KR20030080279A - Apparatus for controlling a home network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device for controlling a home network system is provided to mount a home networking function on a digital TV, in order to simplify a home networking configuration, and to control the home networking function by using a screen of the digital TV, thereby simply confirming controlled functions and operational states. CONSTITUTION: An A/V network(230) is connected with many digital video and voice instruments in IEEE1394 system. A living network(240) is connected with many home appliances in UPnP(Universal Plug and Play) system. A PC network(250) is connected with information instruments in wire/wireless systems. A home network server(210) controls and manages access to home networking resources. A digital TV(220) transmits a command for executing an optional function of a home network to the home network server(210).

Description

{APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A HOME NETWORK SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a home networking system, and more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling a home network system using a remote controller for a video device.

Currently, a home network system for combining multiple digital devices and controlling them through a single device is commercially available.

The home network system should be provided with a protocol for integrating and controlling multiple signals into one so as to control a plurality of digital devices in the home.

For example, standards for combining and controlling a plurality of digital devices include IEEE 1394, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), and Living Network Control Protocol (LnCP).

In addition, an environment in which an operation and an operation state of each digital device can be known by a user should be provided.

For example, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been proposed for accessing and manipulating content rather than access to each digital device.

In the conventional home network system, as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 1, a home network server 110 for access control and management of resources on home networking, the home network server 110 and the IEEE 802.11b standard Control of the home network server 110 connected through a control pad 120 and a home phoneline networking alliance (PNA) 111 for inputting a key for executing an arbitrary function on home networking by connecting in a wireless LAN method. A / V network unit 130 connected to a plurality of digital video and audio devices (HDR, DTV-STB, DVDP, etc.) by the IEEE 1394 method and the home PNA 112 to execute the respective functions by Living (Liv) connected to a plurality of home appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, microwave oven, rice cooker, kimchi refrigerator, etc.) by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) method to perform the respective functions under the control of the home network server 110 ing) a PC network unit to which information devices such as PCs and PCs are connected in a wired / wireless manner so that the network unit 140 and the home network server 110 can transmit and check mails and retrieve information. 150 is provided.

The living network unit 140 is connected to a PLC by a living network control protocol (LnCP) method developed by home appliances such as a microwave oven, an electric rice cooker, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a kimchi refrigerator, and the PLC is a home network server 110. Is configured to be connected to.

The control pad 120 is configured by embedding the function information to control each device constituting the home network system.

Referring to the operation of the prior art as follows.

When controlling a device related to video and sound such as HDR, DTV, DVDP, etc., or a home appliance such as a washing machine, a refrigerator, or a microwave oven, a user uses the control pad 120 to display a selection screen displayed on the screen of the control pad 120. Selects the device and selects any function you want to control on that device.

In this case, the control pad 120 transmits information on the device selected by the user and the function to be controlled to the home network server 110 in a wireless LAN method of the IEEE 802.11b standard.

Accordingly, the home network server 110 transmits a control command to the corresponding device connected to the A / V network unit 130 or the living network unit 140 to execute any function selected by the user.

For example, when driving the washing function for the washing machine connected to the living network unit 140 in the separate control pad 120, the control pad 120 is the home network server 110, and the device name and washing function. Send information about

Accordingly, the home network server 120 transmits the control command to the living network unit 140 through the home PNA 112 to drive the washing function of the washing machine through the PLC.

However, in the related art, a separate control pad has to be provided, which increases the cost for implementing a home network system.

In addition, conventionally, in order to control the home network system, in addition to the function of each device to learn the function of the control pad has a disadvantage that the user is inconvenient.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a home network system control device that is designed to easily control a home network system without a separate control pad by providing a home network system control function in a digital TV. .

1 is a block diagram of a conventional home network system.

