EP1446922A2 - System for managing applications dedicated to apparatuses connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system - Google Patents

System for managing applications dedicated to apparatuses connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system

Info

Publication number
EP1446922A2
EP1446922A2 EP02795369A EP02795369A EP1446922A2 EP 1446922 A2 EP1446922 A2 EP 1446922A2 EP 02795369 A EP02795369 A EP 02795369A EP 02795369 A EP02795369 A EP 02795369A EP 1446922 A2 EP1446922 A2 EP 1446922A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
application
dedicated
local network
network
applications
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02795369A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Erwan Nedellec
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Orange SA
Original Assignee
France Telecom SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by France Telecom SA filed Critical France Telecom SA
Publication of EP1446922A2 publication Critical patent/EP1446922A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2805—Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/51—Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/12—Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2814—Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2816—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities
    • H04L12/282—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities based on user interaction within the home
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/34—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications involving the movement of software or configuration parameters 
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/56—Provisioning of proxy services
    • H04L67/564—Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • H04L69/30—Definitions, standards or architectural aspects of layered protocol stacks
    • H04L69/32—Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
    • H04L69/322—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions
    • H04L69/329—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/40—Network security protocols
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home

Definitions

  • Application management system dedicated to devices connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system
  • the present invention relates to an application management system dedicated to devices connected to a network.
  • the invention relates to such a system, comprising means for detecting the connection of a device to the network and an access terminal to at least one application server.
  • the access terminal is connected to the network and includes means for downloading these applications from the application server.
  • the invention also relates to a method for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network, an access terminal to at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to a network suitable for the connection of devices, and a device adapted to be connected to a network to which are also connected at least one other device and an access terminal to at least one application server.
  • the OSGi forum offers a system which, when a device is connected to the network and declares itself, runs a recognition program for this device. This program consults a table of correspondence between the various devices likely to be connected to the network and a list of sets of devices, each set being associated with a generic Java type interface.
  • a generic Java type interface For example, different devices but from the same set, for example all the printers for printers manufactured by different manufacturers, are associated with a common Java type interface comprising Java methods allowing access to the common functions of these printers.
  • an application server can download, to an access terminal connected to the network, applications dedicated to the connected devices and then execute these applications, within the framework of the use of one devices connected to the network.
  • each device connected to the network has its own control interface which is imposed by the designer of this device.
  • device-specific applications are implemented in the device itself and are downloaded to the access terminal as soon as the device is connected to the network. These specific applications are executed to allow for example a system user to control the corresponding device from another device connected to the network and comprising a display screen.
  • the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of a conventional application management system by providing a system making it possible to use the devices connected to the network as well as the applications dedicated to them, without requiring the user to know the modes of use of all these devices.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore a system for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network, comprising:
  • means for detecting the connection of a device to the network and a terminal for accessing at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to the network and comprising means for downloading these applications from of the application server, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering the downloading means, for downloading at least one application dedicated to said device, when the latter is connected to the network.
  • An application management system makes it possible to download, from an application server, applications dedicated to devices, as soon as these are connected to the network.
  • these dedicated applications are not designed by the designers of the devices, but by an independent application supplier, which allows for example their standardization.
  • the application management system may also include one or more of the following characteristics: - at least one application dedicated to said device is an application for controlling this device;
  • the system comprises a single portal for accessing the various services offered by the devices connected to the network, this access portal comprising means for executing the applications dedicated to each connected device; - the access portal is accessible from at least one of the devices connected to the network;
  • the access portal comprises a unified man-machine interface for controlling the connected devices and means for integrating the control applications in this unified man-machine interface; - comprising means for detecting the disconnection of a device from the network, the system further comprises means for triggering the removal of applications dedicated to this device when it is disconnected from the network;
  • the system includes storage means accessible in reading by the access terminal, for the storage of mapping information between each device likely to be connected to the network and a list of applications dedicated to this device;
  • the list of applications includes, for each application, the universal address from which this application can be downloaded by the access terminal; - the network is a local network;
  • the application server is accessible by the access terminal through an external information transmission network
  • the system includes at least one software bus implemented on the network for the connection of the devices to it and to each other.
  • the invention also relates to a method for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network comprising a step of detecting the connection of a device to the network, characterized in that it further comprises a step of triggering the download. , by an access terminal to at least one application server, from at least one application dedicated to said device, when the latter is connected to the network.
  • At least one application dedicated to said device is a control application for this device, and the method further comprises a step of integrating this control application in a unified man-machine interface for controlling devices connected to the network;
  • the method further includes a step of triggering the removal, by the access terminal, of applications dedicated to this device, when the one is disconnected of the network.
  • the invention also relates to an access terminal to at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to a network suitable for the connection of devices, and comprising means for downloading applications from the server. applications, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering the downloading means, for downloading at least one application dedicated to a device, during the connection of the latter to the network.
  • the access terminal according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics:
  • It includes means for reading access to means for storing correspondence information between each device capable of being connected to the network and a list of applications dedicated to this device.
  • the invention also relates to an application server characterized in that it comprises applications dedicated to at least one device connected to a network to which is also connected an access terminal to the application server, these applications being adapted to be integrated into a unified man-machine interface.
  • the invention relates to a device suitable for being connected to a network to which at least one other device is also connected and an access terminal to at least one application server dedicated to devices capable of being connected to the network, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying a unified man-machine interface, which comprises means for integrating at least one application dedicated to a device, when the latter is connected to the network.
  • the apparatus according to the invention may further include the characteristic that said at least one application is a control application.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the general structure of an application management system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows the successive steps of an application management method, implemented in the system of Figure 1.
  • the application management system represented in FIG. 1 comprises a local area network 10 comprising, on the one hand, a local subnet 12 of the IEEE 1394 type, supporting a software bus of the HAVi® type and, on the other hand, an Ethernet type sub-local 14 supporting a software bus of the Jini TM type.
  • a video recorder 16 is connected to the IEEE ⁇ 39 subnetwork.
  • a digital multimedia terminal 18 (from the English “Set Top Box”) is connected to the same IEEE 1394 subnet. This digital multimedia terminal 18 is also connected to a television set 20 and to a satellite dish. reception of broadcast digital programs.
  • a microcomputer 24 associated with a digital camera 26 is, for its part, connected to the Ethernet subnet 14 and includes means for exchanging information with the Jini TM software bus, to simulate a Jini TM camera. Subsequently, we will therefore designate Jini TM 27 digital camera, this assembly consisting of the microcomputer 24 and the digital camera 26.
  • an access terminal 28 is connected to the local network 10, that is to say to the local Ethernet subnet and to the local IEEE 1394 subnet.
  • This access terminal 28 is also connected to an external network 30 for transmitting information, such as the Internet. Conventionally, this connection is ensured by means of a link 32 of the xDSL type.
