CN101060438A

CN101060438A - Method of synchronizing multiple content directory services as well as content directory service devices and a system thereof

Info

Publication number: CN101060438A
Application number: CNA2007101044172A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 韩世熙; 吴昇栽; 郑东信; 权元石; 李周烈
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-20
Also published as: CN101060438B

Abstract

A method of synchronizing a plurality of content-directory service (CDS) devices is provided. The method includes retrieving and discovering N CDS devices in a home network by a control point (CP), transmitting a StartSync message that requests the start of synchronization to a certain CDS device of the N CDS devices by the CP, forwarding a StartPeerSync message that informs remaining N-1 CDS devices of the fact that synchronization will be started by the CDS device that has received the StartSync message, and synchronizing each of the N CDS devices with the remaining N-1 CDS devices, in a home network that includes N CDS devices that provide metadata of multimedia content existing in the home network, and the CP that receives metadata from the N CDS devices and requests the media renderer to replay the multimedia data.

Description

The method of synchronous many control directory services and control directory services device and system thereof

The application requires to be submitted to the 10-2006-0105921 korean patent application of Korea S Department of Intellectual Property and to be submitted to the 60/793rd of United States Patent (USP) trademark office on April 21st, 2006 on October 30th, 2006, the priority of No. 713 U.S. Provisional Patent Application, described application all is disclosed in this for reference.

Technical field

The method and apparatus consistent with the present invention relates to home network.More particularly, the present invention relates to the method for a kind of synchronous a plurality of control directory services (CDS) device and CDS device and the system thereof that in this method for synchronous, uses.

Background technology

Usually, home network is made of the private network (private network) of internet protocol-based (IP), and by public virtual computation environmental various devices (for example personal computer (PC), intelligent artifact and wireless device) is connected and controls described various device.

Middleware is by connecting various digital devices with Peer, can make to communicate between the device that the AV of family interoperability (HAVI), UPnP (UPnP), Java intelligent network architecture (Jini), family's wide screen (HWW) etc. are proposed as middleware.

In the computing environment of setting up by the UPnP middleware, distribute the address according to DHCP (DHCP) to each device, perhaps will install to each, by communication between the final controlling element of described address and searching and inquiring about network by the address assignment that automatic IP appointed function (IP automatically) selects.

The UPnP network is to plan widely used in the near future home network technologies, and UPnP network definition UPnP device and UPnP service, by the protocol definition UPnP network between UPnP device and the UPnP service.The UPnP network is made of controlled device (CD) (being the home network device that is connected to home network and is subjected to home network control) and control point (CP) (device that is used for control example such as CD).CP control control CD, and request and reception incident.CD is according to the function of the request execution appointment of CP, and when the state of CD changed, CD sent to this incident the CP that asks this incident.

The operation of tradition UPnP home devices comprises that announcement is handled, discovery is handled, describes processing, control and treatment and event handling.

In announcement was handled, new CD was connected to home network, and other devices in home network are notified its existence.In find handling, new CD is connected to home network, and the CD that should new CD discovery operates in home network.In describing processing, CP uses the IP address of the CD that obtains in finding processing to come analysis service to describe XML file or unit describe XML file, and discerns the function of the device that increases in detail.In control and treatment, under the situation that CP wants to use CD that special services is provided, CP uses Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to send the control messages (action request) of asking reservation service to CD according to the UPnP device architecture, and the response message of receiving control message (result, variate-value).In event handling, check the state of the information change of CD, wherein, provide reservation service by this CD of control command that sends from CP.

Described the UPnPAV technology in the UPnPAV standard, the UPnPAV technology allows the user to appreciate content of multimedia (for example Voice ﹠ Video content) based on the UPnP technology.According to the UPnP standard, the UPnPAV framework comprises media server, media renderer (renderer) and CP, wherein, media server provides multimedia file by control directory services (CDS), the multimedia file that media renderer is reset and provided, CP control media server and media renderer, thus they work together.CDS is built in the media server, and provides the metadata that is present in the home network or is stored in the content in the media server to CP.CP checks the metadata from CDS, and request media renderer playback content of multimedia.

