Device operation management method, a manager device, a program supply medium for supplying a device operation management program, an controller device, and an electronic device

• US 6,748,428 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Iijima, Yuko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Wen Tai
• Application Number:
  US09/454,764
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/321, 709/204, 709/226, 709/245, 709/209, 709/229, 709/328, 709/230, 709/313, 709/330, 709/238, 710/8, 710/9, 710/10, 710/12, 710/100, 710/104, 710/105, 710/305, 710/72, 370/216, 370/432, 370/257, 370/259, 370/437, 370/278, 370/260, 370/263-266, 370/443, 370/485
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5016 the resource being the memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0809 Plug-and-play configuration

Abstract

In a network connected with a plurality of electronic devices 11 to 16, an electronic device 13 as a leader inquires about system resource capacities from electronic devices 11 and 14 which can become controllers, in a step S1. The electronic device 13 further inquires about sizes of DCMs from electronic devices 12, 13, 15, and 16, respectively, in a step S2. The electronic device 13 calculates the memory capacities of the electronic devices 11 and 14 to which DCMs can be assigned, and the size of the DCM of each electronic device, in a step S3. Further, the electronic device 13 determines whether or not the DCM of each electronic device can be assigned to the electronic devices 11 and 14, in a step S4, and then assigns DCMs which can be possessed by the devices 11 and 14, respectively, in a step S5.

Claims

1. A device operation management method for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, the method comprising:

a resource capacity check step of checking a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices, by a manager device which is determined so as to manage device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

a software capacity check step of checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

an assignment step of assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check step and the software capacity check step in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

further comprising;

a desired function determination step of determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function, by the manager device;

a possession determination step of determining whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, based on an instruction from the manager device if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function as a result of determination in the desired function determination step; and

a possession possibility determination step of determining whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software, by the manager device, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of determination in the possession determination step.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein if the arbitrary controller device is determined as not possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of the determination in the possession determination step, an indication that the control software cannot be assigned to the arbitrary controller device is displayed on a display of the manager device or the arbitrary controller device.

3. A device operation management method for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, the method comprising:

a resource capacity check step of checking a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices, by a manager device which is determined so as to manage device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

a software capacity check step of checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

an assignment step of assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check step and the software capacity check step in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

further comprising;

wherein if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network is displayed on a display of the arbitrary controller device.

4. A manager device for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by also connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, comprising:

resource capacity check means for checking with the plurality of controller devices about a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices; and

control software capacity check means for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device; and

assignment means for assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, based on a result checked by the resource capacity check means and the control software capacity check means in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

further comprising;

desired function determination means for determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function; and

possession possibility determination means for making, if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function, the arbitrary controller device determine whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, and for determining, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software as a result, whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software.

5. A device according to claim 4, further comprising display means for displaying an indication that the control software cannot be assigned to the arbitrary controller device, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as not possessing the unnecessary control software.

6. A manager device for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by also connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, comprising:

resource capacity check means for checking with the plurality of controller devices about a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices; and

control software capacity check means for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device; and

assignment means for assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, based on a result checked by the resource capacity check means and the control software capacity check means in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

further comprising display means for displaying, if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network.

7. A program supply medium for supplying a device operation management program for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, the medium comprising:

resource capacity check processing for checking a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices, by a manager device which is determined so as to mange device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

software capacity check processing for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

assignment processing for assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check processing and the software capacity check processing in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

further comprising;

desired function determination processing for determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function, by the manager device;

possession determination processing for determining whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, based on an instruction from the manager device, if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function as a result of determination made by the desired function determination processing; and

possession possibility determination processing for determining whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software, by the manager device, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of determination made by the possession determination processing.

8. A medium according to claim 7, wherein if the arbitrary controller device is determined as not possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of the determination made by the possession determination processing, an indication that the control software cannot be assigned to the arbitrary controller device is displayed on a display of the manager device or the arbitrary controller device.

9. A program supply medium for supplying a device operation management program for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto a plurality of controller devices through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by at least one of the controller devices, the medium comprising:

resource capacity check processing for checking a system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices, by a manager device which is determined so as to mange device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

software capacity check processing for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

assignment processing for assigning the control software to at least one of the controller devices, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check processing and the software capacity check processing in which the capacity of control software is compared to the system resource capacity of each of the plurality of controller devices;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device;

wherein if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network is displayed on a display means of the arbitrary controller device.

10. A plurality of controller devices connected to a network constructed by a serial bus interface, for controlling at least one controlled device to be controlled which is also connected to the network, wherein

each controller device comprises memory means for possessing controller software for controlling the controlled device, and

each controller device answers a capacity of the memory means to a manager device in response to an inquiry from the manager device which manages device operation on the network, and stores control software assigned by the manager device into the memory means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software, the controller device deletes unnecessary control software stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, and stores the control software into the memory means;

further comprising possession determination means for determining whether or not the unnecessary control software is stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, if the control software is of a controlled device of a desired function.

11. A controller device according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying an instruction that it is possible to possess the control software, if the unnecessary control software is not stored in the memory means.

