TW201427359A - Management systems and methods for intelligent appliances, and computer program products thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Management systems and methods for intelligent appliances are provided. The system includes a mobile device and at least one intelligent appliance. The mobile device transmits a specific packet using a broadcast manner. The intelligent appliance receives the specific packet, and transmits response information in response to the specific packet to the mobile device. The mobile device displays device information corresponding to the intelligent appliance in a management interface according to the response information. In some embodiments, a selection corresponding to the device information corresponding to the intelligent appliance is received, and in response to the selection, the intelligent appliance is connected to be managed by the mobile device.

Description

Smart appliance management system and method, and computer program product thereof

The present invention relates to a smart home appliance management system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for searching and managing smart home appliances using mobile devices.

With the development of technology, the application of information technology has not only been limited to simple computer applications, but has gradually expanded to consumer electronic devices such as televisions, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Through information manipulation, smart home appliances can provide more auxiliary functions, and users can operate related devices more conveniently and flexibly. In addition, in recent years, mobile devices, particularly handheld devices, have become more advanced and more functional. Due to the convenience of these devices, these devices have become one of the necessities of life.

In general, some smart home appliances can be controlled through the Internet. When a user wants to control a smart home appliance through the network, it is necessary to set up a network server that can be connected to the network and connect the smart home appliance to the network server. Users can connect to this web server via the Internet to control smart appliances.

The network control mechanism can provide a more convenient operation and management method for smart home appliances. However, in the control mode of the smart home appliance, in addition to the cost of additionally installing related hardware, such as a network server, the user must also be familiar with the techniques of server construction, network connection, and related control. . It is very difficult and inconvenient for the average user to complete.

In view of this, the present invention provides a smart home appliance management system and method, and the mobile device can search for and manage smart home appliances by using specific packets, thereby providing a more efficient and convenient smart home appliance management mechanism.

A smart home appliance management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mobile device and at least one smart home appliance. The mobile device transmits a specific packet by broadcast over a wired network or a wireless network. At least one smart home appliance receives a specific packet and transmits a response message corresponding to the specific packet. The mobile device receives the response information from the at least one smart home appliance, and displays the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance according to the response information according to the response information.

A smart home appliance management method suitable for a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the mobile device sends a specific packet in a broadcast over a wired network or a wireless network. Then, the mobile device receives a response message. The response information is transmitted by at least one smart appliance corresponding to a specific packet. Then, the mobile device displays the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance according to the response information according to the response information.

In some embodiments, the mobile device can further receive the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance, and accordingly, the mobile device is connected to the at least one smart home appliance to manage the at least one smart home appliance.

In some embodiments, the mobile device may further determine and display a specific control interface according to the device information of the at least one smart home appliance to manage the at least one smart home appliance. In some embodiments, the device information may include a device name, a device class corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance. Type, and / or a device address.

In some embodiments, managing the at least one smart appliance may include controlling at least one function of the at least one smart appliance and/or monitoring a state of the at least one smart appliance.

In some embodiments, the at least one smart home appliance can have a predetermined identification data and determine whether the particular packet includes the predetermined identification data. When a specific packet includes a predetermined identification data, the corresponding specific packet transmits the response information.

In some embodiments, the mobile device can transmit the broadcast packet through a network sharer.

The above method of the present invention can exist in a coded manner. When the code is loaded and executed by the machine, the machine becomes the means for practicing the invention.

The above described objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and appended claims appended claims

Fig. 1 shows a smart home appliance management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The smart home appliance management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electronic device such as a mobile device 110 and a plurality of smart home appliances (120, 122, 124, 126). In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can be any portable electronic device such as a tablet, a notebook, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, or a global positioning system. In some embodiments, smart home appliances may include televisions, video recorders, projectors, air conditioners, refrigerators, and/or washing machines, and the like. The mobile device 110 can send a specific packet to each smart home appliance. In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can transmit the specific broadcast in a broadcast over a wired network or a wireless network. Packet. Smart home appliances that receive this particular packet will respond accordingly. In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can have a predetermined identification data and embed the predetermined identification data in the particular packet. The smart home appliance can determine whether the particular packet received has one of the internal identification data. If the particular packet received has internal predetermined identification data, the smart appliance can transmit a response message to the mobile device 110 corresponding to the particular packet. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the mobile device and the smart home appliance can jointly download and obtain the predetermined identification data through a network routing application platform. Since the mobile device has the same predetermined identification data as the smart home appliance, the smart home appliance can be controlled by the mobile device. For example, a user A can download the corresponding smart appliance management application and a predetermined identification data a from the application platform through a mobile device. The application and the predetermined identification data a can be installed in the mobile device and the smart home appliance of the user A. In addition, a user B can download the corresponding smart appliance management application and a predetermined identification data b from the application platform through a mobile device. The application and the predetermined identification data b can be installed in the mobile device and the smart home appliance of the user B. Therefore, a mobile device can manage the correct smart home appliances without erroneously connecting to other people's home appliances. In addition, in some embodiments, the response information may include the address, name, and type of the smart home appliance. It is reminded that the relevant device can be connected to the smart home appliance through a network according to the address of the smart home appliance. On the other hand, in some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can be connected to a network sharer 130 by a link 140, such as wired or wireless, as shown in FIG. 2, and broadcasted through the network sharer 130. Send this specific packet. It is worth noting that in some implementations In an example, the network sharer 130 can be any network device that can transfer/transfer data packets, such as routers, bridges, and/or wireless access points. Similarly, smart home appliances that receive this particular packet will respond accordingly.

