Method and apparatus for controlling visitor call in home network system

• US 10,348,906 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2018
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Gye-Young, Kim, Hee-Dong, Lee, Soo-Young, Jung, Hyun-Ki, Hawng, Dong-Yun
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Mahendra
• Application Number:
  US16/174,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20190068788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 4554352, 455433, 455445, 455512, 4554041, 379 45, 37921102, 37920105, 342457
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 between local and global IP addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2567 for reachability, e.g. inquiring the address of a correspondent behind a NAT server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

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'"'"'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.

Claims

1. A method for processing a call to a first terminal requesting a visit to a home, by a second terminal from among a plurality of second terminals registered in a smart home server, in a home network system, the method comprising:

transmitting, to the smart home server, a home information request message for requesting home information;

receiving, from the smart home server, a home information response message including the home information for the home where the second terminal is registered;

storing the home information included in the home information response message in a communication module; and

performing communication with the first terminal based on the home information,

wherein the home information includes a home identification for identifying the home where the plurality of second terminal are registered.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing communication with the first terminal based on the home information comprises:

receiving a call message from the smart home server or a gateway present inside the home when the first terminal is located within a predetermined distance in which communication with the communication module storing the home information is possible;

transmitting a call response message including information indicating whether to accept communication with a first terminal; and

performing communication with the first terminal, if the information indicates to accept communication with the first terminal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the call message includes first terminal identification information for identifying the first terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes at least one of a near field communication (NFC) module, a quick response (QR) code, and bluetooth low energy (BLE) patch.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication module is installed in outside the home, and

wherein the first terminal receives the home information from the communication module when the first terminal is located within the predetermined distance.

6. A method for processing a call to a plurality of second terminals registered in a smart home server from a first terminal requesting a visit to a home, by the smart home server in a home network system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals, a home information request message for requesting home information;

generating the home information for the home where the second terminal is registered;

transmitting, to the second terminal, a home information response message including the home information; and

processing the call for communication between the first terminal and at least one second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals based on the home information,

wherein the home information includes a home identification for identifying the home where the plurality of second terminal are registered.

7. The method of claim 6, processing the call for communication between the first terminal and at least one second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals based on the home information comprises:

receiving, from the first terminal, a visit request message including the home information and first terminal identification information for identifying the first terminal;

determining the at least one second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals registered in the home corresponding to the home information, to which to transmit a call message; and

transmitting, to the determined at least one second terminal, the call message.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the home information transmitted to the second terminal is stored in a communication module.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the communication module includes at least one of a near field communication (NFC) module, a quick response (QR) code, and bluetooth low energy (BLE) patch.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the communication module is installed in outside the home, and

wherein the first terminal receives the home information from the communication module when the first terminal is located within a predetermined distance in which communication with the communication module storing the home information is possible.

11. A second terminal for processing a call to a first terminal requesting a visit to a home in a home network system, wherein the second terminal is one from among a plurality of second terminals registered in a smart home server, the second terminal comprising:

a transceiver; and

a controller configured to;

control to transmit, to the smart home server, a home information request message for requesting home information,

control to receive, from the smart home server, a home information response message including the home information for the home where the second terminal is registered,

store the home information included in the home information response message in a communication module, and

perform communication with the first terminal based on the home information, wherein the home information includes a home identification for identifying the home where the plurality of second terminal are registered.

12. The second terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to:

control to receive a call message from the smart home server or a gateway present inside the home when the first terminal is located within a predetermined distance in which communication with the communication module storing the home information is possible,

control to transmit a call response message including information indicating whether to accept communication with a first terminal, and

perform communication with the first terminal, if the information indicates to accept communication with the first terminal.

13. The second terminal of claim 12, wherein the call message includes first terminal identification information for identifying the first terminal.

14. The second terminal of claim 11, wherein the communication module includes at least one of a near field communication (NFC) module, a quick response (QR) code, and bluetooth low energy (BLE) patch.

15. The second terminal of claim 12, wherein the communication module is installed in outside the home, and

wherein the first terminal receives the home information from the communication module when the first terminal is located within the predetermined distance.

16. A smart home server for processing a call to a plurality of second terminals registered in the smart home server from a first terminal requesting a visit to a home in a home network system, the smart home server comprising:

a transceiver; and

a controller configured to;

control to receive, from a second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals, a home information request message for requesting home information,

generate the home information for the home where the second terminal is registered,

control to transmit, to the second terminal, a home information response message including the home information, and

processing the call for communication between the first terminal and at least one second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals based on the home information,

wherein the home information includes a home identification for identifying the home where the plurality of second terminal are registered.

17. The smart home server of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to:

control to receive, from the first terminal, a visit request message including the home information and first terminal identification information for identifying the first terminal,

determine the at least one second terminal from among the plurality of second terminals registered in the home corresponding to the home information, to which to transmit a call message, and

control to transmit, to the determined at least one second terminal, the call message.

18. The smart home server of claim 16, wherein the home information transmitted to the second terminal is stored in a communication module.

19. The smart home server of claim 18, wherein the communication module includes at least one of a near field communication (NFC) module, a quick response (QR) code, and bluetooth low energy (BLE) patch.

20. The smart home server of claim 18, wherein the communication module is installed in outside the home, and

wherein the first terminal receives the home information from the communication module when the first terminal is located within a predetermined distance in which communication with the communication module storing the home information is possible.