KR100729623B1 - Method for controlling home-device and home-device control apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A home apparatus control device and a method for the same are provided to set key functions of IP(Internet Protocol) network apparatuses according to a user's requirements so that the user uses the set key functions, thus the user can easily control plural home apparatuses within a home network. Apparatus registration information is received, and the received apparatus registration information is stored(S210). Key function information set in each key number is stored at a setup information table(S220,S230). It is decided whether a key signal is received(S240). If so, a control command for the key signal is decided in reference to the setup information table(S250). A control signal is broadcasted to a network(S260).

Description

Home device control method and home device control apparatus using the same {Method for controlling home-device and home-device control apparatus using the same}

1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a home device control apparatus according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart provided to explain a home device control method according to the present invention;

3A is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a setting information table when a key function is not set; and

3B is a diagram illustrating an example of contents stored in a setting information table when a key function is set.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

100: home device control device 110: input unit

120: interface unit 130: control unit

131: operation control unit 133: determination unit

140: input unit 150: display unit

300: home device 310: IP network device

320: PLC device

The present invention relates to a home device control method and a home device control apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to easily control a plurality of home devices in a home network by setting and using a key function of an IP network device to meet a user's demand. A home device control method and a home device control apparatus using the same.

Many people use the Internet to connect telecommunications terminals around the world into one huge network. And this Internet has been used in the home. A variety of home devices that add network functions such as Internet refrigerators, digital TVs, and set-top boxes are designed to connect to the Internet.

A home network is a system made to connect to the Internet as well as communication between home devices by giving a separate communication function in the home appliances. In other words, it is a technology that can control major home appliances such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, microwave oven, and TV through wired and wireless Internet. The home device can be controlled using a remote controller or a portable terminal inside or outside the home.

Currently, a home networking system is being developed based on IEEE1394 and IEC61883 standards, which interconnect and control various electronic devices in each home, that is, home devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, washing machines, and the like. In addition, the plurality of home devices connected to the network are controlled through one central controller or individually controlled through the corresponding remote controller for each home device.

However, the control through one central control device has the inconvenience of moving to a centrally located central control device for controlling a plurality of home devices due to the space constraints of the central control device.

In addition, each home device has one remote control, and as the possession of home devices increases, the number of remote controls held in the home increases, making it difficult to use and manage.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a home device control method for easily controlling a plurality of home devices in a home network by setting and using a key function of an IP network device to meet a user's needs, and a home device control apparatus using the same. .

The home device control method according to the present invention for achieving the above object stores the device registration information after receiving the device registration information including address information, device identifier information, key type and the number of keys of the location information of the home device in the network; Making; Storing key function information including a control target device set for each key number, control target device position information, and a control command in a setting information table including the device identifier information, the key type, and key function information; Determining whether a key signal including the address information, the device identifier information, the key number, and the key type is received; If it is determined that the key signal is received, determining a control command for the key signal by referring to the setting information table; And transmitting a control signal including the control command, the address information, and the device identifier information.

Preferably, the control command determination step may be characterized by determining the control command corresponding to the device identifier information and the key number included in the received key signal with reference to the setting information table.

Preferably, the key type may include a fixed function key preset to support a function unique to a home device, an individual function key for which a key function is set by a user to control one specific home device among a plurality of home devices in a network, And at least one of a group key having a key function set by a user so as to group and control specific home devices among a plurality of home devices according to a preset mode, and a reservation key used when adding a new home device.

Meanwhile, the apparatus for controlling a home device according to the present invention includes device registration information including device location information, device identifier information, key type, and number of keys, device identifier information, key type, control target device, and control target, which are home device location information in a network. Key signal including address information, device identifier information, key number, and key type received from the outside with reference to a storage unit for storing device location information and a setting information table including a control command, and a setting information table for the storage unit. And a determination unit for determining a control command for the control unit, and an operation control unit for storing the device registration information and the setting information table in a storage unit and transmitting a control signal including the control command and address information and device identifier information.

Preferably, the determining unit may determine the control command corresponding to the device identifier information and the key number included in the received key signal with reference to the setting information table.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a home device control apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a home device control apparatus includes a storage unit 110, an interface unit 120, a controller 130, an input unit 140, and a display unit 150.

The storage unit 110 stores an installation information table used for installing and controlling a home device and device registration information of the home device 300.

