Apparatus for controlling devices in a sub-network of a home-network and a method thereof

• US 20030169728A1
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Moon-Jeong
• Application Number:
  US10/377,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20030169728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/281 indicating a format for calling an appliance service function in a home automation network for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for controlling devices in a sub-network in a home-network, and the method thereof. A message processing unit transmits a registration request message received from a domestic device to a master server and responds to a polling message checking whether the domestic device is in an active mode or not. An information registration unit provides service information received from the domestic device in the sub-network and/or the updated service information, to the master server. An information generation unit controls the domestic device in the sub-network based on the service information and generates management information in a web page format. An information providing unit provides the control and management information generated via a user-based interface. A command converting unit converts and provides a command-based command between the domestic-network and the sub-network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling devices in a sub-network of a home-network comprising:

a message processing unit for transmitting a registration request message received from a domestic device to a master server and responding to a polling message checking whether the domestic device is in an active mode or not;

an information registration unit for providing at least one of service information and updated service information, received from the domestic device in the sub-network, to the master server;

an information generation unit for generating control and management information for the domestic device in the sub-network, based on at least one of the service information and the updated service information; and

an information providing unit for providing the control and management information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control and management information is in a web page format and is generated via a user-based interface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a command converting unit for converting a command transmitted between a domestic device and the sub-network, via a command-based interface.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service information comprises at least one of a type of domestic device, a manufacturer, location information, a device recognition name, and a device control command list.

7. The method for controlling devices according to claim 4, wherein in the step (a), the service information is converted into an extensible markup language (XML) format and saved in a saving means.

8. The method for controlling devices according to claim 4, wherein in the step (b), the service information is provided in a web page format.

9. The method for controlling devices according to claim 4, wherein the service information comprises at least one of a type of domestic device, a manufacturer, location information, a device recognition name, and a device control command list.

5. A method for controlling devices in a sub-network of a home-network comprising the steps of:

(a) providing service information on a domestic device;

(b) providing the service information to a master server;

(c) receiving a control command about a particular domestic device, from the master server; and

(d) converting the control command to a command for the particular domestic device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the particular domestic device is chosen by a user.