12. A plurality of controller devices connected to a network constructed by a serial bus interface, for controlling at least one controlled device to be controlled which is also connected to the network, wherein

each controller device comprises memory means for possessing controller software for controlling the controlled device, and

each controller device answers a capacity of the memory means to a manager device in response to an inquiry from the manager device which manages device operation on the network, and stores control software assigned by the manager device into the memory means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software, the controller device deletes unnecessary control software stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, and stores the control software into the memory means;

further comprising display means for displaying an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network, if the unnecessary control software is deleted.

13. A device operation management method for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, the method comprising:

a resource capacity check step of checking a system resource capacity of the controller device, by a manager device which is determined so as to manage device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

a software capacity check step of checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

an assignment step of assigning the control software to the controller device, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check step and the software capacity check step;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

further comprising;

a desired function determination step of determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function, by the manager device;

a possession determination step of determining whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, based on an instruction from the manager device, if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function as a result of determination in the desired function determination step; and

a possession possibility determination step of determining whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software, by the manager device, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of determination in the possession determination step.

14. A device operation management method for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, the method comprising:

a resource capacity check step of checking a system resource capacity of the controller device, by a manager device which is determined so as to manage device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

a software capacity check step of checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

an assignment step of assigning the control software to the controller device, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check step and the software capacity check step;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

wherein if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network is displayed on a display means of the arbitrary controller device.

15. A manager device for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by also connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, comprising:

resource capacity check means for checking with the controller device about a system resource capacity thereof;

control software capacity check means for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device; and

assignment means for assigning the control software to the controller device, based on a result checked by the resource capacity check means and the control software capacity check means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

further comprising;

desired function determination means for determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function; and

possession possibility determination means for making, if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function, the arbitrary controller device determine whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, and for determining, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software as a result, whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software.

16. A manager device for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by also connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, comprising:

resource capacity check means for checking with the controller device about a system resource capacity thereof;

control software capacity check means for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device;

assignment means for assigning the control software to the controller device, based on a result checked by the resource capacity check means and the control software capacity check means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

further comprising display means for displaying, if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network.

17. A program supply medium for supplying a device operation management program for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, the medium comprising:

resource capacity check processing for checking a system resource capacity of the controller device, by a manager device which is determined so as to mange device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

software capacity check processing for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

assignment processing for assigning the control software to the controller device, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check processing and the software capacity check processing;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

further comprising;

desired function determination processing for determining whether or not the control software controls a controlled device of a desired function, by the manager device;

possession determination processing for determining whether or not the arbitrary controller device possesses unnecessary control software, based on an instruction from the manager device, if the control software is determined to be of the controller device of the desired function as a result of determination made by the desired function determination processing; and

possession possibility determination processing for determining whether or not another controller device can possess the unnecessary control software, by the manager device, if the arbitrary controller device is determined as possessing the unnecessary control software, as a result of determination made by the possession determination processing.

18. A program supply medium for supplying a device operation management program for managing device operation on a network constructed by connecting thereto at least one controller device through a serial bus interface and by connecting thereto at least one controlled device to be controlled by the controller device, the medium comprising:

resource capacity check processing for checking a system resource capacity of the controller device, by a manager device which is determined so as to mange device operation, at initial setting when the network is constructed;

software capacity check processing for checking a capacity of control software for controlling the controlled device, by the manager device; and

assignment processing for assigning the control software to the controller device, by the manager device, based on results of the resource capacity check processing and the software capacity check processing;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software to an arbitrary controller device, unnecessary control software possessed by the arbitrary controller device is assigned to another controller device by the manager device or is deleted by the arbitrary controller device, based on an instruction from the manager device, and then, the control software is assigned to the arbitrary controller device; and

wherein if the unnecessary control software is deleted, an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network is displayed on a display means of the arbitrary controller device.

19. A controller device connected to a network constructed by a serial bus interface, for controlling at least one controlled device to be controlled which is also connected to the network, wherein

the controller device comprises memory means for possessing controller software for controlling the controlled device, and

the controller device answers a capacity of the memory means to a manager device in response to an inquiry from the manager device which manages device operation on the network, and stores control software assigned by the manager device into the memory means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software, the controller device deletes unnecessary control software stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, and stores the control software into the memory means; and

further comprising possession determination means for determining whether or not the unnecessary control software is stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, if the control software is of a controlled device of a desired function.

20. A controller device connected to a network constructed by a serial bus interface, for controlling at least one controlled device to be controlled which is also connected to the network, wherein

the controller device comprises memory means for possessing controller software for controlling the controlled device, and

the controller device answers a capacity of the memory means to a manager device in response to an inquiry from the manager device which manages device operation on the network, and stores control software assigned by the manager device into the memory means;

wherein if it is impossible to assign the control software, the controller device deletes unnecessary control software stored in the memory means, based on an instruction from the manager device, and stores the control software into the memory means; and

further comprising display means for displaying an indication that the unnecessary control software is not possessed by any controller device on the network, if the unnecessary control software is deleted.