WO2008148310A1

WO2008148310A1 - System and method for expanding one interworking protocol based on another interworking protocol

Info

Publication number: WO2008148310A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/001111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Tian
Original assignee: Ivt (Beijing) Software Technology Inc.
Priority date: 2007-06-06
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: CN101321156B; CN101321156A

Abstract

The invention discloses a system and a method for expanding a second interworking protocol based on a first interworking protocol. The system includes a first equipment, a second equipment and a server. The first equipment and the second equipment both contain the first interworking protocol, and at least one kind of interworking protocols is stored in the server. The interworking protocols respectively correspond to various parameters of interworking equipments, and include the second interworking protocol for supporting the interworking of the first equipment and the second equipment. The first equipment is arranged to: acquire the parameter of the second equipment using a first communication link in light of the first interworking protocol; send a request containing the parameter of the second equipment for downloading a protocol to the server using IP network; download the interworking protocol chosen according to the request from the server; install the downloaded interworking protocol in the first equipment, which is the second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

Description

Method and system for performing second interworking protocol extension based on first interworking protocol

The present invention relates to downloading and upgrading of software, and in particular to a method and system for downloading a second interworking protocol for inter-device communication from a server based on device parameters obtained using the first interworking protocol. Background technique

It has become a common application for communication devices to communicate for different purposes through various interworking protocols. In recent years, a variety of short-range wireless technologies have emerged, such as Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) technology, Wibree technology, wireless USB technology, and UWB (Ultra Wideband wireless technology) technology. Have their own underlying physical protocol and upper layer application protocol. The use of these short-range wireless technologies enables interconnection between wireless devices, freeing users from the hassle of cables. With the development of wireless technology, these wireless interworking protocols are constantly being updated, and the content of the wireless interworking protocol itself (such as the upper layer application protocol of Bluetooth) is also increasing.

For the interoperability agreement, some new demands are emerging. The interworking requirements between the two devices are not limited to the basic standards of interworking protocols. More than 4 non-global unified standards are extended and extended applications are developed, and these extended and extended applications are often specific to specific vendors. of. Therefore, in order to implement an extended protocol and an extended application, a device needs to install multiple different interworking protocols to correspond to a plurality of different specific devices. Increasing interoperability protocols and the number of specific types of devices make it impossible for device manufacturers to store all interworking protocols in the limited storage space of the device.

In addition, for the interworking protocol of two interworking devices, since the interworking protocol involves communication problems between two interworking devices, it cannot be simply upgraded and replaced according to the device parameters of one of the interworking devices, but According to the equipment parameters of the two parties (such as the supported interworking protocol and version information, or the existing interworking protocol and version information, etc.), select the appropriate interworking protocol and the corresponding version, and then update the interworking protocol to achieve the purpose of interworking. . If the user is manually asked to find the corresponding interworking protocol for downloading two interworking devices, the operation process is complicated and the feasibility is not high. Summary of the invention

In view of these requirements, it is desirable to provide a method and system for downloading interworking protocols between communication devices for resolving the download and maintenance of interworking protocols and for timely updating of interworking protocols.

The present invention discloses a server for centrally storing various interworking protocols, and a method and system for implementing a second interworking protocol extension by a first device and a second device based on a first interworking protocol.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for protocol extension in a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising a first device and a second device communicable by a first interworking protocol, and storing more than one type of interworking a server of the protocol, wherein each of the interworking protocols respectively corresponds to different device parameters of the interworking device, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring device parameters of the second device by using the first communication link according to the first interworking protocol; Requesting to the server, the protocol download request includes device parameters of the second device; downloading an interworking protocol selected according to the protocol download request from the server; and installing the downloaded interworking protocol on the first device, The interworking protocol downloaded therein is a second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

The device parameters, such as vendor information and product model, operating platform, hardware information (including RF type), and existing interworking protocols and version information. For example, an interworking protocol for a device can be ported to different platforms, such as the Windows platform for computers or the Windows CE platform for mobile devices. When the protocol is extended, it is necessary to select an appropriate interworking protocol according to the operating platform information of the first device or the second device. According to different applications, the device parameter corresponding to the downloaded second interworking protocol may be the device parameter of the first device, or the device parameter of the second device, or may be a device parameter combination of the first device and the second device.

