KR100596757B1 - Home network system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a home network system, and more particularly, to a home network system to which a living network control protocol is applied.

The home network system of the present invention includes an electric device that transmits an activity event message to a master device through a network according to a predetermined protocol at every pre-stored predetermined first activity notification interval, and receives the transmitted activity event message to receive the received activity event message. It includes a master device for checking the status.

Description

Home Network System {HOME NETWORK SYSTEM}             

1 is a block diagram of a home network system according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a living network control protocol stack according to the present invention.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an interface between the layers of FIG. 2.

4A to 4F are detailed block diagrams of the interfaces of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

5A-5C illustrate a bungee system used in a home network system in accordance with the present invention.

6 is a schematic schematic configuration diagram of a network manager and an electric device.

7 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for checking a status of a home network system according to the present invention.

8 is an embodiment of information of devices according to a homenet profile.

9 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for checking a status of a home network system according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: home network system 2: Internet

3: LnCP Server 4: client device

10: home gateway 20 to 23: network manager

30, 31: LnCP router 40 to 49: electric appliance

The present invention relates to a home network system, and more particularly, to a home network system to which a living network control protocol is applied.

A home network refers to a network in which various digital home appliances are connected to each other so as to enjoy convenient, safe and economical living services at home and at any time. With the development of digital signal processing technology, refrigerators and washing machines, which have been called white household appliances, have gradually become digital, and home appliance operating system technology and high-speed multimedia communication technology have been concentrated on digital home appliances, and new types of information home appliances have emerged. Home networks have evolved.

Such a home network may be classified into a data network, an entertainment network, and a living network according to types of provided services as shown in Table 1 below.

Classification function Service type Data network Network between PC and peripherals Data exchange, internet services, etc. Entertainment network Network between A / V (Audio / Video) devices Music, video services, etc. Living network Network for control of home appliances Home appliance control, home automation, remote meter reading, message service, etc.

Here, a data network refers to a network type established for exchanging data or providing Internet service between a PC and peripheral devices, and an entertainment network refers to a network type between home appliances that handle audio or video information. Say And, a living network is a network built for the purpose of simple control of devices such as home appliances, home automation, and remote meter reading.

A home network system configured in such a home is a master device, which is an electric device capable of controlling or monitoring the operation of other electric devices, and a function of responding to a request of the master device by the characteristics or other factors of the electric device, and its status. It consists of an electrical appliance slave device having the function of informing information about the change. As used herein, the electric appliance includes both the home appliance for the living network service described above, such as a washing machine and a refrigerator, and the home appliance for the data network service and the entertainment network service, and also includes a gas valve control device and an automatic door device. It also includes products such as lamps.

Such a prior art does not provide a general-purpose communication standard that provides functions for controlling and monitoring an electric device provided in a home network system.

In order to solve this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a home network system to which a control protocol, which is a general-purpose communication standard, provides functions for controlling and monitoring electric devices in a home network system.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a home network system to which a Living Network Control Protocol (LnCP) is applied, particularly as a general-purpose communication standard.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a home network system for obtaining information on the current state of all devices in the home network system.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a home network system that efficiently obtains information of all devices by controlling traffic on a network.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a home network system that improves the efficiency of network use by changing the transmission period of the event message according to the network conditions.

The home network system of the present invention includes an electric device that transmits an activity event message to a master device through a network according to a predetermined protocol at every pre-stored first activity notification interval, and receives the transmitted activity event message to receive the electric device. Includes a master device to check the status of.

At this time, the electronic device determines whether the pre-stored logical address is the initial logical address, and if the pre-stored logical address is not the initial logical address, it is preferable to transmit the activity event message to the master device.

In addition, the pre-stored logical address is preferably a logical address assigned to the electrical device by the master device.

In addition, the electrical device is preferably connected to the network to transmit the activity event message when the power is supplied.

In addition, the electrical device is preferably connected to the network to delay the transmission of the activity event message for a random time in a predetermined time range when the power is supplied, the time range is more preferably within 0 ~ 5000ms Do.

In addition, the electric device transmits the activity event message to the master device at a predetermined number of times every predetermined second activity notification interval after the delay, after which the activity event message is transmitted at each first activity notification interval. It is desirable to transmit.

