KR100748222B1 - System, cable apparatus, method for providing plug and service between host device and client device - Google Patents

Abstract

A system, a cable device, and a method for providing a PnS service between a host and client device are provided to control the client device by automatically installing/executing a device driver and control software capable of controlling the client device to the host device when the client device is connected to the host device through a PnS cable device. The host device(120) controls the client device by automatically installing the device driver and the control software capable of recognizing/controlling the client device(140) when the client device is connected through the PnS cable device(130). The PnS cable device includes a host/client plug(210,240), a USB(Universal Serial Bus) hub controller(220), a USB host analyzer(230) collecting a VID(Virtual ID) and a PID(Physical ID) of the client device, and a storing part(250) storing PnS software(251). The PnS software performs a PnS function for automatically installing the device driver and the control software. The client device is connected to the host device through the PnS cable device, and is controlled by the control software installed in the host device.

Description

System, cable apparatus, method for providing plug and service between host device and client device

1 illustrates a plug and service system between a host device and a client device in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a PNS cable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a plug and service procedure between a host device and a client device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing a plug and service in a host device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

100: device server 110: wired and wireless network

120: host device 130: PNS cable device

140: client device 210: host-side plug

220: USB hub controller 230: USB host analyzer

240: client-side plug 250: storage unit

251: Auto Run S / W

The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for controlling various types of client devices with a host device, and more particularly, a plug between a host device and a client device capable of controlling the client while being connected to the host device. And service systems, cable devices and methods.

Due to the popularization of the Internet, the demand for the Internet in general homes is spreading. Application developers can control and manage the devices installed in the home network by using home network middleware technologies Jini and UPnP. You can manage and control security systems.

On the other hand, in general, home devices used at home include information devices such as personal computers, fax machines, scanners, printers, and A / V devices such as TVs, set-top boxes, DVDs, VCRs, audio, camcorders, and home game machines. And control systems such as coffee makers, rice cookers, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, cameras, and the like, and dummy devices such as remote controllers, interphones, sensors, and lights.

The various devices used in these home networks are connected by communication means such as USB, IEEE1394, telephone line, power line, Wireless Lan, and Bluetooth. At this time, since the devices in the home network form a plurality of different sub-networks, and each device operates on different hardware and software platforms, it is generally not easy to construct a home network.

Therefore, a method of constructing a common virtual computing environment called middleware and providing an application thereon has been proposed as a home network configuration method in distributed home devices. Middleware is software for heterogeneous device communication that enables communication between multiple devices in a home network. In addition, middleware is located between an operating system and an application program, and transparently connects distributed applications and distributed data in a service client service server environment.

That is, the middleware is software that independently connects to hardware along a network to support various communication protocols, system structures, OSs, databases, and applications. The middleware methods of home networks proposed to date include UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), HAVi (Home AV Interoperability), JINI, and Home Wide Web.

Of these, HAVi uses a separate protocol stack designed based on IEEE1394, but lacks internetworking. In addition, UPnP and JINI use TCP / IP protocol at the bottom for internetworking and mainly focus on networking between PC and PC peripherals, but are insufficient for real-time data transmission (audio / video data) between digital consumer devices. .

The UPnP, one of the middleware technologies, has been proposed in the UPnP forum. The UPnP Forum was established on October 18, 1999 and is a community of more than 200 companies in each field, including consumer electronics, computers, home automation and mobile devices. The forum is formulating and presenting standards for devices and services based on Internet-based communication standards, which aim to control devices by easily and simply establishing a network in the home or office.

Currently, a method of controlling and managing devices in a home network using the UPnP technology has been proposed. In such a control management system, a user interface, an UPnP API (Application Program Interface), and a control point are all present in one system, so that a user can use the UI and UPnP API. When the control command is executed, the control point actually controls the device so that the user can control the device.

On the other hand, in the case of the home network described above, there are many cases where there is no separate network administrator, and since the user lacks knowledge of the network, there is a demand for a home network in which the network can be configured as easily as possible. In particular, there is a demand for a method of controlling various client devices simultaneously with access to a host device.

In addition, web sink and PC sync technologies are used to process information of multimedia devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players or to protect copyrights. These technologies commonly include device drivers and control software (hereinafter referred to as 'S / W'). And application software is provided through CD or separate storage media.

In this case, the consumer should connect the device to a PC (or host system), and then install a device driver and the control S / W and application S / W. Then, after installing the device driver and control software of the client (i.e. mobile phone or MP3 player), the configuration must be done.