FIG. 3 shows a smart home appliance management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smart home appliance management method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to at least one smart home appliance and an electronic device, such as a mobile device such as a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, or a global positioning system. It should be noted that, for the sake of brevity, in this embodiment, only one smart home appliance is used for exemplary illustration. When multiple smart appliances exist, each smart home appliance can operate similar to the smart home appliance described in the demonstration.

In step S310, the mobile device 110 transmits a specific packet. It is reminded that the mobile device 110 can broadcast this specific packet to each smart home appliance through a wired network or a wireless network. Additionally, in some embodiments, mobile device 110 can transmit the broadcast packet through a network sharer, such as a router, bridge, and/or wireless access point. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can transmit a specific packet having a predetermined identification data to each smart home appliance. It must be noted that this particular packet may be a packet of a particular format that looks for any smart appliance located within the domain. In step S320, the smart home appliance 120 receives the specific packet, and in response to the specific packet, transmits a response message to the mobile device 110 that transmits the specific packet. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the smart home appliance can determine whether the particular packet received has one of the internal predetermined identification data. If received specific The packet has an internal predetermined identification data, and the smart appliance can transmit a response message to the mobile device 110 corresponding to the specific packet. It is reminded that in some embodiments, the response information may include the address, name, and type of the smart home appliance. Then, in step S340, the mobile device 110 receives the response information from the smart home appliance 120, and in step S350, displays device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance according to the response information in a management interface. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the device information of the corresponding smart home appliance may include a device name and/or a device type of the corresponding smart home appliance. It is noted that in some embodiments, the management interface may display device information of the corresponding smart home appliance in a graphical and/or tabular manner. For example, the management interface 500 can display device information of the corresponding four smart home appliances, such as [Device A: Air Conditioning] 510, [Device B: Air Conditioning] 520, [Device C: Refrigerator] 530, and [Device D: Audio ] 540, as shown in Figure 5A.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a smart home appliance management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The smart home appliance management method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to at least one smart home appliance and an electronic device, such as a mobile device such as a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, or a global positioning system. It should be noted that, for the sake of brevity, in this embodiment, only one smart home appliance is used for exemplary illustration. When multiple smart appliances exist, each smart home appliance can operate similar to the smart home appliance described in the demonstration.

In step S410, the mobile device 110 transmits a specific packet. It is reminded that the mobile device 110 can broadcast this specific packet to each smart home appliance through a wired network or a wireless network. Similarly, in one In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 can transmit the broadcast packet through a network sharer such as a router, a bridge, and/or a wireless access point. It is reminded that the mobile device 110 can transmit a specific packet having a predetermined identification data to each smart home appliance. Similarly, this particular packet may be a packet of a particular format that looks for any smart appliance located within the domain. In step S420, the smart home appliance 120 receives the specific packet, and in response to the specific packet, transmits a response message to the mobile device 110 that transmits the specific packet. It is noted that in some embodiments, the smart home appliance can determine whether the particular packet received has an internal predetermined identification. If the particular packet received has internal predetermined identification data, the smart appliance can transmit a response message to the mobile device 110 corresponding to the particular packet. Similarly, in some embodiments, the response information may include the address, name, and type of the smart home appliance. Then, in step S440, the mobile device 110 receives the response information from the smart home appliance 120, and in step S450, displays the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance according to the response information according to the response information. Similarly, in some embodiments, the device information of the corresponding smart home appliance may include a device name and/or a device type of the corresponding smart home appliance. In some embodiments, the management interface may display device information of the corresponding smart home appliance in a graphical and/or tabular manner.

Thereafter, in step S460, the mobile device 110 determines whether a selection of any corresponding device information is received. In other words, the user can view device information of the corresponding individual smart home appliances displayed in the management interface by using the mobile device, and select one of the device information. When the selection of the corresponding device information is not received (NO in step S460), the process of step S460 is continued. Judge. When the device information of the corresponding smart home appliance 120 is received (Yes in step S460), in step S470a, the mobile device 110 is connected to the smart home appliance 120; meanwhile, in step S470b, the smart home appliance 120 accepts the mobile device 110. connection. It should be noted that a communication standard between the mobile device 110 and the smart home appliance 120 can be defined to perform mutual communication, authentication, and connection with each other. After the connection between the mobile device 110 and the smart home appliance 120 is established, in step S480a, the mobile device 110 determines and displays a specific control interface according to the device information of the corresponding smart home appliance 120 to manage the smart home appliance 120; In step S480b, the smart home appliance 120 accepts management of the mobile device 110.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, the corresponding manipulation interface of the corresponding different device types may be defined in the mobile device 110. In addition, the user can also set the control interface corresponding to different device types according to personal preference. In addition, it must be noted that, in some embodiments, managing the smart appliance may include controlling at least one function of the smart appliance and/or monitoring one of the states of the smart appliance. For example, when the user selects [Device A: Air Conditioning] 510 displayed in the management interface 500 in FIG. 5A, a specific control interface 600 corresponding to [Device A: Air Conditioning] 510 will be displayed in the mobile device, such as Figure 5B shows. Among them, the specific manipulation interface 600 can monitor the state of [Device A: Air Conditioning].

