KR20180051888A - Multi-functional IoT device which can be used as controller or sensor and IoT service system and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a multipurpose IoT device and an IoT service system using the same. The multipurpose IoT device comprises: at least one sensor; a short-range wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication with a sensor module or a controller; a mode selection unit to select an operating mode among a sensor mode and a controller mode; a controller registration unit to register a controller in a server when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit; and a sensor registration unit to register a sensor module to be controlled when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit. Since the multipurpose IoT device can be used as a controller or a sensor depending on an environment or a need, a separate controller does not need to be installed as in a conventional technique when constructing an IoT system if the multipurpose IoT device is used. Therefore, system construction costs can be reduced and the system can be flexibly designed. Also, even if a previously installed controller malfunctions or communication with an external server is disconnected, the multipurpose IoT device can be switched to the controller mode to control other sensor modules. Therefore, system safety and service continuity can be improved. Direct control using a user terminal is supported to greatly improve user convenience.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-purpose object Internet device and an Internet service system using the same,

More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose Iot device which is provided with a controller function and a sensor function and can be used as a controller or a sensor according to a user's selection or setting, and an IoT Service system and method.

Recently, the Internet has become a new future industry by integrating sensors and communication functions on various objects, and research and development of related technologies and services are being actively carried out. Such applications of the Internet are very diverse, for example, in the field of home automation.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a home automation system. Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of sensor modules 10 installed in a house, a controller 20 connected to a plurality of sensor modules 10 by near field wireless communication, A server 40 connected to the controller 20 and a user terminal 50 connected to the server 40 through the communication network 30.

2, the sensor module 10 includes a CPU 11, a sensor 12, an actuator 13, a wireless communication unit 14, and the like.

The CPU 11 transmits an event signal through the wireless communication unit 14 based on the measurement value detected by the sensor 12 and transmits the event signal to the actuator 12 according to the control signal of the controller 20 received via the wireless communication unit 14. [ (13).

The sensor 12 detects the change and / or the amount of change in the sensing element such as temperature, humidity, pressure, electrical connection state, and the like. The actuator (13) is a gas lock device. A door lock device, a lighting device, and the like, which are required to be turned on and off.

The wireless communication unit 14 supports short-range wireless communication with the controller 20. The short-range wireless communication protocol may be, for example, a Z-wave. Z-Wave is a short-range wireless communication protocol designed for environments requiring low power and low bandwidth, such as home automation and sensor networks, and is now widely used in home automation.

The controller 20 receives the measurement values or predetermined event signals detected by the sensors 12 of the sensor modules 10 and transmits them to the server 40. The controller 20 transmits the control signals received from the server 40 to the sensor module 10). Specifically, the controller 20 includes a CPU 21, an input unit 22, a first communication unit 23, a second communication unit 24, and the like.

The CPU 21 performs a procedure such as registration and cancellation of the sensor module 10 and transmits the status information of the sensor module 10, the measured value and the event signal to the server 40, And transmits the received control signal to the sensor module 10. The input unit 22 provides a user input interface for registering and releasing the sensor module 10.

The first communication unit 23 supports near field wireless communication with the sensor module 10 and the second communication unit 24 supports communication with the server 40 such as the Internet.

When the home automation system is constructed, the user accesses the server 40 through the user terminal 50 such as a smart phone, a tablet, or a PC to check the status and measured values of the various sensor modules 10 installed in the home And if necessary, a control command may be input to drive the actuator 13 of the sensor module 10 to control the domestic appliance remotely.

However, such an Internet system has several problems as follows.

First, since the sensor module 10 and the controller 20 perform separate functions, they are independently manufactured using separate CPUs 11 and 21 and software. Therefore, the sensor module 10 and the controller 20 20) must be purchased and installed separately, there is a problem that the system construction cost increases and the degree of freedom in designing the system is lowered.

Secondly, when the controller 20 acting as a gateway malfunctions or communication with the server 40 is disconnected, the user checks the state of the sensor module 10 through the user terminal 50 or controls the sensor module 10 There is a problem that can not be done.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0068703 (published on June 15, 2016)

The present invention solves this problem by providing a device having both a controller function and a sensor function so that it is possible to select and use a controller or a sensor as needed to reduce the construction cost of the object Internet system and increase the degree of freedom in design It has its purpose.

