JP2003244157A - Power source control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption of network devices. <P>SOLUTION: The method comprises a step in which at least a network device has been powered on and has a list of network devices connected on the network, and a new network device is connected and powered on, a step in which an announce packet is transmitted from the new device, a step in which at least a network device receives the announce packet to check for the new device in the list, and if the new device is not found in the list, a new device is added to the list to create the updated list, a step in which at least a network device transmits a packet for powering on a plurality of devices connected on the network and transmits an announce packet, and a step of a plurality of network devices receive the packet to be powered on and receive the announce packet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a power control method for each device connected to a network in a home network, that is, a so-called home network. The present invention relates to a power supply control method for managing power supply control of each device and reducing standby power of each device without reducing a function as a server. 2. Description of the Related Art In a home network, that is, a so-called home network, equipment connected to the network must avoid setting work as complicated as possible due to the nature of the equipment. When the TCP / IP protocol is used as a network, the setting items required on the network require an IP address set for each device. When controlling other devices existing on a network, it is necessary to obtain and set IP address information of a device to be controlled. Among these, a service discovery protocol that automatically obtains the IP address and service information of a device to be controlled has existed before. On the other hand, conventionally existing network devices need to be energized at all times to use those network devices. In particular, the network server had to be energized at all times because it was not possible to know when the access would occur. [0004] However, for network equipment used for home networks, it is desired to reduce standby power as one of the conditions, and network equipment that is not used is always energized. Had to avoid. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to supply power only to a network device when the power is off to minimize standby power, and to control power supply to home network equipment using a power supply start packet. To do. [0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network is turned on and other network devices are turned on. Having a list of network devices connected to the network, connecting a new network device on the network and turning on the new network device, and transmitting own information from the new network device. Sending an announcement packet indicating
The at least one network device receives the announcement packet, checks whether the new device is in the list, and adds the new device to the list if no new device exists, and creates an updated list. And transmitting at least one network device sends a power-on packet to a network device other than the new network device among the plurality of devices connected on the network, and Sending the announcement packet to a plurality of devices connected to the network including the device, and a plurality of network devices connected to the network receiving the power-on packet Turning on the power supply; A plurality of network devices connected to the network including a network device, a power supply control method comprising the step of receiving the announcement packet. I will provide a. [0007] A power control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a home network to which a power control method according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a power control method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a first network device 1, a second network device 2, and a third network device 3 are connected on a home network, and a new network device 4 is connected later. It is. Next, an outline of a power supply control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. (STEP 1) There are network devices 1, 2, 3 connected on the same home network. Here, the power of the first network device 1 is on, and the power of the second network device 2 and the third network device 3 is off. It is also assumed that each of the network devices 1, 2, and 3 has a list already constructed. (STEP 2) A new network device 4 is additionally connected to the home network, and the power of the network device 4 is turned on. At this time, the new network device 4 sends out an announcement packet of service information. (STEP 3) First Network Device 1
Receives the announcement packet transmitted from the new network device 4. (STEP 4) First Network Device 1
Compares the received announcement packet with the list stored in the first network device 1 itself, and recognizes that a new network device 4 has been connected. (STEP 5) First Network Device 1
Transmits an announcement packet because it has recognized that a new network device 4 has been connected. (STEP 6) First Network Device 1
Sends a power-on packet to the second network device 2 and the third network device 3 on the list stored therein. 1-1 Next, the power supply control method according to the present invention will be described in more detail. Network equipment at home
Due to the nature of the device, it is necessary to avoid as complicated a setting operation as possible. The setting items required on the network using the TCP / IP protocol include:
It is necessary to set an IP address for each network device, and when controlling other devices on the network, it is necessary to obtain and set the IP address information of the network device to be controlled. Of these, Home
Network Service Discover
yProtocol (HNSDP). 1-1-1. Packet size The protocol in the present embodiment is basically a protocol for network connection in a home,
Ethernet (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless LAN
The packet size is set to 1472 bytes as an upper limit because it is necessary to avoid fragments as much as possible because UDP is used. 1-1-2. Multicast Packet In order to provide service information to a network device whose IP address is unknown, the protocol in the present embodiment uses a multicast packet to transmit a packet. However, only when making a service request to a known network device as an exception, not only multicast but also unicast communication is possible. 1-1-3. Announcement In addition, there are cases where usage is not recommended for home network equipment. For example, disconnecting and connecting the Ether cable while the power is on,
Without unplugging the power plug without turning off the power,
