TW201001974A - Method and device for forming a group of devices in a network - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention proposes a method and device for forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to a network, which group is set up by a creator in the network. The method comprises a step of sending, by at least one of said devices, a message informing whether it permits said creator to add the device to the group; a step of accessing, by said creator, a list of devices permitting said creator to add them to the group, said message being derived from a list of devices permitting said creator to add them to a group; and a step of adding, by said creator, a device selected from said list to said group.

Description

201001974 IX. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to network management techniques, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for forming a device group in a network. [Prior Art] Today, certain structures and methods are known to implement device interconnection. For example, smart grouping and resource sharing (IntelHgent Gr〇uping _ ^zhan ^

Sharing, IGRS) is a Chinese home network standard that focuses on device connectivity and content sharing between home electronic systems. In Magic (10), grouping is used for the key steps of device interaction... The device group is formed by a plurality of devices connected to the network by a device group management mechanism. However, in the known solution, the indication of the creation of the group is such that an advertisement message containing the group identification is continuously present in the network. The advertisement message can be sent by the creation group, which is used as the creator of the group ((4) ator). "The device can determine whether it will be added to the group identified by the advertisement message after receiving the group advertisement message, including: by the device requesting the addition of the group pre-! ^ Please cut to the main party of the group (the step of the job call, The step of the device that is initiated by the host according to == whether the device currently initiating the request is allowed to join. The keynote Tian Tian. The moon clothing F:: second: the party is responsible for managing the joining request of other devices. Join the request and only join the - group. This means that the plan to join the S Xuan group of the splitting geese 4 Μ take the initiative in joining a group. If the group of the main 132296.doc 201001974 party wants to add a device to $ 兮έΒ,日, a # Add to the group, the creator must wait for the request to be sent to the group 七 λ on the 詈 λ λ, ^ 1 join request. This is quite limited. The present invention proposes a method of forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to a network, the group being established by a creator in the network. The method comprises sending m by at least one of the devices to notify whether it is allowed to be created. The step of adding it to the group.

The method also includes the step of accessing, by the creator, a list of devices that the creator is allowed to add to the group, the list being derived from the message. X The method also includes the step of adding, by the creator, the device selected from the list to the group. The present invention also proposes a device intended to be added to a group formed by a plurality of devices connected to a network, the group being established by a creator in the network. The device includes means for transmitting a message to inform it whether to allow the creator to add it to the remote group, for deriving a list of at least one device that is allowed to be added to the group, the list is intended Used by the creator to select devices to be added to the group. The present invention also proposes that the group creator 1 forms the group from a plurality of devices connected to the network. The creator includes a module for taking a list of devices that allow the creator to add a basin to the group by the creation. The creator includes means for adding, by the creator, the selected ones from the list to the group. The proposed method and apparatus provide (4) a solution for forming a group, allowing the 132296.doc 201001974 creator to initiate a join request. As such, the creator does not need to wait for the device to join the request. The other objects of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following description. [Embodiment] In the present invention, a group represents a batch of devices (ie, a plurality of = can be operated according to different cooperation) The law provides some functions and grouping devices to provide the functional description of the group to the network by advertising. Therefore, you can search for the corresponding group to get the desired function. For example, the group for video/audio data for the mound. It may include a video player, with a speaker: a stereo audio player, a video camera, a display, etc. The creator of the group according to the present invention is responsible for establishing a group of devices, requesting and dismissing from other devices. This group, for example, at home, considers having computers, washing machines, cooking utensils and some air conditioners in different rooms. The computer (instructed by the user of the computer) establishes a group to control when cooking different types of food. Cooking time and cookware temperature /, also used to control the movement of washing machines and air conditioners. In this real money, electricity is called the creator. Figure 1A illustrates the self-connected A plurality of devices to the network form a flow chart of a method according to the invention. The group is established by a creator in the network. The method includes sending, by at least one of the devices, a message to inform them whether to allow the The step 1 1 创建 is added by the creator to the group. The method also includes a step 120 of accessing, by the creator, a list of devices that allow the creator to add it to the group, the list being derived from the message 132296.doc 201001974 2 includes the step 1 3 0 of adding the device selected from the list to the 5H group by the creator. The following describes the creator aspect of the self-group and detailed description of these steps. For the device to be broken into the group as follows, when the group is established in the network, the step of sending a message 丨丨θ is performed for the device that is potentially added to the group to allow the creator to be allowed. Add it to the list of devices in the group, which is intended to be used by the far creator to select the device to be added to the group.