As described above, in implementing the client's PC sink, there are a lot of complexity and procedural difficulties in the above-described configuration process, and the device driver and the control S / W are installed in the host even in the above-described plug and play technology. To do this, a separate storage medium is required. In addition, in the case of web sync, the hassle of having to install separate software for accessing the web at the same time as the above process exists.

Meanwhile, in order for the host to control the client through a communication connection between the host device and the client device, the following process is required.

1) The physical communication interface for the connection between the host device and the client device must be the same (for example, if the host device is a USB plug, the client must also be a USB plug).

2) Basically, both the host device and the client device should have the same electrical communication signal system of the communication interface.

3) Logical communication data protocol (protocol) should be same for both host device and client device.

4) The device driver installed in the host device must be compatible with the client device and the control protocol in order to control and communicate with the client device.

5) The command protocol of the client device control software installed in the host device must be the same as the client device command protocol or the client device driver installed in the host device.

6) In case of receiving client-based service from host device, control and service agreement of service software should be same with communication and control agreement of client device.

Conventionally, in order to maintain compatibility from 2) to 6) except for 1), a user has to install a protocol, a device driver, a control software, and a service software for a client directly on a host device.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to control a client device by automatically installing and executing a device driver or control software that can control the client device while simultaneously connecting the client device to the host device through a PNS cable device. The present invention provides a plug and service system, a cable device, and a method between a host device and a client device.

In addition, an object of the present invention, when connecting a client device to the host device via a PNS cable device, by collecting information about the client device in the PNS cable device to transmit to the host device, it is possible to control the client device The present invention provides a plug and service system, a cable device, and a method between a host device and a client device, in which a device driver or control software is automatically installed in the host device to control the client device.

A system for achieving the above object is a plug-and-service system between a host device and a client device in a host client communication system in which one or more client devices are controlled via a host device, wherein the client device is to be connected via communication means. A host device which automatically installs a device driver and control software for recognizing and controlling the client device to control the client; A PNS cable device comprising physical cable means connected between said host device and a client device, said PNS software device automatically installing said PNS software on said host device when connected to said host device, including PNS software in an internal storage medium; And a client device connected to the host device through the PNS cable device and controlled by control software installed on the host device.

The system may further include a device server connected to the host device through a wired or wireless network and providing a device driver and control software to the host, the host device capable of recognizing and controlling the client device. .

The PNS cable apparatus communicates with the host device using any one means selected from infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485, and Bluetooth communication methods. It is done.

The PNS cable apparatus communicates with the client device by any one of infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485, and Bluetooth communication scheme. It is done.

The host device requests the PNS cable device for VID and PID information for the client device by the PNS software installed in the host device.

A cable device for achieving the above object is a PNS cable device for providing a plug and service between the host device and the client device in a host client communication system wherein one or more client devices are controlled through a host device, the host device A host side plug physically connected to the host; A client side plug physically connected with the client device; A USB hub controller configured to control a connection between the host device and the client device; A USB host analyzer configured to collect VIDs and PIDs of the client device; And a storage unit for storing PNS software that performs a PNS function so that the host device can automatically install a device driver and control software for automatically controlling the client device.

The USB hub controller may include a USB hub function or a switch function for controlling the connection.

The USB host analyzer may include a USB host controller function for collecting the VID and the PID.

A method for achieving the above object is a plug and service method between a host device and a client device in a host client communication system in which one or more client devices are controlled through a host device, wherein a PNS cable device is connected to the host device. If the host device is supplied with power to the PNS cable device, executing a virtual CD-ROM stored in an internal memory of the PNS cable device; Pre-stored PNS software is transmitted to the host device according to the execution of the virtual CD-ROM, and automatically installing and executing the received PNS software; Querying device identification information for a client device connected to the PNS cable device at the host device according to execution of the PNS software; Requesting and receiving device identification information from the PNS cable apparatus to the client device; Transmitting, by the PNS cable device, the device identification information received from the client device, the received device identification information to the host device; Transmitting the received device identification information from the host device to a device server to request a corresponding device driver and control software; And receiving and installing the device driver and the control software from the device server, and executing the installed device driver and the control software to request a connection to the client device.

And after requesting and receiving autonomous identification information from the PNS cable device to the client device, storing the device identification information of the received client device in the PNS cable device.

And after receiving the device identification information of the client device at the host device, storing the device identification information of the received client device at the host device.