In addition, the first activity notification interval is preferably greater than or equal to the second activity notification interval.

In addition, the master device transmits an activity notification interval setting request message including a new activity notification interval having a different value from the first activity notification interval previously stored in the electrical device, and the electrical device stores the previously stored first message. It is preferable to change the activity notification interval to the new activity notification interval and store it, and to send the activity notification interval setting ACK response message to the master device.

In addition, the electrical device preferably stores the new activity notification interval in a nonvolatile memory.

In addition, the master device preferably displays the confirmed state of the electrical device through a display.

In addition, the activity event message preferably includes at least an event code and a status value.

In addition, the state value preferably represents at least one of standby, operation, or pause.

In addition, the activity event message preferably further includes an error state value.

In addition, the activity event message preferably includes the first activity notification interval.

In addition, the method of checking the status of the home network system of the present invention is a home network system comprising at least one or more electrical devices and a master device connected to the network according to a predetermined protocol. And transmitting an activity event message to the master device at each activity notification interval, and checking, by the master device, the state of the electrical device by receiving the transmitted activity event message.

In addition, the program storage medium storing the computer-readable program of the present invention is a program for checking the status provided in a home network system consisting of at least one or more electrical devices, and a master device connected to the network according to a predetermined protocol. In the program:

Transmitting, by the electrical device, an activity event message to the master device at every pre-stored predetermined first activity notification interval; and receiving, by the master device, the transmitted activity event message to confirm the state of the electrical device. Include.

The present invention has been described in detail by taking a home network system as an example based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

1 is a block diagram of a home network system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home network system 1 connects to the LnCP server 3 via the Internet 2, and the client device 4 also connects to the LnCP server 3 via the Internet 2. do. That is, the home network system 1 is connected in communication with the LnCP server 3 and / or the client device 4.

The network outside the home network system 1 including the Internet 2 further includes other components depending on the type of client device 4. That is, this Internet 2 is provided with a web server (not shown), for example, when the client device 4 is a computer, and swaps when the client device 4 is an Internet phone. A server Sap (not shown) is provided.

Next, the LnCP server 3 is connected to the home network system 1 and the client device 4 according to a predetermined login and logout procedure, respectively, and receives monitoring and control commands from the client device 4, This is transmitted to the home network system 1 via the Internet 2 as a message having a predetermined format. In addition, the LnCP server 3 receives a message having a predetermined format from the home network system 1 and stores it or transmits it to the client device 4. In addition, the LnCP server 3 transmits and receives its own stored or generated message to the home network system 1. That is, the home network system 1 may access the LnCP server 3 and download the provided content.

This home network system (1) includes a home gateway (10) that performs a connection function with the Internet (2), a network manager (20 to 23) that performs environment setting and management functions of the electric devices (40 to 49), and LnCP routers 30 and 31 for connection between transmission media, LnCP adapters 35 and 36 for allowing network manager 22 and electrical device 46 to be connected to transmission media, and a plurality of electrical devices ( 40 to 49).

The network in the home network system 1 is configured by connecting using a transmission medium shared by the electrical devices 40 to 49. This transmission medium uses a non-standardized transmission medium such as RS-485 or low-power RF, or a standardized transmission medium such as powerline or IEEE 802.11. Can be.

The network in the home network system 1 is composed of a network separate from the Internet 2, that is, constitutes a stand-alone network connecting by wire or wireless transmission medium. In this case, the standalone network includes physically connected but logically separated networks.

This home network system (1) is a master device that can control the operation or monitor the status of other electrical equipment (40 to 49), the function of responding to the request of the master device and information about its state change It includes a slave device having a function of notifying. This master device includes network managers 20 to 23, and the slave device includes electrical appliances 40 to 49. However, the network managers 20 to 23 contain information and control codes for the electrical devices 40 to 49 to be controlled, according to a programmed manner or from the LnCP server 3 and / or client device 4. It will take control of input. In addition, as shown, when a plurality of network managers 20 to 23 are connected, the network managers 20 to 23 are masters for exchanging information with other network managers 20 to 23 and for synchronizing and controlling information. To be a device and a slave device, that is, one device physically, but a device that logically performs the functions of a master and a slave (ie, a hybrid device).

