KR20220025432A - Device of supporting network connection of electronic device and method implementing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for supporting network interworking of electronic devices and a method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices comprises: a communication unit that performs wired or wireless connection with a router and communicates with electronic devices and the router; a storage unit for storing identification information of the electronic devices and the router; and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the storage unit to connect the electronic devices to the router through the communication unit.

Description

DEVICE OF SUPPORTING NETWORK CONNECTION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING THEREOF

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for supporting network interworking of electronic devices.

Various electronic devices are arranged in residential and work spaces such as home appliances and offices. In the past, electronic devices only provided their own functions, and the need for external communication was not high.

However, as the technology of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been recently proposed, the need for electronic devices to also provide communication functions or to change functions by performing communication with an external server is increasing.

Accordingly, each electronic device needs a function of transmitting and receiving information with other devices. In addition, in order for these electronic devices to be connected to a specific server or other external communication device, a communication connection setting operation is required. In addition, when a plurality of electronic devices are disposed in the same space, a function of managing these electronic devices in a common network is required.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for supporting a communication connection or communication function of electronic devices.

The present specification is intended to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present specification is to provide an apparatus and method capable of integrally controlling and managing a plurality of electronic devices using a gateway device.

In addition, the present specification is intended to provide an apparatus and method by which users and administrators of electronic devices can manage and control electronic devices disposed in a specific space.

In addition, the present specification intends to provide an apparatus and method capable of extending functions appropriately even when a communication method, a storage method, or a power supply method changes later by configuring the gateway device to allow additional function expansion.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the appended claims.

A gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit configured to perform a wired or wireless connection with a router and communicate with the electronic device and the router, and to store identification information of the electronic device and the router. It includes a storage unit, and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the storage unit to connect the electronic device to the router via the communication unit.

A gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit for controlling the communication unit to transmit information received from the control device to the electronic device or to transmit status information of the electronic device to the control device .

The gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an extension unit that provides a wireless communication solution not supported by the communication unit.

A method for supporting network interworking of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: outputting, by a control device, a message guiding a connection between a gateway device and a router; After confirming that the network is formed, the step of listing and displaying the identification information of the electronic device and registering it in the server, the control device sends a command to control the electronic device to the gateway device via the server or directly via the local network and transmitting, by the control device, receiving information about a control result or current state of the electronic device from the gateway device.

When the present invention is applied, it is possible to integrally control and manage a plurality of electronic devices using a gateway device.

In addition, when the present invention is applied, the user and the manager of the electronic device can manage and control the electronic devices arranged in a specific space.

In addition, when the present invention is applied, the gateway device may be configured to enable additional function extension.

The effect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described effect, and various effects of the present invention can be easily derived from the configuration of the present invention.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a manager device or a user device controls a wired/wireless connection between electronic devices and a server using a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gateway device to ensure compatibility of a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a plurality of electronic devices are registered in a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a process of forming a local network between a gateway device and a router according to an embodiment of the present invention and collectively registering a plurality of electronic devices.
7 is a diagram illustrating an interface for controlling an app installed in a user device to form a local network between a gateway device and a router according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a user device controls an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram illustrating a process by which an administrator and a user install and use a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification. Further, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, the same components may have the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated in different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted.

In describing the components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, order, or number of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may be interposed between each component. It should be understood that each component may be “interposed” or “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” through another component.

In addition, in implementing the present invention, components may be subdivided for convenience of description, but these components may be implemented in one device or module, or one component may include a plurality of devices or modules. It may be implemented by being divided into .

The gateway device described in this specification may search for electronic devices within a certain range and register them with a server or may control the electronic devices so that these electronic devices provide specific functions.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gateway device 100 includes a case unit 160 and a fixing unit 170, which are devices necessary for installing or embedding the corresponding gateway device on a wall or a specific space. In addition, the gateway device may mount a component that provides a predetermined communication connection function or communication function, such as a chip or a printed circuit board (PCB), and these chips or PCBs are in the lower components of the case unit 160 . may be fixed or mounted by

The fixing unit 170 may include a bracket or a screw, and may couple the gateway device 100 to the wall. Alternatively, the fixing unit 170 may be fixed in embedding the gateway device 100 .

The case unit 160 and the fixing unit 170 described above are mechanical components of the gateway device 100 . Next, we will look at the electronic components.

The control unit 140 for controlling the operation of the gateway device 100, the communication unit 110 for performing communication, and the storage unit 120 for storing information may be implemented in the form of a single chip or a PCB. The power supply 130 may be additionally provided.