In some cases, things that do not occur in normal use may occur. In this case, the network device disconnected from or connected to the network cannot send information indicating that the device has been disconnected or connected, and the status of the network device remains unknown until a new network device is searched. Would. To avoid this, the connection state may be checked at regular intervals, but two methods are conceivable as methods for that. One is a method of announcing a packet of service information to all the network devices at a certain interval, and the other is a method of making a request to all the network devices at a certain interval. In the protocol of the present embodiment, a method of making announcements at regular intervals was adopted. This is because, in the requesting method, there is a return packet with respect to the request packet, so that the number of times the packet travels is doubled as compared with the method in which the packet is announced at regular intervals. 1-1-4. The number of packet transmissions In the protocol of this embodiment, since simultaneous announcement to a group by multicast is performed, UD
The packet by P is used. UDP packet is T
Unlike the packet communication by the CP, the packet transmission reliability is low, and the packet may be lost. Therefore, packet transmission is performed a plurality of times in order to improve packet transmission reliability. 1-1-5. Packet Content Further, the format of the packet uses an ASCII code. Basic header structure up to 2
It is represented by one line of 56 characters, and is “header” + “:” + “contents” + “CRLF”. The order of the headers is not limited except for the “extension header”. In the first line of the packet, the following protocol name is described. “HNSDP” + “CRLF” The types and contents of the header are shown in FIG. CM
D indicates a command header and indicates the operation of the packet to be transmitted. VER is a version information header, which indicates the version of HNSDP. Further, IP indicates an IP address header, and indicates the IP address of the packet transmission device. PT is a port number header, and indicates a port number which is an entrance for referring to a service of the packet transmission device. MAC is a MAC address header,
It shows the MAC address in the packet sending device. UD is a user-set device name header, which is a device name according to the user setting of the packet transmission device, for example, “VTR1”, “3F Video”, or “Live”.
ng room TV ", which is a device name that can be freely set by the user. DT is a device type header, which indicates the type of the packet transmission device, for example, the type that the implementer classifies, such as VCR, TV, or STB. MN is a model name header, and the model name (model number) of the packet transmission device.
Is shown. Further, SN is a serial number header, which indicates the serial number of the packet transmission device. ST is a service type header, which indicates the type of service in the packet transmitting device.
DS is a status header, which indicates the status of the packet device. Further, PI is a packet sending interval header, which indicates a packet sending interval in the packet sending device. PWR is a magic packet correspondence status header, and indicates whether or not a magic packet can be used in a packet transmitting device. Furthermore, EXT
Is an extension header, which is used by the implementer to extend the header. 1-1-6. List The list in the present embodiment is a list in which a list of announcement packets (IP address, MAC address, model name, etc.) transmitted from each device connected on the network is stored, and is used when the power is turned off. However, the content shall be retained. This list is also used in the NPCM shown below. 1-1-7. Operation Rules Next, operation restrictions in the present embodiment will be described. First, regarding the packet transmission timing, the announcement packet (announced in the command header (CMD))
The transmission of the packet in which e is described) must be transmitted in the following situations. 1. 1. When transitioning to a state (power on, power off, standby state) 2. When the state transition of another network device is detected Request packet (command header (CMD)
At the time of reception). 4. When requested by the application (for example, when browsing) 5. Within the time set in the packet transmission interval header since the previous packet transmission Processing when a new network device not found in the list is found or when a packet is received differs depending on the contents of the command header (CMD). The operation at the time of receiving each command will be described below. 1. When a request packet (CMD: request) is received, the announcement packet (CMD: an
Nonce) must be sent. 2. When an announcement packet is received When an announcement packet (CMD: announcement) is received, it is compared with the network devices on the list based on the MAC address header and the serial number header, and information is updated (IP address,
Port number). When a new network device is found as a result of the comparison, the packet is transmitted, and the new network device is added to the list at that time, as indicated by the packet transmission timing. Next, the operation of the list will be described. The operation of the list occurs in the following situations in addition to the above-described processing at the time of packet reception. 1. If a network device on the reaction list other than the packet transmission interval is in the power-on or standby state and packet reception is not recognized within the time indicated by the packet transmission interval header, (packet transmission interval x multiple packets) Times) wait and then delete from the list. The following conditions are required as other operational specifications. 1. When shifting to the power-off state, a packet indicating the power-off state (ST: poweroff) is transmitted, and then the state shifts to the power-off state. 2. The list needs to be retained even when the power is turned off. 3. In order for a new network device to be recognized on the network, it is necessary to turn on at least one of the network devices already connected on the network. 1-2 In the past, there were only conventional network devices in which power was constantly supplied to use. In particular, the server needs to be constantly powered because it is not known when it will be accessed. However, home appliances are required to reduce standby power as one of the conditions, and it is necessary to avoid a state in which power is always supplied even when not in use. Therefore, in order to minimize standby power, when the power is off, only the network device is energized, and a mechanism for expanding the function of the HNSDP by using a magic packet is a network power controller.