  • An application server 34 is also connected to the Internet network 30.
  • This application server includes a plurality of applications dedicated in particular to devices 16, 18, 20, 24 and 26 connected to the local network 10.
  • these dedicated applications include control applications for each of the aforementioned devices.
  • the access terminal 28 can access, through the Internet 30, the application server 34, in order to download the applications dedicated to the devices connected on the local network 10.
  • the access terminal 28 is connected to a database 36 which, as shown in FIG. 1, can be directly connected locally to the access terminal 28, or else connected to the latter by the Internet network 30.
  • the database 36 comprises, for example, in the form of a correspondence table, several lists of applications dedicated to devices capable of being connected to the local network 10.
  • the database 36 includes a list of applications dedicated to this Jini TM digital camera 27.
  • the database 36 includes, for each device capable of being connected to the local network 10, and therefore for the Jini® digital camera 27:
  • the access terminal 28 comprises means for managing the software buses implemented on the subnets to which it is connected.
  • the access terminal 28 includes means 38 for managing the HAVi® software bus.
  • it includes means 40 for managing the Jini TM software bus.
  • These management means 38 and 40 are suitable for the automatic detection of the connection of a device to the local network 10. Likewise, they are suitable for the detection of the automatic disconnection of this device.
  • the management means 38 and 40 of the software buses are connected to an interface 42 of the access terminal 28.
  • This interface 42 materializes the separation between the part of the access terminal 28 connected to the local network 10 and the part of the terminal. access 28 connected to the Internet 30.
  • the access terminal 28 comprises means 44 for downloading applications dedicated to devices connected to the local network 10.
  • the access terminal 28 also comprises means 46 for triggering the download or deleting applications.
  • trigger means 46 are connected to the interface 42, in order to receive information concerning the connection of a device to the local network 10 or its disconnection. They are also connected to the database 36, either directly or indirectly via the downloading means 44 and the Internet network 30, for the correspondence between the device detected as connected or disconnected and the list of corresponding dedicated applications. Finally, the triggering means 46 are connected to the download means 44, to request these when new applications dedicated to a device which has just been connected to the local network 10 must be downloaded from the application server 34, if they are not yet present on the access terminal 28.
  • the access terminal 28 includes a portal 48 for accessing the downloaded applications.
  • This access portal 48 includes means for storing the applications downloaded by the access terminal 28, or at least links allowing it to access them.
  • the access portal 48 includes a man-machine interface 50 in the form of an HTML page.
  • This man-machine interface 50 presents, for example, in symbolic form the local area network 10 and the various devices capable of being connected to it. It is accessible by the television set 20, which can then display it on its screen.
  • the access portal 48 includes means 52 for integrating the applications downloaded by the means 44, in the man-machine interface 50.
  • a control interface for this Jini TM 27 digital camera appears. on the screen, if the Jini TM 27 digital camera is actually connected to the Ethernet subnet.
  • This control interface corresponds to the control application dedicated to the Jini TM 27 digital camera, this application being designed by the application supplier and made available on the application server 34.
  • the application supplier is moreover also, for example, the supplier of the man-machine interface 50, so that the latter, integrating the various applications dedicated to devices connected to the local network 10, becomes a unified interface for controlling the apparatuses 16, 18, 20, 24 and 26.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 the successive stages of an application management method implemented in the system described above, during the connection of a device on the local network 10 or its disconnection.
  • the method shown in Figure 2 and implemented when connecting an appliance to the local network 10, includes a first step 60 of connection.
  • a user connects a device to the local network 10, for example the Jini TM digital camera 27.
  • the Jini TM 2.7 digital camera spontaneously declares itself to the means 40 for managing the Jini TM software bus.
  • the Jini TM digital camera 27 transmits to the management means 40 the information making it possible to uniquely identify it.
  • This step constitutes an automatic detection of the connection of the Jini TM 27 digital camera.
  • the management means 40 transmit this information to the triggering means 46, via the interface 42.
  • the triggering means 46 consult the database 36 to search for the list of applications dedicated to the Jini TM 27 digital camera.
  • the access terminal 28 checks, for each dedicated application in the list, if it is already installed in the access portal 48. If it is the case, we then go to a step 72 which will be described later, otherwise we go to a step 70 of downloading.
  • the downloading means 44 connect to the application server 34 and, thanks to the universal URL address provided by the triggering means 46, download the corresponding dedicated application from the application server 34 This application is integrated into the access portal 48 during the next step 72.
  • step 74 the man-machine interface 50 is updated.
  • the method represented in FIG. 3 and implemented during the disconnection of an apparatus from the local network 10 comprises a first step 78 of disconnection of this apparatus.
  • This first step 78 is followed by three steps 80, 82 and 84, respectively identical to steps 62, 64 and 66 of the method described above.
  • Step 84 is followed by a test step 86, during which the access terminal 28 checks, for each of the dedicated applications in the list transmitted by the triggering means 46, whether this makes it possible to order other devices that are still connected to the local network 10.
  • step 88 the access terminal 28 uninstalls this application.
  • step 88 or following step 86 if the dedicated application is used for another connected device, we go to step 90, during which the man-machine interface 50 is updated, so that the applications dedicated to the disconnected device no longer appear on the display screen of the television device 20.
  • the application management system described above allows a user to control devices connected to a local network simply and in a user-friendly manner.
  • the man-machine interface 50 which he can visualize on the display screen of his television device 20, offers the user a unified way of accessing the control of the various connected devices. The user therefore no longer needs to know the specific operating instructions for each device.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns in particular a system for managing applications dedicated to apparatuses (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connected to a network (10). Said system comprises means (38, 40) for detecting the connection of an apparatus (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) to the network (10) and a terminal (28) for accessing at least an application server (34), the access terminal (28) being connected to the network (10) and comprising means (44) for downloading said applications from the application server (34). The application management system further comprises means (46) for triggering the downloading means (44), for downloading at least an application dedicated to said apparatus (16, 18, 20, 24, 26), when the latter is connected to the network (10).

Description

Système de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils connectés à un réseau, procédé de gestion d'applications, terminal d'accès, serveur d'applications et appareil pour un tel systèmeApplication management system dedicated to devices connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system
La présente invention concerne un système de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils connectés à un réseau.The present invention relates to an application management system dedicated to devices connected to a network.
Plus particulièrement, l'invention se rapporte à un tel système, comportant des moyens de détection de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau et un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications. Le terminal d'accès est connecté au réseau et comporte des moyens de téléchargement de ces applications à partir du serveur d'applications.More particularly, the invention relates to such a system, comprising means for detecting the connection of a device to the network and an access terminal to at least one application server. The access terminal is connected to the network and includes means for downloading these applications from the application server.