The present invention proposes a method of connecting a client device to a host device and allowing the host device to control the client device. To this end, in the present invention, Plug and Play (hereinafter referred to as' PnP ') or Plug and Service (hereinafter referred to as' PnS' or 'PNS) is connected to a cable connecting the host device and the client device. By adding a function to enable the host device, the host device can effectively control the client device regardless of the type or type of the client device. In this case, the cable to which the PNS function is added according to the present invention will be referred to as a 'PNS cable device'.

Therefore, when the client device is connected to the host device, a device driver and control software capable of recognizing and controlling the client device are automatically installed on the host, and the client is controlled by executing the installed control software. . Meanwhile, in the following description, 'Plug and Play' implemented by the present invention should be understood to include the concept of 'Plug and Service'.

That is, when the host device is connected with the client device through the PNS cable device, the auto installation software (Autorun S / W) stored in the PNS cable is automatically installed in the host device, and the auto installation is installed in the host device. The PNS function is implemented by software. In this case, the software automatically installed for the PNS implementation will be referred to as 'PNS software'.

Meanwhile, in order to connect and control the client device from the host device, a corresponding device driver for connecting with the client device is installed in the host device, and the corresponding control software for controlling the client device is also provided to the host device. It must be installed.

Since the device driver or control software has a different type for each company or product, in order to install the device driver or control software, the company and product name of the client device must be known. Then, a device driver or control software suitable for the corresponding client device must be found and installed. In the present invention, the device driver or control software is provided and installed through a device server that stores various device drivers or control software.

Accordingly, the PNS software automatically installed in the host device requests the PNS cable device to inquire the company and product name of the client device, wherein the company and product names of the client device are each stored with a VID (Vender ID) stored in the client device. ) And PID (Product ID).

Then, the PNS cable device collects the VID and PID from the client device and provides the VID and PID to the host device, and the host device provided with the VID and PID is a device driver or a device suitable for the client as the VID and PID. By installing the control software, the client device is connected and controlled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted when it is determined that the detailed descriptions of the known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

First, a configuration of a PNS system and a PNS cable device therefor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is a diagram illustrating a plug and service system between a host device and a client device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the PNS system according to the present invention may include a device server 100, a wired / wireless network 110, a host device 120, a PNS cable device 130, and a client device 140. have.

The host device 120 may access the device server 100 through the wired or wireless network 110. In addition, the host device 120 may connect with one or more client devices 140 through the PNS cable device 130. In the present invention, when the host device 120 is connected to the client device 140 through the PNS cable device 130, the corresponding device driver and control software is automatically installed in the host device 120 to install separately As soon as the connection with the client device 140 is made without a procedure, the host device 120 can automatically recognize and control the client device 140.

The host device 120 may be a variety of digital devices including wired and wireless communication means such as a home server or a PC. In addition, as described above, the host device 120 may be connected to one or more client devices 140 through a universal communication means by wire or wirelessly. The universal wired and wireless communication means may be applied to any wired or wireless communication means such as infrared data association (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS232, RS422, RS485, and Bluetooth. This is possible. In the present invention, the host device 120 and the client device 140 is connected through the PNS cable device 130.

The PNS cable device 130 also serves as a cable for physically connecting the host device 120 and the client device 140, but according to the present invention, the host device 120 is the client device 140 It also plays a role of providing the PNS function to automatically control the.

The client device 140 may be any digital device having a communication means such as a PDA, a smart phone, an MP3 player, a digital camera, and various home appliances. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the client device 140 may communicate with the device server 100 directly through a mobile communication network.

The device server 100 transmits a device driver and control software to the host device 120 to recognize and control the client device 140 through the wired / wireless network 110 at the request of the host device 120. Will be sent.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the PNS system according to the present invention may further include an authentication server or a service server connected to the host device 120 through the wired / wireless network 110.

The service server transmits the client device 140 based service software to the host device 120 according to a request of the host device 120.

The authentication server authenticates transmission of files such as device driver and control software transmitted to the host device 120, and authenticates the installed files prior to installation of the device driver and control software. On the other hand, the authentication server may be a third authority, or may be an "authentication unit" as a component of the device server 100 or the service server.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the PNS cable device 130 that provides the PNS function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a PNS cable device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Meanwhile, the PNS cable device 130 may be implemented by various connection means according to the connection method with the host device 120 or the client device 140, but the present invention will be described by using the USB protocol as an example. .