Here, the installation information table includes device identifier information, key number, key type, control device information, control device location information, and control command. The device identifier information is information for identifying the type of home devices in the network, and the product model name of the product specification information provided when the home device 300 is shipped. In other words. The device identifier information is information for distinguishing a plurality of IP network devices 310 and a PLC (Power Line Communication) device 330.

The interface unit 120 provides a communication interface between the home device control apparatus 100 and the home device 300.

The controller 130 stores the device registration information received from the home device 300 and the key function information set for each of the key numbers of the IP network device 310 in the storage 110. In addition, the controller 130 transmits a control signal for the key signal received from the home device 300. The controller 130 includes an operation controller 131 and a determiner 133.

The operation control unit 131 Key function information set for each of device registration information received from the home device 300 and key numbers (hereinafter, abbreviated to "key number of the IP network device 310") assigned to the keys provided in the IP network device 310. Is stored in the storage unit 110. That is, the operation controller 131 receives device registration information for registering each of the IP network device 310 and the PLC device 330 in the network during the initial installation process.

In this case, the device registration method includes receiving and registering device registration information, which is a response to the device registration information request of the operation controller 131, from the home device 300, and the operation controller 131 is configured to supply power to the home device 300. A method of automatically receiving and registering device registration information when supplied. Here, the device registration information includes address information, device identifier information, key type, and number of keys.

When the key function setting signal is received from the input unit 140, the operation controller 131 stores the key function set for each key number of the IP network device 310 in the setting information table of the storage unit 110. That is, the operation controller 131 receives key function information from the user for each key number, and stores the key function information set by the user in the setting information table. Here, the key function information includes the control target device, the control target device position information, and the control command, and is set by receiving an input from a user or an installer.

In addition, the operation controller 131 receives the key signal from the home device 300, broadcasts a control signal for the key signal to control the control target device.

The determination unit 133 refers to the setting information table of the storage unit 110 and determines a control command corresponding to the key based on the information included in the key signal received by the operation controller 131. Here, the key signal includes address information, device identifier information, key number, and key type. That is, referring to FIG. 3B, the determination unit 133 may determine that the device that transmits the key signal is a switch based on the device identifier information, and determines a control command based on the key number.

Then, the operation controller 131 broadcasts a control signal including the control command determined by the determination unit 133 and address information and device identifier information included in the received key signal to the network. Here, the address information is a unique number preset as device location information in the network. That is, address information is location information in a network of a device in which a network (LAN) card is embedded.

The input unit 140 receives each key function setting information of the IP network device 310.

The display unit 150 provides an overall operation state and a user interface of the home device control apparatus 100 and displays key type and set key function information for each key number.

2 is a flow chart provided to explain a home device control method according to the present invention. 3A illustrates an example of contents stored in a setting information table when a key function is not set, and FIG. 3B illustrates an example of contents stored in a setting information table when a key function is set. .

2, 3A and 3B, first, the operation controller 131 receives the device registration information received from the home device 300, and stores the received device registration information (S210). At this time, the method for receiving device registration information from the home device 300 includes a method for receiving device registration information, which is a response to the request for device registration information from the operation controller 131, from the home device 300, and power to the home device 300. Both methods of automatically receiving the device registration information when supplied are possible.

Here, the device registration information It includes address information, device identifier information, key type and number of keys. And device identifier information The product specification information is for identifying the type of home devices in the network, and the address information is the location information in the network of the device in which the network (LAN) card is embedded.

Subsequently, the operation control unit 131 It is determined whether or not the key function setting signal is received (S220).

When the operation controller 131 determines that the key function setting signal has been received, the operation controller 131 The set key function information is stored in the setting information table (S230). That is, when the key function setting signal is received from the input unit 140, the operation controller 131 stores the key function set for each key number of the IP network device 310 in the setting information table of the storage unit 110. Here, the key function information includes the control target device, the control target device position information, and the control command, and is set by receiving an input from a user or an installer.

In detail, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, for example, a four-hole switch having four keys and connected to a home lighting, the setting information table in FIG. 3A indicates that keys 2, 3, and 4 are keyed before setting a key function. It is empty for the function setting, and the key 1 is a fixed key for the original function control of the home lighting, and the key function is preset so that the user cannot change the function setting of the key 1. In FIG. 3B, the key number and the key type are preset key information, and the user may control the controlling device by setting key function information for the key number.