L'invention concerne également un procédé de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils connectés à un réseau, un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications, le terminal d'accès étant connecté à un réseau adapté pour la connexion d'appareils, et un appareil adapté pour être connecté à un réseau auquel sont également connectés au moins un autre appareil et un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications.The invention also relates to a method for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network, an access terminal to at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to a network suitable for the connection of devices, and a device adapted to be connected to a network to which are also connected at least one other device and an access terminal to at least one application server.
Il existe déjà, dans l'état de la technique, de tels systèmes de gestion d'applications. Par exemple, le forum OSGi propose un système qui, lorsqu'un appareil est connecté au réseau et se déclare, exécute un programme de reconnaissance de cet appareil. Ce programme consulte un tableau de correspondance entre les différents appareils susceptibles d'être connectés au réseau et une liste d'ensembles d'appareils, chaque ensemble étant associé à une interface de type Java générique. Ainsi, des appareils différents mais d'un même ensemble, par exemple l'ensemble des imprimantes pour des imprimantes fabriquées chez des constructeurs différents, sont associés à une' interface de type Java commune comportant des méthodes Java permettant l'accès aux fonctions communes de ces imprimantes.In the state of the art, such application management systems already exist. For example, the OSGi forum offers a system which, when a device is connected to the network and declares itself, runs a recognition program for this device. This program consults a table of correspondence between the various devices likely to be connected to the network and a list of sets of devices, each set being associated with a generic Java type interface. Thus, different devices but from the same set, for example all the printers for printers manufactured by different manufacturers, are associated with a common Java type interface comprising Java methods allowing access to the common functions of these printers.
D'autre part, dans ce système, un serveur d'applications peut télécharger, sur un terminal d'accès connecté au réseau, des applications dédiées aux appareils connectés et exécuter ensuite ces applications, dans le cadre de l'utilisation de l'un des appareils connectés au réseau.On the other hand, in this system, an application server can download, to an access terminal connected to the network, applications dedicated to the connected devices and then execute these applications, within the framework of the use of one devices connected to the network.
Cependant, chaque appareil connecté au réseau possède une interface de commande qui lui est propre et qui est imposée par le concepteur de cet appareil. De plus, parfois, des applications spécifiques à l'appareil sont implémentées dans l'appareil lui-même et sont téléchargées sur le terminal d'accès, dès que l'on connecte l'appareil au réseau. Ces applications spécifiques sont exécutées pour permettre par exemple à un utilisateur du système de commander l'appareil correspondant à partir d'un autre appareil connecté au réseau et comportant un écran d'affichage.However, each device connected to the network has its own control interface which is imposed by the designer of this device. In addition, sometimes device-specific applications are implemented in the device itself and are downloaded to the access terminal as soon as the device is connected to the network. These specific applications are executed to allow for example a system user to control the corresponding device from another device connected to the network and comprising a display screen.
Mais dans tous les cas, l'utilisateur doit connaître le mode d'emploi de chacun des appareils connectés au réseau avant de pouvoir les commander et les utiliser. L'invention vise à remédier aux inconvénients d'un système de gestion d'applications classique en fournissant un système permettant d'utiliser les appareils connectés au réseau ainsi que les applications qui leur sont dédiées, sans obliger l'utilisateur à connaître les modes d'emploi de tous ces appareils.However, in all cases, the user must know the operating instructions for each of the devices connected to the network before being able to order and use them. The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of a conventional application management system by providing a system making it possible to use the devices connected to the network as well as the applications dedicated to them, without requiring the user to know the modes of use of all these devices.
L'invention a donc pour objet un système de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils connectés à un réseau, comportant :The subject of the invention is therefore a system for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network, comprising:
- des moyens de détection de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau, et un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications, le terminal d'accès étant connecté au réseau et comportant des moyens de téléchargement de ces applications à partir du serveur d'applications, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre des moyens de déclenchement des moyens de téléchargement, pour le téléchargement d'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau.means for detecting the connection of a device to the network, and a terminal for accessing at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to the network and comprising means for downloading these applications from of the application server, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering the downloading means, for downloading at least one application dedicated to said device, when the latter is connected to the network.
Un système de gestion d'applications selon l'invention permet de télécharger, à partir d'un serveur d'applications, des applications dédiées à des appareils, dès que ceux- ci sont connectés au réseau. Ainsi, ces applications dédiées ne sont pas conçues par les concepteurs des appareils, mais par un fournisseur d'applications indépendant, ce qui permet par exemple leur uniformisation.An application management system according to the invention makes it possible to download, from an application server, applications dedicated to devices, as soon as these are connected to the network. Thus, these dedicated applications are not designed by the designers of the devices, but by an independent application supplier, which allows for example their standardization.
Le système de gestion d'applications selon l'invention peut en outre comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes : - au moins une application dédiée audit appareil est une application de commande de cet appareil ;The application management system according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics: - at least one application dedicated to said device is an application for controlling this device;
- le système comporte un unique portail d'accès aux différents services proposés par les appareils connectés au réseau, ce portail d'accès comportant des moyens d'exécution des applications dédiées à chaque appareil connecté ; - le portail d'accès est accessible à partir d'au moins l'un des appareils connectés au réseau ;the system comprises a single portal for accessing the various services offered by the devices connected to the network, this access portal comprising means for executing the applications dedicated to each connected device; - the access portal is accessible from at least one of the devices connected to the network;
- le portail d'accès comporte une interface homme-machine unifiée de commande des appareils connectés et des moyens d'intégration des applications de commande dans cette interface homme-machine unifiée ; - comportant des moyens de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil du réseau, le système comporte en outre des moyens de déclenchement de la suppression d'applications dédiées à cet appareil lors de la déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau ;the access portal comprises a unified man-machine interface for controlling the connected devices and means for integrating the control applications in this unified man-machine interface; - comprising means for detecting the disconnection of a device from the network, the system further comprises means for triggering the removal of applications dedicated to this device when it is disconnected from the network;
- le système comporte des moyens de stockage accessibles en lecture par le terminal d'accès, pour le stockage d'informations de mise en correspondance entre chaque appareil susceptible d'être connecté au réseau et une liste des applications dédiées à cet appareil ;- The system includes storage means accessible in reading by the access terminal, for the storage of mapping information between each device likely to be connected to the network and a list of applications dedicated to this device;
- la liste des applications comporte, pour chaque application, l'adresse universelle à partir de laquelle cette application peut être téléchargée par le terminal d'accès ; - le réseau est un réseau local ;- the list of applications includes, for each application, the universal address from which this application can be downloaded by the access terminal; - the network is a local network;
- le serveur d'applications est accessible par le terminal d'accès à travers un réseau externe de transmission d'informations ; et- the application server is accessible by the access terminal through an external information transmission network; and
- le système comporte au moins un bus logiciel implémenté sur le réseau pour la connexion des appareils à celui-ci et entre eux. L'invention concerne également un procédé de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils connectés à un réseau comprenant une étape de détection de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre une étape de déclenchement du téléchargement, par un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications, d'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau.- The system includes at least one software bus implemented on the network for the connection of the devices to it and to each other. The invention also relates to a method for managing applications dedicated to devices connected to a network comprising a step of detecting the connection of a device to the network, characterized in that it further comprises a step of triggering the download. , by an access terminal to at least one application server, from at least one application dedicated to said device, when the latter is connected to the network.
