KR20030054293A - Method and apparatus for binding for devices - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and an apparatus of binding devices together is provided to support a binding function even though all variables of devices are not known, to freely perform a binding process, and to supply an easy network configuration method to a network composition manager, thereby constructing an interworking service between apparatuses that are not bound with an existing system. CONSTITUTION: A home server(201) interfaces each network variable having different types and components of the first and second Lonworks devices(207,208), and binds the variables together. The home server(201) mounts a LonWorks network interface. The home server(201) generates a network variable(203) whose type is B and a component is Y, and binds the network variable(203) with a network variable(102) of the first LonWorks device(207). The home server(201) generates a network variable(204) whose type is C and a component is Z, and binds the network variable(204) with a network variable(103) of the second LonWorks device(208). The home server(201) interfaces the network variables(203,204) by a meaningful device binding support of a translator(202).

Description

METHOOD AND APPARATUS FOR BINDING FOR DEVICES

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for binding between devices, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for binding between devices to provide an interworking service between intelligent devices constituting a home control network.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus for binding devices according to the prior art, which is composed of first and second LonWorks devices 106 and 107 each having network variables.

In the figure, the binding 104 of the network variable 101 in which the types and components of the first and second Lonworks devices 106 and 107 are respectively provided is successfully performed. The type of network variable 101 is A and the component is X.

On the other hand, the binding 105 of the network variables 102 and 103 having different types and components of the first and second Lonworks devices 106 and 107, respectively, is not successfully performed and eventually fails. The type of network variable 102 is B and the component is Y. The type of network variable 103 is C and the component is Z.

Therefore, in order to implement a home automation service through a service of a conventional home control network, a complicated configuration method is required. For example, a wired configuration method using a serial communication line such as RS-232C, a central control method using a programmable logic controller (PLC), a loan control method, and software for distributed control such as a CE bus. There are various techniques, such as), but most of them are complex methods that only an expert can install.

In the conventional LoneWorks method, the configuration of the home control network and the manager must grasp the physical characteristics and the application characteristics of all the devices constituting the network. You must know the components of the variables clearly. Also, for binding to be successful, the types and components of two or more network variables to be bound must always match.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a method and apparatus for binding devices between devices so that binding can be made freely by supporting binding even if all variables of the device are not known.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for selectively binding each network variable between devices, the apparatus comprising: a matching unit for matching and binding each network variable with each type and component of the devices. Characterized in that.

A method of binding in a system for selectively binding each network variable between devices, the method comprising: a first step of setting two network variables to be bound between the devices; A second step of determining whether a type and a component of the two network variables match; If the type and component of the two network variables do not match, a third step of declaring network variables having the same type and component as the two network variables; A fourth step of binding the network variables having the same type and component; A fifth step of waiting to receive an event occurring at a source output network variable; A sixth step of converting a variable value into a variable format of a corresponding output network variable when an event occurs in the source output network variable and a "variable value update command" is generated with the bound network variable; And a seventh step of binding the two network variables to be bound by transferring a "variable value update command" to the bound input network variable.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus for binding between devices according to the prior art;

2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus for binding between devices according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing step by step an embodiment of a method for binding between devices in accordance with the present invention.

<Description of the codes for the main parts of the drawing>

102, 103, 203, 204: network variables

201: home server

202: Translation Department

205, 206: binding

207, 208: first and second Lonworks devices

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus for binding between devices according to the present invention, in which the home server 201 is selective in the type and components of the first and second loanworks devices 207 and 208. It is configured to match and bind each other network variable. The home server 201 is equipped with a LoneWorks network interface.

In the figure, home server 201 generates network variable 203 of type B and component Y so that it is bound to network variable 102 of first LonWorks device 207 and of type C and component Create a network variable 204 that is Z to be bound to the network variable 103 of the second Ronworks device 208. The home server 201 then matches the network variables 203 and 204 with the semantic device binding support of the translation unit 202.

3 is a flowchart showing step by step an embodiment of a method for binding between devices according to the present invention.

First, the network configuration manager inputs two network variables to be bound to the network configuration tool (step 2). The network setting tool is, for example, a home server 201, and two network variables are network variables having different types and components set under the first and second loanworks devices 207 and 208, respectively.

The home server 201 determines whether the types and components of the two input network variables match (step 4).

The home server 201 performs general binding when the type and the components of the two network variables match as a result of the determination of step 4 (step 6).

As a result of the determination in step 4, the home server 201 declares network variables 203 and 204 corresponding to the two network variables and the type and component, respectively, if the types and components of the two network variables do not match. ).

The home server 201 binds (205, 206) network variables of the same type and component (step 10).

After the binding is complete, wait for an event occurring in the source output network variable 102 (step 12).

As a result of step 12, when an event occurs in the source output network variable 102 and a "variable value update command" occurs in the network variable 203 of the bound home server 201, the home server 201 translates. The variable 202 converts the variable value into the variable format of the corresponding output network variable 204 (step 14).

The two network variables to be bound are bound by passing a "variable value update command" to the input network variable 103 of the bound second loneworks device 208 (step 16).

The present invention supports binding so that binding can be made freely even though all variables of the device are not known. Thus, the network configuration manager is provided with an easy network setting method. In addition, it is possible to build an interworking service between devices that cannot be bound by the existing system. The content of home control network configuration and management is simplified.

Claims (4)

10. An apparatus for selectively binding between respective network variables between devices, comprising: a matching unit for matching and binding each network variable, wherein each type and component of the devices are selectively different. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a LoneWorks device. In the binding method in the system for selectively binding between each network variable between devices, A first step of setting two network variables to be bound between the devices; A second step of determining whether a type and a component of the two network variables match; If the type and component of the two network variables do not match, a third step of declaring network variables having the same type and component as the two network variables; A fourth step of binding between network variables having a matching type and a component; A fifth step of waiting for an event occurring at a source output network variable; A sixth step of converting the variable value into a variable format of the corresponding output network variable when an event occurs in the source output network variable and a "variable value update command" is generated as the bound network variable; And a seventh step of binding the two network variables to be bound by passing a "variable value update command" to the next bound input network variable. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the device is a Loneworks device.