Method for the discovery of devices connected to an IP network and device to carry out said method
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- discovery, by a first device intended to be connected to an IP network, of a state of connection of said first device to said IP network, said IP network comprising at least one compatible second device, the method comprising the following steps, implemented by said first device;
switchover to a disconnected state, at startup, and sending a request on said P network asking said at least one compatible second device to reply;
in the disconnected state, repeatedly sending of said request on said IP network asking said at least one compatible second device to reply, when no message is received from said at least one compatible device within a first given period of time;
from the disconnected state, switchover to a connected state, on receipt by said first device of at least one message from said at least one compatible second device;
from the connected state switching to a standby state when no message is received from said at least one compatible second device within a second given period of time;
from the standby state, switching to said connected state upon reception of at least one message from said at least one compatible second device within a third given period of time; and
from the standby state, switching to said disconnected state when no message is received from said at least one compatible second device within said third given period of time.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to IP networks and, more particularly, local area networks, for example home networks. It concerns the manner in which devices connected to such networks obtain and update knowledge of the other compatible devices connected to the network. To do this, the invention is based on a finite-state machine, comprising connected, disconnected and standby states. The changes of state take place on receipt of messages, requests or replies from the other devices, or on expiry of timers in the absence of receipt of messages.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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discovery, by a first device intended to be connected to an IP network, of a state of connection of said first device to said IP network, said IP network comprising at least one compatible second device, the method comprising the following steps, implemented by said first device; switchover to a disconnected state, at startup, and sending a request on said P network asking said at least one compatible second device to reply; in the disconnected state, repeatedly sending of said request on said IP network asking said at least one compatible second device to reply, when no message is received from said at least one compatible device within a first given period of time; from the disconnected state, switchover to a connected state, on receipt by said first device of at least one message from said at least one compatible second device; from the connected state switching to a standby state when no message is received from said at least one compatible second device within a second given period of time; from the standby state, switching to said connected state upon reception of at least one message from said at least one compatible second device within a third given period of time; and from the standby state, switching to said disconnected state when no message is received from said at least one compatible second device within said third given period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, comprising:
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configuring a first device to a disconnected state upon the first device attempting to connect to a network, the disconnected state indicating a lack of a connection to the network; sending, from the first device in the disconnected state, at least one automatic request repeatedly through a network; reconfiguring the first device from the disconnected state to a connected state upon receiving at least one message from a second device connected to the network, the connected state indicating a connection to the network, the second device being distinct from the first device and, the sending of automatic request being stopped when the first device is in the connected state; sending a reply through the network upon receipt of a request originating from the second device; sending a request through the network and reconfiguring the first device from the connected state to a message reception standby state upon the first device not receiving a message during a first predetermined time period while the first device is in the connected state; reconfiguring the first device to the disconnected state upon the first device not receiving a message during a second predetermined time period while the first device is in the message reception standby state; reconfiguring the first device to the connected state upon the first device receiving a message while in the message reception standby state; and repeating dispatch of the request during the second predetermined time period while the first device is in the message reception standby state before reconfiguring the first device to the disconnected state.
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Specification