In home network, exist under the situation of the multiple arrangement that constitutes above-mentioned UPnP AV framework, have a plurality of media servers and a plurality of CDS of storage different content.Under this UPnP AV environment, need user's method that specific CDS is synchronous with different CDS of a kind of UPnP AV.That is to say, need be dispersed in the content among the different CDS synchronously.Here, be meant content and the metadata of holding in each CDS in exchange between the CDS according to by the specific policy of user's appointment synchronously.For example, if the content and the home media center that are stored in the device (for example MP3 player) are synchronous, then the user can use the Hi-Fi device that is present in the family to appreciate the sound of louder volume.

Yet, participating under the synchronous situation at a plurality of CDS, CP must carry out various functions, collector journal and to determine to participate in synchronous CDS right for example, and along with the increase of the number that participates in synchronous CDS, synchronous number increases fast, and these all are problems.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide the method for a kind of synchronous a plurality of control directory services (CDS) device, the CDS device that in synchronously, uses and the system that comprises this CDS device, wherein, synchronous number of times is minimized, and the dependence to control point (CP) reduces, thereby the Internet traffic that is caused by the time synchronous and cost in synchronously is minimized.

The invention is not restricted to above-mentioned technical purpose.Those skilled in the art will understand other purposes of not describing here better by following detailed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present, provide the method for a plurality of CDS devices in a kind of synchronous home network, described method comprises: search and find N CDS device in the home network by CP; The StartSync message that to be asked to begin synchronously by CP sends to a CDS device in described N the CDS device; Transmit StartPeerSync message by the specific CDS device that receives StartSync message, N-1 CDS device of described StartPeerSync message informing residue will begin the synchronous fact, and it is N-1 the CDS device of each and residue in described N the CDS device is synchronous, wherein, home network comprises N CDS device and a CP, described N CDS device provides the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network, described CP receives metadata from described N CDS device, and to media renderer request playback content of multimedia.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present, provide a kind of CDS device, this device comprises: daily record changes administrative unit, and management is about the change of the log information of N CDS device (being used for providing the metadata of the content of multimedia that is present in home network); Daily record changes provides the unit, and the information that will change about the log information that is changed the administrative unit management by daily record offers N-1 CDS device of residue and control point (CP); With the anchor information management unit, management anchor information, described anchor information can determine whether the list object of CDS device is updated by the Synchronous Processing between N-1 CDS device and the described CDS device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present, provide a kind of system, comprising: media server, comprise built-in CDS device, this CDS device provides the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network and content of multimedia is provided; Media renderer, the content of multimedia of resetting and providing; And control point (CP), control media server and media renderer, and synchronous CDS device, wherein, specific CDS device in N the CDS device that CP will ask synchronous StartSync message to send to be present in the home network, and this CDS device is transmitted N-1 CDS device of notice residue and will be begun under the situation of synchronous StartPeerSync message, carries out synchronous between N the CDS device.

Description of drawings

The detailed description that exemplary embodiment is carried out in conjunction with the drawings, above-mentioned and other characteristics of the present invention and advantage will become clear, wherein:

Figure 1A illustrates the processing of synchronous two control directory services (CDS) device.

Figure 1B illustrates the notion as the Synchronous Processing result's of Figure 1A renewal CDS.

Fig. 2 illustrates the Synchronous Processing under the situation that has three CDS devices.

Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of the system that comprises control point (CP) and CDS device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the concept map that the processing of synchronous according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a plurality of CDS devices is shown.

Fig. 5 is the flow chart that the method for synchronous according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a plurality of CDS devices is shown.

Embodiment

Describe exemplary embodiment of the present with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail.

More easily understand the present invention by the detailed description and the accompanying drawings below with reference to exemplary embodiment.Yet the present invention can various multi-form realizations, and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiment of setting forth here.On the contrary, provide these exemplary embodiments, thereby the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and design of the present invention is conveyed to those skilled in the art all sidedly, the present invention will only be defined by the claims.In the whole specification, identical label is represented identical parts.

With reference to block diagram and flow chart the method for synchronous a plurality of CDS devices, the CDS device that uses and the system that comprises the CDS device are described below in synchronously.

