generates music A for the audio device. If an audio device with a UUID of xx. xxx2 and with an IP address of <NUM>. <NUM> is acquired by the control device, the control device generates music B for the audio device.

Alternatively, the control device may generate audio files with preset frequencies according to the UUIDs and the IP addresses of the different video devices, for example, the control device generates an audio file with a frequency of <NUM> for a device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>. <NUM>, and the control device generates an audio file with a frequency of <NUM> for a device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>.

Persons skilled in the prior art can understand that both the foregoing preset music and a sound with a preset frequency are identification identifiers in this embodiment.

When the multimedia device is an audio playback device, the control device invokes a Set AV Transport URI() action command of the audio device, where the command carries a URI of preset music or a URI of a sound with a preset frequency, where the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency is generated for the audio device. After acquiring the URI of the preset music or the URI of the sound with a preset frequency, the playback device acquires the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency by using HTTP GET, and plays the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency by using sound equipment.

Step <NUM>: The control device acquires the identification identifier displayed by the audio device, acquires the UUID and the IP address according to the identification identifier, and acquires an appearance image of the audio device by using a camera.

When the multimedia device is an audio device, a microphone on the control device collects preset music, or a sound with a preset frequency played by the audio device. For example, the control device generates music A or an audio file with <NUM> for an audio device with a UUID of xx. <NUM> and with an IP address of <NUM>. When a user puts the control device near the audio device, a camera on the control device acquires an appearance image of the audio device, and the microphone captures that what is playing by the audio device is music A or the audio file with <NUM>.

Then, if the control device determines that the preset music and the sound with a preset frequency played by the audio device is consistent with the preset music and the sound with a preset frequency generated by the control device, the control device acquires device description information corresponding to the preset music and the sound with a preset frequency. Specifically, the control device determines whether the collected preset music or the sound with a preset frequency played by the audio device is the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency generated by the control device; and if the collected preset music or the sound with a preset frequency played by the audio device is the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency generated by the control device, the control device determines that the identification identifier played by the audio device is consistent with the identification identifier generated by the control device.

In addition, the control device learns that the multimedia device is an audio device by means of an image recognition technology, and then learns appearance information such as a brand and a screen size of the multimedia device by analyzing the multimedia device.

Step <NUM>: The control device associates the UUID and the IP address with the appearance image of the audio device.

The control device matches and associates key information, such as the UUID and the IP address of the audio device that are corresponding to the preset music or the sound with a preset frequency, with the appearance image of the audio device collected by the camera of the control device; and the association information is stored on the control device. A manner for associating device description information with an appearance image in a form of a table may be listed in Table <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of Embodiment <NUM> of a method for identifying a device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method for identifying a device according to this embodiment of the present invention may be executed by a multimedia device. The multimedia device may be implemented by using software and/or hardware. The method for identifying a device according to this embodiment includes:.

Optionally, if the multimedia device is a video device, the identification identifier is a preset picture or a two-dimensional code.

Optionally, if the multimedia device is an audio device, the identification identifier is preset music, or a sound with a preset frequency.

For a specific implementation process of this embodiment, reference may be made to descriptions about the multimedia device shown in the embodiments of <FIG>, and details are not described herein again in this embodiment.

In the method for identifying a device according to this embodiment of the present invention, a multimedia device receives an identification identifier of the multimedia device sent by a control device; and the multimedia device displays the identification identifier, so that the control device associates the device description information with the appearance image, which enables a user to identify the multimedia device according to the appearance image. In this way, a user equipment can correctly identify, only according to the appearance image of the multimedia device, the multimedia device corresponding to the appearance image, thereby improving convenience and correctness of device identification.

<FIG> is a flowchart of Embodiment <NUM> of a method for identifying a device according to the present invention. The method for identifying a device according to this embodiment is as follows:.

In step <NUM>, the control device acquires device description information and device capability information of a multimedia device by using the Service Discovery Protocol.

Specifically, the control device may acquire the device description information of the multimedia device by using SSDP, and there may specifically be two possible cases. One possible case is that: when connected to a network, the control device may send an "ssdp:discover" message to an SSDP port at a specific multicast address, where the message includes a request for acquiring the device description information; and when the multimedia device obtains the message by listening, the multimedia device analyzes the request sent by the control device, and then returns a response with respect to the request sent by the control device, that is, returns the device description information. The other case is that: when connected to a network, the multimedia device sends an "ssdp:alive" message to an SSDP port at a specific multicast address, where the message includes the device description information.

After the control device discovers the multimedia device, the control device may invoke a UPnP acquire action (Get ProtrocolInfo() action) to acquire the device capability information.

Optionally, after the control device acquires the device description information of the multimedia device, the method further includes:
determining, by the control device according to the device description information and the device capability information, that the multimedia device is a video device or an audio device.

In step <NUM>, the control device acquires an appearance image of the multimedia device. The control device acquires an appearance image of the multimedia device from a network side by using the device description information, and acquires an appearance image of the multimedia device by using a camera; and the control device determines that the appearance image of the multimedia device acquired from the network side by using the device description information is consistent with the appearance image of the multimedia device acquired by using a camera. The control device uses the appearance image of the multimedia device acquired from the network side as an appearance image of the multimedia device, and acquires the appearance image.

