KR102133139B1 - IoT Device and IoT system to link with server through NAT - Google Patents

Abstract

An Internet of things (IoT) device and an IoT system are provided. According to the present invention, the IoT device is connected to a server through a plurality of network address translations (NATs), transmits a specific message including a timeout field for recording a timeout value to the server through the plurality of NATs, and can calculate a specific keep alive value by using the timeout value included in a received specific response message, thereby minimizing the transmission of keep alive messages from the IoT device, so that the network load caused by the keep alive messages of the IoT device can be minimized.

Description

IoT device and IoT system to link with server through NAT}

The present invention relates to an IoT device and an IoT system, and more particularly, to an Internet of Things (IoT) device and an IoT system connected to a server through a network address translation (NAT).

The contents described in this section merely provide background information for this embodiment, and do not constitute a prior art.

Network Address Translation (NAT) refers to network equipment that connects Internet of Things (IoT) devices and servers, and handles mapping of public IP and private IP and traffic routing. (Example: router)

IoT devices continuously update the public IP and private IP mapping expiration time by continuously sending a keep alive value to receive control from the server at all times.

However, the IP address mapping expiration time and timeout value are different for each NAT device, and there is no way to know this because it is not standardized. In addition, it is common to not know how many NAT devices exist in the IoT communication environment.

Since IoT devices do not know the mapping expiration time and timeout value, the keepalive value is continuously transmitted to the server in a very short period to maintain the connection state. Due to this, the IoT communication environment where IoT devices are gathered causes problems such as network load, device power load, and server traffic load.

In order to solve this problem, a search for a method for IoT devices to set a keepalive value to the maximum and transmit a keepalive message to a minimum is required.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to connect to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a plurality of NATs to a specific message including a timeout field for recording a timeout value. It provides an IoT device and an IoT system that transmits to a server through and calculates a specific keep alive value using a timeout value included in the received specific response message.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the following description. Will be able to.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, an Internet of Things (IoT) device connected to a server through a plurality of NATs (Network Address Translation) includes: a communication unit connected to a server through a plurality of NATs; And a specific message containing a timeout field for recording a timeout value to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a specific keep alive using a timeout value included in a specific response message received from the server. It includes; a control unit for calculating a value.

In addition, the control unit may calculate a value obtained by subtracting a preset value from the timeout value as a specific keepalive value.

In addition, the control unit may periodically transmit the keepalive message using the calculated specific keepalive value as a period.

Then, when the communication unit is connected to the new network, the control unit may transmit a specific message to the server.

In addition, the NAT may record its own timeout value in a specific response message when the received specific response message does not include a timeout value.

In addition, when the timeout value is included in the specific response message received, NAT compares the timeout value included in the specific response message received with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message. If the timeout value is greater than the timeout value, the timeout value may be recorded and transmitted in a specific response message.

In addition, when the specific response message received includes a timeout value, NAT compares the timeout value included in the received specific response message with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message If the timeout value is less than or equal to the timeout value of the user, the timeout value of the user may be transmitted without writing to a specific response message.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an IoT system in which an Internet of Things (IoT) device is connected to a server through a plurality of network address translation (NAT), is connected to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a timeout value. A specific message containing a timeout field for recording a message is transmitted to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a specific keep alive value is calculated using a timeout value included in a specific response message received from the server IoT devices; It records its timeout value in a specific response message received from the server, compares the timeout value included in a specific response message received from another NAT with its timeout value, and the timeout value included in a specific response message A plurality of NATs that record and transmit their timeout value in a specific response message when the timeout value is greater than their own timeout value; And a server that transmits a specific response message in response to the specific message received from the IoT device.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a specific message that is connected to a server through a plurality of NATs and includes a timeout field for recording a timeout value is transmitted to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a specific response message is received. It is possible to provide an IoT device and an IoT system that calculates a specific keep alive value using the timeout value included in the IoT device, thereby minimizing the transmission of a keepalive message from the IoT device. It is possible to minimize the network load caused by the alive message.

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

Included as part of the detailed description to aid understanding of the present invention, the accompanying drawings provide embodiments of the present invention and describe the technical features of the present invention together with the detailed description.
1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment of an IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of an IoT communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a flowchart illustrating an additional operation process for recording a timeout value of NAT according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process in which an IoT system transmits and receives a specific message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to clarify the features and advantages of the problem solving means of the present invention, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

However, in the following description and accompanying drawings, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations that may obscure the subject matter of the present invention are omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the same components throughout the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible.