The control unit 140, the communication unit 110, and the storage unit 120 of the gateway device 100 may be implemented in the form of a single chip or PCB, and their operations may be implemented by either software or hardware. . Accordingly, one component including the control unit 140 , the communication unit 110 , and the storage unit 120 of the gateway device 100 is referred to as a control module 150 .

The gateway device 100 may operate by itself without an external power source. In this case, the power supply unit 130 includes a battery. When the gateway device 100 operates with an external power source, the power supply unit 130 may be connected to an external power source.

In addition, the extension unit 190 may be selectively added to the gateway device 100 to adapt to a change in a communication method or an operation method according to the addition and expansion of various electronic devices. The expansion unit 190 includes an embodiment of components coupled to change the power supply method of the power supply unit 130 .

In addition, the extension unit 190 includes a new communication module corresponding to various communication methods as an embodiment.

1 shows that one chip may provide one or more services. For example, the gateway device 100 of FIG. 1 may search for information on electronic devices and transmit their information to a smart phone or a tablet computer.

In one embodiment, the gateway device 100 provides information on electronic devices to a user device (smartphone, tablet computer, notebook, computer, etc.) possessed by a user who uses the corresponding electronic device, and the user device uses the electronic device to be able to control them.

Alternatively, the gateway device 100 provides information on electronic devices to a manager device (smartphone, tablet computer, notebook, computer, server, etc.) possessed by a manager who remotely manages the corresponding electronic device, and the manager device controls the electronic devices. to be able to control or manage or operate;

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described focusing on either the user device or the manager device, and the user device and the manager device are collectively referred to as a control device. An application may be installed in the control device, and communication may be performed directly or indirectly with the gateway device 100 through this. Direct communication indicates communication in which the control device connects to the local network formed between the router and the gateway device 100 and exchanges information without a server. In this case, the control device may communicate with the gateway device via the router.

Indirect communication indicates that the control device remotely communicates with the gateway device 100 via a server. In this case, the control device may communicate with the gateway device 100 via a router and a server that provides a cloud service. Of course, even when the control device is connected to the local network, communication may be performed through the server. This may be applied differently according to the setting of the control device, the setting of the local network, and the like.

Also, the embodiment applied to the user device is applicable to the manager device. Similarly, the embodiment applied to the manager device is applicable to the user device.

The overall configuration of the gateway device 100 is as follows.

The communication unit 110 performs a wired or wireless connection with the router and communicates with the electronic device and the router. The storage unit 120 stores identification information of the electronic device and the router.

The control unit 140 controls the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 120 to connect the electronic device to the router. In this case, the control unit 140 may connect the electronic device to the router via the communication unit 110 . In addition, the control unit 140 controls the communication unit to transmit information received from the control device to the electronic device or to transmit status information of the electronic device to the control device. That is, the gateway device 110 supports network interworking of electronic devices.

In this process, the control unit 140 may store the identification information of the electronic device and the identification information of the control device in the storage unit 120 . In addition, the control unit 140 deletes identification information of the electronic device that has not been connected for a certain period of time or more, or connects the electronic device to the router through re-authentication.

In one embodiment, the controller 140 may store information about the time when each electronic device communicates with or connects to the router together with identification information of the electronic devices stored in the storage 120 . And, when electronic devices that have not accessed or communicated for more than a certain period of time (eg, one week or two weeks) attempt to access the router, the controller 140 re-authenticates the electronic device through an authentication process.

For example, the control unit 140 transmits a message to the control device indicating that the corresponding electronic device attempts to connect again. Then, upon receiving an acceptance message indicating that access to the corresponding electronic device is permitted from the control device, the control unit 140 permits the access of the corresponding electronic device.

Similarly, the controller 140 may also store identification information of the control device. Also, the control unit 140 may delete identification information of a control device that has not been connected for a certain period of time or more, or may perform re-authentication of the control device.

The extension unit 190 may provide a wireless communication solution not supported by the communication unit 110 . In addition, when the expansion unit 190 is coupled, the control unit 140 may control one of the communication unit 110 and the expansion unit 190 to be in charge of communication with the electronic device or the router.

For example, when the communication unit 110 is in charge of communication according to the first protocol and the extension unit 190 is in charge of communication according to the second protocol, the control unit 140 is configured to communicate according to the first protocol. With respect to the device, the communication unit 110 is controlled to be in charge of communication with the first electronic device. Similarly, with respect to the second electronic device communicating according to the second protocol, the controller 140 controls the extension unit 190 to be in charge of communication with the second electronic device.

In addition, when the electronic device can communicate using both the first protocol and the second protocol, the control unit 140 communicates with any one protocol according to the type of protocol used by other electronic devices, network performance or speed, etc. 110 or the extension 190 may be controlled.

