KR100654464B1 - Device and method for sharing information of host on the network - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing in a network and a method therefor are provided to effectively discover the hosts existing in the network through a plug and play method, and to conveniently share data and contents that the hosts retain. A host search module(120) demands basic information to hosts by performing discovery for the predetermined hosts existing in a network environment. A host information check module(130) demands detailed information to the hosts which send the basic information. An information collection module(140) transmits retained contents information and information of a connected device to the hosts, and receives the retained contents information and the information of the connected device from the hosts. A contents demand module(150) demands particular contents to the hosts based on the received contents information.

Description

Device and method for sharing information of hosts on the network

1 is an internal block diagram of an apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a data packet created by each module of an apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of modules of an apparatus for sharing information between hosts residing on a network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of notifying changed information in a method of sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

100: network device (or host) 110: receiving module

120: host search module 130: host information check module

140: information collection module 150: content request module

160: transmission module 170: control module

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sharing information between hosts existing on a network, and more particularly, to efficiently discover hosts existing on a predetermined network, and to efficiently find data and contents held by the hosts. An apparatus and method for sharing information between hosts present on a shareable network.

As Microsoft's Windows XP version adopts Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), research is being actively conducted on the network environment to which Universal Plug and Play is applied. In the conventional plug and play, when a peripheral device is mounted on a personal computer (PC), it means that the peripheral device on which the PC is mounted is recognized and automatically installed.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) extends Plug and Play to the entire network and automatically connects devices on the network in a peer-to-peer fashion, a commonly used architecture. Universal Plug and Play automatically connects devices on a network based on Internet standards such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

As the number of multimedia data storage devices available in the home, such as portable devices and PCs, increases, there is a need for a device that enables a user to efficiently manage and use multimedia data distributed in various places on a home network.

However, the Universal Plug and Play standard, established by the Universal Plug and Play Forum (http://www.upnp.org), still provides a way for users to conveniently exchange multimedia data between devices on the network. There is a problem that it is not.

In addition, the universal plug and play network is a home network, and since devices on the network exist all over the home, the viewer has to move to the device in order to view the multimedia data stored in the device.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technology that can easily share information between devices existing in a network, and for this purpose, a technology for easily and quickly discovering devices existing in a network is required.

An object of the present invention is to efficiently discover through a plug and play method between hosts existing on a network, and to easily share data and contents held by the hosts.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention performs basic information from the hosts by performing discovery on predetermined hosts existing in a network environment. A host search module for requesting a host, a host information check module for requesting detailed information to hosts which have transmitted the basic information, content information held at the hosts and information on a connected device, and And a content collection module for receiving content information and information on a connected device, and a content request module for requesting specific content from the predetermined host based on the received content information.

In addition, a method for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: performing discovery to predetermined hosts existing in the network, and receiving basic information from the hosts; Requesting detailed information from the hosts through the basic information, transmitting content information retained to the hosts and information on a connected device, and content retained from hosts existing in the network; Receiving information and information of a connected device; and requesting predetermined content to be used based on the transmitted content information.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of a block diagram or a processing flowchart for explaining an apparatus and method for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to embodiments of the present invention. At this point, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and combinations of flowchart illustrations may be performed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions may be mounted on a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, those instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment may be described in flow chart block (s). It creates a means to perform the functions. These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer usable or computer readable memory that can be directed to a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement functionality in a particular manner, and thus the computer usable or computer readable memory. It is also possible for the instructions stored in to produce an article of manufacture containing instruction means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block (s). Computer program instructions It can also be mounted on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so a series of operating steps are performed on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a computer-implemented process to perform the computer or other programmable data processing equipment. It is also possible for the instructions to provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block (s).

In addition, each block may represent a portion of a module, segment, or code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing a specified logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, the two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the corresponding function.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal device for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that there are a plurality of hosts in the network.

As shown, the host 100 includes a receiving module 110, a host searching module 120, a host information checking module 130, an information collecting module 140, a content requesting module 150, and a sending module 160. , And a control module 170.

In this case, the term '~ part' used in the present embodiment refers to software or a hardware component such as an FPGA or an ASIC, and '~ part' performs certain roles. However, '~' is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. '~ Part' may be configured to be in a dressable storage medium or may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, as an example, '~' means components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, and the like. Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the components and the 'parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and the 'parts' or further separated into additional components and the 'parts'. In addition, the components and '~' may be implemented to play one or more CPUs in the device or secure multimedia card.

The receiving module 110 receives data packets between hosts existing in a predetermined network environment. In this case, identification information (that is, a specific module name) for processing the data packet is set in the header portion of the data packet, and the module corresponding to the identification information set therein allows the received data packet to be processed.