The terms or words used in the following description and drawings should not be interpreted as being limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor can appropriately define the concept of terms for explaining his or her invention in the best way. Based on the principle of being present, it should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments shown in the embodiments and the drawings described in this specification are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention, and thus can replace them at the time of application. It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, and are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components, and to limit the components It is not used. For example, the second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the present invention, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as a second component.

In addition, when referring to a component being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it means that it can be connected or connected logically or physically.

In other words, it may be understood that a component may be directly connected to or connected to other components, but other components may exist in the middle and may be connected or connected indirectly.

In addition, terms such as "comprises" or "have" described herein are intended to designate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, or one or more thereof. It should be understood that the above or other features or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof are not excluded in advance.

In addition, terms such as “…unit”, “…group”, and “module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. have.

In addition, "a (a or an)", "one (one)", "the (the)" and similar words are otherwise indicated herein in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims). It may be used in a sense including both singular and plural unless it is or is clearly contradicted by the context.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment of an Internet of Things (IoT) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the IoT network includes an IoT device 100 and a plurality of NATs 150, and is connected to servers 170 for IoT services.

The IoT device 100 represents a device controlled through IoT communication, and may include, for example, CCTV, lighting, a vacuum cleaner, and a fan that can be controlled by IoT communication. A plurality of IoT devices 100 may be included in one IoT network.

In addition, the IoT device 100 is connected to the server 170 through a plurality of NAT 150, and a server including a specific message including a timeout field for recording a timeout value through a plurality of NAT 150 ( 170 ), and a specific keep alive value is calculated using the timeout value included in the received specific response message.

The plurality of NAT 150 connects the IoT device 100 and the server 170 to each other, and represents network equipment that handles mapping of public IP and private IP and traffic routing. For example, NAT 150 may correspond to a device such as a router. A plurality of NAT 150 may be included in one IoT network.

Further, the plurality of NATs 150 record their timeout values in a specific response message received from the server 170, and the timeout values included in the specific response message received from other NATs with their timeout values. In comparison, when the timeout value included in the specific response message is greater than the timeout value of the user, the timeout value of the user is recorded and transmitted in the specific response message.

The server 170 is connected to the user's mobile device or a personal computer (PC) to perform the function of providing an IoT service for controlling the IoT device 100 to the user.

In addition, the server 170 transmits a specific response message in response to a specific message received from the IoT device 100.

In such an IoT system network environment, the IoT devices 100 continuously transmit a Keep Alive message to receive control from the server 170 at all times to continue the Public IP, Private IP, and mapping expiration time. Update.

In addition, it can be seen that the plurality of NATs 150 have different Public IPs and different timeout values.

Specifically, it can be seen that the table shown in FIG. 1 includes public IP and timeout values allocated for each NAT 150. And, you can see that the timeout values are different for each NAT. Here, the timeout value represents a waiting time for the connection to continue even if there is no separate communication between the NAT 150 and the IoT device 100, and there is no communication between the NAT 150 and the IoT device 100 during the timeout value. In this case, the communication connection session between the two ends. Therefore, the IoT device 100 must transmit a keepalive message before the timeout period of the NAT 150 passes in order to maintain a connection state with the NAT 150, and accordingly, the IoT device 100 keeps the keepalive value. Needs to be set to be less than the timeout value.

The IoT network environment as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be various environments, for example, one house may be one IoT network environment, and one vehicle may be one IoT network environment.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the IoT device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the IoT device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a main function unit 130.

The main function unit 130 performs the original function of the IoT device 100. For example, when the IoT device 100 is a CCTV, the main function unit 130 performs a function of CCTV, and when the IoT device 100 is a light, the main function unit 130 performs a function of lighting. do.

The communication unit 110 is connected to communicate with an external server 170 through a plurality of NATs 150 for IoT communication. The communication unit 110 may perform communication using various wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (WIFI), short-range wireless communication (NFC), cellular, and long-term evolution (LTE) for IoT communication, and communicate with wired communication. Of course you can.

The control unit 120 controls overall functions of the IoT device 100. Specifically, the function will be described with reference to FIG. 3. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of an IoT communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the control unit 120 transmits a specific message including a timeout field for recording a timeout value to the server 170 through a plurality of NATs 150 (S210).

Here, the specific message is a message transmitted and received by the IoT device 100 and the server 170 through the plurality of NATs 150 to check the timeout values of the plurality of NATs 150, and the plurality of NATs 150 Includes a timeout field that can record the timeout value to find the smallest of the timeout values of.