In addition, when the extension unit 190 is installed after the gateway device 100 is installed, the controller 140 registers electronic devices supporting the second protocol among existing electronic devices so that they can communicate with the gateway device 100 . process can be performed.

That is, the controller may change the connection method of previously connected electronic devices according to the addition of the extension unit 190 .

In the configuration of FIG. 1 , one control module 150 may communicate with a user device or a manager device. Alternatively, two control modules are included in the gateway device 100 , and one of the control modules may communicate with the user device, and the other control module may communicate with the manager device. In this case, a configuration in which a plurality of control modules 150 may be included in the configuration of FIG. 1 is assumed as an embodiment.

Alternatively, two or more communication units 110 may be included in the control module 150 in consideration of communication scalability.

2 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gateway device 100 may connect communication with a plurality of electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n. The plurality of electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n maintain a basic communication connection state with the gateway device 100 according to a predetermined communication method (refer to route 4).

Thereafter, the plurality of electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n may be registered with the server 500 under the control of the user device 310 or the manager device 350 (refer to route 3 and route 2). Even in this case, these electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n may communicate with the server 500 via the gateway device 100 (refer to route 2 and route 4). The server 500 may provide a cloud service.

Thereafter, the electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n may continuously communicate with the server 500 via the gateway device 100 . In addition, the user device 310 or the manager device 350 may also monitor the status or control the functions of the electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n through communication with the server 500 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the gateway device 100 remotely controls the plurality of electronic devices 10a, 10b, ..., 10n by the user device 310 or the manager device 350 or performs maintenance and repair. make it possible

For example, when a plurality of system air conditioners are installed in a residential space, the gateway device 100 may mediate a communication function in order to control and manage them in an integrated manner. In addition, a plurality of electronic devices disposed in offices, small business establishments, etc. may also be controlled via the gateway device 100 .

When the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is applied, for example, in the case of a store providing an autonomous laundry service, a plurality of washing machines maintain a communication connection with the gateway device 100 , and an external user device 310 and a manager may be controlled from device 350 .

Similarly, even when a plurality of air conditioning systems (air conditioners), that is, devices such as air conditioners, are installed in an officetel or office, these air conditioners maintain communication connection with the gateway device 100 and external user devices 310 and manager devices ( 350) can be controlled.

The configuration shown in FIG. 2 may provide a network solution that satisfies the differentiated needs of a user or an administrator. In particular, each electronic device can operate under management and control through server interworking.

In addition, the gateway device 100 may provide a network solution using other electronic devices or other servers 500/devices 310 and 350 and a wired or wireless communication medium.

3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a manager device or a user device controls a wired/wireless connection between electronic devices and a server using a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The user device 310 may operate according to various operating systems (WIN, iOS, AOS, etc.). Similarly, the manager device 350 may also operate according to various operating systems (WIN, iOS, AOS, etc.).

Each device may perform a Wireless-Step for performing a wireless connection or a Wire-Step for performing a wired connection according to a wireless state or a wired state. In the case of a wireless connection, it may operate in "Soft-AP" mode as an embodiment, and in this process, the gateway device 100 provides information on a plurality of electronic devices to the user device 310 or the manager device 350 . can

In the case of a wired connection, a communication connection may be performed via a router, and in this process, the gateway device 100 may provide information on a plurality of electronic devices to the user device 310 or the manager device 350 .

Various electronic devices registered to the server by the user device 310 or the manager device 350 use various protocols (http, mqtt, etc.) It is possible to connect to the server 500 . In this process, wireless LAN, which is a protocol for wireless connection, or Ethernet, which is protocol for wired connection, may be used.

A REST server or MQTT server may be disposed in the middle of the communication connection to relay communication between the user device 310 or the manager device 350 , the home appliances and the server 500 .

Registration of an electronic device and provision of a communication connection using the above-described configuration and gateway device 100 enables wired or wireless communication solutions to be used simultaneously or selectively, so that a signal for communication can be stably processed, and the electronic device A customized service can be provided according to the security policy of the user or administrator who wants to control them.

In addition, when the gateway device 100 is used, since management of electronic devices can be performed in the server 500 , the user device 310 provides content suitable for the user, and the manager device 350 provides content suitable for the administrator. can provide

Alternatively, by allowing the gateway device 100 to communicate with two or more servers, the user device 310 may perform operation status and control of the electronic device through the general user content providing server. Similarly, the manager device 350 may perform operation status and control of the electronic device through the manager content providing server.