The message was sent as public information, ‘week. For example, the content of the message can be packaged into an IP package. By including the "bamboo destination π address" item in the header of the ip-bee packet, each _ "L-mother device" in the network can receive data by filtering the destination (four) address. Typically, a specific "π> address" is assigned to the public information. If the "destination is the address" in the packet header of the packet is assigned to the specific IP address of the public information, all devices in the network receive the IP packet as the public information. This message can be sent when the device is connected to the network or at any time entered by the user. Advantageously, the message can be sent periodically. For example, every sec, the device in the network sends this message to the network. As a result, the list is updated according to the updated message. The content of the message can include different blocks. For example, it is self-proclaimed 4", . Scrap may include, but is not limited to, the following fields: - "Device ID" corresponding to the identifier of the device, - "IP address" corresponding to the IP address of the device. 132296.doc 201001974 The fact that the device sent this message means that it allows the creator of the group to add it to the group. Conversely, a device that does not send a message means that the device does not allow the author to add it to the group. Any suitable device identifier "Device ID" can be used in the list to access the device, including the name, serial number and any other appropriate identification information. Table 1 is an example of a message. This message includes the fields of the device "m" and "IP address" of the device. r ^jlD : 12345_ jg address: 123.12.1.123 Table 1 dynamically creates the allowed group creation by "-listening" (for example, detecting) and collecting such messages (in the form of table!) It is added to the list of devices in the group. In this case, the feeder is not required to create and maintain the list.

The message sent by the C device may also carry the reverse meaning "it does not give the license to any creator of the group in the network". In this case, the devices in the network can dynamically create devices that do not allow any of the creators of the group to add them to their group :::. By: Disabling the transmission of such a message on the list of all online devices:: I: A list of devices that will be licensed to the creator. All Wei Wei: t list can be obtained by the message of online advertisement, which is sent by the parent-device when it is connected to the network. Table 2 gives another example of the message. Alternatively, the message may also include a third field "License", which contains the content of the day J32296.doc 201001974 is allowed or not allowed to be added to the group by the creator of the group. According to Table 2', if the field "License" indicates Γν(5)" in the message, it means that the device that sent the message does not allow any creator to add it to its group. Conversely, if the "license" in the message indicates "γ", it means that the device that sent the message will give permission to the creator. Device Κ): 54321 ΙΡ位: 111.122.12.123 License: Υ/Ν Table 2 It should be understood that the format of the message is used to illustrate the principles of the present invention. It can be any suitable format with any suitable term. It should also be understood that the names of the items of "licensing" are for you to be swearing, and that you can be changed to any appropriate name. The list in accordance with the present invention can be derived and maintained by the server by "listening" to the message of the network, or by the creator of the group intended to use the list, or by any device in the network*. A copy of the list (or a list of points) can be stored in multiple devices. Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention for forming a set. In this example, consider the four radix, 奘w 1U devices in the network. Devices 21, 22, 23 and 24. The elliptical block represents the device and the rectangular block represents the step. Link the steps to the device without a solid line with an arrow. The solid line with an arrow indicates that the device sends a message to the device. The signal includes, but is not limited to, a message or data. For example, a basin, J is any information that carries information from the next step of outputting a step. 132296.doc •10· 201001974 The dotted line with arrows represents the time sequence of the steps performed by each device. The network is represented as 20. The network can be any local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) or Any other type of network. The step 110 of sending a message can be done when the devices 21, 22, 23 and 24 are connected to the network. Alternatively, it can also be followed by the user of the device 21, 22, 23 or 24. Any time entered is triggered.

In this example, the parent devices 21, 23, and 24 respectively transmit the message as the public information to the network, indicating whether it allows the group creator to add it to the group. For example, the message from device 21 and device 23 indicates that it allows the group's author to add it to the group. The message from device 24 indicates that it does not allow the creator of the group to add it to the group. The device 23 is taken in accordance with such a message and it can be used by the group creator. (4). In this example, device 22 is considered to be the creator of the group (i.e., the user of device 22 wants to add other devices to form a group). As a group creator, the method of forming a group according to the present invention includes an access step 120. The creator also includes the addition step 33 〇. (10) If the creator 22 wants to add certain devices to its group, first, the creation benefit 22 performs step 12 〇 ' to access the list from the server or the creator itself or from any device in the network. 〆 ', , , and then create a benefit 22 to perform step 13 〇 to self; set 2 and add it to the group. After the creator can select the device = ‘pass two Γ from the device selected in the list to add to the group, the creator sends a message to the device to notify the device that it has been added to the group. Such a set of creators does not have to wait for the devices listed by 132296.doc 201001974 sent by device 21 and device 23. Create a request. The producer 22 can be added directly to the lister 22 so that a group can be formed quickly and efficiently. Figure 1B shows a second flow chart of the method in accordance with the present invention. Optionally (illustrated by dashed lines), the method of the invention also includes the step 14 of updating the number of groups to which it has been added. This step is useful if the device is disbanded by the group creator (i.e., excluded from the group), or if the device itself leaves the group. In this case,