Also, when the existing controller is malfunctioning or the communication with the external server is disconnected, the controller can be switched from the sensor mode to the controller mode to control the other sensor module, thereby continuously providing the object Internet service, The purpose is to enable interworking.

In order to achieve this object, one aspect of the present invention relates to At least one sensor; A short range wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the sensor module or the controller; A mode selector for selecting an operation mode from a sensor mode and a controller mode; A controller registration unit for registering as a controller in a server when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit; And a sensor registration unit for registering the control target sensor module when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit.

The versatile object Internet device according to the present invention further comprises: a connection confirmation unit for monitoring whether or not a communication error occurs when the mode selection unit sets the sensor mode; And an automatic switching unit for switching the operation mode from the sensor mode to the controller mode when a communication error is confirmed in the connection confirmation unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a controller connected to a server via a communication network; At least one sensor module having a sensor and a short-range wireless communication unit performing wireless communication with the controller; A wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with the controller, at least one sensor, a mode selector for selecting an operation mode from a sensor mode and a controller mode, and a controller for registering the controller with the controller when the controller mode is selected, And a sensor registration unit for registering the control target sensor module when the controller mode is selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a controller connected to a server via a communication network; At least one sensor module having a sensor and a short-range wireless communication unit performing wireless communication with the controller; And a mode selection unit selecting at least one sensor from among the sensor mode and the controller mode, the object Internet service method using the versatile object Internet device, Operating a versatile object Internet device in a sensor mode; A connection confirmation step of monitoring whether or not a communication error occurs in the versatile object Internet device; A mode switching step of automatically switching the operation mode of the multifunctional object Internet device from the sensor mode to the controller mode if a communication error is confirmed in the connection confirmation step; And a step of connecting the communication with the sensor module to the multi-purpose object Internet device to perform a function of the controller.

In the method for Internet service for objects according to the present invention, after performing the function of the controller, connecting the communication with a user terminal registered with the utility Internet device; And transmitting a corresponding control command to the sensor module when a control signal is received from the user terminal.

The method further includes switching the operation mode of the multifunctional object Internet device from the controller mode to the sensor mode when the communication error is normalized after performing the function of the controller in the object Internet service method according to the present invention. And transferring the log data stored when the versatile object Internet device is in the controller mode to the controller.

The multipurpose IoT device according to the present invention can be utilized as a controller or a sensor according to the installation environment or need, so that it is not necessary to install a separate controller as in the prior art when constructing the object Internet system. Therefore, the system construction cost can be reduced and the system design can be made more flexible.

In addition, even when the existing controller is malfunctioning or communication with the external server is disconnected, it is possible to control the other sensor module by switching the versatile IoT device to the controller mode, thereby improving the safety and service continuity of the system, By supporting direct control, usability can be greatly improved.

Further, since the multi-purpose IoT device according to the present invention can be selected as a controller or a sensor, it can be used as a very useful educational material when explaining roles and operations of controllers and sensors in a training field.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home automation system
2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional sensor module and a controller
3 is a block diagram of a multi-use IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a functional block diagram of the control program
5A and 5B are diagrams showing a system configuration in which the multipurpose IoT device is used as a sensor module and a controller, respectively
6 is a flow chart illustrating an operation mode selection process of the multipurpose IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a system configuration diagram showing a state in which the operation mode of the multipurpose IoT device according to the embodiment of the present invention is automatically switched from the sensor mode to the controller mode
8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of automatically switching an operation mode of the versatile IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Note that, in the present specification, when an element is connected to, coupled with, or communicates with another element, not only when directly connecting, combining, or communicating with another element, but also when interposing another element Indirectly connecting, combining, or communicating. Also, in the case where one element directly connects, combines, or communicates with another element, it means connecting, combining, or communicating without any other element in between. It is also to be understood that the term " including any element " means that the element may include other elements, not the other element, unless specifically stated otherwise. It is to be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a versatile IoT device including both a sensor function and a controller function and an IoT system using the same.

3, the versatile IoT device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 110, a sensor 120, an actuator 130, a display unit 140, an input unit 150, A first communication unit 160, a control program 170, a first communication unit 180, and a second communication unit 190.