This allows users and administrators to have different needs or methods for controlling the operation of electronic devices, so that they are independently operated so that maintenance and remote control services can be smoothly operated.

Meanwhile, the gateway device 100 may be disposed to ensure communication module compatibility in hardware configuration in consideration of scalability for various wired/wireless communication connections.

4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gateway device to ensure compatibility of a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control module 150 and the extension unit 190 may be disposed between the top case 160t and the middle case 160m.

As an embodiment, the control module 150 is a PCB (main PCB, first PCB). Various circuit configurations mounted on the PCB implementing the control module 150 provide functions of the control unit 140 , the communication unit 110 , and the storage unit 120 .

In addition, the extension 190 may be selectively included. The extension 190 may also be implemented in the form of a PCB. In this case, the extension unit 190 may be implemented as a sub PCB (second PCB), and the control module 150 may be implemented as a main PCB (first PCB).

A plurality of extension units 190 may be added. After the gateway device 100 is installed once, the wireless solution can be expanded by adding the extension unit 190 . For example, the communication unit 110 supporting the UART port method may be pre-mounted in the control module 150 of the gateway device 100 .

Alternatively, when the communication unit 110 in the control module 150 does not support the UART port method, the extension unit 190 supporting the UART port method may be added to the gateway device 100 .

In this way, the gateway device 100 may provide the scalability of the wireless solution through the addition of the extension unit 190 . In addition to the above-described UART Port method, the gateway device 100 includes an extension unit 190 for protocol conversion between RS485 and Wi-fi, protocol conversion between RS485 and ZigBee, or protocol conversion between RS485 and Z-wave for compatibility with RS485 protocol. may further include. In accordance with a change in the electronic device or a change in a power supply method, modules providing such a changed technology may be added to the gateway device 100 as an extension unit 190 .

The fixing unit 170 includes a bracket, a screw, and the like, and enables the gateway device 100 to be fixed to the wall or embedded in the wall.

When the hardware configuration of FIG. 4 is applied, the gateway device can be installed on a wall or buried.

The configuration of FIG. 4 is summarized as follows. In the middle case 160m, which is a component of the case unit 160, the first PCB 150 including the control unit 140, the communication unit 110, and the storage unit 120, and the second PCB 190 including the extension unit are mounted. It is a hardware component that becomes

In addition, the top case 160t which is a component of the case unit 160 covers the first PCB 150 and the second PCB 190 .

In addition, the fixing unit 170 is coupled to the middle case 160m and the top case 160t, and fixes the gateway device 100 to the wall surface or embeds it.

5 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a plurality of electronic devices are registered in a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the user device 310 is mainly described, the manager device 350 may also operate with the same mechanism as the user device 310 .

It includes an access point (AP) and a gateway device 100 , a user device 310 , electronic devices 10 , and a server 500 , such as home appliances, electronic products, and office electronic devices as an embodiment. .

The router AP may form a local network 50 with the gateway device 100 in a wired or wireless manner. In addition, the router AP is connected to the server 500 via an external communication network (eg, an Internet network or a public communication network). That is, the router AP operates as a medium connecting the Internet network and the local network 50 .

The gateway device 100 may be connected to the router (AP) by wire or wirelessly. For example, the gateway device 100 may be connected to the router AP by wire using a wired local area network (LAN). Alternatively, the gateway device 100 may be wirelessly connected to the router AP using a wireless local area network (Wireless LAN).

The gateway device 100 may be wirelessly connected to an external device, for example, the user device 310 or the electronic device 10 .

Electronic devices or user devices 310 connected to the gateway device 100 may be connected to an external communication network through the gateway device 100 .

Alternatively, the gateway device 100 may be configured to be integrated into the router AP.

The user device 310 is wirelessly connected to the router (AP) or the gateway device 100 . The user device 310 may access the server 500 through a wireless communication network, log in to a user account, and use a cloud service.

Here, the cloud service refers to a service in which a user's own user account is provided, and data related to me can be stored, shared, and used in the user's account anywhere.

For example, a user logs into a user account through the server 500, downloads a file uploaded by the user in the past, receives information about a device registered in his/her account in real time, or remotely accesses a registered device. can be controlled with However, these are only some examples, and more various cloud services may be provided based on a user account.

After logging into the user account through the server 500 , the user device 310 may register the electronic device 10 related thereto to the user account. Through this, the user device 310 may receive status information about the electronic device 10 in real time, and may remotely control the electronic device 10 through the server 500 .

Various applications for using the cloud service may be installed in the user device 310 , and the user may use the cloud service through the application installed in the user device 310 .