Le procédé de gestion d'applications selon l'invention peut en outre comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :The application management method according to the invention can also include one or more of the following characteristics:
- au moins une application dédiée audit appareil est une application de commande de cet appareil, et le procédé comporte en outre une étape d'intégration de cette application de commande dans une interface homme-machine unifiée de commande des appareils connectés au réseau ; et- At least one application dedicated to said device is a control application for this device, and the method further comprises a step of integrating this control application in a unified man-machine interface for controlling devices connected to the network; and
- comprenant une étape de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil du réseau, le procédé comporte en outre une étape de déclenchement de la suppression, par le terminal d'accès, d'applications dédiées à cet appareil, lors de la déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau.- comprising a step of detecting the disconnection of a device from the network, the method further includes a step of triggering the removal, by the access terminal, of applications dedicated to this device, when the one is disconnected of the network.
L'invention concerne également un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications, le terminal d'accès étant connecté à un réseau adapté pour la connexion d'appareils, et comportant des moyens de téléchargement d'applications à partir du serveur d'applications, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre des moyens de déclenchement des moyens de téléchargement, pour le téléchargement d'au moins une application dédiée à un appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau. Le terminal d'accès selon l'invention peut en outre comporter l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :The invention also relates to an access terminal to at least one application server, the access terminal being connected to a network suitable for the connection of devices, and comprising means for downloading applications from the server. applications, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering the downloading means, for downloading at least one application dedicated to a device, during the connection of the latter to the network. The access terminal according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics:
- comportant des moyens de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil du réseau, il comporte en outre des moyens de déclenchement de la suppression d'applications dédiées à cet appareil lors de déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau ; et- comprising means for detecting the disconnection of a device from the network, it further comprises means for triggering the removal of applications dedicated to this device when it is disconnected from the network; and
- il comporte des moyens d'accès en lecture à des moyens de stockage d'informations de mise en correspondance entre chaque appareil susceptible d'être connecté au réseau et une liste des applications dédiées à cet appareil.- It includes means for reading access to means for storing correspondence information between each device capable of being connected to the network and a list of applications dedicated to this device.
L'invention concerne également un serveur d'applications caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des applications dédiées à au moins un appareil connecté sur un réseau auquel est également connecté un terminal d'accès au serveur d'applications, ces applications étant adaptées pour être intégrées dans une interface homme-machine unifiée.The invention also relates to an application server characterized in that it comprises applications dedicated to at least one device connected to a network to which is also connected an access terminal to the application server, these applications being adapted to be integrated into a unified man-machine interface.
Enfin, l'invention concerne un appareil adapté pour être connecté à un réseau auquel sont également connectés au moins un autre appareil et un terminal d'accès à au moins un serveur d'applications dédiées à des appareils susceptibles d'être connectés au réseau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens d'affichage d'une interface homme- machine unifiée, laquelle comporte des moyens d'intégration d'au moins une application dédiée à un appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau.Finally, the invention relates to a device suitable for being connected to a network to which at least one other device is also connected and an access terminal to at least one application server dedicated to devices capable of being connected to the network, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying a unified man-machine interface, which comprises means for integrating at least one application dedicated to a device, when the latter is connected to the network.
L'appareil selon l'invention peut en outre comporter la caractéristique selon laquelle ladite au moins une application est une application de commande.The apparatus according to the invention may further include the characteristic that said at least one application is a control application.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- la figure 1 est un schéma illustrant la structure générale d'un système de gestion d'applications selon l'invention ; et - les figures 2 et 3 représentent les étapes successives d'un procédé de gestion d'applications, mis en œuvre dans le système de la figure 1.- Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the general structure of an application management system according to the invention; and - Figures 2 and 3 show the successive steps of an application management method, implemented in the system of Figure 1.
Le système de gestion d'applications représenté à la figure 1 comporte un réseau local 10 comprenant, d'une part, un sous-réseau local 12 de type IEEE 1394, supportant un bus logiciel de type HAVi® et, d'autre part, un sous-local 14 de type Ethernet supportant un bus logiciel de type Jini™.The application management system represented in FIG. 1 comprises a local area network 10 comprising, on the one hand, a local subnet 12 of the IEEE 1394 type, supporting a software bus of the HAVi® type and, on the other hand, an Ethernet type sub-local 14 supporting a software bus of the Jini ™ type.
Un magnétoscope 16 est connecté sur le sous-réseau IEEEι39 . De plus, un terminal numérique multimédia 18 (de l'anglais « Set Top Box ») est connecté au même sous- réseau IEEE 1394. Ce terminal numérique multimédia 18 est en outre relié à un appareil de télévision 20 et à une antenne parabolique de réception de programmes numériques diffusés. Un micro-ordinateur 24 associé à une caméra numérique 26 est, quant à lui, connecté au sous-réseau Ethernet 14 et comporte des moyens d'échange d'informations avec le bus logiciel Jini™, pour simuler une caméra Jini™. Par la suite, nous désignerons donc par caméra numérique Jini™ 27, cet ensemble constitué du micro-ordinateur 24 et de la caméra numérique 26.A video recorder 16 is connected to the IEEEι 39 subnetwork. In addition, a digital multimedia terminal 18 (from the English “Set Top Box”) is connected to the same IEEE 1394 subnet. This digital multimedia terminal 18 is also connected to a television set 20 and to a satellite dish. reception of broadcast digital programs. A microcomputer 24 associated with a digital camera 26 is, for its part, connected to the Ethernet subnet 14 and includes means for exchanging information with the Jini ™ software bus, to simulate a Jini ™ camera. Subsequently, we will therefore designate Jini ™ 27 digital camera, this assembly consisting of the microcomputer 24 and the digital camera 26.
Enfin, un terminal d'accès 28 est connecté au réseau local 10, c'est-à-dire au sous- réseau local Ethernet et au sous-réseau local IEEE 1394.Finally, an access terminal 28 is connected to the local network 10, that is to say to the local Ethernet subnet and to the local IEEE 1394 subnet.
Ce terminal d'accès 28 est en outre connecté à un réseau externe 30 de transmission d'informations, tel que le réseau Internet. De façon classique, cette connexion est assurée au moyen d'une liaison 32 de type xDSL.This access terminal 28 is also connected to an external network 30 for transmitting information, such as the Internet. Conventionally, this connection is ensured by means of a link 32 of the xDSL type.