2 is a block diagram of a home network system in an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram illustrating a digital TV in FIG. 2;

4 is an exemplary view of a screen for washing function selection displayed on a digital TV screen in an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

210: Home Network Server 220: Digital TV

221: remote controller 230: A / V network unit

240: living network unit 250: PC network unit

The present invention provides an A / V network unit to which a plurality of digital video and audio devices (HDR, DTV-STB, DVDP, etc.) are connected in an IEEE 1394 method, and a plurality of home appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, Microwave, electric rice cooker, Kimchi refrigerator, etc.) is connected to the living network part connected by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) method, and information such as PC, PC, etc. can be sent and checked, information search, etc. A PC network unit to which a device is connected in a wired or wireless manner, a home network server for access control and management of resources on home networking including the A / V network unit, a living network unit, and a PC network unit, and an IEEE 802.11b standard wireless The home network is connected to the home network server in a LAN method and an Ethernet method to execute a command for executing any function on home networking by selecting a key on a remote controller. Characterized in that it comprises a digital TV for transmitting to the server.

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

2 is a block diagram of a system for an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a home network server 210 and a home PNA 211 for access control and management of resources on home networking are connected. An A / V network unit 230 to which a plurality of digital video and audio devices (HDR, DTV-STB, DVDP, etc.) are connected in an IEEE 1394 manner so as to execute corresponding functions under the control of the home network server 210, A plurality of home appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, rice cookers, kimchi refrigerators, etc.) are UPnP (Universal Plug and) to execute the respective functions under the control of the home network server 210 connected through the home PNA 212. The living network unit 240 connected through a Play method and information devices such as PCs and laptop PCs are connected to the home network server 210 to enable mail transmission, confirmation, and information search. Connected with P It is connected to the C network unit 250 and the A / V network unit 230, and connected to the home network server 210 by a wireless LAN method and an Ethernet method of the IEEE 802.11b standard, and the key on the remote controller 221. And optionally, a digital TV 220 that sends instructions to the home network server 210 to execute any function on home networking.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the digital TV 220 includes a CPI 301 for controlling overall operations of TV broadcasting and home networking, and a flash memory for storing programs for broadcasting and home networking. 302, a signal receiver 303 for receiving a transmission signal from the remote controller 221, a tuner 304 for tuning a broadcast channel selected by the user, and a TV broadcast related signal to process the screen of the display 310. And a TV logic 305 for displaying on the screen of the display unit 310 any device, a selection menu for a function to be controlled by the device, and an operation state of a device currently controlled in relation to a home network. An MPEG decoder 307 for MPEG-processing the output signal from 301 to the TV logic 305 and a format of a transmission signal between the CPI 301 and the MPEG decoder 307 The configuration includes a host interface unit 306, and a home network server 210, and an Ethernet or an Ethernet controller 308, a wireless communication unit (309) that respectively connect to the wireless LAN system of the IEEE 802.11b specification for additional recording.

Referring to the operation and effect of the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation of controlling the various devices connected to the A / V network unit 230, the living network unit 240, and the PC network unit 250 by the home network server 210 is illustrated in FIG. As in the configuration diagram, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, the operation process between the home network server 210 and the digital TV (DTV) 220 will be described in detail.

First, when a user wants to watch a TV broadcast, when the user selects a specific key related to the TV function on the remote controller 221, the signal receiver 303 receives the corresponding signal and transmits the signal to the CPI 301.

At this time, when the user selects an arbitrary broadcast channel or changes the volume using the remote controller 221, the signal receiver 303 receives the signal and transmits it to the CPI 301.

Accordingly, the CPI 301 changes the tuning channel of the tuner 304 when it is determined that the broadcast channel is changed, and tunes the broadcast channel selected by the user, and adjusts the volume of the corresponding acoustic circuit when it is determined that the volume is changed.

At this time, the CPI 301 transmits the broadcast program tuned by the tuner 304 to the TV logic 305.

Accordingly, the TV logic 305 separates the video signal and the audio signal from the broadcast signal, performs appropriate processing on each signal, and then displays the broadcast image on the screen of the display unit 310 to deliver a voice to the speaker (not shown). Will be printed.

When the user selects a specific key related to home networking on the remote controller 221, the signal receiver 303 receiving the remote controller signal according to the home networking signal is transmitted to the CPI 301.

At this time, the CPI 301 recognizes the home networking mode and executes the home networking control program stored in the flash memory 302.