In addition, these network managers 20 to 23 and electrical devices 40 to 49 may be directly connected to networks (shown power line networks, RS-485 networks, RF networks), and also LnCP routers 30 and 31 and / or the like. Or via LnCP adapters 35 and 36.

In addition, the electrical devices 40 to 49 and / or the LnCP routers 30 and 31 and / or the LnCP adapters 35 and 36 are registered in the network managers 20 to 23 so as to provide a unique logical address (for example, depending on the product). , Ox00, Ox01, etc.), and this logical address is used as a node address in combination with a product code (for example, '0x02' for an air conditioner and '0x01' for a washing machine). The address system according to LnCP is disclosed below.

2 is a block diagram of a living network control protocol stack according to the present invention. The home network system 1 includes network managers 20 to 23, LnCP routers 30 and 31, LnCP adapters 35 and 36, and electrical devices 40 to 30 in accordance with the Living Network Control Protocol (LnCP) of FIG. 49) Enable communication between them. Accordingly, the network managers 20 to 23, the LnCP routers 30 and 31, the LnCP adapters 35 and 36, and the electric devices 40 to 49 perform network communication in accordance with such LnCP.

As shown in FIG. 2, the LnCP performs unique functions of the network managers 20 to 23, the LnCP routers 30 and 31, the LnCP adapters 35 and 36, and the electric devices 40 to 49. Application software 50 that provides the interface function with the application layer 60 for remote operation and monitoring on the system, and provides a service to the user, and the function of composing the information or command provided by the user as a message to the lower layer Network for reliable network connection between the application layer 60, network managers 20 to 23, LnCP routers 30 and 31 and LnCP adapters 35 and 36 and electrical devices 40 to 49 that provide Layer 70, a datalink layer 80 providing a media access control function for accessing a shared transmission medium, network managers 20 to 23, LnCP routers 30 and 31, and LnCP adapters 35 and 36) and electrical appliances (40) Comprises a support 49), the physical layer 90 and each layer node parameter (parameter management layer 100 for setting node parameter) and administration that are used in providing rules for the transfer bit and the physical interface between.

In detail, the application software 50 includes node parameters and network managers 20 to 23 connected on the network, LnCP routers 30 and 31, LnCP adapters 35 and 36, and electrical devices 40 to 49. It further includes a network management sublayer 51 in charge of the management function of the. That is, the network management sublayer 51 is configured to manage or configure a network when the LnCP-applied device is a parameter management function that sets or uses node parameter values through the parameter management layer 100. Perform network management functions.

In addition, the network layer 70 is a network to which the network managers 20 to 23, the LnCP routers 30 and 31, the LnCP adapters 35 and 36, and the electric devices 40 to 49 are connected. When configured using a non-independent transmission medium such as wireless (e.g., when LnCP includes a power line communication (PLC) protocol and / or a wireless protocol), a home for logically separating each individual network It further includes a home code control sublayer 71 that performs code setting, management, and processing functions. This home code control sublayer 71 is not included in the LnCP when it is physically separated between individual networks by a standalone transmission medium such as RS-485. This home code consists of 4 bytes and is set to a random value or a user-specified value.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an interface between the layers of FIG. 2.

3A illustrates an interface between layers when the physical layer 90 is connected to a non-independent transmission medium, and FIG. 3B illustrates an interface between layers when the physical layer 90 is connected to a standalone transmission medium.

The home network system 1 combines header and trailer information required in each layer into a protocol data unit (PDU) received from an upper layer, and delivers the header and trailer information to the lower layer.

As shown, an application layer PDU (APDU) is data transferred between the application layer 60 and the network layer 70, the network layer PDU (NPDU) is the network layer 70 and the data link layer 80 or home The data transferred between the code sublayer 71 and the Home Code Control Sublayer PDU (HCNPDU) is the data transferred between the network layer 70 (exactly the home code sublayer 71) and the datalink layer 80. The interface between the data link layer 80 and the physical layer 90 is performed in units of data frames.