Un serveur d'applications 34 est également connecté au réseau Internet 30. Ce serveur d'applications comporte une pluralité d'applications dédiées notamment aux appareils 16, 18, 20, 24 et 26 connectés au réseau local 10. Par exemple, ces applications dédiées comportent des applications de commande de chacun des appareils précités.An application server 34 is also connected to the Internet network 30. This application server includes a plurality of applications dedicated in particular to devices 16, 18, 20, 24 and 26 connected to the local network 10. For example, these dedicated applications include control applications for each of the aforementioned devices.
De plus, ces applications sont conçues par un fournisseur indépendant des constructeurs d'appareils. Notamment, leur interface est unifiée.In addition, these applications are designed by a supplier independent of the device manufacturers. In particular, their interface is unified.
Le terminal d'accès 28 peut accéder, à travers le réseau Internet 30, au serveur d'applications 34, dans le but de télécharger les applications dédiées aux appareils connectés sur le réseau local 10. A cet effet, le terminal d'accès 28 est relié à une base de données 36 qui, comme l'indique la figure 1 , peut être directement connectée localement au terminal d'accès 28, ou bien reliée à ce dernier par le réseau Internet 30.The access terminal 28 can access, through the Internet 30, the application server 34, in order to download the applications dedicated to the devices connected on the local network 10. For this purpose, the access terminal 28 is connected to a database 36 which, as shown in FIG. 1, can be directly connected locally to the access terminal 28, or else connected to the latter by the Internet network 30.
La base de données 36 comporte, par exemple, sous forme d'un tableau de correspondance, plusieurs listes d'applications dédiées à des appareils susceptibles d'être connectés au réseau local 10. Ainsi, pour la Caméra numérique Jini™ 27 connectée au sous-réseau Ethernet 14 par le bus logiciel Jini™, la base de données 36 comporte une liste d'applications dédiées à cette Caméra numérique Jini™ 27.The database 36 comprises, for example, in the form of a correspondence table, several lists of applications dedicated to devices capable of being connected to the local network 10. Thus, for the Jini ™ digital camera 27 connected to the sub - Ethernet network 14 by the Jini ™ software bus, the database 36 includes a list of applications dedicated to this Jini ™ digital camera 27.
Dans la pratique, la base de données 36 comporte, pour chaque appareil susceptible d'être connectée au réseau local 10, et donc pour la caméra numérique Jini® 27 :In practice, the database 36 includes, for each device capable of being connected to the local network 10, and therefore for the Jini® digital camera 27:
- la référence de l'appareil, contenant des informations qui permettent de l'identifier de façon unique ;- the reference of the device, containing information which makes it possible to identify it in a unique way;
- la référence des applications dédiées associées à cet appareil, parmi lesquelles se trouve une application de commande de l'appareil ; et - la localisation de chaque application dédiée à l'appareil, comportant par exemple l'adresse universelle URL du fichier correspondant dans le serveur d'applications 34. De façon classique, le terminal d'accès 28 comporte des moyens de gestion des bus logiciels implémentés sur les sous-réseaux auxquels il est connecté. Ainsi, le terminal d'accès 28 comporte des moyens 38 de gestion du bus logiciel HAVi®. De même, il comporte des moyens 40 de gestion du bus logiciel Jini™. Ces moyens de gestion 38 et 40 sont adaptés pour la détection automatique de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau local 10. De même, ils sont adaptés pour la détection de la déconnexion automatique de cet appareil.- the reference of the dedicated applications associated with this device, among which is an application for controlling the device; and the location of each application dedicated to the device, comprising for example the universal address URL of the corresponding file in the application server 34. Conventionally, the access terminal 28 comprises means for managing the software buses implemented on the subnets to which it is connected. Thus, the access terminal 28 includes means 38 for managing the HAVi® software bus. Likewise, it includes means 40 for managing the Jini ™ software bus. These management means 38 and 40 are suitable for the automatic detection of the connection of a device to the local network 10. Likewise, they are suitable for the detection of the automatic disconnection of this device.
Les moyens de gestion 38 et 40 des bus logiciels sont connectés à une interface 42 du terminal d'accès 28. Cette interface 42 matérialise la séparation entre la partie du terminal d'accès 28 reliée au réseau local 10 et la partie du terminal d'accès 28 reliée au réseau Internet 30.The management means 38 and 40 of the software buses are connected to an interface 42 of the access terminal 28. This interface 42 materializes the separation between the part of the access terminal 28 connected to the local network 10 and the part of the terminal. access 28 connected to the Internet 30.
Dans cette partie reliée au réseau Internet 30, le terminal d'accès 28 comporte des moyens 44 de téléchargement d'applications dédiées aux appareils connectés au réseau local 10. Le terminal d'accès 28 comporte en outre des moyens 46 de déclenchement du téléchargement ou de la suppression d'applications.In this part connected to the Internet network 30, the access terminal 28 comprises means 44 for downloading applications dedicated to devices connected to the local network 10. The access terminal 28 also comprises means 46 for triggering the download or deleting applications.
Ces moyens de déclenchement 46 sont reliés à l'interface 42, afin de recevoir des informations concernant la connexion d'un appareil au réseau local 10 ou sa déconnexion. Ils sont en outre reliés à la base de données 36, soit directement, soit indirectement par l'intermédiaire des moyens de téléchargement 44 et du réseau Internet 30, pour la mise en correspondance entre l'appareil détecté comme connecté ou déconnecté et la liste des applications dédiées correspondantes. Enfin, les moyens de déclenchement 46 sont reliés au moyen de téléchargement 44, pour solliciter ceux-ci lorsque de nouvelles applications dédiées à un appareil venant d'être connecté au réseau local 10 doivent être téléchargées à partir du serveur d'applications 34, si elles ne sont pas encore présentes sur le terminal d'accès 28.These trigger means 46 are connected to the interface 42, in order to receive information concerning the connection of a device to the local network 10 or its disconnection. They are also connected to the database 36, either directly or indirectly via the downloading means 44 and the Internet network 30, for the correspondence between the device detected as connected or disconnected and the list of corresponding dedicated applications. Finally, the triggering means 46 are connected to the download means 44, to request these when new applications dedicated to a device which has just been connected to the local network 10 must be downloaded from the application server 34, if they are not yet present on the access terminal 28.
