Method for transmitting and receiving messages in home appliance networking system

• US 7,026,949 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Chang Ho, Lee, Sang Kyun, Oh, Ki Tae, Lee, Yeon Kyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, KIMBERLY YVETTE
• Application Number:
  US10/134,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20020171533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.52, 340/3.52, 340/3.53, 340/10.32, 340/825.24, 340/825.25, 340/3.1, 340/10.42, 340/825.22, 340/825.28, 340/825.07, 709220-222, 709/249, 370/333, 370/282, 370/278, 370/279, 370/102.2, 370/462, 714748-749, 455/151.1, 455/353
• US Class Current: 340/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, wherein a first home appliance connected to a network appends a unique message identification number to a header of a message and transmits the resulting message to a second home appliance connected to the network. Messages transmitted and received among a plurality of home appliances can be distinguished from one another, resulting in a reduction in message transfer errors. Moreover, as needed, a group code corresponding to a specific group of home appliances may be appended to a transmitter message for control of the specific group so that the home appliances can be conveniently and efficiently controlled at one time.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, comprising the steps of:

a) allowing a first home appliance having an address and a transmitter message to be transmitted to append a unique number that differs from the home appliance address for identification of said transmitter message to a header of said message;

b) allowing said first home appliance to transmit said transmitter message appended with said unique number to a second home appliance over a network; and

c) allowing said second home appliance to receive said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance, create a receiver message in response to the received transmitter message, append the same message number as said unique number appended at said step a) to a header of the created receiver message, and then transmit the resulting receiver message to said first home appliance wherein the unique number identifies the appliance and message.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step a) includes the step of attaching an address of said first home appliance to a head of said unique number to enable distinction of said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance from transmitter messages with the same unique number transmitted from other home appliances.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step c) includes the steps of:

c-1) creating said receiver message in response to said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance; and

c-2) transmitting the created receiver message to said first home appliance.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein said step c) further includes the step of:

c-3) after said receiver message corresponding to said transmitter message is transmitted, creating and transmitting a receiver message corresponding to a next transmitter message in the order of transmitter message transmission.

5. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein said step c) further includes the step of:

c-3) discarding a different transmitter message transmitted to said second home appliance before said receiver message corresponding to said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance is created and transmitted.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said step c) further includes the step of:

c-4) allowing a home appliance transmitting said different transmitter message discarded by said second home appliance to retransmit said different transmitter message to said second home appliance until a receiver message corresponding to said different transmitter message is transmitted from said second home appliance.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step c) includes the step of accepting transmitter messages transmitted from other home appliances connected to said network simultaneously with said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance, creating receiver messages corresponding respectively to the transmitted transmitter messages, appending corresponding unique numbers respectively to the created receiver messages and transmitting the resulting receiver messages.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique number is arbitrarily set or assigned.

8. A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, comprising the steps of:

a) allowing a first home appliance transmitting a message over a network to append an address of a home to which a second home appliance belongs, to said message;

b) allowing said first home appliance to additionally append an address of said second home appliance to said message appended with said home address;

c) allowing said first home appliance to transmit said message appended with said home address and appliance address to said second home appliance; and

d) controlling said second home appliance according to the transmitted message.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said step b) includes the step of additionally appending an address of said first home appliance to said message.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said step b) includes the step of additionally appending a group code to said message, said group code indicating that said message must be transmitted to a specific group of home appliances.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said step c) includes the steps of:

c-1) analyzing a destination address appended at said step b) to determine whether said destination address is said group code; and

c-2) transmitting said message to said home appliances of said specific group if said destination address is determined to be said group code at said step c-1).

12. A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, comprising the steps of:

a) allowing a first home appliance having an address and a transmitter message to be transmitted to append a unique number that differs from the home appliance address for identification of said transmitter message to a header of said message;

b) allowing said first home appliance to transmit said transmitter message appended with said unique number to a second home appliance over a network; and

c) allowing said second home appliance to receive said transmitter message transmitted from said first home appliance, create a receiver message in response to the received transmitter message, append the same message number as said unique number appended at said step a) to a header of the created receiver message, and then transmit the resulting receiver message to said first home appliance,

wherein the unique number identifies the appliance and message.