The CPU 110 controls the overall operation of the multipurpose IoT device 100 according to the algorithm of the control program 170. [

The sensor 120 detects whether or not a change in the sensing element used in the object Internet service is of a type that is not particularly limited. For example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a gas sensor, a pressure sensor, a sound sensor, a motion sensor (acceleration sensor, gyro sensor, etc.), a proximity sensor, a biosensor (blood pressure sensor, , Brain wave sensor, iris recognition sensor, fingerprint sensor). Also, the drive switch of the actuator can be utilized as a sensor for detecting the ON / OFF state.

The actuator (130) is a gas lock device. A door lock device, a lighting device, or the like, a motor, a cylinder, a drive switch, or the like, which is installed at a place where on / off operation is required.

The display unit 140 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and the like. The user operates the mode selection screen, sensor registration screen, sensor selection screen, A control target sensor to be controlled in the controller mode, or a sensor type to be operated in the sensor mode when a plurality of sensors are provided.

The input unit 150 is a user input device such as a button, a keypad, a touch screen, etc., and a user can input an operation mode selection, a sensor registration, a sensor selection, and the like by operating the input unit 150.

The storage unit 160 stores the control program 170 and related data, and the type thereof is not particularly limited. For example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (RAM), or the like.

The control program 170 is for controlling the versatile IoT device 100, and may be firmware or application software.

4, the control program 170 includes a mode selection unit 171, a controller registration unit 172, a sensor registration unit 173, a sensor selection unit 174, an automatic switching unit 175, A connection confirmation unit 176, and the like. Each functional unit may be provided as an independent program, or may be included in one program, or two or more functional units may be included in one program. At least one of the functional units may be replaced with hardware or provided in combination with hardware.

The mode selection unit 171 provides a function for selecting the operation mode of the multi-purpose IoT device 100 from the sensor mode and the controller mode, and an interface (e.g., mode selection screen).

The controller registration unit 172 registers the device information (e.g., MAC address, address information, and the like) to the server 40 and registers the same in the controller when the versatile IoT device 100 is set in the controller mode, Registration screen).

The sensor registration unit 173 provides a function of registering the control target sensor module 10 and a related interface (for example, a sensor registration screen) when the versatile IoT device 100 is set in the controller mode.

The sensor selecting unit 174 selects the sensor 120 to be operated when the versatile IoT device 100 is set in the sensor mode and a plurality of different sensors 120 are provided in the sensor module 10, (E.g., a sensor selection screen).

The automatic switching unit 175 provides a function for automatically switching the operation mode of the versatile IoT device 100 to the sensor mode or the controller mode and an interface (for example, an automatic switching mode on / off selection screen) when the set condition is satisfied do.

The connection confirmation unit 176 is connected to a function of determining whether or not a communication error has occurred with the controller 20 when the multipurpose IoT device 100 operates in the sensor mode or determining whether there is a communication error between the controller 20 and the server 40 Interface (eg, connection confirmation mode on / off selection screen). The connection confirmation unit 176 may determine that there is a communication error with the controller 20 when the controller 20 malfunctions or when there is an error in the short distance wireless communication with the controller 20. [ If the controller 20 malfunctions and there is no communication connection between the controller 20 and the server 40 due to a failure of the communication network 30 or the server 40, there is a communication error with the server 40 It can be judged.

The first communication unit 180 supports short-range wireless communication (e.g., geo-wave communication) with the controller 20 or another sensor module 10.

The second communication unit 190 supports communication with the server 40 (e.g., the Internet). However, the second communication unit 190 is not essential and may be omitted.

In addition, the multi-purpose IoT device 100 may include communication means for supporting short-range wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) with an adjacent user terminal 50. [

As described above, the versatile IoT device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used as a sensor module or as a controller for controlling other sensor modules according to the installation environment or need. 5A and 5B illustrate a system configuration diagram when the versatile IoT device 100 is used as a sensor module and as a controller, respectively.

Hereinafter, a method of selecting an operation mode of the multipurpose IoT device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. However, the operation mode selection method is not necessarily limited thereto.

