KR102096028B1 - Iot service device using intelligent hardware module - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an internet of things service device using an intelligent hardware module, which includes a hardware module connected with a peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device, and storing a program for controlling the peripheral device, and a control board including a microcontroller unit (MCU) and designed to selectively connect or disconnect hardware to the MCU. The MCU allows the firmware to be automatically recognized when the hardware module is mounted on the control board. Hardware module type information and mounting location information are received from the hardware module, and the control program of the hardware module allows interlocking with each other when other hardware modules are mounted on the control board. Provided is the Internet of Things service device using the intelligent hardware module.

Description

Internet of things service device using intelligent hardware module {IOT SERVICE DEVICE USING INTELLIGENT HARDWARE MODULE}

 The IoT service device using the intelligent hardware module according to the present invention automatically recognizes the type and information of the device and the object using the Internet of Things device, generates a user interface based on the service, and provides the service to the screen of the user terminal It's about the device

As the Internet of Things (IOT) technology is becoming more common, people are rapidly changing from a method of directly collecting information on things in the field to a method of collecting information about things through IoT devices.

The Internet of Things technology is a technology provided to make things more convenient for people by connecting all things to the Internet to intelligentize the characteristics of things and to exchange information and data through communication between objects.

In the early days of the introduction of the Internet of Things, data was exchanged through wired communication between objects and PCs, and human intervention was required. Currently, the Internet of Things is an information and communication technology (ICT) in which information technology and communication technology are converged as well as data exchange between objects and objects, objects and people or people and people, as wired and wireless technologies and Internet technologies have developed. Is developing.

 One of the most necessary components for a user to remotely control a plurality of IoT devices using a terminal is a control device that directly controls the IoT device. The most commonly used control devices include a dedicated control board and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) for mounting electrical / electronic components including a microcontroller chip (MCU) on a printed circuit board (PCB). . The dedicated control board is a customized control board manufactured according to the specifications required by the electrical / electronic products to be inserted into the board, and the PLC is a general-purpose control equipped with a sufficient number of relays, DC inputs, contact inputs, and analog input terminals. Board.

On the other hand, in order to provide an Internet of Things service, a hardware device capable of collecting and controlling data and a network communication technology using the standard communication protocol of the Internet of Things are required, and a user interface screen through the Internet device must be provided to the user terminal.

In the past, IoT services have been developed and designed for users according to data and information provided to user terminals and provided to users.

In such a system, when hardware such as a device and a sensor is changed, as data types and formats are changed, hardware, software, and a user interface for controlling it have to be changed. Therefore, in order to construct such an IoT service system, skilled hardware, software, network engineers, and technology are required. However, as the types of IoT devices and information are diversified, it is difficult to provide them.

The present invention provides an IoT service device having a function of automatically collecting and controlling data of whether or not the object is connected and the object to be connected through an intelligent hardware device that can connect various objects or devices and devices around us. I want to.

In addition, the Internet of Things service device according to the present invention is to provide a user interface capable of automatically synchronizing information and data of an object connected to an intelligent automatic recognition hardware module.

In the Internet of things service device using an intelligent hardware module according to an embodiment of the present invention, connected to a peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device, a hardware module that stores a program for controlling the peripheral device; And a microcontroller unit (MCU), which includes a control board designed to selectively connect or disconnect the hardware module to the microcontroller unit, and the microcontroller unit automatically recognizes when a hardware module is mounted on the control board. The Internet of Things using intelligent hardware modules that allow the firmware to be executed, receive hardware module type information and mounting location information from the hardware module, and allow the control program of the hardware module to work with each other when other hardware modules are mounted on the control board. It is intended to provide a service device.

In the present embodiment, the Internet of Things service device using an intelligent hardware module further includes a display module, and the firmware of the control board configures a user interface based on hardware module type information and mounting location information to be output to the display module. Can provide.

In this embodiment, further comprising a communication module, the firmware of the micro-controller unit, through the communication module, the hardware module type information and mounting location information based on the user interface configured to be transmitted to the user terminal, the intelligent hardware module It is possible to provide the Internet of Things service device used.