The number of groups to which the device has been added will change at any time. Step 14〇 allows the device to update this quantity. Optionally, the result of the update step 140 (the number of updates) can be used by step 15, by comparing the maximum number of groups to which the device to which the message is sent can be added to the number of groups to which it has been added. To determine if the device allows the creator of the group to add it to the group. The result of the comparison step 150 is used by step 1 to determine the content of the message to be transmitted. The creator that determines whether the device is to grant the grant to the group can be determined by the rules presupposed by the device manufacturer or the user of the device, or by the instant input by the user of the device. For example, the default rule may be "the number of groups to which the device has been added cannot exceed the maximum number of groups to which it can be added." As a result, when determining whether the device allows the creator of the group to add it to the group, the number of groups to which the device has been added should be considered. If the number of groups to which the device has been added has reached the maximum number of groups to which it can be added, then the device cannot allow any of the group's authors to add it to the group. 132296.doc -12- 201001974 Before, the set 2 was allowed to be added to up to 5 groups. In the case of sending a message ratio: the number of groups that have been added to this group and the maximum number of values 5 the number of groups to which the transmitting device 21 has been added is 5 ', then the device 21 is in the form of Table 1 The following 'and no message is sent means that the device or device 21 sends the message in the format of Table 2, and (4) it does not allow the creator to add it to the group. As a result, the number of groups to which the device 21 has been added is now updated from 5 to 4 in the case where it will not be excluded from a group. The number of this update can be used in the comparison step. As a result, the content of the message has not been allowed to change to allow (for example, the message "Allow" changes from "Ν" to "γ"). It should be understood that the preset rules may be described by any suitable parameters. For example, the rule can be the duration that the creator of the group is allowed to add devices to the group. For example, the duration is from 9:0 〇Α _17: 〇〇 ρ Μ during which time the creator of the group is allowed to add the device to the group. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional module of the device 3G. In accordance with the present invention, device 30 is intended to be added to a group formed by a plurality of devices connected to the network. The amount is established by the creator in the network. The device 3 includes a module 3 for performing the step 110 described in the previous month. The module 300 can be implemented by a microprocessor 3〇1 connected to a memory 302 having code instructions. The microprocessor 3.1 is used to create and transmit messages in accordance with instructions stored in the ticks 3. The module is linked to the user interface 305' to receive user input. For example, the user can instruct module 300 to send a message indicating that it is not allowed to be added by any of the creators of the group. 132296.doc 201001974 Messages are sent to the network via the network interface 303 (connected to the network, not shown). Module 304 is used to provide the services of the device (ie, primary functionality). For example, as a monitor H, the service provided (4) displays the view according to the received data. The module 304 is linked to the network via the network interface 3. 3 to share the data and provide the service to other devices ' & request the service module from other devices in the network, ' and 304 is also linked to the user interface 3〇5 to receive user input. Optionally, device 30 also includes a module 3〇6 for performing the comparison step 150 described above. The module 306 is coupled to the user interface 3〇5 to receive user input (ie, the maximum number of groups to which the device 3 is allowed to be added), and is also linked to the module 300 to notify Comparing results. Optionally, the device 30 may further include a module 3〇7 for implementing the above updating step 140. The module 3〇7 is linked to the network interface 3〇3 for receiving the notification message from the creator. The notification message is used to notify the device 3 to be added to the group. The right group 307 updates the number of groups to which it is added according to the received message. The module 307 is also linked to the module 3〇6 for notification. The number of updates to which the module 3〇6 device 30 has been added. It should be understood that each module 3〇, 4, 306, 307 may also be implemented by a microprocessor connected to a memory having code instructions. The microprocessors of the different functional modules can be integrated into one unit, and the memory of the poem storing different code instructions can also be integrated into one unit. Figure 4 shows the creator 40 according to the invention. The module of the function module ^ ° creator 4G is intended to form a group. Create If 4G first establish a 132296.doc •14· 201001974 group 'and then choose to be a member of the group from multiple devices connected to the network Device creator 40 includes means for implementing access step 〖2 The module 402, and the module 4〇3 for implementing the adding step 13 as described above. The modules 402 and 403 are linked to the user interface 4〇1 to receive input from the user. The interface 4()1, the user can specify the device 4 as the group creator, and select the members of the group from the list provided by the module 402. The module 402 and the module 403 are all linked to the network interface 4 〇4, with other