The mode selection unit 171 of the control program 170 can set the mode selection screen to be displayed on the display unit 140 by turning on the power of the multi-purpose IoT device 100 first. Alternatively, the user may operate the input unit 150 to set the mode selection screen to be called. (ST11)

When the mode selection screen is displayed, the user selects one of the sensor mode and the controller mode on the mode selection screen. (ST12)

If the controller mode is selected, the controller registration unit 172 initializes data related to the controller operation and transmits the device information (e.g., MAC address, address information, etc.) of the multipurpose IoT device 100 to the server 40 to register Can be requested. Then, the server 40 can register the versatile IoT device 100 as a controller of the home network using the received device information. As a matter of course, the multi-use IoT device 100 needs to be connected to the server 40 through the communication network 30 as shown in FIG. 5B. (ST13, ST14)

After setting the controller mode through the versatile IoT device 100, the sensor to be connected to the versatile IoT device 100 must be registered. The sensor registration unit 173 of the control program 170 may display the sensor registration screen on the display unit 140. [ The sensor registration screen may display a list of the sensor modules 10 connected to the first communication unit 180 by short-distance wireless communication (e.g., geo-wave).

When the user selects the specific sensor module 10 from the list of the sensor module 10 displayed on the sensor registration screen, the sensor registration unit 173 registers the selected sensor module 10 in the storage unit 160, The information of the sensor module 10 can be transmitted to the server 40 and stored. Alternatively, the sensor registration unit 173 may automatically register all the sensor modules 10 connected to the first communication unit 180 by short-distance wireless communication, and transmit the corresponding information to the server 40 to store the information.

On the other hand, when registering the control target sensor module 10 in the versatile IoT device 100 set in the controller mode, the sensor 120 provided in the versatile IoT device 100 itself can also be registered as the control target sensor. (ST15)

When the versatile IoT device 100 is registered in the controller and the registration of the control target sensor module 10 is completed, the versatile IoT device 100 transmits the measurement value sent from the registered sensor module 10, Signal to the server 40 and transmits the control signal transmitted from the server 40 to the registered sensor module 10 to perform the operation as a controller. (ST16)

If the sensor mode is selected in the operation mode selection step and the versatile IoT device 100 includes a plurality of sensors 120, the sensor selection unit 174 initializes the existing sensor selection information, (140). A list of all the sensors 120 provided in the versatile IoT device 100 may be displayed on the sensor selection screen.

When the user selects a specific sensor 120 from the list of sensors 120 displayed on the sensor selection screen, the sensor selection unit 174 stores the information of the selected sensor 120. [ (ST17, ST18)

After the sensor type of the versatile IoT device 100 is determined as described above, the sensor registration process is performed through the wireless communication with the controller 20 and registered as a sensor in the controller 20 and the server 40, Or the amount of change to the controller 20 and operate the actuator 130 according to the control signal received from the controller 20. [ 5A, the controller 20 is connected to the server 40 via the communication network 30 and the multi-purpose IoT device 100 is connected to the controller 20 and the controller 20 via short-range wireless communication Of course.

In the foregoing, the case where the user arbitrarily selects the operation mode of the versatile IoT device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described.

However, as shown in FIG. 7, when there is a failure in the communication network 30 or a failure in the controller 20, there is a limit to providing a continuous service with this random selection method.

Therefore, when such a communication error occurs, it is preferable that the multi-purpose IoT device 100 is set to control the remaining sensor module 10 by automatically switching to the controller mode even if the multi-purpose IoT device 100 is set in the sensor mode.

Hereinafter, a method of automatically switching the operation mode of the multipurpose IoT device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

It is preferable to register another sensor module 10 to be controlled after the versatile IoT device 100 is automatically switched from the sensor mode to the controller mode in order to switch the automatic mode.

The registration method is not particularly limited. As an example, the versatile IoT device 100 may request information of the other sensor module 10 from the controller 20 and register it using the information received from the controller 20. [ As another example, the multi-purpose IoT device 100 may transmit a registration request signal through the first communication unit 180 and directly receive and register necessary information from the other sensor module 10. [ (ST31)

In this way, the versatile IoT device 100 operates in the sensor mode in a state where the control target sensor module 10 is registered in advance. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the system performs the function of the sensor as shown in FIG. 5A. ST (32)

The connection confirmation unit 176 included in the control program 170 of the versatile IoT device 100 periodically checks the communication connection state with the controller 20 while operating in the sensor mode, ) From the controller 20 periodically. (ST33)

If the connection confirmation unit 176 detects a malfunction of the controller 20 or a communication error with the server 40 for a predetermined period or longer, the automatic switching unit 175 automatically switches the operation mode from the sensor mode to the controller mode. (ST34)

When the controller mode is automatically switched to the controller mode, short-range wireless communication with the sensor module 10 previously registered through the first communication unit 180 is performed, and the controller module acts on the sensor module 10.