In this embodiment, the peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device includes an input device and an output device, and the control program of the hardware module connected to the input device and the control program of the hardware module connected to the output device include input devices and output devices. It is possible to provide an IoT service device using intelligent hardware modules that are interlocked with each other.

In this embodiment, the control board transmits the type information of the hardware module and the mounting location information to the management server, and drives the hardware module to the user terminal based on the type information and the mounting location information of the hardware module received by the management server. It is possible to provide an IoT service device using an intelligent hardware module to perform a front-end service that provides a user interface for controlling.

In this embodiment, the control board is an intelligent hardware that allows the management server to perform an Over The Air (OTA) service that provides automatic update of the firmware of the control board based on the type information and mounting location information of the hardware module received by the management server. It is possible to provide an IoT service device using a module.

In the present embodiment, the management server interworking with the IoT service device using an intelligent hardware module, the management server comprising: a memory storing a program for managing the IoT service device; And a processor that executes a program stored in the memory, wherein the processor receives the type information of the hardware module and the mounting location information from the control board of the Internet of Things service device according to the execution of the program, and receives the type information of the received hardware module and It is intended to provide an IoT service device management server that performs a front-end service that provides a user interface for controlling driving of a hardware module to a user terminal based on mounting location information.

In this embodiment, it is possible to provide an IoT service device management server that performs an Over The Air (OTA) service that provides automatic update of firmware of a control board based on type information and mounting location information of a hardware module. .

The present invention provides an Internet of Things service device having a function to automatically collect and control the presence / absence of an object and the data of a connection object through an intelligent hardware device capable of connecting various objects or devices and devices around us. I want to.

In addition, the Internet of Things service device according to the present invention is to provide a user interface capable of automatically synchronizing information and data of an object connected to an intelligent automatic recognition hardware module.

1 is a view showing an IoT service system including an IoT service device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an IoT service device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an IoT service device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a front-end service of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing OTA service by the management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals are assigned to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. . Also, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

Hereinafter, the Internet of Things service device 200 using the intelligent hardware module 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an IoT service system including an IoT service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an Internet of Things service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an Internet of Things service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3, the IoT service device 200 using the intelligent hardware module 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with the management server 300 and the user terminal 400 through network communication. To configure the Internet of Things service system, and ultimately to provide the Internet of Things service controlled by the user terminal 400.

On the other hand, the Internet of Things device 100 is a general device or object to which the Internet of Things is applied, and may be a home appliance, such as a CCTV, light, alarm, refrigerator, and air conditioner used in a general home. In addition, various sensors, security devices, transformers / transformers, circuit breakers, energy storage devices, medical devices, factory automation devices, and the like used in the industrial field may be the Internet of Things device 100. The hardware module 220 may be a module for controlling a sensor or an alarm, which is a peripheral device applied to the IoT device 100 as described above.

The IoT service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a control board 210 and a hardware module 220.

The control board 210 may be a main board on which each functional component of the IoT service device 200 is mounted. The control board may be designed to selectively connect or disconnect the hardware module 220 to the microcontroller unit 211. That is, the control board 210 is configured in a form in which hardware modules 220 for controlling the Internet of Things device 100 are mounted as subs on the main board.

The hardware module 220 is connected to a peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device 100, and a program for controlling the peripheral device may be stored. The hardware module 220 may correspond to at least one Internet of Things device 100 and perform a PLC (ProgrammMa Logical Controller) function to control the operation of the Internet of Things device 100. That is, each hardware module 220 is provided with a microcontroller unit (MCU) such as a microprocessor, and can sequentially perform logical operation processing according to a preset input program and user control. In addition, the overall driving of the connected Internet of Things device 100 may be controlled using the processing result. Each of the hardware modules 220 may have a unique ID.

The control board 210 may include a microcontroller unit 211, a memory 212, a communication module 213, a power supply module 214, a hardware module recognition unit 215, and a display module 216.