The host discovery module 120 performs discovery between hosts existing in a predetermined network environment and requests basic information from the hosts through discovery, where the basic information is MAC address, name, IP address, and port information. Etc.

In addition, the host search module 120 prepares a data packet requesting basic information to other hosts, and transmits the prepared data packet to receive basic information from predetermined hosts. Hereinafter, the data packet generated by the host search module 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

For example, assume that there are A hosts, B hosts, and C hosts on the network.

At this time, when Host D newly enters the network, Host D first informs Hosts A, B, and C that exist on the network that it is available.

Host D then performs discovery in multicast to hosts A, B, and C present on the network. Here, the hosts may be found on the network through a discovery process. At this time, the host D transmits its basic information to hosts A, B, and C.

Hosts A, B, and C present on the network then send a unicast message to the host D looking for them to provide host D with its presence and basic information.

Meanwhile, when the host D becomes 'unavailable', the host search module 120 notifies the hosts A, B, and C of the network that the host is 'unavailable'.

The host information check module 130 requests and processes detailed information from hosts transmitting basic information through the discovery process, where the detailed information refers to host related information and device information connected to the host.

In addition, the host information check module 130 requests and processes information about a device connected to a specific host. Here, the host information check module 130 prepares and transmits a data packet requesting detailed information and information of a device connected to the specific host, and receives detailed information and device information transmitted from the specific host. Hereinafter, the data packet generated by the host information check module 130 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

For example, the host information check module 130 may request the host A to provide status information to a specific host (for example, host B), and may request information and status of a device connected to the host B. Here, the state information refers to the available state or unavailable state of the corresponding host or device.

The information collection module 140 transmits the content information owned by the user and the information of the connected device to the hosts existing on the network, and receives the content information and the information of the connected device from the hosts existing on the network. . Here, the information collecting module 140 creates a data packet and transmits content information and information of a connected device by multicast.

In addition, the information collection module 140 notifies the hosts existing on the network by multicast when the information on the content list and the connected device owned by the hosts existing on the network is changed. Here, the information collection module 140 checks whether the information changes every predetermined time. Hereinafter, the data packet prepared by the information collecting module 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

For example, host D's information collection module 140 connects to a list of hosts (hosts A, B, and C) present on the network (eg, a multimedia file) and connects to it. The device information (for example, HDD, USB, DVD, etc.) is transmitted, and the content list and the connected device information are received from the hosts (host A, host B, and host C).

Thereafter, when the device information connected to the host D is changed (for example, when the USB is deleted), the changed device information is transmitted to the hosts (host A, host B, and host C) through multicast. .

The content request module 150 requests specific content based on a content list of a predetermined host received through the information collection module 140. Hereinafter, the data packet created by the content request module 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

For example, if Host B holds multimedia files such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Space War, Host A's content request module 150 transmits a data packet requesting 'Harry Potter' content. Harry Potter content is provided by Host B.

Meanwhile, when the 'Lord of the Rings' file is deleted from the multimedia files owned by Host B, Host B informs the hosts present in the network that the 'Lord of the Rings' file is deleted by multicast.

The transmission module 160 transmits data packets written by each module (host search module, host information check module, information collection module, and content request module) to predetermined hosts.

The control module 170 controls the overall operation of the host 100. The control module 170 checks the identification information set in the header of the data packet received by the receiving module 110, thereby identifying a module (ie, host search) for the received data packet. Module, a host information check module, an information collection module, and a content request module), and the received data packet is delivered to the corresponding module according to the determination result.

In addition, the control module 170 transmits data packets written by each module (ie, a host search module, a host information check module, an information collection module, and a content request module) to the predetermined hosts through the transmission module 160. .

2 is a diagram illustrating a data packet generated by each module of an apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a data packet prepared by the host search module 120 is divided into a packet header portion and a payload portion. Here, the size of the packet header is 12 bytes, the size of the payload is n bytes.

The packet header format is divided into a message mark, a version, and a payload size. Here, the message mark is set to a module for processing the data packet. For example, 'XPSD' indicates that the SD module should process the corresponding data packet, where SD means the host discovery module 120.

The payload format is divided into parts representing a host universally unique identifier (UUID), a host friendly name (HostFriendlyName), and host status information. Here, the host UUID is a unique number generated by the program to give a unique identity to the host, and the host friendly name is a user friendly friendly name and is used when communicating with the host.