Therefore, through the intelligent home appliance management system and method of the present invention, the mobile device can send a specific packet through a wireless or wired network to search all the smart home appliances in the domain, and display the corresponding in a graphical or tabular manner. Device information for smart home appliances. In addition, users can select specific smart appliances to connect and provide customers according to the selected device type. The control interface is used for management operations. Since the mobile device has a user-customized control interface, it is convenient to control various functions of the smart home appliance and monitor its state.

The method of the invention, or a particular type or portion thereof, may exist in the form of a code. The code may be included in a physical medium such as a floppy disk, a CD, a hard disk, or any other machine readable (such as computer readable) storage medium, or is not limited to an external computer program product, wherein When the code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The code can also be transmitted via some transmission medium, such as a wire or cable, fiber optics, or any transmission type, where the machine becomes part of the program when it is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer. Invented device. When implemented in a general purpose processing unit, the code combination processing unit provides a unique means of operation similar to application specific logic.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not intended to limit the invention, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of protection is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

100‧‧‧Smart Appliance Management System

110‧‧‧ mobile devices

120, 122, 124, 126‧‧‧ smart home appliances

130‧‧‧Network Sharer

140‧‧‧ links

S310, S320, ..., S350‧‧‧ steps

S410, S420, ..., S470a, S470b, S480a, S480b‧‧‧ steps

500‧‧‧Management interface

510, 520, 530, 540‧‧‧ device information

600‧‧‧specific control interface

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a smart home appliance management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a smart home appliance management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a smart home appliance management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing a smart home appliance management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5A is a schematic diagram showing a management interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing a particular management interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

S310, S320, ..., S350‧‧‧ steps

Claims (17)

A smart home appliance management system comprising: at least one smart home appliance for receiving a specific packet, corresponding to the specific packet transmitting a response message; and a mobile device for transmitting a wired network or a wireless network The specific packet is sent by the broadcast mode, and the response information is received by the at least one smart home appliance, and the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance is displayed on a management interface according to the response information. The smart appliance management system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further receives the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance, and the selected mobile device is connected to the at least one smart type. The home appliance manages the at least one smart home appliance. The smart home appliance management system of claim 2, wherein the mobile device determines and displays a specific control interface according to the device information of the at least one smart home appliance to manage the at least one smart home appliance. . The smart appliance management system of claim 2, wherein the device information comprises a device name, a device type, or a device address corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance. The smart appliance management system of claim 2, wherein managing the at least one smart appliance comprises controlling at least one function of the at least one smart appliance or monitoring one state of the at least one smart appliance. The smart appliance management system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one smart appliance has a predetermined identification data and is judged Determining whether the specific packet includes the predetermined identification data, and when the specific packet includes the predetermined identification data, transmitting the response information corresponding to the specific packet. The smart appliance management system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device transmits the broadcast packet through a network sharer. The smart home appliance management system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device and the at least one smart home appliance jointly download the predetermined identification data through a network routing application platform. A smart home appliance management method, applicable to a mobile device, comprising the steps of: transmitting a specific packet by broadcast over a wired network or a wireless network; receiving a response message, wherein the response message is at least one smart The home appliance is transmitted corresponding to the specific package; and the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance is displayed on a management interface according to the response information. The smart appliance management method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: receiving a selection of the device information corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance; and correspondingly selecting, connecting to the at least one smart home appliance, To manage the at least one smart home appliance. The method for managing a smart home appliance according to claim 10, further comprising determining and displaying a specific control interface according to the device information of the at least one smart home appliance for managing the at least one smart home appliance. For example, the smart appliance management party described in claim 10 The method, wherein the device information includes a device name, a device type, or a device address corresponding to the at least one smart home appliance. The smart appliance management method according to claim 10, wherein managing the at least one smart appliance includes controlling at least one function of the at least one smart appliance or monitoring one state of the at least one smart appliance. The smart appliance management method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one smart home appliance has a predetermined identification data, and determines whether the specific packet includes the predetermined identification data, and when the specific packet includes the predetermined identification data The response message is transmitted corresponding to the specific packet. The smart appliance management method according to claim 14, wherein the broadcast packet is sent through a network sharer. The smart appliance management method according to claim 9, wherein the mobile device and the at least one smart home appliance jointly download and obtain the predetermined identification data through a network routing application platform. A computer program product for loading and executing a smart appliance management method by a machine, the computer program product comprising: a first code for transmitting by broadcast over a wired network or a wireless network a specific code; a second code for receiving a response message, wherein the response message is transmitted by the at least one smart appliance corresponding to the specific packet; and a third code for using the response message A management interface displays device information corresponding to one of the at least one smart home appliance.