4A to 4F are detailed block diagrams of the interfaces of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

4A is the structure of an APDU at the application layer 60.

The AL (APDU Length) field is a field indicating the length of the APDU (the length from the AL to the message field). The minimum value is 4 and the maximum value is 77.

The ADU (APDU Header Length) field indicates the length of the APDU header (the length from AL to ALO). If it is not extended, it is 3 bytes and can be extended to 7 bytes. In the LnCP protocol, the APDU header can be extended to 7 bytes in order to encrypt a message field and change an application protocol.

The ALO (Application Layer Option) field is a field for extending a message set. For example, when set to '0', message processing is ignored when other values are included.

The message field is a field for processing a user's control message or event information, and is configured differently according to the value contained in the ALO field.

FIG. 4B is a structure of NPDU in network layer 70, and FIG. 4C is a detailed structure of NLC among NPDUs.

The Start of LnCP Packet (SLP) field is a field indicating the start of a packet and has a value of 0x02.

The DA (Source Address) and SA (Source Address) fields are 16 bits each as a node address of a receiver and a sender of a packet to be transmitted. Here, the most significant one bit is a flag for indicating a group address, the next seven bits are a kind of product (product code), and the lower eight bits are the same kind of network managers 20 to 23 and electrical devices 40 to 49. Contains a logical address assigned to distinguish from each other when there are multiple numbers.

The PL (Packet Length) field indicates the total length of the NPDU to be transmitted. The minimum value is 12 bytes and the maximum value is 100 bytes.

The SP (Service Priority) field is a field for assigning a transmission priority to a transmission message and consists of 3 bits. The priority according to each transmission message is shown in Table 2.

When the slave device responds by the request of the master device, the slave device follows the priority of the request message received from the master device.

Priority value Application Layer High 0 -Send urgent messages Middle One -When sending general packet-When sending event message about on-line or off-line state change Normal 2 -When sending notification message for network configuration-When sending general event message Low 3 When transferring data by means of a download or upload mechanism

The NDU (NPDU Header Length) field is used for the expansion of the NPDU header (the NLC field in the SLP). If it is not expanded, the NDU field is 9 bytes and can be extended up to 16 bytes.

The PV (Protocol Version) field is a 1-byte field indicating the version of the adopted protocol. The upper 4 bits are composed of a version field, and the lower 4 bits are composed of a sub-version field. Versions and subversions each indicate a version in hexadecimal notation.

The network layer packet type (NPT) field is a 4-bit field that identifies the type of packet in the network layer. The LnCP includes a request packet, a response packet, and a notification packet. The NPL field of the device should be set to a request packet or a notification packet, and the NPL field of the slave device should be set to a response packet or a notification packet. NPT values according to packet types are shown in Table 3 below.

value Explanation 0 Request packet 1 to 3 Do not use 4 Reply packet 5 ~ 7 Do not use 8 Notification packet 9-12 Do not use 13-15 Reserved value for interfacing with the home code control sublayer

 The Transmission Counter (TC) field is a 2-bit field for retransmitting a request packet when a communication error occurs in the network layer and a request packet or response packet is not successfully transmitted, or for repetitive transmission to increase the success rate of the notification packet. . The receiver may detect duplicate messages using the TC field value. The range of values of the TC field according to the NPT value is shown in Table 4.

Packet type Value (range) Request packet 1 to 3 Reply packet One Notification packet 1 to 3

The packet number (PN) field is composed of 2 bits. The PN field is used for detecting duplicate packets with a TC in a slave device and used for processing a plurality of communication cycles in a master device. The range of the PN field according to the NPT value is shown in Table 5 below.

Packet type Value (range) Request packet 0-3 Reply packet Copy the PN field value of the request packet Notification packet 0-3

 The APDU field is a protocol data unit of the application layer transmitted between the application layer 60 and the network layer 70. The minimum value of APDU is 0 bytes and the maximum value is 88 bytes.

The cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field is a 16-bit field for detecting an error in a received packet (SLP to APDU field).

The End of LnCP Packet (ELP) field is a field indicating the end of a packet and has a value of 0x03. If the ELP field is not detected despite the data received in the length field of the packet, it is regarded as a packet error.