The microcontroller unit 211 may be a processor that executes a program for controlling the Internet of Things service device 200. The microcontroller unit 211 may include any kind of device capable of processing data, such as a processor. Here, a 'processor' may mean a data processing device embedded in hardware having physically structured circuits, for example, to perform functions represented by codes or instructions included in a program. As an example of such a data processing device embedded in hardware, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, and an application-specific integrated ASIC circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the hardware module 220 is mounted on the control board 210, the microcontroller unit 211 may execute firmware that automatically recognizes the hardware module 220. Through this, the microcontroller unit 211 may receive type information of the hardware module 220 and mounting location information from the hardware module 220. Here, the mounting location information may be information on which hardware module recognition unit 215 is mounted among the plurality of hardware module recognition units 215 to be described later.

The firmware executed by the microcontroller unit 211 has a function of automatically recognizing the hardware module 220. In addition, the firmware performs automatic programming using the communication module 213 so that the user interface configured based on the type information of the hardware module 220 and the mounting location information is transmitted to the management server 300 and the user terminal 400. Can be.

For example, when the hardware module 220 is additionally mounted on the hardware module recognition unit 215 having the form of a slave connector using the communication module 213, the microcontroller unit 211 additionally mounts hardware. Product information on the IoT device 100 to be controlled through the module 220 and the hardware module 220 may be transmitted to the management server 300. Conversely, when control commands and control signals are input through the management server 300 or the user terminal 400, the control commands and control signals may be sequentially transmitted to the corresponding hardware module 220.

On the other hand, the firmware update has a method of manually updating through the upload to the management server 300 and a method of automatically updating through the OTA boot loader. The automatic update method will be described later.

The memory 212 may be a recording medium in which firmware for automatically recognizing a program and hardware module 220 for controlling the Internet of Things service device 200 is stored. The memory 212 may perform a function of temporarily or permanently storing data processed by the processor. Here, the memory 212 may include a volatile storage media or a non-volatile storage media, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The communication module 213 provides a communication interface to the Internet of Things service device 200 in conjunction with a communication network, and may serve to transmit and receive data between the management server 300 and the user terminal 400. Here, the communication module 213 may be a device including hardware and software necessary for transmitting and receiving a signal such as a control signal or a data signal through a wired or wireless connection with another network device.

For example, the communication module 213 may perform communication between the Internet of Things service device 200 and the management server 300 and the user terminal 400 using the MQTT protocol. Specifically, the WiFi communication module 213 in the IoT service device 200 and the broker server in the management server 300 can communicate with the IoT standard MQTT protocol.

The power module 214 may be for supplying power to the Internet of Things service device 200. The power module 214 stably supplies power to the Internet of Things service device 200 and has a function of protecting a circuit when a voltage equal to or higher than a usable voltage is input and a function of protecting from a surge input voltage. The input terminal of the power supply module 214 may use a micro USB-B or USB-C type terminal to be used as a universal adapter and a portable auxiliary battery.

The hardware module recognition unit 215 may be a connector configured with a power input terminal and communication interface terminals. The hardware modules 220 may be mounted in a form that is electrically coupled to each slave connector of the control board 210.

The display module 216 may display an image, video, and / or program execution screen. For example, the display module 216 may display a graphical user interface (GUI) of the program. According to an embodiment, the display may be a touch screen display combined with a touch screen. Also, the display module 216, like the computing device, includes a processor and a memory 212, and executes a program stored in the memory 212 to execute a graphic user interface. In addition, the display module 216 may store data input by the user during the execution of the user interface and transmit it to the management server 300. For example, a tablet PC may be used as the display module 216, or other devices having display and computing functions may be used.

The firmware of the control board 210 may configure the user interface based on the type information of the hardware module 220 and the mounting location information to be output to the display module 216. The user interface may be automatically changed or upgraded according to the type of hardware module 220 mounted on the control board 210. Therefore, the firmware of the microprocessor unit has a function of automatically recognizing the type and mounting position of the hardware module 220. Also, as the firmware automatically recognizes the hardware module 220, the user interface can be automatically programmed based on its type information and mounting location information.