For convenience of explanation, in exemplary embodiment of the present, description will concentrate on mainly in the UPnP AV system based on UPnP, and the title of the device that defines in UPnP AV standard will be used for when the described device of realizing when of the present invention.Yet, should be clear, scope of the present invention is not subjected to the restriction of above-mentioned domestic network system and device.

Figure 1A illustrates the processing of synchronous two CDS devices, and Figure 1B illustrates the notion as the Synchronous Processing result's of Figure 1A renewal CDS.At first, control point (CP) 10 finds CDS device A 20 and CDS device B 30 (S11), and to CDS device A 20 that finds and CDS device B 30 request CDS tabulations (S12).CP 10 from CDS device A 20 and CDS device B 30 alternatives (synchronous object) (S13).If the StartSync message that CP 10 will ask to begin synchronously sends to CDS device A20 (S14), then CDS device A 20 will notify the StartPeerSync forwards that begins synchronously to CDS device B 30 (S15).

By above-mentioned processing, beginning synchronously between CDS device A20 and the CDS device B 30, and CDS device A 20 and CDS device B 30 will be by synchronous list objects to another CDS device request, and the list object of download request (S16).If finish download, then CDS device A20 and CDS device B 30 upgrade their list object based on the list object of downloading, and the result is returned to CP10 (S17).Change at the list object that causes by renewal shown in Figure 1B.Figure 1B shows because CDS device A 20 and the identical list object of CDS device B 30 storages, so CDS device A 20 and CDS device B 30 are by synchronously.

Yet, be not two but exist under the situation of N CDS device (N＞=3) existing, the situation complexity that becomes.The situation that has three CDS devices is described below.

Fig. 2 illustrates the Synchronous Processing under the situation that has three CDS devices.With reference to Fig. 2, CP selects two in described three CDS devices, and these two CDS devices are carried out synchronously, and another CDS is right synchronously subsequently.As shown in Figure 2, suppose that CP at first selects CDS A and CDS B to carry out synchronously.Carry out the Synchronous Processing of in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, carrying out (first handles) in an identical manner, after selecting CDSB and CDS C, carry out Synchronous Processing (second handles) in an identical manner, at last, after selecting CDS C and CDS A, carry out Synchronous Processing (the 3rd handles).First handle, second handle and the description of the 3rd detail operations of handling and Figure 1A in the operation described identical, thereby the description of omitting the detail operations of each processing here.

By expanding notion shown in Figure 2,, select and two in N CDS device synchronously, and should repeat this selection and synchronous in order for the individual CDS device of N (N＞=3) synchronously.That is to say that this should to repeat maximum NC2 (=N (N-1)/2) synchronously inferior, and under the in-problem situation, be difficult to turn back to reset condition in Synchronous Processing.In addition since provide the CP of simple controlled function to have to select and N CDS device of combination in two algorithm, therefore the problem of CP cost increase appears.

Therefore, describe in detail below: the method for synchronous a plurality of CDS devices, the CDS device that in synchronously, uses and the system that comprises the CDS device, wherein, synchronous number of times is minimized, dependence to CP reduces, thereby the Internet traffic that is caused by the time synchronous and cost in synchronously is minimized.

Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of the system that comprises CP and CDS device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.To describe the example of UPnP AV architecture system below, and hypothesis UPnP AV architecture system comprises N CDS device and CP as this system.In addition, UPnP AV architecture system comprises the media renderer that the media server that is built-in with the CDS device and playback are stored in the content of multimedia in the media server.

With reference to Fig. 3, CP 100 comprises multiple synchronization module 110 and control module 120.Multiple synchronization module 110 will provide the CDS device of the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the UPnP AV system synchronous.In addition, control module 120 control is by N synchronous CDS device of multiple synchronization module 110, and controls in the mode that content of multimedia can be reset and to be present in the intrasystem device of UPnP AV (media server or media renderer).

In addition, the CDS 200 by CP 100 controls comprises that daily record changes administrative unit 210, the daily record change provides unit 220, anchor information management unit (anchor-information-management unit) 230, affairs (transaction) administrative unit 240, transmission/receiving element 250 and CD control unit 260.