Referring to FIG. 2, the PNS cable device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a host side plug 210, a USB hub controller 220, a USB host analyzer 230, and a client side plug 240. , The storage unit 250, and the like, wherein the storage unit 250 stores autorun software 251 that is automatically executed when the PNS cable device 130 is connected to the host device 120. .

On the other hand, the PNS cable device 130 may be implemented in the form of a cable, it is configured to include the function as shown in Figure 2 in the form of a module included in a portion of the cable. In this case, the module including the function may be included in a portion connected with the host device 120 or may be included in a portion connected with the client device 140. Alternatively, it can be included in the middle of the cable.

The host-side plug 210 is a plug that is physically connected to the host device 120 and can be implemented by various connection methods. However, in the present invention, it is assumed that it is connected to the USB port. In addition, the client-side plug 210 is a plug that is physically connected to the client device 140, and like the host-side plug 210 can be implemented by various connection methods, but in the present invention 24 It is assumed that it is connected with a pin plug.

The USB hub controller 220 controls a connection between a main connected device (eg, the host device 120) and a lower-connected USB device (eg, the client device 140), and controls the USB for controlling the communication connection. It is desirable to include a hub function or a switch function.

The USB host analyzer 230 collects a VID and PID of a USB device (that is, a client device 140) as a USB host function, and the USB host analyzer 230 is configured to collect the VID and PID. It is desirable to include a USB host controller function for the collection of.

The autorun software 251 stored in the storage unit 250 may automatically install device drivers and control software for automatically controlling the client device 140 in the host device 120 according to the present invention. As the PNS software that performs the function, when the host device 120 is connected to the PNS cable device 130, the host device 120 is automatically recognized and executed.

That is, when the host device 120 is connected to the PNS cable device 130, the host device 120 recognizes the PNS cable device 130 as a virtual device, and the PNS cable device 130 is connected to the PNS cable device 130. The stored autorun software 251 is automatically executed and installed in the host device 120. Then, the host device 120 performs a PNS service by automatically executing the installed autorun software 251 (that is, PNS software).

Hereinafter, a procedure of providing a PNS using the PNS cable device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. First, the signal flow between the devices will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and then a procedure for performing PNS in the host device 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a plug and service procedure between a host device and a client device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, first, when the PNS cable device 130 is connected to the host device 120 (S301), power is supplied from the host device 120 to the PNS cable device 130 (S302). The virtual CD-ROM stored in the internal memory of the PNS cable device 130 is executed (S303).

According to the execution of the virtual CD-ROM, the pre-stored PNS software is transmitted to the host device 120 (S304), and the host device 120 automatically installs the PNS software received from the PNS cable device 130. It is executed (S305).

Then, according to the execution of the PNS software, the host device 120 inquires about the VID and PID of the client device 140 connected to the PNS cable device 130 (S306). In this case, when the client device 140 is connected to the PNS cable device 130 (S307), the PNS cable device 130 requests a VID and a PID to the client device 140 (S308), and the client The device 140 transmits the VID and the PID to the PNS cable device 130 according to the request (S309).

The PNS cable device 130 that receives the VID and the PID from the client device 140 stores the received VID and the PID (S310) and transmits the received VID and the PID to the host device 120 (S311). The host device 120 receiving the VID and the PID from the PNS cable device 130 stores the received VID and the PID (S312), and transmits the VID and the PID to the device server 100. The device driver and the control software are requested (S313).

The device server 100 receiving the request from the host device 120 searches for a device driver and control software corresponding to the received VID and PID (S314), and retrieves the found device driver and control software from the host device 120. (S315).

The host device 120 that receives the device driver and the control software from the device server 100 installs (S316) and executes the received device driver and the control software to execute the client device (the device). Request for a connection to the 140 (S317). Accordingly, the host device 120 is connected to the client device 140 (S318), and the client device 140 is controlled by the installed control software.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of providing a plug and service in a host device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, first, when the host device is connected to the PNS cable device (S401), the autonomous software is received from the connected PNS cable device and executed (S402).

At this time, the host device requests a VID and a PID to the PNS cable device according to the execution of the received autorun software (ie, PNS software) (S403). Then, according to the request to collect the VID and PID from the PNS cable device (S404), and transmits the collected VID and PID to the PNS software (S405).

When the PNS software requests a device driver corresponding to a VID and PID to the corresponding device server (S406), the corresponding device driver and control software are received from the device server (S407) and installed (S408).