ol Mechanism (NPCM). 1-2-1. Next, the magic packet will be described. Magic Packet is a technology developed by AMD and has a function of turning on the power of the system when a packet matching the MAC address of its own network device is received. Since this function can be operated by energizing only the network device, the power of the CPU and other peripheral components can be turned off, and the standby power can be minimized. In the NPCM, a magic packet is put on a broadcast UDP packet to control power-on of a network device. 1-2-2. Rules of Operation NPCM works with HNSDP and implements functions using a list of HNSDP. The following describes the NPCM operation restrictions. Magic packet transmission timing Magic packets must be transmitted to network devices managed in the held list in the following situations. 1. 1. When transitioning to the power-on state 2. When a new network device not found in the list is found. The operation of the list at the time of request by the application and the operation of the list also occur in the following situations in addition to the processing of the HNSDP protocol described above. 1. After sending a magic packet to a network device on the reaction list by sending a magic packet, if there is no response within a certain period of time by the power-off network device, the device is deleted from the list. 2-1 Next, an operation example of the MNCM is shown in FIG. The condition at this time is that a new network device is connected to three already connected network devices (of which only one is turned on). (Fig. 1 Step1 compatible)
(FIG. 5 correspondence before connection) In FIG. 5, (1) indicates “New Device”.
By connecting (powering on) a new network device or turning on the power, a HNSDP packet and a magic packet are transmitted to the network devices on its own list. (Figure 1
(Compatible with Step 2) (2) Receiving from "New Device" (new network equipment) (corresponding to Step 3 in FIG. 1), comparing the received packet with its own list, and recognizing that a new device has been discovered (corresponding to Step 4 in FIG. 1). Therefore, it sends an HNSDP packet (corresponding to Step 5 in FIG. 1) and a magic packet to a network device in its own list. (Fig. 1 Compatible with Step 6) (3) "DeviceA" (first network device)
Compares the received packet with its own list, recognizes that it has found a new device, and therefore HNSDP
Sends a magic packet to the packet and network devices in its own list. (4) "DeviceA" (first network device)
In response to the received magic packet, the system is activated and shifts to the standby state. (5) "DeviceA" (first network device)
In response to the received magic packet, the system is activated and shifts to the standby state. (6) Standby state, H indicating standby state
Send NSDP packet. (7) "DeviceC" (third network device)
Compares the received packet with its own list, recognizes that it has found a new device, and therefore HNSDP
Sends a magic packet to the packet and network devices in its own list. (8) Compare the packet received from “New Device” (new network device) with its own list,
Recognizing that it has discovered a new device,
The magic packet is transmitted to the SDP packet and the network devices in the own list. (9) Standby state, H indicating standby state
Send an NSDP packet. (10) Compare the packet received from “DeviceB” (second network device) with its own list, recognize that a new device has been found, and therefore HNS
The magic packet is transmitted to the DP packet and the network devices in the list. (11) Compare the packet received from "New Device" (new network device) with its own list, recognize that a new device has been found, and therefore, magic packet for the HNSDP packet and the network device in its own list. Is sent. (12) After a lapse of a predetermined time from the standby state, the state shifts to the power-off state. (13) After a certain period of time has elapsed since the standby state, the power supply is turned off. (14) After transmitting the magic packet to the network devices on the list, devices that have not responded for a certain period of time are deleted from the list. (FIG. 5 correspondence after connection) (15) After transmitting the HNSDP packet indicating the power-off state, the power of the system is turned off. (16) After transmitting the HNSDP packet indicating the power-off state, the power of the system is turned off. As described in detail above, according to the power control method of the present invention, at least one device is set to a normal power-on state, and an announcement packet from a newly added device can be received. By transmitting a power-on packet from at least one device to a power-off (standby) device, power control of a network device becomes possible, and a device connected to the home network is placed in a power-saving standby state. It is possible to add a new device while keeping the power consumption as it is, and it is possible to suppress power consumption as much as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system used for a power supply control method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a power supply control method according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a header of a packet used in the power control method according to the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a power control method according to the present invention.
It is a figure showing operation of NCM. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a list in the power supply control method according to the present invention. [Description of Signs] 1 First network device 2 Second network device 3 Third network device 4 New network device

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A power supply of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network is turned on, and the other network devices are connected to the network. Connecting a new network device on the network and turning on the new network device; transmitting an announcement packet indicating its own information from the new network device; At least one network device receives the announcement packet, checks if the new device is in the list, and if the new device does not exist, adds the new device to the list to create an updated list Steps, the at least one network Network device transmits a packet for turning on power to network devices other than the new network device among the plurality of devices connected on the network, and transmits the packet to the network including the new network device. Sending the announcement packet to a plurality of connected devices; and a plurality of network devices connected to the network receiving the power-on packet and turning on the power. A plurality of network devices connected to the network including the new network device receiving the announcement packet.