In addition, when the communication unit 110 is connected to a new network, the control unit 120 transmits a specific message to the server 170. When connected to a new network, since the timeout value of NATs included in the network must be checked, the controller 120 transmits a specific message to the server 170 when the communication unit 110 is connected to the new network will be.

Then, the server 170 transmits a specific response message to the IoT device 100 through a plurality of NATs 150 in response to the received specific message, and in the process, the multiple NATs 150 respond to the specific response message. Will record their timeout value. Here, the specific response message is a message that the server 170 transmits to the IoT device 100 through a plurality of NATs 150 in response to a specific message, and is the smallest of the timeout values of the plurality of NATs 150. It includes a timeout field that can record the timeout value to find the value. The process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 later.

Thereafter, the controller 120 calculates a specific keep alive value using the timeout value included in the received specific response message (S220). The controller 120 calculates a specific keepalive value such that the specific keepalive value is smaller than the timeout value included in the specific response message. Specifically, the controller 120 calculates a value obtained by subtracting a preset value from the timeout value as a specific keepalive value, and the calculated specific keepalive value becomes a value smaller than the timeout value. For example, when the timeout value is 600 seconds, the controller 120 may calculate a specific keepalive value as 590 seconds minus 10 seconds from 600 seconds.

Then, the control unit 120 periodically transmits a keepalive message using the calculated specific keepalive value as a period (S230). Here, the keep alive (keep alive) value is to check whether the data link between the IoT device 100 and the server 170 is working well, or to prevent the data link from being disconnected, the IoT device 100 and the server ( 170) It is a time interval value of keepalive messages that are exchanged with each other. For example, if the keepalive value is 10 seconds, the IoT device 100 transmits a keepalive message to the server 170, and after 10 seconds, the server 170 sends a keepalive message to the IoT device 100. Response. In addition, when the IoT device 100 receives a response to the keepalive message from the server 170, it is determined that there is no problem in communication, and if it does not receive a response, it is determined that there is a problem in communication.

The additional operation in which the NAT records the timeout value in a specific response message will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an additional operation process for recording a timeout value of NAT according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The NAT 150 receives a specific response message from the server 170 or another NAT 150 (S310).

Then, the NAT 150 determines whether a timeout value is included in the received specific response message (S320). If the timeout value is not included in the received specific response message (S320-N), the NAT 150 records its timeout value in the timeout field of the specific response message (S340). If the timeout value is not included in the received specific response message, that is, it is the case that a specific response message is received from the server 170, and the NAT 150 receives the specific response message for the first time from the server 170 ) Records its timeout value in the timeout field of a specific response message. Then, NAT 150 again performs the original function (S350).

On the other hand, when the timeout value is included in the received specific response message (S320-Y), the NAT 150 corresponds to a case where a response message is received from another NAT, and in this case, the NAT 150 is from another NAT. By comparing the timeout value included in the received specific response message with its own timeout value, it is checked whether the timeout value included in the specific response message received from another NAT is greater than its own timeout value (S330). ).

If the timeout value included in the specific response message is greater than its timeout value (S330-Y), NAT 150 transmits the specific response message by recording its timeout value in the specific response message. (S340). That is, in this case, since the NAT 150 has a smaller timeout value, the current timeout value recorded in the specific response message is changed to its own timeout value. Then, NAT 150 again performs the original function (S350).

On the other hand, when the timeout value included in the specific response message is less than or equal to the timeout value of the user (S330-N), the NAT 150 does not record its timeout value in the specific response message and sends a specific response message. It will be transmitted as it is, and NAT will perform its original function again (S350).

Through this process, NAT performs an additional operation for recording a timeout value in a specific response message.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process in which an IoT system transmits and receives a specific message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates an IoT system including two NATs, a first NAT 150-1 and a second NAT 150-2.

5, first, the IoT device 100 transmits a specific message to the server 170 (S510).

Then, the server 170 transmits a specific response message in response to the specific message (S520).

Then, the second NAT 150-2 performs the additional operation shown in FIG. 4 on the specific response message received from the server 170 (S530). Specifically, since the second NAT 150-2 receives a specific response message from the server 170 for the first time, it corresponds to a case where the timeout value is not included, and the timeout value of its timeout value is specified as the time of the specific response message. It will be recorded in the out field.