In addition, if the second device also needs to install the second interworking protocol to communicate with the first device, the first device will send the second interworking protocol to the second device by using the first communication link, and the second device will use the second interworking protocol. Installed in the corresponding protocol layer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first device that can be extended by an interworking protocol is provided, including: a first interworking protocol module, configured to communicate with a second device by using a first communication link that conforms to the first interworking protocol a network communication module for connecting to the server via an IP network; and a control management module for utilizing the first interworking protocol The module acquires the device parameter of the second device, sends a protocol download request including the device parameter to the server through the network communication module, downloads a corresponding interworking protocol selected according to the protocol download request from the server, and downloads the interworking protocol Installed on a corresponding protocol layer, wherein the downloaded interworking protocol includes a second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a server for performing interworking protocol extension is provided, including: an interworking protocol database, configured to store more than one interworking protocol, where the interworking protocols respectively correspond to different device parameters of the interworking device a network communication module, configured to establish an IP network connection with the first device, receive a protocol download request sent by the first device, where the protocol download request includes device parameters of the first device and/or the second device; and a comparison analysis module, And an interworking protocol for selecting to send to the first device from the one or more interworking protocols according to the received device parameters of the first device and/or the second device, wherein the downloaded interworking protocol It is a second interworking protocol different from the one-to-one interworking protocol.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a system for performing interworking protocol extension, comprising: a first device according to the second aspect of the present invention; a second communication with the first device by using a first interworking protocol Apparatus; and server according to the third aspect of the invention. If the second device also needs to install the second interworking protocol to communicate with the first device, the first device sends the second interworking protocol to the second device, and the second device installs the second interworking protocol in the corresponding protocol layer, and then The first device communicates using the second interworking protocol.

In an embodiment, the second interworking protocol includes a first part and a second part, where the first device installs the first part of the second interworking protocol in the corresponding protocol layer, and sends the second part of the second interworking protocol to the second part. After the second device installs the second part of the second interworking protocol to the corresponding protocol layer, the first device and the second device respectively communicate with each other through a part of the second interworking protocol and the second part.

Preferably, the first interworking protocol is a short-range wireless interworking protocol, such as one of a universal Bluetooth protocol, an infrared communication protocol (IrDA), a Wi-Fi protocol, and a UWB protocol. Since the short-range wireless communication protocols are configured by default in the existing portable communication device, it is convenient for the first device to acquire the device parameters of the second device from the second device, so as to understand the installation condition of the communication protocol of the second device, and determine whether A new communication protocol needs to be downloaded from the server. The second interworking protocol can be a general short distance One of the wireless interworking protocols may also be a dedicated communication protocol developed by a specific manufacturer or an advanced version of the first interworking protocol.

Preferably, the device parameter includes version information of an existing communication protocol of the second device, and thus, when a new version of the second interworking protocol is found on the server, the new version of the second interworking protocol is also automatically downloaded from the server. And complete the automatic update. DRAWINGS

The principles, structures, and processes of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. among them:

1 is a structural block diagram of a system for performing a second interworking protocol extension based on a first interworking protocol;

2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an interworking protocol database in a server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a message flow chart of a method for performing a second interworking protocol extension based on a first interworking protocol;

4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a system for implementing a second interworking protocol extension based on a Bluetooth interworking protocol between a PDA and a Bluetooth mobile phone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a message flow diagram of the preferred embodiment of Figure 4;

6 is a block diagram showing a system structure for performing a second short-range wireless interworking protocol extension by a first short-range wireless interworking protocol according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a message flow chart of the preferred embodiment of FIG. . detailed description