For example, if host A exists and the host UUID is 0x585024F, '0x585024F' is recorded in the host UUID part of the data packet, and the predetermined name of the host A set by the user in the host friendly name (for example, For example, the living room TV is recorded, and the current state information (for example, available) of host A is recorded in the host state.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the data packet prepared by the host information check module 130 is divided into a packet header portion and a payload portion. Here, the size of the packet header is 12 bytes, the size of the payload is n bytes.

Looking at the packet format, it is divided into a message mark, a version, and a payload size. Here, the module for processing the data packet is set in the message mark. For example, 'XPRC' indicates that the RC module should process the corresponding data packet, where RC means the host information check module 130.

The payload format is divided into a host UUID_Asking and a host UUID_target portion. Here, the host UUID_Asking includes information on the response after requesting host information or device information connected to the host, and the host UUID_target includes the address of the host requesting the information.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the data packet prepared by the information collecting module 140 is divided into a packet header part and a payload part. Here, the size of the packet header is 12 bytes, the size of the payload is n bytes.

The packet header format is divided into a message mark, a version, and a payload size. Here, the message mark is set to a module for processing the data packet. For example, 'XPMA' indicates that the MA module should process the corresponding data packet, where MA means the information collection module 140.

The payload format is divided into a category UUID and a device UUID part. Here, the category UUID includes content list information held by the host, and the device UUID includes information of a device connected to the host.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the data packet generated by the content request module 150 is divided into a packet header portion and a payload portion. Here, the size of the packet header is 12 bytes, the size of the payload is n bytes.

The packet header format is divided into a message mark, a version, and a payload size. Here, the message mark is set to a module for processing the data packet. For example, 'XPUA' indicates that the data packet should be processed by the UA module, where UA means the content request module 150.

The payload format is divided into a host UUID_Asking, a host UUID_target, and a request information part. Here, the host UUID_Asking includes information about the response after requesting the host information or device information connected to the host, the host UUID_target includes the address of the host requesting the information, and the request information is requested by the host to the target host. Contains information.

Therefore, each module (host search module, host information check module, information collection module, and content request module) has different information set in the payload format according to a function to be performed.

3 is a flowchart illustrating operations of modules of an apparatus for sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3A illustrates an operation of the host search module 120, FIG. 3B illustrates an operation of the host information check module 130, and FIG. 3C illustrates an operation of the information collection module 140. 3D illustrates an operation of the content request module 150.

As shown in FIG. 3A, referring to the operation of the host discovery module 120, the host discovery module 120 of the host A may include hosts (ie, hosts B, and C host) (S1, S2).

Next, discovery is performed to find hosts present on the network (ie, host B and host C). Here, host A also transmits its basic information.

Next, the host discovery module 120 of host A requests basic information from hosts B and C found through discovery (S3 and S4). Here, the basic information refers to MAC address, name, IP address, port information, and the like.

Accordingly, host B and host C transmit basic information to host A (S5 and S6).

Thereafter, when host A becomes 'unavailable', the host discovery module 120 notifies host B and host C that host A is changed to 'unavailable' (S11 and S12).

Accordingly, the host discovery module 120 may notify other hosts existing in the network of the new entry into the network, discover hosts existing in the network through the discovery process, and obtain basic information of the discovered hosts. have. At this time, the information requested through the host discovery module 120 is transmitted in multicast.

As shown in FIG. 3B, referring to an operation process of the host information check module 130, the host information check module 130 of the host A requests detailed information from the host B. FIG. Here, the detailed information may be understood as detailed information about the B host (for example, device information, current status, friendly name, etc.), information about a device connected to the B host, and the like.

First, the host information check module 130 of the host A requests host information from the host B (S21), whereby the host B provides the information requested by the host A (S22).

Next, the host information check module 130 requests the host friendly name from the host B (S23), and thereby the host B provides the information requested by the host A (S24).

Then, the host information check module 130 requests the information of the device connected to the host B (S25), whereby the host B provides the information requested by the host A (S26).

Then, the host information check module 130 requests the friendly name of the device from the host B (S27), whereby the host B provides the information requested by the host A (S28).

Therefore, the host information check module 130 requests detailed information about the hosts existing in the network to control the hosts existing in the network. At this time, the information requested through the host information check module 130 is transmitted in unicast.

As shown in FIG. 3C, referring to the operation of the information collecting module 140, the information collection module 140 of the host A transmits a list of contents and connected device information, which are held by the host B and the host C, to the multicast. (S31). Accordingly, the host B and the host C transmit a content list and connected device information owned by the host A (S32).