Then, the first NAT 150-1 performs the additional operation illustrated in FIG. 4 on the specific response message received from the second NAT 150-2 (S540 ). If the timeout value included in the specific response message is greater than its own timeout value, the first NAT 150-1 records its timeout value in the specific response message and transmits the specific response message. On the other hand, if the timeout value included in the specific response message is less than or equal to the timeout value of the first NAT 150-1, the first NAT 150-1 does not record its timeout value in the specific response message, and maintains the specific response message. Will be sent.

Thereafter, the IoT device 100 calculates a specific keep alive value using the timeout value included in the received specific response message. At this time, the IoT device 100 calculates a specific keepalive value such that the specific keepalive value is smaller than the timeout value included in the specific response message, as described above. Specifically, the IoT device 100 calculates a value obtained by subtracting a preset value from a timeout value as a specific keepalive value, and then the calculated specific keepalive value becomes a smaller value than the timeout value. For example, when the timeout value is 600 seconds, the IoT device 100 may calculate a specific keepalive value as 590 seconds minus 10 seconds from 600 seconds. Then, the IoT device 100 periodically transmits the keepalive message by using the calculated specific keepalive value as a period (S550).

Through such a process, the IoT device 100 of the IoT system can calculate the keep-alive value in consideration of the timeout values of the plurality of NATs and transmit the keep-alive message based on this. In addition, although FIG. 5 shows a case in which there are two NATs, the same process as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be applied to a case in which a larger number of NATs are included.

On the other hand, of course, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to a computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program for performing functions and methods of the apparatus according to the present embodiment. Further, the technical idea according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of computer-readable programming language codes recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium can be any data storage device that can be read by a computer and stores data. Of course, the computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk drive, flash memory, solid state disk (SSD), or the like. In addition, computer-readable codes or programs stored on a computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between computers.

Although this specification and drawings describe exemplary device configurations, the functional operations and subject implementations described herein are implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or include the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents. Computer software, firmware, or hardware, or a combination of one or more of them.

Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above-described examples, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications, alterations, and modifications to the examples without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. In addition, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

100: IoT device
110: communication unit
120: control unit
130: main function
150: multiple NATs
170: server

Claims (8)

In the Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the server through a plurality of network address translation (NAT),
A communication unit connected to the server through a plurality of NATs; And
A specific message containing a timeout field for recording a timeout value is transmitted to a server through a plurality of NATs, and a specific keep alive value is used using a timeout value included in a specific response message received from the server Includes a control unit for calculating;
NAT,
If the timeout value is not included in the specific response message received, record the timeout value of the user in the specific response message,
If a specific response message received contains a timeout value, the timeout value included in the specific response message received is compared with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message is its timeout value. If it is greater than the value, the timeout value is recorded in a specific response message and transmitted.
If a specific response message received contains a timeout value, the timeout value included in the specific response message received is compared with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message is its timeout value. If less than or equal to the value, the IoT device characterized in that it transmits its timeout value as it is without recording it in a specific response message.
The method according to claim 1,
The control unit,
IoT device characterized by calculating a value obtained by subtracting a preset value from a timeout value as a specific keep-alive value.
The method according to claim 2,
The control unit,
IoT device characterized by periodically transmitting a keep-alive message with the calculated specific keep-alive value as a period.
The method according to claim 1,
The control unit,
IoT device characterized in that when the communication unit is connected to a new network, a specific message is transmitted to a server.
delete delete delete In the IoT system in which the Internet of Things (IoT) device is connected to the server through a plurality of network address translation (NAT),
It connects to the server through multiple NATs, and sends a specific message with a timeout field to record the timeout value to the server through multiple NATs, and the timeout value included in the specific response message received from the server. An IoT device for calculating a specific keep alive value by using;
It records its timeout value in a specific response message received from the server, compares the timeout value included in a specific response message received from another NAT with its timeout value, and the timeout value included in a specific response message A plurality of NATs that record and transmit their timeout value in a specific response message when the timeout value is greater than their own timeout value; And
Includes a server for transmitting a specific response message in response to the specific message received from the IoT device;
NAT,
If the timeout value is not included in the specific response message received, record the timeout value of the user in the specific response message,
If a specific response message received contains a timeout value, the timeout value included in the specific response message received is compared with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message is its timeout value. If it is greater than the value, it records and transmits its timeout value in a specific response message.
If a specific response message received contains a timeout value, the timeout value included in the specific response message received is compared with its own timeout value, and the timeout value included in the specific response message is its timeout value. IoT system characterized in that if it is less than or equal to the value, its timeout value is transmitted as it is without writing to a specific response message.

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