FIG. 1 is a structural block diagram of a system for extending a second interworking protocol based on a first interworking protocol.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a first device 100, a second device 104, and a server 105. The first device 100 includes: a first interworking protocol module 103 for communicating via a first communication link S 100 complying with the first interworking protocol and a first interworking protocol module 109 of the second device 104; the network communication module 101, Establishing an IP network connection S 101 with the server 105; and a control management module 102 for controlling the operations of the first interworking protocol module 103 and the network communication module 101. Specifically, the first device 100 acquires device parameters of the second device 104 from the second device 104, and/or queries Its own device parameters. Then, the first device 100 automatically sends the device parameter of the first device 100 and the device parameter of the second device 104 to the server 105 via the IP network connection S101, and receives the corresponding interworking protocol returned by the server 105, and selects The required interworking protocol is installed at the corresponding layer. Optionally, the user may manually start the protocol update process by using an input device (eg, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc.) of the first device 100. At this time, the first device 100 sends a protocol download request to the server 105, where The protocol download request includes device parameters of the second device 104 and/or device parameters of the first device 100 to facilitate downloading the corresponding communication protocol from the server 105 based on the included device parameters.

The server 105 includes an interworking protocol database 106, a network communication module 108, and a comparison analysis module 107. Storing more than one interworking protocol and device parameters of the interworking device corresponding to each interworking protocol in the interworking protocol database 106, including at least a second interworking protocol for interworking between the first device 100 and the second device 104 And corresponding device parameters of the first device 100 and/or the second device 104. The network communication module 108 is configured to establish an IP network connection S 101 with the first device 100, and receive device parameters of the first device 100 and/or the second device 104 transmitted by the first device 100. Thereafter, the comparison analysis module 107 compares and analyzes the received device parameters of the first device 100 and/or the second device 104 to determine whether the device parameters correspond to an interworking protocol. If yes, the interworking protocol corresponding to the device parameter, for example, the second interworking protocol, is sent to the first device 100 through the network communication module 108.

In a preferred embodiment, the device parameters of the first device 100 and the second device 104 are one or a combination of vendor information, product model, operating platform, hardware information, existing interworking protocols, and versions thereof.

2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an interworking protocol database in a server in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred server interworking protocol library is shown in FIG. 1. The server stores more than one interworking protocol, and each interworking protocol parameter and device parameters of the interworking device corresponding to each interworking protocol. The interworking protocol parameters include the version information of the interworking protocol, the running platform, and the hardware information (including the radio frequency type). The device parameters of the interworking devices of each interworking protocol include the vendor information and the product model. The field "Download Interworking Protocol Part" is included in the parameter to indicate the part of the protocol that needs to be downloaded and installed by each device. This is advantageous, especially when there are interworking protocols that only need to be in the interworking device. When one party is installed and can be intercommunicated, or when the interworking protocols of the two sides of the interworking device are different, the waste of the storage space, the transmission bandwidth, and the like caused by the interworking device due to downloading the unnecessary protocol part is avoided.

By way of example, the PIM interworking protocol shown in the figure is a personal information management interworking protocol between a model car navigation system of company A and model b mobile phone of company B. The version information of the PIM interworking protocol stored by the server is V2.0, and the running platform is Windows CE. At the same time, the model A of the company A is downloaded and installed to install the first part of the PIM interworking protocol, and the b model of the B company is downloaded and installed. The second part of the PIM interworking protocol.

In the actual downloading process, the car navigation system can download the entire PIM interworking protocol from the server, including the first part and the second part, install the first part on the local machine, and send the second part to the first communication link Mobile phone. After the second part of the PIM interworking protocol is installed on the mobile phone, the car navigation system and the mobile phone can use the PIM interworking protocol to establish a new communication link.

In general, the in-vehicle navigation system has a strong power-renewing capability, while the mobile phone battery has a limited amount of power storage. Therefore, by using the in-vehicle navigation system to download the entire PIM interworking protocol and then transmitting the second part to the mobile phone through the first communication link, which is a short-distance communication link, the power consumption is avoided. The long waiting time caused by the mobile phone downloading directly from the server through the GPRS service and the resulting battery consumption.