Daily record change administrative unit 210 is managed the change about the log information of the CDS device that the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the UPnP AV system is provided.Log information comprises the information about the tabulation that is used for synchronous object, and log information changes according to the change (for example generation of object, modification and deletion) of object.

Daily record changes provides unit 220 to provide about changed the information of the log information change that administrative unit manages by daily record with predetermined form residue N-1 CDS device except CDS device 200 and CP 100 in N CDS device.Here, preferably provide the information that changes about log information with the DIDL-Lite form.

Anchor information management unit 230 management anchor information, this anchor information can determine whether the list object of CDS 200 is updated by the Synchronous Processing between N-1 CDS and this CDS 200.

For example, anchor information can comprise SyncSequence field, DeviceID field and LogId field.Determine the SyncSequence fields by the CP 100 that provides synch command, and the SyncSequence field indicate CDS around the successful execution synchronously.In the Synchronous Processing of carrying out after a while, if the value difference of the SyncSequence field of CDS device (synchronization object in the anchor that is obtained by CP 100) then can be thought synchronization failure.The DeviceID field has the ID value that can distinguish as the CDS device of synchronization object.The LogID field has the ID value of the log information that can be included in the change that is produced by the CDS device as synchronization object after the previous Synchronous Processing.Shown in the structure of anchor information, in first Synchronous Processing, all list objects on other CDS devices should be compared, but in case first preamble is performed, then carry out subsequent synchronisation by the content in the list object that relatively is presented at renewal, wherein, the list object of this renewal is based on the change of the log information that changes in the Synchronous Processing formerly.

When execution was synchronous, transaction management unit 240 prevents to remain N-1 CDS device and CP100 changes the list object of CDS device 200, and can use predetermined locking mechanism.

Send and receiving element 250 based on the tabulation of synchronous object to N-1 CDS device request content of multimedia of residue, and transmission and receive this content of multimedia.

At last, 260 controls of CD control unit are present in the operation of the CD in the CDS device 200.

The processing of synchronous a plurality of CDS devices is described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 below.

Fig. 4 is the concept map that the processing of synchronous according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a plurality of CDS devices is shown, and Fig. 5 is the flow chart that illustrates according to the method for synchronous a plurality of CDS devices of exemplary embodiment.

In the UPnP AV system shown in Figure 4, CP 100 and three CDS device 200A, 200B and 200C mutual operation are to carry out synchronously.Can exist more than 3 CDS devices, but in this exemplary embodiment, only there are three CDS devices in hypothesis for convenience of explanation.

CP 100 searches and finds CDS device 200A, 200B and the 200C (S110) (first handles) in the UPnP AV system.

CP 100 obtains the list object of three CDS devices of discovery, and selects synchronization object (S120) based on the list object that obtains.Synchronization object comprises and corresponding item of multimedia file and the container (container) that comprises this.

The StartSync message of having selected the CP of synchronization object will ask to begin synchronously sends to the specific CDS (being CDS A) (S130) (second handles) in three CDS devices under Fig. 4 situation.

The CDS A 200A that has received StartSync message transmits StartPeerSync message, and this message will begin the synchronous fact (S140) (the 3rd handles) to residue CDS device (CDS B and CDS C) notice.

Transmitted the CDS A 200A of StartPeerSync message and received the CDS B 200B of StartPeerSync message and among the CDS C 200C each to carry out synchronously (the reason) everywhere except its residue CDS device.

Comprise the metadata that is stored in the content of multimedia among each CDS and is used for content according to strategy exchange synchronously by user's appointment.Therefore, under the situation of carrying out synchronous processing, each request among CDS device 200A, 200B and the 200C comprises the list object (S150) (the reason) everywhere of synchronization object, and downloads synchronously required object (S160) (the reason) everywhere based on the list object that obtains by described request.

At last, each among three CDS device 200A, 200B and the 200C is upgraded the list object that changes by object of downloading, and to CP 100 report these results (S170).

Therefore, under situation about existing, need not carry out synchronously N (N-1)/2 at most more than three CDS devices.