En outre, le terminal d'accès 28 comporte un portail 48 d'accès aux applications téléchargées. Ce portail d'accès 48 comporte des moyens de stockage des applications téléchargées par le terminal d'accès 28, ou au moins des liens lui permettant d'y accéder. Le portail d'accès 48 comporte une interface homme-machine 50 se présentant sous la forme d'une page HTML. Cette interface homme-machine 50 présente, par exemple, sous forme symbolique le réseau local 10 et les différents appareils susceptibles d'être connectés à celui-ci. Elle est accessible par l'appareil de télévision 20, qui peut alors l'afficher sur son écran. Pour permettre à un utilisateur d'accéder aux applications dédiées aux appareils connectés au réseau local 10, le portail d'accès 48 comporte des moyens 52 d'intégration des applications téléchargées par les moyens 44, dans l'interface homme-machine 50.In addition, the access terminal 28 includes a portal 48 for accessing the downloaded applications. This access portal 48 includes means for storing the applications downloaded by the access terminal 28, or at least links allowing it to access them. The access portal 48 includes a man-machine interface 50 in the form of an HTML page. This man-machine interface 50 presents, for example, in symbolic form the local area network 10 and the various devices capable of being connected to it. It is accessible by the television set 20, which can then display it on its screen. To allow a user to access the applications dedicated to devices connected to the local network 10, the access portal 48 includes means 52 for integrating the applications downloaded by the means 44, in the man-machine interface 50.
Ainsi, lorsqu'un utilisateur déplace un curseur sur l'écran d'affichage de l'appareil de télévision 20 et le positionne sur un icône correspondant à la caméra numérique Jini™ 27, une interface de commande de cette caméra numérique Jini™ 27 apparaît sur l'écran, si la caméra numérique Jini™ 27 est effectivement connectée au sous-réseau Ethernet. Cette interface de commande correspond à l'application de commande dédiée à la caméra numérique Jini™ 27, cette application étant conçue par le fournisseur d'applications et mise à disposition sur le serveur d'applications 34.Thus, when a user moves a cursor on the display screen of the television apparatus 20 and positions it on an icon corresponding to the Jini ™ 27 digital camera, a control interface for this Jini ™ 27 digital camera appears. on the screen, if the Jini ™ 27 digital camera is actually connected to the Ethernet subnet. This control interface corresponds to the control application dedicated to the Jini ™ 27 digital camera, this application being designed by the application supplier and made available on the application server 34.
Le fournisseur d'applications est d'ailleurs par exemple également le fournisseur de l'interface homme-machine 50, de sorte que celle-ci, intégrant les différentes applications dédiées aux appareils connectés au réseau local 10, devient une interface unifiée de commande des appareils 16, 18, 20, 24 et 26. On va maintenant décrire, en référence aux figures 2 et 3, les étapes successives d'un procédé de gestion d'applications mis en œuvre dans le système décrit précédemment, lors de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau local 10 ou de sa déconnexion.The application supplier is moreover also, for example, the supplier of the man-machine interface 50, so that the latter, integrating the various applications dedicated to devices connected to the local network 10, becomes a unified interface for controlling the apparatuses 16, 18, 20, 24 and 26. We will now describe, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the successive stages of an application management method implemented in the system described above, during the connection of a device on the local network 10 or its disconnection.
Le procédé représenté à la figure 2 et mis en œuvre lors de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau local 10, comprend une première étape 60 de branchement.The method shown in Figure 2 and implemented when connecting an appliance to the local network 10, includes a first step 60 of connection.
Lors de cette étape 60, un utilisateur branche un appareil au réseau local 10, par exemple la caméra numérique Jini™ 27.During this step 60, a user connects a device to the local network 10, for example the Jini ™ digital camera 27.
Lors de l'étape 62 suivante, la caméra numérique Jini TM 2. 7 se déclare spontanément auprès des moyens 40 de gestion du bus logiciel Jini™ . Lors de cette étape, la caméra numérique Jini™ 27 transmet aux moyens de gestion 40 les informations permettant de l'identifier de façon unique. Cette étape constitue une détection automatique du branchement de la caméra numérique Jini™ 27.During the following step 62, the Jini TM 2.7 digital camera spontaneously declares itself to the means 40 for managing the Jini ™ software bus. During this step, the Jini ™ digital camera 27 transmits to the management means 40 the information making it possible to uniquely identify it. This step constitutes an automatic detection of the connection of the Jini ™ 27 digital camera.
Ensuite, lors de l'étape 64, les moyens de gestion 40 transmettent cette information aux moyens de déclenchement 46, par l'intermédiaire de l'interface 42. Lors d'une étape 66, les moyens de déclenchement 46 consultent la base de données 36 pour y chercher la liste des applications dédiées à la caméra numérique Jini™ 27.Then, during step 64, the management means 40 transmit this information to the triggering means 46, via the interface 42. During a step 66, the triggering means 46 consult the database 36 to search for the list of applications dedicated to the Jini ™ 27 digital camera.
Lors d'une étape de test 68, réitérée autant de fois que nécessaire, le terminal d'accès 28 vérifie, pour chaque application dédiée de la liste, si elle est déjà installée dans le portail d'accès 48. Si c'est le cas, on passe alors à une étape 72 qui sera décrite ultérieurement, sinon on passe à une étape 70 de téléchargement. Lors de cette étape 70, les moyens de téléchargement 44 se connectent au serveur d'applications 34 et, grâce à l'adresse universelle URL fournie par les moyens de déclenchement 46, téléchargent l'application dédiée correspondante à partir du serveur d'applications 34. Cette application est intégrée dans le portail d'accès 48 lors de l'étape 72 suivante.During a test step 68, repeated as many times as necessary, the access terminal 28 checks, for each dedicated application in the list, if it is already installed in the access portal 48. If it is the case, we then go to a step 72 which will be described later, otherwise we go to a step 70 of downloading. During this step 70, the downloading means 44 connect to the application server 34 and, thanks to the universal URL address provided by the triggering means 46, download the corresponding dedicated application from the application server 34 This application is integrated into the access portal 48 during the next step 72.
Enfin, lors de l'étape 74, l'interface homme-machine 50 est mise à jour.Finally, during step 74, the man-machine interface 50 is updated.
Lorsque toutes les applications dédiées à la caméra numérique Jini™ 27 sont téléchargées et intégrées dans l'interface homme-machine 50, on passe à une étape 76 de fin du procédé, à partir de laquelle un utilisateur du système peut commander la caméra numérique Jini™ 27 à partir de son appareil de télévision 20 via l'interface homme-machine unifiée 50 et accéder à ses fonctions.When all the applications dedicated to the Jini ™ digital camera 27 are downloaded and integrated into the man-machine interface 50, we pass to a step 76 of end of the process, from which a user of the system can control the Jini digital camera ™ 27 from its television set 20 via the unified man-machine interface 50 and access its functions.