On the other hand, after the multi-purpose IoT device 100 is automatically switched to the controller mode, communication with the user terminal 50 may be established through a separate communication means.

If there is a communication error between the controller 20 and the server 40, the user terminal 50 can not access the home automation system through the server 40 and thus the communication between the versatile IoT device 100 and the user terminal 50 It is possible to continuously provide the home automation service even in the case of a communication failure, thereby improving the usability.

In order to do this, it is necessary to install a short-range wireless communication module (for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like) supporting direct communication with the user terminal 50 in the multi-purpose IoT device 100 and register the information of the user terminal 50 in advance desirable. (ST35)

On the other hand, the connection confirmation unit 176 included in the control program 170 of the versatile IoT device 100 controls the state of communication with the controller 20, the controller 20 and the server 40 To periodically check whether the communication with the server 40 through the controller 20 is normalized or not. (ST36)

If the communication with the server 40 through the controller 20 has been normalized, the operation mode is automatically switched back to the sensor mode, and the log data of each sensor module 10 stored in the controller mode is transmitted to the controller 20, To the server 40 and store them (ST37, ST38)

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

20: controller 40: server
50: user terminal 100: versatile IoT device
110: CPU 120: Sensor
130: actuator 140:
150: input unit 160:
170: control program 171: mode selection unit
172: controller registration unit 173: sensor registration unit
174: Sensor selection unit 175: Automatic switching unit
176: Connection confirmation unit 180 First communication unit
190 Second communication section

Claims (7)

At least one sensor;
A short range wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the sensor module or the controller;
A mode selector for selecting an operation mode from a sensor mode and a controller mode;
A controller registration unit for registering as a controller in a server when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit;
A sensor registration unit for registering a sensor module to be controlled when the controller mode is selected by the mode selection unit,
A multi-purpose object Internet device The method according to claim 1,
A connection confirmation unit for monitoring a communication error when the mode selection unit is set to the sensor mode;
An automatic switching section for switching the operation mode from the sensor mode to the controller mode when the connection confirmation section confirms a communication error,
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > Internet < / RTI > device A controller connected to the server through a communication network;
At least one sensor module having a sensor and a short-range wireless communication unit performing wireless communication with the controller;
A wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with the controller, at least one sensor, a mode selector for selecting an operation mode from a sensor mode and a controller mode, and a controller for registering the controller with the controller when the controller mode is selected, And a sensor registration unit for registering the control target sensor module when the controller mode is selected,
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > internet service system The multi-purpose object Internet device according to claim 3,
A connection confirmation unit for monitoring a communication error when the mode selection unit is set to the sensor mode;
An automatic switching section for switching the operation mode from the sensor mode to the controller mode when the connection confirmation section confirms a communication error,
Wherein the object Internet service system A controller connected to the server through a communication network; At least one sensor module having a sensor and a short-range wireless communication unit performing wireless communication with the controller; And a mode selector for selecting an operation mode from a sensor mode and a controller mode, the method comprising the steps of:
Operating the versatile object Internet device in a sensor mode;
A connection confirmation step of monitoring whether or not a communication error occurs in the versatile object Internet device;
A mode switching step of automatically switching the operation mode of the multifunctional object Internet device from the sensor mode to the controller mode if a communication error is confirmed in the connection confirmation step;
Wherein the multifunctional object Internet device performs communication with the sensor module to perform a function of a controller
Internet service method 6. The method of claim 5,
After the step of performing the function of the controller,
Connecting the communication with a user terminal for which the utility multi-purpose internet device is registered;
Transmitting a corresponding control command to the sensor module when a control signal is received from the user terminal
The method comprising the steps of: 6. The method of claim 5,
After the step of performing the function of the controller,
Automatically switching the operation mode of the versatile object Internet device from the controller mode to the sensor mode when the communication error is normalized;
Transmitting the log data stored when the versatile object Internet device is in the controller mode to the controller
The method comprising the steps of:

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