Here, the user device 310 may be any such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a desktop, a notebook, a tablet, and the like. It may be a computing system of

The electronic device 10 is connected to the gateway device 100 using a wired or wireless communication network. The electronic device 10 transmits state information of the electronic device 10 to the control device or the server through the gateway device 100 . In addition, the electronic device 10 operates by receiving a control command transmitted from the control device or the server 500 through the gateway device 100 .

The electronic device 10 may include a communication interface for communicating with the outside, in one embodiment, such as a wired local area network (LAN), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Zigbee, etc. It may be a modem communication interface connectable to a wireless local area communication interface, a power line communication (PLC) or a mobile cellular network, such as 3G (3rd Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

The electronic device 10 may be an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a TV, a microwave oven, a light bulb, etc. used by a user in daily life or in an office or business place.

Meanwhile, the server 500 is a device connected to an external communication network (eg, the Internet network or a public communication network) that provides a cloud service.

The server 500 stores and manages user accounts for a plurality of users. Similarly, it stores and manages administrator accounts for administrators.

In this case, information about the user, information about the user device 310, and information about the electronic device 10 registered in advance by the user are stored in the user account.

Similarly, information about the manager, information about the manager device 350, and information about the electronic device 10 registered in advance by the manager are stored in the manager account.

The user may log in to the user account of the server 500 using the user device 310 , and receive current status information about the electronic device 10 registered in advance in the user account, or the home appliance 10 registered in advance. ) can be controlled remotely. However, this is only an example, and the server 500 may be used with various modifications to the cloud service.

The above description may be equally applied to the manager device 350 and the manager account. However, the manager device 350 may integrate and manage the electronic devices 10 of a plurality of users.

In the configuration of FIG. 5 , the gateway device 100 may communicate with a control device (user device or manager device) via a router AP. In this embodiment, a case in which the control device (user device or manager device) is coupled to the local network 50 is exemplified.

In addition, the gateway device 100 may communicate with the control device (user device or manager device) via the server 500 and the router (AP). This is a case in which the control device (user device or manager device) is not coupled to the local network 50 and communicates with the gateway device 100 remotely as an embodiment.

6 is a diagram illustrating a process of forming a local network between a gateway device and a router according to an embodiment of the present invention and collectively registering a plurality of electronic devices. Although the embodiment using the user device 310 is presented, it may also be applied to the embodiment using the manager device 350 .

First, the user device 310 performs an operation so that the gateway device and the router (AP) form a local network. After executing the application (app, Application), the user device 310 checks whether the gateway device 100 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the router (AP) in the app (S200).

If, in the process of installing the gateway device 100, it is already connected to the router AP by wire (S201), the user device 310 performs the formation of a local network between the gateway device and the router based on the pre-connected wire. instruct (S202). Formation of a local network means that the gateway device 100 can transmit and receive data using a router (AP).

On the other hand, when the gateway device 100 and the router (AP) require a wireless connection, the app instructs the formation of a local network based on the "Soft AP" method (S203).

When a wired or wireless local network ( 50 in FIG. 5 ) is formed between the gateway device 100 and the router AP in step S202 or S203 , the user device 310 registers the electronic device using the app.

In one embodiment, the app of the user device 310 lists and displays the identification information of the electronic devices in the space, and allows them to be registered with the server 500 via the gateway device 100 (S205) .

Thereafter, the user device 310 may control the registered electronic devices using the gateway device 100 .

Control methods can be divided into two types. When the user device 310 does not form the local network 50 with the router AP, that is, when the user device 310 is not included in the local network (S206), the user device 310 controls and functions of the electronic device. A message including a command to perform is transmitted to the server 500, and this message may be delivered to the electronic device via the router (AP) and the gateway device 100 (S207).

Alternatively, when the user device 310 also forms a local network with the router AP (S206), the user device 310 uses the gateway device 100 without the server 500 to control and control the electronic device. may be transmitted to the electronic device (S208).

In the case of wireless communication, the user device 310 may search for electronic devices and gateway devices that have been switched to a soft access point (AP) mode. In particular, in the case of electronic devices, information necessary for connection with the gateway device 100 may be delivered to the discovered device. As an example of the information to be transmitted, an ID such as a password and a service set ID (SSID) is an embodiment.

For the embodiment of FIG. 6 , the gateway device 100 may further include a button for activating the Soft-AP mode to perform wireless connection with the router.

In addition, when the button is pressed, the controller 140 of the gateway device 100 may activate the Soft-AP mode to form a local network with the router according to the control of the control device (user device or manager device). That is, when the gateway device 100 activates the Soft-AP mode, the controller 310/350 may control the router AP and the gateway device 100 to form a local network.