Le procédé représenté à la figure 3 et mis en œuvre lors de la déconnexion d'un appareil du réseau local 10 comporte une première étape 78 de débranchement de cet appareil. Cette première étape 78 est suivie de trois étapes 80, 82 et 84, respectivement identiques aux étapes 62, 64 et 66 du procédé précédemment décrit.The method represented in FIG. 3 and implemented during the disconnection of an apparatus from the local network 10 comprises a first step 78 of disconnection of this apparatus. This first step 78 is followed by three steps 80, 82 and 84, respectively identical to steps 62, 64 and 66 of the method described above.
L'étape 84 est suivie d'une étape 86 de test, lors de laquelle le terminal d'accès 28 vérifie, pour chacune des applications dédiées de la liste transmise par les moyens de déclenchement 46, si celle-ci permet de commander d'autres appareils qui sont toujours connectés au réseau local 10.Step 84 is followed by a test step 86, during which the access terminal 28 checks, for each of the dedicated applications in the list transmitted by the triggering means 46, whether this makes it possible to order other devices that are still connected to the local network 10.
Si l'application dédiée n'est plus utilisée pour d'autres appareils connectés, on passe à une étape 88, lors de laquelle le terminal d'accès 28 désinstalle cette application.If the dedicated application is no longer used for other connected devices, we go to a step 88, during which the access terminal 28 uninstalls this application.
Suite à l'étape 88, ou suite à l'étape 86 si l'application dédiée est utilisée pour un autre appareil connecté, on passe à une étape 90, lors de laquelle l'interface homme- machine 50 est mise à jour, de sorte que les applications dédiées à l'appareil débranché n'apparaissent plus sur l'écran d'affichage de l'appareil de télévision 20.Following step 88, or following step 86 if the dedicated application is used for another connected device, we go to step 90, during which the man-machine interface 50 is updated, so that the applications dedicated to the disconnected device no longer appear on the display screen of the television device 20.
Lorsque toutes les applications dédiées à l'appareil débranché ont été, soit désinstallées, soit laissées pour une utilisation d'autres appareils connectés, on passe à une étape finale 92, lors de laquelle les moyens de déclenchement 46 sont mis en état d'attente d'un nouvel événement déclenchant.When all the applications dedicated to the disconnected device have been either uninstalled or left for the use of other connected devices, we pass to a final step 92, during which the triggering means 46 are put in the waiting state. of a new triggering event.
Il apparaît clairement que le système de gestion d'applications décrit précédemment permet à un utilisateur de commander simplement et de façon conviviale, des appareils connectés sur un réseau local. En effet, l'interface homme-machine 50 qu'il peut visualiser sur l'écran d'affichage de son appareil de télévision 20, propose à l'utilisateur une façon unifiée d'accéder à la commande des différents appareils connectés. L'utilisateur n'a donc plus besoin de connaître le mode d'emploi spécifique de chacun des appareils. It is clear that the application management system described above allows a user to control devices connected to a local network simply and in a user-friendly manner. Indeed, the man-machine interface 50 which he can visualize on the display screen of his television device 20, offers the user a unified way of accessing the control of the various connected devices. The user therefore no longer needs to know the specific operating instructions for each device.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Système de gestion d'applications dédiées à des appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connectés à un réseau local (10), comportant : - des moyens (38, 40) de détection de la connexion d'un appareil (16, 18, 20, 24,1. Application management system dedicated to devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connected to a local network (10), comprising: - means (38, 40) for detecting the connection of a device (16, 18, 20, 24,
26) au réseau local ; et26) the local network; and
- un terminal d'accès par un réseau externe (30) de transmission d'informations à au moins un serveur d'applications (34), le terminal d'accès (28) étant connecté au réseau local (10) et comportant des moyens (44) de téléchargement de ces applications à partir du serveur d'applications (34), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre des moyens (46) de déclenchement des moyens de téléchargement (44), pour le téléchargement d'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26), lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau local (10).- an access terminal by an external network (30) for transmitting information to at least one application server (34), the access terminal (28) being connected to the local network (10) and comprising means (44) for downloading these applications from the application server (34), characterized in that it further comprises means (46) for triggering the download means (44), for downloading at least an application dedicated to said device (16, 18, 20, 24, 26), when the latter is connected to the local network (10).
2. Système de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) est une application de commande de cet appareil.2. Application management system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one application dedicated to said device (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) is an application for controlling this device.
3. Système de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un unique portail (48) d'accès aux différents services proposés par les appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connectés au réseau local (10), ce portail d'accès (48) comportant des moyens d'exécution des applications dédiées à chaque appareil connecté.3. Application management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a single portal (48) for access to the various services offered by the connected devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) to the local network (10), this access portal (48) comprising means for executing the applications dedicated to each connected device.
4. Système de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le portail d'accès (48) est accessible à partir d'au moins l'un des appareils (20) connectés au réseau local (10). 4. Application management system according to claim 3, characterized in that the access portal (48) is accessible from at least one of the devices (20) connected to the local network (10).
5. Système de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 2, et la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que le portail d'accès (48) comporte une interface homme- machine unifiée (50) de commande des appareils connectés (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) et des moyens d'intégration (52) des applications de commande dans cette interface homme- machine unifiée (50). 5. Application management system according to claim 2, and claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the access portal (48) comprises a unified man-machine interface (50) for controlling the connected devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) and means for integrating (52) the control applications in this unified man-machine interface (50).
6. Système de gestion d'applications selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à6. Application management system according to any one of claims 1 to
5, caractérisé en ce que, comportant des moyens (38, 40) de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) du réseau local (10), le système comporte en outre des moyens (46) de déclenchement de la suppression d'applications dédiées à cet appareil lors de la déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau local. 5, characterized in that, comprising means (38, 40) for detecting the disconnection of an appliance (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) from the local network (10), the system also comprises means ( 46) to trigger the removal of applications dedicated to this device when it is disconnected from the local network.
7. Système de gestion d'applications selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à7. Application management system according to any one of claims 1 to
6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens (36) de stockage accessibles en lecture par le terminal d'accès (28), pour le stockage d'informations de mise en correspondance entre chaque appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) susceptible d'être connecté au réseau local (10) et une liste des applications dédiées à cet appareil.6, characterized in that it comprises storage means (36) accessible in reading by the access terminal (28), for the storage of mapping information between each device (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) capable of being connected to the local network (10) and a list of applications dedicated to this device.
8. Système de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la liste des applications comporte, pour chaque application, l'adresse universelle à partir de laquelle cette application peut être téléchargée par le terminal d'accès (28).8. Application management system according to claim 7, characterized in that the list of applications includes, for each application, the universal address from which this application can be downloaded by the access terminal (28).
9. Système de gestion d'applications selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un bus logiciel implémenté sur le réseau local (10) pour la connexion des appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) à celui-ci et entre eux. 9. Application management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one software bus implemented on the local network (10) for the connection of the devices (16, 18, 20 , 24, 26) to it and between them.