That is, in the setting information table of FIG. 3B, key 2 and key 3 are key function information set by a user, and key 4 is key function information not set for use when a new home device is added as a reserved key. If empty without. The key 3 is in the sleep mode, and the key function is set to control a plurality of home devices with one key 3. Here, the key function information includes the control target device, the position of the control target device, and the control command.

The key type includes a fixed function key, an individual function key, a group key, and a reservation key. The fixed function key is a key that supports a function of the PLC device 320 connected to the IP network device 310, and is preset and a function supported by the key is fixed. Individual function keys are used to control one particular device among a plurality of home devices in the network. The group key is used to group and control specific devices among a plurality of home devices according to modes such as sleep mode and going out mode. The reservation key is used when adding a new home device.

Then, when the key signal is received (S240), the determination unit 133 determines the control command for the received key signal (S250).

That is, the determination unit 133 determines the control command corresponding to the key based on the information included in the key signal received from the operation controller 131 with reference to the setting information table of the storage unit 110. Here, the key signal includes address information, device identifier information, key number, and key type. Referring to FIG. 3B, the determination unit 133 may determine that the device that has transmitted the key signal is a switch based on the device separator information, and determines a control command based on the key number.

When the control unit 133 determines the control command for the key signal received by the determination unit 133, the operation control unit 131 broadcasts the control signal to the network (S260). Here, the control signal includes the control command determined by the determination unit 133 and the address information and the device identifier information included in the received key signal.

That is, referring to the case in which the key number included in the key signal received in FIG. 3B is Key 2 as an example, the operation controller 131 controls the control command, address information, and device identifier to "on" the operation of the air conditioner in the living room. Broadcast information to the network.

Then, each of the home devices in the network receives a control signal from the home device control device 100, and the home device that matches the address information and device identifier information included in the control signal performs a control command included in the control signal , Transmits the result to the home appliance control apparatus 100. That is, the air conditioner of the living room receiving the control signal from the home appliance control apparatus 100 turns on the operation, and transmits the result of performing the operation and the operation state to the home appliance control apparatus 100.

Meanwhile, in the home device control method and the home device control apparatus according to the present invention, the home device 300 collectively refers to the IP network device 310 and the PLC (Power line communication) device 330. The IP network device 310 includes a device having an IP such as a PDA, a portable terminal, a PC, and a WallPad. The PCL device 330 includes a power line communication device such as home appliances, lighting, and blinds in a home network. .

As described above, according to the present invention, by setting and using the key function of the IP network device to meet the user's needs, it is easy to control a plurality of home devices in the home network, and to use the reservation key to add a new home device. The cost can be reduced.

 In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Storing device registration information after receiving device registration information including address information, device identifier information, key type, and number of keys, which are location information of home devices in a network; Storing key function information including a control target device set in each key number, control target device position information, and a control command in a setting information table including the device identifier information, the key type, and key function information; Determining whether a key signal including the address information, the device identifier information, the key number, and the key type is received; If it is determined that the key signal is received, determining a control command for the key signal by referring to the setting information table; And And broadcasting a control signal including the control command, the address information, and the device identifier information to the network. The method of claim 1, The control command determination step, And the control command corresponding to the device identifier information and the key number included in the received key signal with reference to the setting information table. The method of claim 1, The key type is, A preset fixed function key to support a function unique to the home device, an individual function key for setting a key function from a user to control one specific home device among the plurality of home devices in the network, and a plurality of preset function keys according to a preset mode A home device control method comprising: at least one of a group key for which a key function is set by a user to group and control specific home devices among the home devices, and a reservation key used when adding a new home device. Device registration information including address information, device identifier information, key type and number of keys, which are home device location information in a network, and device identifier information, key type, control device, control device location information, and control command. A storage unit for storing a setting information table; A determination unit for determining the control command for the key signal including the address information, the device identifier information, the key number, and the key type received from the outside by referring to the setting information table of the storage unit; And An operation control unit storing the device registration information and the setting information table in the storage unit and broadcasting a control signal including the control command, the address information and the device identifier information to the network; Home appliance control device. The method of claim 4, wherein The determination unit, And the control command corresponding to the device identifier information and the key number included in the received key signal with reference to the setting information table.

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