Thereafter, the CPI 301 outputs menu screen data for selecting a device and a control function to the host interface 306 and the MPEG decoder 307.

Accordingly, when the MPEG decoder 307 outputs the menu screen data processed by MPEG to the TV logic 305, the TV logic 305 is changed into a format that can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 310, and the display unit 310 is displayed. Will be displayed on the screen.

Thereafter, when the user selects a device name to be controlled by the remote controller 221 while viewing a menu displayed on the screen of the display unit 310, the CPI 301 may transmit control function data of the selected device to the host interface unit 306 and the MPEG decoder 307. ) Is transmitted to the TV logic 305 to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 310.

For example, when the user selects the washing machine, the function of the washing machine is displayed on the screen of the display unit 310 as shown in FIG. 4 (a). Then, when the user selects the washing mode, the screen of the display unit 310 is shown in FIG. As in b), functions such as quantity, detergent amount and washing time are displayed.

At this time, if the user sets the number, detergent amount, washing time, etc. in consideration of the amount of laundry, and presses the confirmation key on the remote control 221, the CPI 301 is the data set above, the control content of the device, etc. To be transmitted to the home network server 210 via the Ethernet controller 308 or the wireless communication unit 309.

Accordingly, the home network server 210 interprets the control command transmitted from the digital TV 220 and is coupled to the A / V network unit 230, the living network unit 240, or the PC network unit 250. Send to the device.

For example, if the user wants to control the washing machine, the home network server 210 interprets the control command transmitted from the digital TV 220 and transmits the control command to the washing machine coupled to the living network unit 240 to wash. Will execute the action.

Then, when the washing machine executes the washing operation, the PLC coupled to the living network unit 240 detects the washing operation and transmits the washing operation to the home network server 210.

At this time, the home network server 210 transmits the operating state of the washing machine to the digital TV 220 in a wired or wireless manner.

Therefore, when the user sets the operating state display of the washing machine by the remote controller 221, the digital TV 220 interprets the contents of the CPI 301 received from the Ethernet controller 308 or the wireless communication unit 309 and interprets the contents of the analysis. By transmitting to the TV logic 305 through the host interface unit 306 and the MPEG decoder 307, the washing machine operating state is displayed on the screen of the display unit 310.

Accordingly, the user can check the operation state of the washing machine displayed on the screen of the display unit 310, and if additional function control is required, the user can execute the corresponding function in the same process as described above.

As described in detail above, the present invention does not require a separate control pad as in the conventional art by mounting a home networking control function on a digital TV coupled to a home network system, thereby reducing costs and controlling the control pad. The hassle for learning how to use is eliminated has the effect of convenience to the user.

In addition, the present invention can simplify the home networking configuration by installing the home networking function in the digital TV, and also have the effect of easily checking the function and function operation state to be controlled by controlling the home networking function using the screen of the digital TV. have.

Claims (2)

A / V network unit to which a plurality of video and audio-related devices are connected by IEEE 1394 method, a living network unit to which a plurality of home appliances are connected by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) method, mail transmission, confirmation, and information A home network server for access control and management of resources on a home networking network consisting of a PC network unit to which information communication-related devices are connected in a wired or wireless manner so as to enable searching, and the A / V network unit, living network unit, and PC network unit. And digital broadcast receiving means connected to the A / V network unit and transmitting a command to the home network server to execute an arbitrary function on home networking by key selection on a remote controller. Home network system control unit. The digital broadcasting receiver of claim 1, wherein the digital broadcasting receiver comprises a CPU for controlling overall operations of TV broadcasting and home networking, a flash memory for storing programs for broadcasting and home networking, and a remote controller. A signal receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal of the control unit and transmitting the signal to the CPI, a menu selection for an arbitrary device related to home networking control and a function to be controlled by the CFI, and an operation state of a currently controlled device. TV logic for displaying on the screen of the display device, MPEG decoder for MPEG processing control commands related to home networking from the CPI and transmitting to the TV logic, and processing information transmission and reception between the CPI and the home network server by Ethernet method. Ethernet controller for wireless, wifi and home The home network system control device, characterized in that the configuration includes a wireless communication unit for processing information transmitted and received between a work server.