The process of FIG. 6 is summarized as follows.

The control device (user device/administrator device) outputs a message guiding the connection between the gateway device 100 and the router (S200), and after the control device outputs the message, whether the router and the gateway device form a local network After checking (S201 ~ S203), the identification information of the electronic device is listed and displayed, and then registered in the server (S205).

In addition, the control device transmits a command (or a message including the same) for controlling the electronic device to the gateway device via the server or directly via the local network (S207, S208), and controls the electronic device from the gateway device You can receive information about the result or the current status. According to such a mechanism, the control device may support network interworking of electronic devices, control the operation or function of each electronic device, or manage/maintenance/maintenance of the electronic device.

7 is a diagram illustrating an interface for controlling an app installed in a user device to form a local network between a gateway device and a router according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the process S200 to S205 of FIG. 6 above.

The user device 310 executes the app. An example of the execution screen of the app is shown in 211. If you select "Remote Management Gateway" in 211, the execution screen as shown in 212 is displayed. At 212, you can check whether the router's Internet line is connected to "GW". If it is connected, you can select "Yes" on screen 212 to perform the local network formation process according to the wired connection.

If not connected, select "No" on screen 212. If "No" is selected, the user device 310 performs steps 213 or 215/216 for soft AP connection.

When the user device 310 uses an Android operating system (Android OS), an execution screen 213 is displayed. On the other hand, when the user device 310 uses an Apple operating system (iOS), an execution screen 215 is displayed. In order to connect the gateway device 100 and the router AP using the soft-AP method, the user device 310 may guide the pressing of a specific button of the gateway device 100 as shown in 213 or 215 .

After that, when the connection is ready and the Wi-Fi LED of the gateway device 100 blinks, in the Android embodiment, the local network formation is completed (refer to 218).

On the other hand, when the connection is ready and the Wi-Fi LED of the gateway device 100 blinks, in the iOS embodiment, as shown in 216 , information necessary for selecting a local network may be additionally displayed. After the information is displayed, the user device 310 indicates that the product connection, that is, the local network formation is completed, as shown in 218 .

Thereafter, the user device 310 displays a list of the gateway device 100 and other electronic devices (eg, air conditioner 1, air conditioner 2, air conditioner 3) that form a local network and registers them in the server 500 ( 219). Registration may be performed using identification information (ID, phone number, etc.) of the user device 310 . Here, if the corresponding gateway device is a previously registered product, the previously registered nickname (eg, nickname_GW) is displayed and the checkbox can be deactivated.

Thereafter, the process may proceed to “221” of FIG. 8 .

8 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a user device controls an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user device 310 may check the gateway devices and air conditioners 1 to 5 registered in their account. In this case, the user device 310 may also display the operation status of each electronic device as shown in 221 .

When the user device 310 selects the gateway device 110 , that is, an area marked “GW”, five electronic devices connected to the “GW” are displayed. Here, the user device 310 selects a specific electronic device for detailed control of the specific electronic device (air conditioner 1). As a result of selection 223 , an interface for setting the current operating state and function of the corresponding device is displayed on the user device 310 .

As described above, the user device 310 may control the gateway device 100 to form a local network with the router AP, and may also control a plurality of electronic devices connected to the gateway device 100 .

Like the user device 310 in the above-described embodiment, the manager device 350 also controls the gateway device 100 and the router to form a local network, and also a plurality of electronic devices to be controlled in the gateway device 100 . can be connected so that However, the manager device 350 may control more space than the user device 310 . In this case, the manager device 350 may control a plurality of gateway devices and a plurality of electronic devices respectively connected to the plurality of gateway devices. See Table 1. Table 1 shows identification information of user devices and gateway devices, electronic devices connected to the gateway device, and an administrator account for managing electronic devices disposed in a plurality of spaces. Admin1 may control and manage a plurality of air conditioners connected to the two gateway devices GW_1 and GW_2.

On the other hand, user devices can control only electronic devices connected to the gateway device assigned to each identification information.

User account (user device identification) Gateway device identification Electronics Administrator account (administrator device identification) User_1 GW_1 Aircon1, Aircon2, Aircon3, Aircon4, Aircon5 Admin1 User_2 GW_2 Aircon11, Aircon12 Admin1 User_3 GW_Wash WashMachine1, WashMachine2, Admin2

9 is a diagram illustrating a process by which an administrator and a user install and use a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The manager may conclude a maintenance contract with the owner/user of the gateway device and electronic device to be managed, or a subject entrusted from them ( S231 ). And the administrator account creates a service account (S232). Similarly, the user installs an application in the user device 310 and performs service registration (S232).