Specifically, the control device acquires more detailed device information from the network side by analyzing key information in the device description information. For example, a URL of a product appearance image is acquired from the device description information, and then the control device acquires the appearance image from the network side according to the URL; or, the control device may acquire a portal website of a device manufacturer by analyzing <manufacturer URL> in the device description information, and may acquire a detailed product model by analyzing <model Name> in the device description information. After acquiring a portal website of the manufacturer, the control device may search for more detailed device description information and product description information on the website by using a background program, for example, product parameters such as an appearance image, a brand, a screen size, and a resolution. The control device binds a UUID and an IP address of the multimedia device with the product parameters, such as the appearance image, the brand, and the screen size, of the multimedia device acquired from the network side, and the control device stores binding information. Details may be listed in Table <NUM>.

The camera on the control device collects an appearance image of a multimedia device that needs to be identified. For example, a user starts the camera on the control device and aligns the camera with a multimedia device in a living room or a bedroom, and the camera collects an appearance image of the multimedia device, such as an appearance image of a television or an appearance image of sound equipment. The control device analyzes the collected appearance image of the multimedia device. The control device can learn, by means of image recognition, whether the appearance image acquired by using a camera by the user is a television or sound equipment. The control device may identify information such as a screen size of the multimedia device by means of an image recognition technology. Details may be listed in Table <NUM>.

The control device performs analysis by means of an image recognition technology; if it is determined that the appearance image of the multimedia device acquired from the network side is consistent with the appearance image acquired by using a camera, the appearance image acquired by using a camera is used as an appearance image; and the appearance image is acquired. Persons skilled in the art may understand that consistency of appearance images not only includes consistency of images, but also includes consistency of device types, brands, and product parameters that are acquired according to the image recognition technology.

In step <NUM>, the control device associates the device description information with the appearance image.

The control device associates the UUID and the IP address in the device description information with the appearance image acquired by using a camera in step <NUM>, and stores the association information on the control device. A manner for associating device description information with an appearance image in a form of a table may be listed in Table <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment <NUM> of a control device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a control device <NUM> provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a generating module <NUM>, a first acquiring module <NUM>, a second acquiring module <NUM>, and an associating module <NUM>.

The generating module <NUM> is configured to generate an identification identifier of a multimedia device according to device description information of the multimedia device, and send the identification identifier to the multimedia device, so that the multimedia device displays the identification identifier;.

The control device in this embodiment may be used to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in <FIG>. The implementation principles and technical effects are similar and are not described herein again.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment <NUM> of a control device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, this embodiment of the present invention is implemented based on the embodiment of <FIG>, and details are as follows:
Optionally, the second acquiring module <NUM> is specifically configured to:
determine that the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device is consistent with the identification identifier generated by the control device, and acquire the device description information corresponding to the identification identifier generated by the control device.

Optionally, the control device further includes: a determining module <NUM>, configured to: before the identification identifier of the multimedia device is generated according to the device description information of the multimedia device,.

Optionally, if the multimedia device is a video device, the identification identifier is a preset picture or a two-dimensional code; or
if the multimedia device is an audio device, the identification identifier is preset music, or a sound with a preset frequency.

Optionally, the generating module <NUM> is specifically configured to generate the identification identifier of the multimedia device according to a universally unique identifier UUID and an IP address of the multimedia device in the device description information of the multimedia device; and
the associating module <NUM> is specifically configured to associate the UUID and the IP address with the appearance image of the multimedia device.

Optionally, the first acquiring module <NUM> is specifically configured to acquire the identification identifier displayed by the multimedia device, and acquire the appearance image of the multimedia device by using a camera.

The control device in this embodiment may be used to execute the technical solutions of the foregoing method embodiments. The implementation principles and technical effects are similar and are not described herein again.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment <NUM> of a multimedia device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a multimedia device <NUM> provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving module <NUM> and a displaying module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive an identification identifier of the multimedia device sent by a control device; and.

The multimedia device in this embodiment may be used to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in <FIG>. The implementation principles and technical effects are similar and are not described herein again.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment <NUM> of a control device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a control device <NUM> provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a first acquiring module <NUM>, a second acquiring module <NUM>, and an associating module <NUM>.

The first acquiring module <NUM> is configured to acquire device description information and device capability information of a multimedia device;.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment <NUM> of a control device according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the control device provided in this embodiment of the present invention is implemented based on the embodiment in <FIG>, and details are as follows:.

Optionally, the second acquiring module <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the associating module <NUM> is specifically configured to:
associate, by the control device, a universally unique identifier UUID and an IP address in the device description information with the appearance image of the multimedia device acquired by using the camera.

Optionally, the control device further includes: a determining module <NUM>, configured to: after the device description information of the multimedia device is acquired, determine, according to the device description information and the device capability information, that the multimedia device is a video device or an audio device.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some of the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a program instructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps of the method embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claim 1:
A method for identifying a device, comprising:
acquiring (<NUM>), by a control device, device description information of a multimedia device sent from the multimedia device;
acquiring (<NUM>), by the control device, an appearance image of the multimedia device from a network side according to the device description information by searching for the appearance image on the network side based on the device description information;
associating (<NUM>), by the control device, the device description information with the appearance image of the multimedia device in local;
displaying, by the control device, the appearance image of the multimedia device;
establishing, by the control device, a connection with the multimedia device according to operation of a user.