In addition, the computer readable recording medium storing program for performing that can store the program code that is used to carry out said method should be included in the interest field of the present invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art should be understood that under the situation that does not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention that are defined by the claims, and can carry out various replacements, modification and change in form and details.Therefore, should be appreciated that above-mentioned exemplary embodiment only is the example purpose, and is not interpreted as limitation of the present invention.

Method and apparatus of the present invention has following advantage.

The first, when carrying out synchronous between a plurality of control directory services devices, can minimize synchronous time Number.

The second, by reducing the dependence to the control point, the network that is caused by synchronously and synchronous required time The traffic can be minimized.

Claims

1, a kind of method that is used for a plurality of control directory services (CDS) device of synchronous home network, this home network comprises a N CDS device and a control point (CP), described N CDS device provides the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network, reset from described N CDS device reception metadata and to the media renderer request in described control point, described method comprises:

Search and find N CDS device in the home network by CP;

To ask the first synchronous message to send to a CDS device in described N the CDS device by CP;

Transmit second message of notifying described N other CDS devices in the CDS device by a CDS device that receives first message, wherein, the indication of second message will begin synchronously; With

In described N the CDS device each is synchronized with each other.

2, the method for claim 1, wherein described step of searching and finding comprises: obtain list object from the CDS device of finding, and will be by synchronous object based on the list object selection that obtains.

3, the method for claim 1, wherein, described synchronizing step comprises: will will be sent to each other by the request of the list object of synchronous object comprising by in described N the CDS device each, and download required object synchronously based on described list object.

4, method as claimed in claim 3, described synchronizing step comprises: upgrade described list object, and report this result to CP.

5, the method for claim 1, wherein home network uses UPnP AV framework.

6, a kind of control directory services (CDS) device that the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network is provided, described device comprises:

Daily record changes administrative unit, the change of managing log information;

Daily record changes provides the unit, and the information that will change about the log information that is changed the administrative unit management by daily record offers other CDS devices and control point (CP); With

The anchor information management unit, management anchor information, described anchor information are used for determining whether the list object of described CDS device is updated by the Synchronous Processing between described CDS device and other CDS devices.

7, device as claimed in claim 6 also comprises:

The transaction management unit when Synchronous Processing is performed, prevents that other CDS devices and CP from changing the list object of described CDS device.

8, device as claimed in claim 6 also comprises:

Send and receiving element, tabulation sends and receives the CDS content of multimedia based on synchronization object.

9, device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, daily record changes provides the unit that the information that changes about log information is provided with the DIDL-Lite form.

10, device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, home network comprises UPnP AV framework.

11, a kind of system comprises:

Media server comprises built-in control directory services (CDS) device, and described CDS device provides the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network and content of multimedia is provided;

Media renderer, the content of multimedia of resetting and providing; With

Control point (CP), control media server and media renderer, and in synchronously that the CDS device is synchronous,

Wherein, will ask the first synchronous message to send to a CDS device in the CDS device, and a CDS device transmits and notify under the situation that other CDS devices will begins the second synchronous message, carry out synchronous between the CDS device at CP.

12, system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, a CDS device comprises by the list object of synchronous object from described other CDS device requests, and download based on the list object that obtains will be by synchronous required object.

13, system as claimed in claim 12, wherein, a CDS device upgating object is tabulated, and reports this result to CP.

14, system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, a CDS device comprises:

Daily record changes administrative unit, manages the change of the log information of described other CDS devices, and wherein, described other CDS devices provide the metadata that is present in the content of multimedia in the home network;

Daily record changes provides the unit, and the information that will change about the log information that is changed the administrative unit management by daily record offers described other CDS and control point (CP); With

The anchor information management unit, management anchor information, described anchor information can determine whether the list object of a CDS device is updated by Synchronous Processing between described other CDS devices and the CDS device.

15, system as claimed in claim 14 also comprises:

The transaction management unit when Synchronous Processing is performed, prevents that described other CDS devices and CP from changing list object.

16, system as claimed in claim 14 also comprises:

Send and receiving element, based on being sent and receive the CDS content of multimedia by synchronous list object.

17, system as claimed in claim 14, wherein, daily record changes provides the unit that the information that changes about log information is provided with the DIDL-Lite form.

18, system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, home network comprises UPnP AV framework.