4D shows the structure of the HCNPDU in the home code control sublayer 71.

As shown, the HC (Home Code) field is further included in the upper portion of the NPDU.

This home code value consists of 4 bytes, the home code having a unique value within the distance of the line on which the packet can propagate.

4E shows the structure of a frame in the datalink layer 80.

The header and trailer of the LnCP's data link layer frame vary depending on the transmission medium. If the datalink layer 80 uses an unstandardized transmission medium, the header and trailer of the frame must have a null field. If a standardized transmission medium is used, it is as defined in the protocol. The NPDU field is a data unit delivered by the upper network layer 70, and the HCNPDU is a 4-byte home code used when the physical layer 90 is a power line or a non-independent transmission medium such as IEEE 802.11. The unit of data. The data link layer 80 does not process NPDU and HCNPDU separately.

4F is a frame structure in the physical layer 90.

The physical layer 90 of the LnCP deals with the function of transmitting and receiving physical signals to and from the transmission medium. As the physical layer 90 of the LnCP protocol, a non-standardized transmission medium of the data link layer 80 such as RS-485 or a low power RF may be used, and a standardized transmission medium such as a power line or IEEE 802.11 may be used. In the home network system 1 applied in the LnCP network, the network managers 20 to 23 and the electric devices 40 to 49 are to be interfaced with the RS-485 or LnCP routers 30 and 31 and the LnCP adapters 35 and 36. It uses the Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) frame structure and the signal level of RS-232. The UART controls the flow of bit signals on communication lines when connected between devices using a serial bus. In LnCP, a packet transmitted from an upper layer is converted into a 10-bit UART frame unit and transmitted through a transmission medium as shown in FIG. 4F. The UART frame consists of one bit of Start Bit, eight bits of Data, and one Bit of Stop Bit, and does not use Parity Bit. The UART frame is delivered from the start bit and finally the stop bit. When the UART is used in the home network system 1 to which the LnCP is applied, no additional frame header and frame trailer are used.

5A-5C illustrate a bungee system used in a home network system in accordance with the present invention.

5A discloses a structure of a bungee field used in the home network system 1 according to the present invention. As shown, the product code is assigned a unique value to identify the basic functionality of the product, which is an immutable physical address assigned to the product at the time of product shipment and the same type of product will have the same fixed address. The device code is a logical address used to identify devices with the same product code. Next, the cluster code is a logical address assigned to at least one or more products according to a predetermined criterion.

5B is a detailed configuration diagram of the address field of FIG. 5A. As shown, the MSB of the fixed address field is used as a flag, so that '0' means a device code and '1' means a cluster code. As such, the use of logical addresses for this device code and cluster code can be identified by differently setting the value of the MSB in the overall address field. In addition, when all bits in each subfield are set to 1, it means a group address. For example, when the product code of the refrigerator is 0x01, 0x01FF represents a group address of the refrigerators, and 0x81XX (where X represents an unspecified number) becomes a group address indicating mode refrigerators having the same cluster code.

This device code is automatically set by the master device when connected to the home network system 1 for each slave device, but the cluster code may be set automatically by the master device, but in many cases is set by the user due to technical problems or the like. May be

For example, the electrical devices 40 to 49 and / or the LnCP routers 30 and 31 and / or the LnCP adapters 35 and 36 are identified by node addresses such as 0x0200 (air conditioner 1), 0x0201 (air conditioner 2). do. In addition, one or more electrical devices 40 to 49 and / or LnCP routers 30 and 31 and / or LnCP adapters 35 and 36 may be used in accordance with certain criteria (all of the same product, the place of installation of the product, the user, etc.). Group addresses that can be identified at once can be used. In this group address, an explicit group address is a cluster specifying multiple devices if the address option value (flag below) is set to '1', and an implicit group address is a logical address and / or all bit values of the product code. You can specify multiple devices by filling them with '1'. In particular, explicit group addresses are called cluster codes.

For example, a device having a product code of 0bXXX XXXX, a logical address of 0bYYYY YYYYY, and a cluster code of 0bZZZZ ZZZZ is recognized as eight types of addresses.