A gateway device is installed in parallel or sequentially with this process (S233). It can be installed directly by a professional, wired or wireless. Thereafter, the manager may perform management/maintenance/repair work using the manager device 350 ( S234 ). A user may use the user device 320 to control and monitor products that are individual electronic devices.

Here, the manager can repeatedly perform management/maintenance/repair work through renewal of the contract. Meanwhile, the user device 310 checks the manager account connected to the gateway device 100 , and when the contract is terminated, the corresponding manager account may be deleted.

In an embodiment, when the control device is a user device, after the contract with the manager is terminated, the user device may remove identification information of the manager device from the gateway device.

Conversely, when the control device is a manager device, when a corresponding user cancels a contract with a space in which the electronic device and the gateway device are installed, the manager device may remove identification information of the user device from the gateway device.

That is, the storage unit 120 of the gateway device 100 may store identification information of the user device and identification information of the manager device. In addition, the communication unit 110 transmits identification information of a user device that does not correspond to the control device or identification information of a manager device to the control device, so that the control device can check the registration status of other manager devices/user devices.

That is, the control device 310/350 may receive and display identification information of another user device or identification information of a manager device from the gateway device 100 . This allows the control device 310/350 to manage other control devices communicating with the gateway device 100 .

And when the control device 310/350 instructs the gateway device 110 to delete previously transmitted identification information, the controller 140 of the gateway device 110 controls the storage unit 120 of the gateway device 110 . Deletes the identification information instructed to be deleted from the device.

The control unit 140 of the gateway device 110 ignores a command transmitted from the user device or the manager device corresponding to the deleted identification information or cuts off communication with the user device or the manager device corresponding to the deleted identification information to secure security. can keep

When an embodiment of the present invention is applied, a cloud service may be provided using the gateway device 100 installed in the user's space. In particular, the barrier to cloud service provision is removed by arranging a low-cost gateway device even in a small space.

In addition, both the manager device and the user device may provide services necessary for controlling the home appliance. Services such as voice control, integrated home appliance control, and individual energy management for indoor units can be implemented not only in the manager device 350 but also in the user device 310 .

In particular, since the gateway device 100 is capable of not only a wired Ethernet connection but also a wireless Wi-Fi connection, it is possible to control a plurality of electronic devices via the gateway device 100 after forming a local network. In addition, when electronic devices are added, they can be easily added via the gateway device 100 .

In addition, since remote control or function setting is possible by remotely upgrading the gateway device 100 without upgrading electronic devices, the convenience of management and maintenance can be improved. In particular, providing the gateway device 100 through a wireless connection may reduce user convenience, installation cost, and complexity.

In addition, a cloud service solution can be provided by simply installing the gateway device 100 at home or in a small business.

In addition, two subjects, an administrator and a user, can remotely control electronic devices through one gateway device 100 . In this case, the server 500 may be separated to provide a server for an administrator and a server for a user for stability of management. When the servers are separated, each of the servers may independently provide the functions of maintenance and user function control via the gateway device 100 .

Both a solution for an administrator and a solution for a user can be implemented through one gateway device 100 .

In addition, as described above, by adding the extension unit 190, it is possible to expand the wireless solution in the future. When an electronic device having a new wireless communication method is added, an extension unit 190 including a communication module suitable therefor may be added to the gateway device 100 to provide expandability.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , it is possible to increase the efficiency of installation and maintenance by providing an interface for easy registration of electronic devices and gateway devices.

The gateway device 100 and the user/administrator devices 310 and 350 examined in the embodiment of the present invention enable maintenance, repair, and control of electronic devices in a house or office/business place. That is, the Internet connection state of electronic devices can be implemented by using the router (AP) and the gateway device 100 in the corresponding space, and the user/administrator devices 310 and 350 can easily connect the electronic devices by interworking with the server 500 . Control and maintenance/management/repair, etc. can be performed on these devices.

Since this can be done based on the installation of the gateway device 100 , there is no need for a complex maintenance/repair/control unit installation or process for integrated management of electronic devices. In addition, functions such as additional communication/power/management can be easily upgraded by adding the extension unit 190 of the gateway device 100 to enable wired or wireless communication.

In particular, a living space or office space in which an air conditioning system is installed in which a multi-air conditioner is installed, a laundry room in which a plurality of washing machines are installed and operated, and a personal life that provides a predetermined service by arranging a plurality of other home appliances that provide the same type of function The installation of the gateway device 100 in a service workplace or the like facilitates maintenance/repair or management of a plurality of electronic devices.