Finally, the installed device driver and the control software perform connection and control with the client device connected to the PNS cable device (S409).

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

According to the present invention, a device driver and control software that can connect a client device to a host device and control the client device at the same time are automatically installed and executed on the host, so that the client can be easily controlled by the host. There is an advantage.

Claims (20)

In a host client communication system where one or more client devices are controlled via a host device, the plug and service system between the host device and the client device, A host device which automatically installs a device driver and control software for recognizing and controlling the client device when connected to the client device via a communication means to control the client; A host-side plug physically connected to the host device, a client-side plug physically connected to the client device, a USB hub controller for controlling a connection between the host device and the client device, a VID of the client device, and USB host analyzer that collects PID and storage unit for storing PNS software that performs PNS function so that device driver and control software for automatically controlling the client device can be installed in the host device. And, when connected with the host device, a PNS cable device that automatically installs the PNS software on the host device; And And a client device connected to the host device via the PNS cable device and controlled by control software installed on the host device. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is And a device server connected to the host device through a wired / wireless network, the device server providing a device driver and control software to the host to enable the host device to recognize and control the client device. Plug and service system between client devices. According to claim 1, The PNS cable device, The host device and the client, characterized in that the communication with the host device by any one of the infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method Plug and service system between devices. According to claim 1, The PNS cable device, The host device and the client communicate with the client device by any one of infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method. Plug and service system between devices. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the USB hub controller, And a USB hub function or a switch function for controlling the connection. The method of claim 1, wherein the USB host analyzer, And a USB host controller function for collecting the VID and the PID. The method of claim 1, wherein the host device, And requesting the VNS and PID information for the client device from the PNS cable device by the PNS software installed in the host device. In a host client communication system in which one or more client devices are controlled through a host device, PNS cable device for providing a plug and service between the host device and the client device, A host side plug physically connected with the host device; A client side plug physically connected with the client device; A USB hub controller for controlling a connection between the host device and the client device;  A USB host analyzer configured to collect VIDs and PIDs of the client device; And And a storage unit for storing PNS software that performs a PNS function so that the host device can automatically install a device driver and control software for automatically controlling the client device in the host device. Service cable harness. The method of claim 9, wherein the PNS cable device, The host device and the client, characterized in that the communication with the host device by any one of the infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method Plug and service cable device between devices. The method of claim 9, wherein the PNS cable device, The host device and the client communicate with the client device by any one of infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method. Plug and service cable device between devices. The method of claim 9, wherein the USB hub controller, Plug and service cable device between the host device and the client device comprising a USB hub function or a switch function for controlling the connection. The method of claim 9, wherein the USB host analyzer, And a USB host controller function for collecting the VID and PID. The method of claim 9, wherein the host device, And requesting the VNS and PID information for the client device from the PNS cable device by the PNS software installed in the host device. In a host client communication system in which one or more client devices are controlled through a host device, the plug and service method between the host device and the client device, When a PNS cable device is connected to the host device, power is supplied from the host device to the PNS cable device, and a virtual CD-ROM stored in an internal memory of the PNS cable device is executed; Pre-stored PNS software is transmitted to the host device according to the execution of the virtual CD-ROM, and automatically installing and executing the received PNS software; Querying device identification information for a client device connected to the PNS cable device at the host device according to execution of the PNS software; Requesting and receiving device identification information from the PNS cable device to the client device; Transmitting, by the PNS cable device, the device identification information received from the client device, the received device identification information to the host device; Transmitting the received device identification information from the host device to a device server to request a corresponding device driver and control software; And The host device includes receiving and installing a device driver and control software from the device server, and executing the installed device driver and control software to request a connection to the client device. Plug and service method between client devices. The method of claim 15, wherein the device identification information, Plug and service method between the host device and the client device, characterized in that the VID and PID. The method of claim 15, wherein the PNS cable device, The host device and the client, characterized in that the communication with the host device by any one of the infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method Plug and service method between devices. The method of claim 15, wherein the PNS cable device, The host device and the client communicate with the client device by any one of infrared communication (IrDA), universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, RS-232, RS422, RS-485 and Bluetooth communication method. Plug and service method between devices. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after requesting and receiving autonomous identification information from the PNS cable device to the client device: And storing the device identification information of the received client device in the PNS cable device. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein after receiving the device identification information of the client device at the host device, And storing the device identification information of the received client device at the host device.

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