10. Procédé de gestion d'applications, dédiées à des appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connectés à un réseau local (10) comprenant une étape (62) de détection de la connexion d'un appareil au réseau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre une étape (70) de déclenchement du téléchargement, par un terminal (28) d'accès par un réseau externe (30) de transmission d'informations à au moins un serveur d'applications (34), d'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau local (10), uniquement si l'application dédiée n'a pas déjà été téléchargée dans un portail d'accès (48) aux différents services proposés par les appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connectés au réseau local (10), ce portail d'accès (48) comportant des moyens d'exécution des applications dédiées à chaque appareil connecté. 10. Application management method, dedicated to devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connected to a local network (10) comprising a step (62) of detecting the connection of a device to the network, characterized in that it further comprises a step (70) of initiating the download, by a terminal (28) for access by an external network (30) for transmitting information to at least one application server (34 ), at least one application dedicated to said device, when connecting it to the local network (10), only if the dedicated application has not already been downloaded in an access portal (48) various services offered by the devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) connected to the local network (10), this access portal (48) comprising means for executing the applications dedicated to each connected device.
11. Procédé de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte, avant l'étape (70) de déclenchement du téléchargement, une étape de test (68) lors de laquelle le terminal d'accès (28) vérifie si l'application dédiée est déjà installée dans un portail d'accès (48).11. Application management method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises, before the step (70) of initiating the download, a test step (68) during which the access terminal (28 ) checks whether the dedicated application is already installed in an access portal (48).
12. Procédé de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une application dédiée audit appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) est une application de commande de cet appareil, et en ce qu'il comporte en outre une étape (72) d'intégration de cette application de commande dans une interface homme-machine unifiée (50) de commande des appareils connectés au réseau local (10).12. Application management method according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one application dedicated to said device (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) is an application for controlling this device, and in that it further includes a step (72) of integrating this control application into a unified man-machine interface (50) for controlling the devices connected to the local network (10).
13. Procédé de gestion d'applications selon la revendication 10 ou 12, caractérisé en ce que, comprenant une étape (80) de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil (16,13. A method of managing applications according to claim 10 or 12, characterized in that, comprising a step (80) of detecting the disconnection of an appliance (16,
18, 20, 24, 26) du réseau local (10), il comporte en outre une étape (88) de déclenchement de la suppression, par le terminal d'accès (28), d'applications dédiées à cet appareil, lors de la déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau local (10).18, 20, 24, 26) of the local network (10), it further comprises a step (88) of triggering the deletion, by the access terminal (28), of applications dedicated to this device, during disconnecting it from the local network (10).
14. Terminal d'accès (28) par un réseau externe (30) de transmission d'informations à au moins un serveur d'applications (34), le terminal d'accès étant connecté à un réseau local (10) adapté pour la connexion d'appareils (16, 18, 20, 24, 26), et comportant des moyens (44) de téléchargement d'applications à partir du serveur d'applications, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre des moyens (46) de déclenchement des moyens de téléchargement (44), pour le téléchargement d'au moins une application dédiée à un appareil, lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau local (10). 14. Access terminal (28) via an external network (30) for transmitting information to at least one application server (34), the access terminal being connected to a local network (10) suitable for connection of devices (16, 18, 20, 24, 26), and comprising means (44) for downloading applications from the application server, characterized in that it further comprises means (46) for triggering the download means (44), for downloading at least one application dedicated to a device, when it is connected to the local network (10).
15. Terminal d'accès selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que, comportant des moyens (38, 40) de détection de la déconnexion d'un appareil (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) du réseau local (10), il comporte en outre des moyens (46) de déclenchement de la suppression d'applications dédiées à cet appareil lors de déconnexion de celui-ci du réseau local (10). 15. Access terminal according to claim 14, characterized in that, comprising means (38, 40) for detecting the disconnection of an appliance (16, 18, 20, 24, 26) from the local network (10) , it further comprises means (46) for triggering the removal of applications dedicated to this device when it is disconnected from the local network (10).
16. Terminal d'accès (28) selon la revendication 14 ou 15, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens (46) d'accès en lecture à des moyens (36) de stockage d'informations de mise en correspondance entre chaque appareil susceptible d'être connecté au réseau local (10) et une liste des applications dédiées à cet appareil.16. Access terminal (28) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises means (46) for read access to means (36) for storing information of correspondence between each device capable of being connected to the local network (10) and a list of applications dedicated to this device.
17. Serveur d'applications (34) caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des applications dédiées à au moins un appareil connecté sur un réseau local (10) auquel est également connecté un terminal (28) d'accès par un réseau externe (30) de transmission d'informations au serveur d'applications (34), ces applications étant adaptées pour être intégrées dans une interface homme-machine unifiée (50).17. Application server (34) characterized in that it comprises applications dedicated to at least one device connected to a local network (10) to which is also connected a terminal (28) for access by an external network (30 ) transmitting information to the application server (34), these applications being adapted to be integrated into a unified man-machine interface (50).
18. Appareil (20) adapté pour être connecté à un réseau local (10) auquel sont également connectés au moins un autre appareil (16, 18, 22, 24, 26) et un terminal (28) d'accès à au moins un serveur (34) d'applications dédiées à des appareils susceptibles d'être connectés au réseau local (10), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens d'affichage d'une interface homme-machine unifiée (50), laquelle comporte des moyens d'intégration d'au moins une application dédiée à un appareil (16, 18, 22, 24, 26) lors de la connexion de celui-ci au réseau local et en ce que ladite au moins une application est une application de commande. 18. Device (20) adapted to be connected to a local area network (10) to which are also connected at least one other device (16, 18, 22, 24, 26) and a terminal (28) for accessing at least one application server (34) dedicated to devices capable of being connected to the local network (10), characterized in that it comprises means for displaying a unified man-machine interface (50), which comprises means for integrating at least one application dedicated to a device (16, 18, 22, 24, 26) when connecting it to the local network and in that said at least one application is a control application .
EP02795369A 2001-11-23 2002-11-06 System for managing applications dedicated to apparatuses connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system Withdrawn EP1446922A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0115234 2001-11-23
FR0115234A FR2832888B1 (en) 2001-11-23 2001-11-23 MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR APPLICATIONS DEDICATED TO EQUIPMENT CONNECTED TO A NETWORK, APPLICATION MANAGEMENT METHOD, ACCESS TERMINAL, APPLICATION SERVER AND DEVICE FOR SUCH A SYSTEM
PCT/FR2002/003795 WO2003045011A2 (en) 2001-11-23 2002-11-06 System for managing applications dedicated to apparatuses connected to a network, application management method, access terminal, application server and apparatus for such a system

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EP (1) EP1446922A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2005510179A (en)
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FR2832888B1 (en) 2004-02-27
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JP2005510179A (en) 2005-04-14
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