The control program of the hardware module 220 may function to interlock with each other when other hardware modules 220 are mounted on the control board 210. In particular, peripheral devices applied to the IoT device 100 may include input devices and output devices. For example, the input device may be various types of sensors capable of collecting various data. The output device may be various types of reaction devices that perform alarm, light emission, vibration, etc. in response to the input of the input device. The control program of the hardware module 220 connected to the input device and the control program of the hardware module 220 connected to the output device receive device information between each other, and based on this, the input device and the output device can be interlocked with each other.

For example, if the input device is a temperature sensor and the output device is a siren alarm, each program of the hardware module 220 can control it so that the siren alarm is activated when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a preset temperature. have. In addition, when the hardware module 220 is composed of only input devices, it is possible not to interlock with each other. Further, in the case of a combination of a plurality of input devices and a single output device, it may be controlled so that one output device operates with respect to the plurality of input devices.

The management server 300 may include a memory 212 in which a program for managing the Internet of Things service device 200 is stored, a processor for executing a program stored in the memory 212, and a communication module 213.

The processor of the management server 300, according to the execution of the program, based on the type information and the mounting location information of the hardware module 220 received from the Internet of Things service device 200, the hardware module 220 to the user terminal 400 It is possible to perform a front-end service that provides a user interface for controlling the operation of.

4 is a block diagram showing a management server 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing front-end service of the management server 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The management server 300 configures a list based on information such as the type and slot location of the intelligent automatic recognition hardware module 220, the connection type of the Internet of Things device 100, and the like on the IoT service device 200 and related information Can be transmitted to the broker server 320 in the cloud server.

The information received by the broker server 320 is stored in the database 330 and the information to be sent to the user terminal 400 is classified by the server switch 340 to store the latest hardware information and the unique identification number (ID) of the device in a DB (341) ) Can be stored in the database 330. The screen of the user terminal 400 may be updated to the front-end web server 351 through the API server 342. The web server 351 may automatically update the user interface synchronized with hardware information to the web browser 353. Meanwhile, the screen of the user terminal 400 may be configured as a hybrid app that combines the web browser 353 and the mobile app 352.

The registration procedure of the IoT service devices 200 and 310 is performed by the mobile terminal of the user terminal 400 while displaying the QR code on the display module 216 with the unique identification number (ID) of the IoT service devices 200 and 310. When the device registration is executed on the screen of the app 352, the mobile device is changed to the QR code scan mode, and when it is scanned, the QR code information of the IoT service device 200 is transferred to the database 330 through the user terminal 400 through BLE communication. ) And can be registered.

The user terminal 400 accesses the web server 351 of the front-end service 350 through a web browser of the Internet network, and the method of the front-end service 350 is a web service method and the web service is not restricted by the communication protocol. It can be performed through various communication protocols. Since the unique number of the Internet of Things service device 200 is stored in the database 330, and real-time or accumulated data of the device is also stored in the database 330, based on this, the user uses the user terminal 400 The information of the Internet service device 200 can be read and controlled remotely. In the user terminal 400, a user interface is automatically generated and provided by the front end service 350 based on the type information (type of peripheral device and slot location) of the Internet of Things device 100 stored in the database 330. Can be.

When a control command is requested from the user interface automatically generated by the user terminal 400, control information is stored in the database 330, the user interface of the user terminal 400 is updated, and the broker server 320 uses the MQTT communication protocol. The control information signal may be transmitted to the Internet of Things service device 200.

The IoT service device 200 may store control information in the memory 212 and update the firmware control command of the microprocessor unit and the user interface of the display module 216.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing OTA service of the management server 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the management server 300 performs an Over The Air (OTA) service that provides automatic updating of the firmware of the microcontroller unit 211 based on the type information of the hardware module 220 and the mounting location information. can do.