Thereafter, when the information collecting module 140 of the host A transmits the changed content list and the connected device information to the host B and the host C (S33), the host B and the host C send the changed content list and the connected device information to the host A. Transmit (S34). Here, the changed contents list and connected device information are checked by respective hosts at predetermined times, and when the predetermined information is changed as a result of the check, the changed contents list and connected device information are changed to hosts existing in the network. Inform.

Accordingly, the information collection module 140 provides and receives the content list and the connected device information so that all the hosts existing in the network can share the information. In addition, it checks whether the information changes every predetermined time and immediately provides the changed information.

As shown in FIG. 3D, referring to the operation process of the content request module 150, the content request module 150 of the host A requests specific content to the host B by unicast (S41). Accordingly, host B transmits the content requested by host A in unicast (S42).

In addition, when the content request module 150 of host B requests specific content to host A in unicast (S42). Host A transmits the content requested by host B in unicast (S44).

Accordingly, the content request module 150 may request and share specific content that other users want to use with other hosts.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that there are A hosts, B hosts, and C hosts on the network, and that D hosts are newly introduced on the network.

First, host D notifies a number of hosts (hosts A, B, and C) present on the network that they are 'available' to hosts A, B, and C present on the network ( S100).

Host D then creates and sends a data packet through host search module 120 to request basic information of hosts (Hosts A, B, and C) present in the network.

That is, discovery is performed by multicast to hosts A, B, and C present on the network (S110). Here, the host D can find hosts existing on the network through a discovery process and can obtain basic information of the hosts.

Hosts A, B, and C present on the network then send a unicast message to host D looking for them to provide host D with its presence and basic information.

Then, the host D writes a data packet requesting detailed information to the hosts (ie, host A, host B, and host C) identified through discovery through the host information check module 130, and creates the data packet. It transmits (S120).

Subsequently, the host D transmits the content list and the information of the devices connected to the host through the information collection module 140 to the hosts in multicast (S130), and thus the content list and the connected device information from the host D. The received hosts transmit their own content list and connected device information to the D host (S140).

Host D then selects the content that it wants to use based on the list of received content and, via the content request module 150, sends the given content (eg, ring) to a particular host (eg, Host A). After creating a data packet requesting the cesarean file), the created data packet is transmitted unicast to the host A (S150).

Therefore, the host A receives the data packet transmitted from the host D transmits the content requested by the host D (for example, the lord of the ring file) (S160).

Therefore, a large number of hosts (host A, host B, host C, and host D) existing in the network can efficiently discover that a new host is coming in, and the contents of each host and the connected device information can be found. Easy to share and use

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of notifying changed information in a method of sharing information between hosts existing on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The information collection module 140 of the host D checks whether a list of contents and connected device information that are held is changed every predetermined time (S200), and if the predetermined information is changed as a result of the check (S210), the government collection module 140 is predetermined. Create a data packet to indicate that the information will change

Next, the created data packet is transmitted in multicast to hosts (host A, host B, and host C) existing in the network (S220). Accordingly, the hosts (host A, host B, and host C) transmit a response message indicating that the data packet including the changed information is received to host D in unicast (S230).

Accordingly, each host existing in the network checks the content information and the connected device information owned by the user at predetermined time intervals, and immediately informs other hosts of the checked result, so that the changed information can be immediately known.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. You will understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

According to the apparatus and method for sharing information between hosts existing on the network of the present invention as described above, there are one or more of the following effects.

It can be found efficiently through the plug and play method among hosts existing on the network, and has the advantage of conveniently sharing data and contents possessed by the hosts.

In addition, each host present in the network transmits the changed information by multicast, so that the hosts existing in the network can be provided with the changed information quickly.

In addition, there is an advantage that the user can easily use the service of the host without directly setting the access information of the host to be connected.

Claims (4)

A host search module for performing discovery on predetermined hosts existing in a network environment and requesting basic information from the hosts; A host information check module for requesting detailed information from hosts which have transmitted the basic information; An information collection module which transmits the content information retained to the hosts and the information of the connected device, and receives the content information retained from the hosts and information of the connected device; And And a content request module for requesting specific content from the predetermined host based on the received content information. The method of claim 1, And the information collecting module checks whether the content information and the information of the connected device are changed, and provides the changed information when the changed information exists. Performing discovery to predetermined hosts existing in a network, and receiving basic information from the hosts; Requesting detailed information from the hosts through the basic information; Transmitting content information held by the hosts and information on a connected device; Receiving content information held by the hosts existing in the network and information on the connected device; And Requesting predetermined content to be used based on the transmitted content information. The method of claim 3, wherein Checking whether the content information of the user and the information of the connected device are changed; And And transmitting the changed information to the hosts existing in the network when the content information and the connected device information change as a result of the checking.

Images