In particular, the gateway device 100 that can be linked with the server 500 that provides a cloud function can provide both wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) communication connection methods, so that the installer can easily connect electronic devices and Network setting of the gateway 100 may be performed.

In addition, the extension unit 190 of the gateway device 100 enables function extension. Accordingly, in a residential space or workplace in which existing electronic devices are disposed, communication services can be provided simply through the installation of the gateway device 100 without installing or changing an additional network configuration for maintenance/repair/control.

This enables the remote control of an electronic device suitable for the user from the side of the user in addition to the administrator, and also in that the remote maintenance/maintenance of the administrator and the remote control of the user are possible at once through the installation of the gateway device 100 . The efficiency of management and use of devices may be increased.

Even if all the components constituting the embodiment of the present invention are described as being combined or operated as one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, and all components within the scope of the present invention are one or more may be selectively combined to operate. In addition, although all of the components may be implemented as one independent hardware, some or all of the components are selectively combined to perform some or all of the functions of one or a plurality of hardware programs module It may be implemented as a computer program having Codes and code segments constituting the computer program can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art of the present invention. Such a computer program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium (Computer Readable Media), read and executed by the computer, thereby implementing the embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium of the computer program includes a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, and a storage medium including a semiconductor recording device. In addition, the computer program implementing the embodiment of the present invention includes a program module that is transmitted in real time through an external device.

In the above, although the embodiment of the present invention has been mainly described, various changes or modifications may be made at the level of those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

100: gateway device 310: user device
350: manager device 500: server

Claims (12)

a communication unit performing a wired or wireless connection with the router and communicating with the electronic device and the router;
a storage unit for storing identification information of the electronic device and the router; and
a control unit for controlling the communication unit and the storage unit to connect the electronic device to the router via the communication unit;
The control unit transmits information received from the control device to the electronic device or controls the communication unit to transmit status information of the electronic device to the control device, a gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices.
According to claim 1,
Further comprising an extension unit for providing a wireless communication solution not supported by the communication unit,
When the extension unit is coupled, the control unit controls one of the communication unit and the extension unit to be in charge of communication with the electronic device or the router, a gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices.
3. The method of claim 2,
The gateway device
a middle case in which a first PCB including the control unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit and a second PCB including the extension unit are mounted;
a top case disposed on the upper surface of the middle case and covering the first PCB and the second PCB; and
The gateway device for supporting network interworking of electronic devices, further comprising a fixing unit coupled to the middle case and the top case and fixing the gateway device to a wall surface or embedding and fixing the gateway device.
According to claim 1,
The control device corresponds to either a user device or an administrator device,
The storage unit stores identification information of the user device and identification information of the manager device,
The communication unit transmits identification information of a user device that does not correspond to the control device or identification information of a manager device to the control device, a gateway device supporting network interworking of electronic devices.
According to claim 1,
When the control device instructs to delete the transmitted identification information from the gateway device, the control unit deletes the deletion-instructed identification information from the storage unit,
The control unit ignores a command transmitted from the user device or the manager device corresponding to the deleted identification information or cuts off communication with the user device or the manager device corresponding to the deleted identification information, supporting network interworking of electronic devices gateway device.
According to claim 1,
Further comprising a button for activating the Soft-AP mode to perform a wireless connection with the router,
When the button is pressed, the control unit activates a Soft-AP mode to form a local network with the router according to the control of the control device.
According to claim 1,
The gateway device communicates with the user device or the manager device via the router or via one or more servers that provide a cloud service and the router, and the gateway device supports network interworking of electronic devices.
outputting, by the control device, a message guiding the connection between the gateway device and the router;
After the control device outputs the message, after confirming that the router and the gateway device form a local network, listing and displaying identification information of the electronic device and registering it with the server;
transmitting, by the control device, a command for controlling the electronic device to the gateway device via the server or directly via the local network; and
A method for supporting network interworking of an electronic device, comprising the step of receiving, by the control device, information on a control result or current state of the electronic device from the gateway device.
9. The method of claim 8,
The control device corresponds to either a user device or an administrator device,
The method further comprising the step of receiving, by the control device, identification information of the user device different from the control device or identification information of the manager device from the gateway device and displaying the receiving device.
10. The method of claim 9,
The method further comprising the step of instructing, by the control device, the step of instructing the gateway device to delete the identification information from the gateway device, to support network interworking of electronic devices.
9. The method of claim 8,
When the gateway device activates the Soft-AP mode, the control device controls the router and the gateway device to form a local network.
9. The method of claim 8,
The method of supporting network interworking of electronic devices, wherein the control device communicates with the gateway device via the router or via a server providing a cloud service and the router via the router.

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