 The OTA boot loader may update the firmware of the IoT service device 200 to the latest version firmware to be updated through the Internet. Accordingly, the plurality of IoT service devices 200 may update the firmware at the same time as long as they are connected to the Internet regardless of the location.

The firmware update method may first compare the firmware version of the microcontroller unit 211 with the firmware version registered in the OTA service unit.

Next, if the version of the firmware registered in the OTA service unit is more recent than the firmware version of the microcontroller unit 211, the OTA bootloader of the firmware of the microcontroller unit 211 is executed and updated through communication with the OTA service unit. Can be carried out automatically. If the firmware versions match, the update may not proceed.

The OTA service firmware update is possible in automatic mode (all Internet service devices) and manual mode (optional Internet service device).

The IoT service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a service that provides a user interface to a user by automatically synchronizing information of the hardware module 220, and is controlled by using the management server 300 This has the advantage of being able to immediately provide Internet of Things services by simply connecting various objects without a separate user control process.

The Internet of Things service device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the Internet of Things device 100 and the hardware module 220 of the Internet of Things device 100 additionally installed in the Internet of Things environment. ) And the hardware module 220 can be supported to be automatically associated with the application program of the user terminal 400.

In particular, since the user can directly mount the purchased IoT device 100 and the hardware module 220 directly to the control board 210, it is possible to minimize manpower and cost consumption.

In addition, when the Internet of Things device 100 and the hardware module 220 are additionally mounted on the control board 210, an interface control tool is automatically added to an application program of the user terminal 400, and the application program and the Internet of Things. By supporting the driving programs of the device 100 and the hardware module 220 to be automatically linked, the user interface control can be easily performed.

In addition, the control program is mounted on the hardware module 220 itself, there is an advantage that a plurality of hardware modules 220 can be interlocked with each other only by being mounted on the control board 210.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain them, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical spirits within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: peripheral
200, 310: Internet of things service device
210: control board
211: microcontroller unit
212: memory
213: communication module
214: power module
215: hardware module recognition unit
216: display module
220: hardware module
300: management server
320: broker server
330: database
340: server switch
350: front end service department
400: user terminal

Claims (8)

In the IoT service device using an intelligent hardware module,
A hardware module connected to a peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device, and storing a program for controlling the peripheral device; And
It includes a microcontroller unit (MCU), but includes a control board designed to selectively connect or disconnect the hardware module to the microcontroller unit,
When the hardware module is mounted on the control board, the microcontroller unit automatically executes firmware that recognizes the hardware module, and receives hardware module type information and mounting location information from the hardware module.
The control program of the hardware module is to be interlocked with each other when other hardware modules are mounted on the control board, but is not interlocked according to the command of the firmware, and the control programs of the hardware modules electrically connected on the control board Is to interlock with each other through its own order,
The peripheral device applied to the Internet of Things device includes an input device and an output device, and the control program of the hardware module connected to the input device and the control program of the hardware module connected to the output device are the input device and the output device to each other. Interlock,
When a plurality of the input device and a single output device are combined, an intelligent hardware module is configured to prevent interlocking between the plurality of input devices and a single output device to interlock with the plurality of input devices. Internet of things service device used. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a display module,
The firmware of the control board configures a user interface based on the hardware module type information and mounting location information to be output to the display module, and the Internet of Things service device using an intelligent hardware module. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a communication module,
The microcontroller unit firmware transmits a user interface configured on the basis of the hardware module type information and mounting location information to a user terminal through the communication module. delete According to claim 1,
The control board transmits the type information and the mounting location information of the hardware module to the management server, and the management server controls the driving of the hardware module to the user terminal based on the type information and the mounting location information of the received hardware module IoT service device using an intelligent hardware module to perform a front-end service that provides a user interface for the purpose. According to claim 1,
The control board is an object using an intelligent hardware module that enables the management server to perform an Over The Air (OTA) service that provides automatic update of the firmware of the control board based on the type information and mounting location information of the hardware module received by the management server. Internet service device. delete delete

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