(1) address assignment to all devices is made by 0b1111 1111 1111 1111 or 0b0111 1111 1111 1111 (0xFFFF or 0x7FFF);

(2) address designation by product code is made by 0b1XXX XXXX 1111 1111 or 0b0XXX XXXX 1111 1111;

(3) address designation by cluster code is made by 0b1111 1111 ZZZZ ZZZZ;

(4) address designation by logical addressing is made by 0b0111 1111 YYYY YYYY;

(5) addressing by product code and logical address is made by 0b0XXX XXXX YYYY YYYY;

(6) Address designation by product code and cluster code is made by 0b1XXX XXXX ZZZZ ZZZZ.

Figure 5c is an embodiment of a product code and address range for each product. Here, in the address range, 0xXX00 means the initial logical address of each product, as described above, 0xXXFF means the group address of each product, 0xXXFE means the limit logical address (disclosed below), the rest 0xXX01 ~ 0xXXFD are the node address which can be assigned to master device and slave device.

The node address consisting of the product code and the initial logical address is stored in predetermined storage means of the master device and the slave device at the time of product shipment. 6 is a schematic schematic configuration diagram of a network manager and an electric device.

As shown in Fig. 6, network managers 20 to 23 (hereinafter referred to as master devices) and electrical devices 40 to 49 (hereinafter referred to as slave devices) are interface means for connection with a network. And a control means 230 for controlling the predetermined storage means 220 and the interface means 210 and the storage means 220.

In detail, the storage unit 220 of the master device stores product information and product-specific address information for other master devices and slave devices. The homenet profile including information of all products connected to such a network (product information and set or unconfigured node address information, etc.) is called a homenet profile, and the homenet profile is stored in the storage means 220 and is controlled by the control means 230. It is read, updated and registered.

The storage means 220 of the slave device stores at least its product code and initial logical address. The storage means 220 further stores a temporary logical address, a logical address set by the master device, and the like.

The master device additionally comprises input means (not shown) for enabling a predetermined input from the user, all or at least some of the electrical devices 40 to 49 in the home network system 1 according to the homenet profile to the user, and / Alternatively, the network manager 20 to 23 may be additionally displayed using an icon, and may further include a display device (not shown) including a user interface capable of indicating current and past operational states.

In the following, while certain operations are actually performed by the control means 230 of the master device or slave device, it should be appreciated that the master device or slave device is described as performing certain operations for convenience.

7 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for checking a status of a home network system according to the present invention. The message disclosed below should be recognized as including the message in the above-mentioned APDU, and also collectively including data transmitted between devices, including a receiver field, a sender field, and the like.

Specifically, in step S51, the slave device is connected to the home network system 1 and powered on.

In step S52, the slave device determines whether the logical address previously stored in the storage means 230 is the initial logical address. If the pre-stored logical address is the initial logical address, this is the case that the slave device is connected to the home network system 1 for the first time or is not registered in the home network system 1 (or the master device). It is terminated (this slave device requires a node address setting process by the master device). If the previously stored logical address has a predetermined value other than the initial logical address, the flow proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the slave device selects a random time in a predetermined time range (preferably 0 to 5000 ms) to delay transmission for the activity event message to be transmitted below during this selected random time. This is because when there are a plurality of devices connected to the home network system 1 at the same time, when the connected devices simultaneously transmit an activity event message, the traffic of the network is rapidly increased. Select and wait to control network traffic.

In step S54, the slave device generates an activity event message for each predetermined activity notification interval (AliveInt) previously stored in the storage means 230 and transmits it to the master device. Here, the activity notification interval (AliveInt) is a value within the range of 5 to 65565 (seconds), and may be set differently for each slave device. At this time, the activity notification interval (AliveInt) is preferably stored in the storage means 230 which is a nonvolatile memory.

Here, the activity event message may be configured as shown in Table 6 below.