The network device exchanges information ' to perform access step 12 and add; step 130. The device 40 also includes a module 4〇5 for providing services (i.e., primary functions) to other devices in the network. The module 4〇5 is linked to the user interface for receiving user requests for services and is also linked to the network interface 404 for sharing data with other devices in the network. It should be understood that each module 402, 4〇3, 405 can be implemented by a microprocessor connected to a memory having code instructions. A microprocessor for implementing different functions of the module, 403 or 405 can also be integrated into one unit. It is also possible to integrate multiple memories into one unit. According to the invention, it is proposed to form a plurality of devices including a plurality of devices connected to a network. (4) The system includes at least one device including a template 300 for performing the transmitting step 110. / The system also includes the creator used to create the group. The creator includes a module 4〇2 for performing the access step 120, and a group 403 for performing the adding step 13. ' 132296.doc -15· 201001974 For example 'In Figure 2, the system comprises means 21, 22, 23, 24. We can assume that the system intends to form a home theater group to share audio/visual materials. Create: 22 is a computer 'device 21 is a video player, device 23 is a power amplifier with a speaker, and device 24 is a digital television device 2i, U, 24, used as a device to be added to the group, with Send the module 300 of the step ιι〇. The device 22, used as a creator of the group, has a module 402 for performing the access step 120, and a module 4〇3 for performing the adding step 13〇. By means of such a device in the system, a method for forming a group in accordance with the present invention is completed. Optionally, the devices in the network can be a group creator and at the same time a member of another group. In this case, one device includes all modules (send/access/add module) 30〇/4〇2/4〇3. This device can be used as a member of a group creator or group at the request of the user. It should be understood that the system with four devices shown in Figure 2 is for illustration only. The system can include a plurality of devices for forming a group. There are many ways to implement the power b by means of hardware or software or a combination of the two. In this regard, the drawings are purely illustrative, and each drawing represents only one possible embodiment of the invention. Thus, although the figures show different functions as different blocks, this in no way excludes that a single hardware or software implements several power cycles b° and does not exclude the assembly of multiple hardware or software or both to achieve a function. In the foregoing, the detailed description with reference to the drawings Many alternative technical features are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims. References in the request item 132296.di 201001974 The label should not be considered as a restriction request. The word "comprising" does not exclude the existence of other elements or steps other than those listed in the claim. The word "one" in front of the unit step does not exclude multiple such units or steps: 7^? 4τ ^ [Simple description]

Figure 1A shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention; 1B shows a second flow chart of the method according to the invention; 2 shows a device for forming an example of a group in a network according to the invention; A block diagram of the block diagram. Figure 3 shows the creation of a group according to the invention in accordance with the invention. [Main component symbol description] 20 Network 21 Device 22 Device 23 Device 24 Device 30 Device 40 Creator 300 Module 301 Microprocessor 302 Memory 303 Network Interface 304 Module

132296.doc 17 201001974 305 User Interface 306 Module 307 Module 401 User Interface 402 Module 403 Module 404 Network Interface 405 Module

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Claims (1)

201001974 X. Patent application scope: l A method of forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to a network, the group being established by the creation of a route, the method comprising transmitting by at least one device (1 10 a message to inform it whether to allow the creator to add it to the group, the #9 uses a list of devices that allow the creator to add it to the group, the list is intended to be used by the job Select the device to be added to the group. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing, by at least one device, the maximum number of groups to which it can be added to the number of groups to which it has been added to determine whether it allows the creator The step of adding it to the group (150). 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step (14) of updating the number of groups to which the device has been added by at least one of the devices. 4. A method of forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to a network, the group being established by a creator in the network, the method comprising the steps of: • allowing the H access (120) to allow the The creator adds it to the list of devices in the group; the creator adds the device selected from the list to (13〇) the group. 5. A method of forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to the network. The group is established by a creator in the network, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting (1) 〇 a message by at least one of the devices to notify Whether it allows the creation of the thief to add it to the group; access by the creator (12G) allows the creator to add it to the list of devices in the group' the list is derived from the message; 132296.doc 201001974 The device selected from the list is added to the (i3G) group by the creator. 6. A device (3G) intended to be added to a group formed by a plurality of devices connected to the network 'This group is created by the creator _ in the network, which is used for Sending a message to inform it whether the creator (40) is allowed to add it to the module of the group () for deriving a list of devices that allow the creator to add it to the group, the list is intended Used by the creator (40) to select devices to be added to the group. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, which also includes a maximum number of groups for which at least one of the devices can be added to compare with its added number of Huai lines to determine whether U allows the creator to Add to module (3 06). 8. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, which is also included for use by at least one of. The Hai device updates the module of the number to which it has been added (3〇7). 9. A creator (4A) for forming a group from a plurality of devices connected to a network, the group being established by the creator in the network, the creator (40) comprising: The creator accesses a module (402) that allows the creator to add it to the list of devices of the group; a module for adding, by the creator, the device selected from the list to the group (403) . A system comprising a plurality of devices connected to a network for forming a group, the system comprising: to >, a device comprising means for transmitting a message to inform it whether to allow the creator to add a module (3 〇〇) to the group; and a 132296.doc 201001974 creator (40) that establishes the group, the creator comprising: means for accessing a device that allows the creator to add it to the group A list module (402) that derives from the message and a module (403) for adding devices selected from the list to the group. 132296.doc