Another example shown in the figure is the UWB interworking protocol, the version information is VI.0, the operating platform is Windows, and the hardware information is UWB radio. Therefore, as long as the two interworking devices have the Windows platform and the UWB radio, and the interworking device does not have the UWB interworking protocol, the UWB interworking protocol can be automatically downloaded to the server, and the server specifies that the two interworking devices are downloaded and installed. All of the UWB interworking protocols. According to the downloading method of the present invention, only one of the two interworking devices is required to directly download the UWB interworking protocol from the server, and the UWB interworking protocol is forwarded to another device through the short-range wireless communication protocol, thereby saving energy consumption.

FIG. 3 is a message flow chart of a method for performing a second interworking protocol extension based on a first interworking protocol.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first device and the second device establish a first communication link S300 according to the first interworking protocol, and the first communication link is preferably a short-distance communication link. For example, Bluetooth communication links, Wi-Fi communication links, UWB communication links, and IrDA infrared communication links.

In step S301, the first device queries the device parameter S301 of the second device through the first communication link, and the second device returns its device parameter S302 through the first communication link. In addition, the first device may also acquire its own device parameter S303. Then, the first device establishes an IP network connection S304 to the server, and the IP network connection can utilize an existing wireless communication network, such as GPRS, GSM, and 3G networks, or can utilize an existing wired data network, for example, ADSL. PSTN or packet switched network. The first device informs the server of the device parameter S305 of the first device and/or the second device, for example by means of a protocol download request containing the device parameters of the second device and/or the device parameters of the first device. The server selects a corresponding interworking protocol according to the device parameters of the first device and/or the second device, for example, the second interworking protocol S306, and returns the selected interworking protocol to the first device S307.

The first device installs the second interworking protocol (or part of the second interworking protocol) at the corresponding protocol layer S308 for supporting communication with the second device through the second interworking protocol. If the second device also needs to install the second interworking protocol (or part of the second protocol) to perform interworking with the second interworking protocol with the first device, the first device sends the second interworking protocol (or part of the second protocol) To the second device S309, the second device installs the second interworking protocol (or part of the second protocol) at the corresponding protocol layer S310. Thereafter, the first device and the second device communicate with each other through the second interworking protocol S31 1 .

4 and FIG. 5 respectively show a system block diagram and message for implementing PIM (Personal Information Management) interworking protocol extension based on the Bluetooth interworking protocol between the PDA and the Bluetooth mobile phone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. flow chart.

The PIM interworking protocol set can be used to transmit contact information, send and receive text messages, etc. between the PDA400 and the Bluetooth mobile phone 401. Since the interworking protocol used by the PDA400 and the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 is closely related to the mobile phone model, and it is impossible to put down the relevant PIM interworking protocol set of all mobile phone types in a PDA 400, the corresponding PIM needs to be obtained and downloaded according to the mobile phone model involved. The interworking protocol set can be used to implement PIM interworking with related mobile phones.

Communication between the PDA 400 and the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 can be via the Bluetooth S400. Blue The Dial Up Networking Profile (DUN) allows users to wirelessly access the Internet through a modem or mobile phone that supports the specification. Therefore, for a device that is inconvenient to connect to an IP network through a fixed line, a dial-up connection can be realized by establishing a DUN connection with the Bluetooth mobile phone 401. In this embodiment, the PDA 400 implements dial-up access through the Bluetooth DUN service of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401, and establishes an IP network connection S401 with the server 402. At the same time, the PDA 400 can also directly perform an IP network connection S402 with the server 402 by other means, such as a fixed line.

The message flow chart of the method for downloading the PIM interworking protocol between the PDA 400 and the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 from the server 402 via the IP network is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, preferably, the device parameters of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 are vendor information and product model. The Serial Port Profile (SPP) defines the process of simulating a serial link, providing a virtual serial port between Bluetooth devices. Therefore, the PDA400 can send the relevant AT command to the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 through the Bluetooth SPP connection to obtain the manufacturer information and product model of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401.