Data name Explanation size value CommCode Command code 1 byte 0x11 EventCode Event code 2 bytes 0xFF70 StatusVal Product operating status 1 byte 0: Waiting 1: During operation 2: During pause 3 ~ 255: Undefined ErrorStatus Error status 1 byte 0: Normal state 1: Error state 2 ~ 255: Not defined AliveInt Interval for sending activity event messages 2 bytes 5 to 65565 (seconds)

Here, the command code indicates that the activity event message is a notification message, the event code indicates that the message indicating the activity state of the device. Status value (StatusVal) refers to the active state of the current operating state of the device, the error status (ErrorStatus) indicates whether the device is in the current error state or normal state. In addition, the activity notification interval (AliveInt) is included in this activity event message, and may be used in the activity notification interval setting step below.

In step S55, the master device receives this activity event message and stores it in the storage means 230. At this time, the master device updates the pre-stored homenet profile using information such as the current state of the device included in the received activity event message.

In step S56, the master device displays and checks the activity status of devices currently connected to the home network system 100 so that the user can know the updated homenet profile.

These steps S54 to S56 are repeatedly performed until the power of the slave device is removed or the network connection is released.

In addition, after the step S53, the slave device may perform a step of transmitting an activity event message a predetermined number of times for each activity notification interval different from the above-described activity notification interval AliveInt. The activity notification interval in this additional step is smaller than or equal in size to the above-described activity notification interval (AliveInt), preferably 5 seconds, and the predetermined number is twice. For example, after performing a delay for a random time in step S53, the slave device transmits two activity event messages at 5-second intervals, and performs step S54.

8 is an embodiment of a homenet profile according to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the master device, the washing machine, the refrigerator, and the television of the master device and the slave device are operating, the microwave oven is waiting, and the dishwasher is paused. This homenet profile is presented to the user via a predetermined display through a predetermined user interface (eg, in the form of an icon).

9 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for checking a status of a home network system according to the present invention.

Specifically, in step S71, the master device is an activity that is a time interval for transmitting an activity event message to a specific slave device in consideration of the data amount of the entire home network system 1 or in consideration of the data amount of the master device itself. An activity notification interval setting request message is requested to change the notification interval (AliveInt) to a predetermined value. The activity notification interval setting request message may be absolute (for example, current activity notification interval + 10 seconds) or relative (for example, current) to the current activity notification interval stored in the storage device 230 of the slave device. May require a change of (1 + 0.05) times the activity notification interval.

In step S72, the slave device receiving the activity notification interval setting request message changes and stores the previously stored activity notification interval AliveInt to the received new activity notification interval AliveInt.

In step S73, the slave device transmits an activity notification interval setting ACK response message to the master device, indicating that the setting for the new activity notification interval is completed.

Such configuration methods may be implemented as a series of programs stored in predetermined storage means of the master device and / or slave device in the home network system.

The present invention having such a configuration has an effect of providing a home network system to which a control protocol, which is a general-purpose communication standard, provides functions for controlling and monitoring electric devices in a home network system.

In addition, the present invention is particularly effective in providing a home network system to which a Living Network Control Protocol (LnCP) is applied as a general-purpose communication standard.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a home network system for obtaining information about the current state of all devices in the home network system.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a home network system that efficiently controls the traffic on the network to obtain information of all devices.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a home network system that improves the efficiency of network use by changing the transmission period of the event message according to the network conditions.

Claims (29)

An electrical device that transmits an activity event message to a master device through a network according to a predetermined protocol at every pre-stored predetermined first activity notification intervals; And a master device for receiving the transmitted activity event message and confirming a state of the electric device. The method of claim 1, The electronic device determines whether the previously stored logical address is an initial logical address, and transmits the activity event message to the master device only when the previously stored logical address is not an initial logical address. . Claim 3 was abandoned when the setup registration fee was paid. The method of claim 2, And the previously stored logical address is a logical address assigned to the electrical device by the master device. The method of claim 1, The electrical device is connected to the network and transmits the activity event message when the power is supplied. The method of claim 4, wherein And the electrical device is connected to the network and delays the transmission of the activity event message for a random time in a predetermined time range when the power is supplied. Claim 6 was abandoned when the registration fee was paid. The method of claim 5, The time range is 0 ~ 5000ms home network system, characterized in that. The method of claim 5, The electrical device transmits the activity event message to the master device at a predetermined number of times every predetermined second activity notification interval after the delay, and thereafter, transmitting the activity event message at each first activity notification interval. Home network system, characterized in that. The method of claim 7, wherein And wherein the first activity notification interval is greater than or equal to the second activity notification interval. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The master device transmits an activity notification interval setting request message including a new activity notification interval having a value different from a first activity notification interval previously stored in the electrical device, and the electrical device transmits a previously stored first activity. Changing and storing a notification interval to the new activity notification interval, and transmitting an activity notification interval setting ACK response message to the master device. Claim 10 was abandoned upon payment of a setup registration fee. The method of claim 9, And wherein the electrical device stores the new activity notification interval in a nonvolatile memory. Claim 11 was abandoned upon payment of a setup registration fee. The method of claim 1, And wherein the master device displays the confirmed state of the electric device on a display. The method of claim 1, The activity event message includes an event code and a status value. The method of claim 12, And the status value represents at least one of waiting, operating, or pausing. The method according to claim 1 or 12, wherein The activity event message further comprises an error status value. The method according to claim 1 or 12, wherein The activity event message includes the first activity notification interval. At least one electrical device, In the home network system consisting of a master device connected to the electrical device and a network according to a predetermined protocol, Transmitting, by the electrical device, an activity event message to the master device at each predetermined first activity notification interval; And checking, by the master device, the state of the electrical device by receiving the transmitted activity event message. Claim 17 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 16, The status checking method further includes the step of the electronic device determining whether a previously stored logical address is an initial logical address, and if the previously stored logical address is not an initial logical address, transmitting the activity event message only. Method for checking the status of a home network system, characterized in that for performing. Claim 18 was abandoned upon payment of a set-up fee. The method of claim 16, Transmitting the activity event message when the electrical device is connected to the network and powered on. Claim 19 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 18, The status checking method further includes the step of delaying the transmission of the activity event message for a random time in a predetermined time range when the electric device is connected to the network and powered on. checking way. Claim 20 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 19, The status checking method further includes transmitting the activity event message to the master device a predetermined number of times within a predetermined second activity notification interval after the delaying step, and after the second activity notification interval, And transmitting the activity event message at every activity notification interval. Claim 21 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method according to claim 16 or 17, The status checking method may further include: transmitting, by the master device, an activity notification interval setting request message including a new activity notification interval having a value different from a first activity notification interval previously stored in the electrical device, the electrical device; And changing and storing, by the device, the previously stored first activity notification interval as the new activity notification interval, and transmitting an activity notification interval setting ACK response message to the master device. How to check status. Claim 22 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 16, The status checking method further includes the step of displaying, by the master device, the identified state of the electric device on a display through a display. At least one electrical device, A program for checking a status provided to a home network system comprising a master device connected to the electrical device and a network according to a predetermined protocol, the program comprising: Transmitting, by the electrical device, an activity event message to the master device at each predetermined first activity notification interval; And receiving, by the master device, the transmitted activity event message to confirm a state of the electrical device. Claim 24 was abandoned when the setup registration fee was paid. The method of claim 23, wherein The program further includes the step of the electronic device determining whether the previously stored logical address is the initial logical address, and if the previously stored logical address is not the initial logical address, performing the step of transmitting the activity event message. And a program storage medium storing a computer readable program. Claim 25 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 23, wherein And wherein the program transmits the activity event message when the electrical device is connected to the network and powered up. Claim 26 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 25, The program further comprises delaying transmission of the activity event message for a random time in a predetermined time range when the electrical device is connected to the network and powered on. Storage medium. Claim 27 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 26, The program further includes the step of sending the activity event message to the master device a predetermined number of times within a predetermined second activity notification interval after the delaying step, and after the second activity notification interval And transmitting the activity event message at every notification interval. Claim 28 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 23 or 24, The program may include transmitting, by the master device, an activity notification interval setting request message including a new activity notification interval having a value different from a first activity notification interval previously stored in the electronic device, Storing and changing the previously stored first activity notification interval to the new activity notification interval; and transmitting an activity notification interval setting ACK response message to the master device. Program storage medium. Claim 29 was abandoned upon payment of a set-up fee. The method of claim 23, wherein The program further comprising the master device displaying on the display a status of the identified electrical device.

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