The specific steps include: PDA400 and Bluetooth mobile phone 401 establish Bluetooth SPP connection

5500, send "AT + CGMI?" command to the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 to inquire about the manufacturer information.

5501, the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 returns its own vendor information S502, such as "NOKIA"; the PDA400 sends "AT + CGMM?" to the Bluetooth mobile phone 401, and asks for the product model S503, and the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 returns its product model S504, such as "N73". Thus, the PDA 400 obtains the device parameter "B b" of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401; the PDA 400 establishes a Bluetooth DUN connection S505 with the Bluetooth mobile phone 401, dials the Internet through the Bluetooth mobile phone to connect to the server 402 S506, and sets the device parameters of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401 (vendor information and The product model is notified to the server 402 S507; the server 402 selects a corresponding interworking protocol according to the device parameters of the Bluetooth mobile phone 401, including the PIM interworking protocol S508, and sends the corresponding interworking protocol including the PIM interworking protocol to the PDA400 S509; the PIM interworking protocol is Bluetooth The upper layer protocol of the interworking protocol is based on the Bluetooth SPP connection to send the AT command specified by the PIM interworking protocol to implement interworking. Therefore, the PDA400 installs the PIM interworking protocol in the upper layer S510 of the Bluetooth interworking protocol, and the PIM interworking protocol is established through the Bluetooth SPP connection with the second device. Interworking S511, for example for transmission Contacts, SMS messages, and other communications.

6 and FIG. 7 respectively show UWB interworking protocol expansion based on a Bluetooth interworking protocol between a first computer and a second computer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System structure block diagram and message flow chart.

The first computer 600 and the second computer 601 can communicate via the Bluetooth connection S600, and the first computer 600 and the server 602 communicate via the IP network S601.

A message flow diagram of a method in which the first computer 600 downloads the UWB interworking protocol between the first computer 600 and the second computer 601 from the server 602 over the IP network is as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, preferably, the device parameters of the interworking device are the operating platform and hardware information of the first computer 600 and the second computer 601, including the radio frequency type. The first computer 600 can obtain the running platform and hardware information of the second computer 601 through a Bluetooth connection, wherein the operating platform is Windows, and the radio frequency types include a Bluetooth radio frequency and a UWB radio frequency. At the same time, the operating platform of the computer 600 is also Windows, and the hardware information also includes two types of Bluetooth radio and UWB radio.

The specific steps include: the first computer 600 and the second computer 601 establish a Bluetooth connection S700, the first computer 600 inquires the second computer 601 about the running platform and hardware information S701, and the second computer 601 returns its own running platform and hardware information, for example The operating platform is Windows, the radio frequency type includes Bluetooth radio frequency and UWB radio frequency S702; the computer 600 can also obtain its own hardware information, for example, the operating platform is Windows, the radio frequency type includes at least the Bluetooth radio frequency and the UWB radio frequency S703; the first computer 600 The connection S704 is established with the server 602 through the IP network, and the operating platform and hardware information of the first computer 600 and the second computer 601 are notified to the server 602 S705; the server 602 is based on the operating platform and hardware of the first computer 600 and the second computer 601. The information selects a corresponding interworking protocol, for example, UWB interworking protocol S706, and sends the selected interworking protocol to the first computer 600 S707; the first computer 600 installs a UWB interworking protocol S708 on the UWB radio, for example, in the UWB interworking protocol The drive part is installed in Corresponding to the driver layer, the application part of the UWB interworking protocol is installed at the application layer; in addition, the first computer 600 sends the UWB interworking protocol to the second computer 601 S709 through the Bluetooth connection, and the second computer also installs the UWB interworking protocol on the UWB radio frequency. Corresponding layer S710. Thereafter, the first computer and the second computer can communicate with each other via the UWB interworking protocol S71 1.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments the embodiments of the embodiments of the invention Various changes.

Claims

Rights request

A method for protocol extension in a communication system, the communication system comprising a first device and a second device communicable by a first interworking protocol, and a server storing more than one interworking protocol, wherein each interworking The protocols respectively correspond to different device parameters of the interworking device, and the method includes the steps of:

Obtaining device parameters of the second device by using the first communication link according to the first interworking protocol;

Sending a protocol download request to the server through the IP network, where the protocol download request includes the device parameter of the second device;

Downloading, from the server, an interworking protocol selected according to the protocol download request; and

The downloaded interworking protocol is installed on the first device, wherein the downloaded interworking protocol is a second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

Transmitting the second interworking protocol to the second device using the first communication link;

The second interworking protocol is installed on the second device to establish a second communication link that conforms to the second interworking protocol.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second interworking protocol comprises a part and a second part, and the installing step comprises installing a first part of the second interworking protocol on the first device .

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

Transmitting the second portion of the second interworking protocol to the second device using the first communication link;

A second portion of the second interworking protocol is installed on the second device to establish a second communication link that conforms to the second interworking protocol.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first interworking protocol is a short-range wireless interworking protocol, selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol, a Wi-Fi protocol, and a UWB.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the protocol download request further comprises a device parameter of the first device.

The method according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the device parameter selection From a group consisting of product model, vendor information, operating platform, hardware information, and existing interoperability version information.

8. A first device capable of extending an interworking protocol, comprising:

a first interworking protocol module, configured to interwork with the second device by using a first communication link that conforms to the first interworking protocol;

a network communication module for connecting to a server through an IP network;

a control management module, configured to acquire, by using the first interworking protocol module, a device parameter of the second device, and send, by using the network communication module, a protocol download request that includes the device parameter to the server, and download, according to the protocol download request, the server Corresponding interworking protocols, and installing the downloaded interworking protocol on a corresponding protocol layer, wherein the downloaded interworking protocol includes a second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

9. The first device of claim 8, wherein:

The control management module is further configured to control the first interworking protocol module to send the second interworking protocol to the second device, so that the second device installs the second interworking protocol in the corresponding protocol layer, so as to establish a second interworking protocol. Second communication link.

10. The first device according to claim 8, wherein:

The second interworking protocol includes a first part and a second part, and the control management module installs the first part of the second interworking protocol at the corresponding protocol layer, and controls the first interworking protocol module to send the second part of the second interworking protocol to the second part The device is configured to install the second part of the second interworking protocol on the corresponding protocol layer of the second device.

11. The first device according to claim 8, wherein:

The first interworking protocol is a short-range wireless interworking protocol, which is selected from the Bluetooth protocol, the Wi-Fi protocol, and the UWB protocol.

12. The first device of claim 8, wherein the protocol download request further comprises a device parameter of the first device.

The first device according to claim 8 or 12, wherein: the device parameter is selected from the group consisting of a product model, vendor information, an operating platform, hardware information, and existing interworking protocol version information.

14. A server for interworking protocol extensions, comprising:

An interworking protocol database, configured to store more than one type of interworking protocol, where the interworking protocols respectively correspond to different device parameters of the interworking device; a network communication module, configured to establish an IP network connection with the first device, and receive a protocol download request sent by the first device, where the protocol download request includes device parameters of the first device and/or the second device;

a comparison analysis module, configured to select, according to the received device parameters of the first device and/or the second device, an interworking protocol to be sent to the first device from the one or more interworking protocols, where The downloaded interworking protocol is a second interworking protocol different from the first interworking protocol.

15. The server according to claim 14, wherein: the second device parameter is obtained by a first device using a first interworking protocol between the first device and the second device.

The server according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: the device parameter is one or a combination of a product model, vendor information, an operating platform, hardware information, an existing interworking protocol, and version information thereof.

17. A system for extending an interworking protocol, comprising:

A first device according to any one of claims 8-13;

A second device in communication with the first device using a first interworking protocol; and a server according to claim 14.

18. A storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a device to perform the method steps of claim 1.