CN1817004A

CN1817004A - Method of controlling a network station in a network of the first type, and connection unit

Info

Publication number: CN1817004A
Application number: CN200480018854.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 英戈·许特
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
Current assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS
Priority date: 2003-07-03
Filing date: 2004-07-01
Publication date: 2006-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-01
Also published as: JP2009514258A; JP4729486B2; CN100583791C; DE10339648A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of home networks, in particular to the connection of two home networks of different types by means of a gateway (14). The network device in the first type of network is also capable of controlling the network device in the second type of network and vice versa. In an environment where control message conversion is implemented, the following problems arise: although a direct conversion into the format of another network is possible for many control messages, in some cases there is no corresponding module for a control message in the device to be controlled. In order to convert such a control message, it is proposed that means (60) are provided in the network connection unit (14), which check whether a data connection to a further network device (19) is established for the device (20) to be controlled, and if the further network device (19) has the device function, the following conversion is carried out: the control message is converted into a corresponding control message for the further network device (19) and forwarded to the further network device (19).

Description

The method and the linkage unit of the website in the network of the control first kind

Technical field

The present invention relates to technical field of home networks.Especially, the present invention relates to the field that the network of the network of the first kind (for example based on HAVi home network) and second type (for example based on UPnP home network) linked to each other by gateway.

Background technology

For the home networking of equipment, multiple household network standards has appearred simultaneously.Especially, in art of-entertainment electronics, established bus standard IEEE 1394.Described standard realizes communication between the entertainment electronics appliances with very high data rate.100,200 and the data rate supported (will support or even higher data rate) of 400Mbit/s in future.This is enough to transmit concurrently asynchronous packet and isochronous audio and the video data stream that is used for the Control Network website.Yet IEEE 1394 standards have only been specified the lower floor of the ISO/OSI reference model that is used for data communication, that is, and and the part of physical layer, data link layer and network layer.Yet upper strata (that is, transport layer, session layer, presentation layer and application layer) also do not specify.

Recreation electronic corporation also is responsible for the upper strata of the exchanges data between the definition entertainment electronics appliances.This standard is known as HAVi (abbreviation), and wherein HAVi represents home audio/video interoperability.This standard has been specified so-called interoperability middleware, and it has guaranteed to understand mutually from the product of different manufacturers, and promptly cooperation is so that jointly finish the work by network.

The different corporation that is taken the lead by the Microsoft company of computer industry (particularly from) has started the different motions that come the specified network Control Software according to existing Internet Protocol (IP).This network system is known as UPnP (abbreviation of UPnP).Under the situation of this system, this standard is not to be primarily aimed at entertainment electronics appliances to realize, but other equipment can also be integrated in the network, for example, particularly personal computer, white domestic appliances (for example refrigerator, microwave oven, washing machine and heating controller, light emission controller, warning system etc.).

Although two kinds of household network standards HAVi and UPnP are counted as the rival sometimes, it is used for different purposes at least in part, and can predict following scene: two kinds of networks are present in the family each other together, and described network is connected with each other by gateway.Then, can control the equipment the UPnP network and vice versa from the HAVi network.Be called as after the linkage unit between two kinds of networks " gateway ".The term gateway is often distinguished mutually with normally same traditionally term " bridge ".Difference between bridge and the gateway is the following fact: bridge arrives each other networks with the Data packets transit on the data link layer, and in gateway, with the upper strata of Data packets transit to the ISO/OSI reference model.

Be used to connect HAVi and UPnP network gateway before work always based on so-called " based on agency's gateway " method.This relates to following content: in order to make the UPnP website from HAVi equipment as seen, the UPnP equipment list is shown in the HAVi side of gateway by so-called HAVi-DCM code unit.In this case, DCM represents device control module, and has formed the interface of the general utility functions that is used for control appliance.Then, these additional DCM are logged on the HAVi network, and can carry out addressing to it from HAVi equipment.In this case, the DCM code unit all is essential for each UPnP website.If website provides different functions, for example have the customary television set of the function of tuner, amplifier and display device, so, except DCM, a large amount of so-called FCM (if suitably) is set in the DCM code unit.In this case, FCM is so-called functional component module, thereby is used for covering the interface that is used to control certain apparatus functions.

On the contrary, also need to make the HAVi network can be from the addressing of UPnP side.In the UPnP side, HAVi equipment is represented by so-called UPnP equipment.Therefore, at each HAVi website, also make corresponding UPnP equipment in gateway, keep ready.There is so-called XML device description at each UPnP equipment.In this case, XML represents the descriptive language extension markup language.The homologue of HAVi FCM on the UPnP side is so-called " service ".Therefore, a plurality of UPnP services can be described in UPnP equipment.Can as far as possible intactly realize the conversion between HAVi DCM/FCM and the UPnP equipment/service.

Summary of the invention

Yet the contrast of two kinds of standards has disclosed: the conversion fully between HAVi and the UPnP control command is not always possible.Suppose that the HAVi television set is present in the HAVi network.This represents by the FCM of " display " type or by the FCM of " AV display " type in the HAVi network." AV display " FCM is the combination of " display " FCM and " amplifier " FCM.

In order to control this television set, must in the HAVi-UPnP gateway, to produce UPnP equipment and represent, and must between described expression and HAVi-FCM, correspondingly change control command from the UPnP side.The UPnP equipment that mates with the HAVi display is so-called " media renderer ".Yet the contrast of the function of two equipment has disclosed many difference.Under the situation of HAVi display, following attribute can be set: contrast, tone, color, brightness, sharpness.Under the situation of UPnP equipment, following attribute can be set: contrast, tone, color, brightness, program, volume.As a result, can there be the correlation function that UPnP function that hell and high water ground will be used to change contrast, tone, color, brightness is mapped to HAVi " display " FCM, but not at the homologue of the function that is used to change program and volume.This functional packet that is due to the fact that especially the program in the HAVi system changes is contained among " tuner " FCM.Yet this " tuner " FCM might not be the part in the display DCM code unit.

So thought of the present invention is: the UPnP function that can not map directly on the HAVi function is forwarded to the HAVi equipment that links to each other with each HAVi equipment.As example,, then the control command that is used to change program directly can be forwarded to tuner if HAVi display and HAVi tuner link to each other (if promptly exist 1394 be connected).If also there is the connection from the tuner to the audio frequency amplifier, then the corresponding control command that is used to change volume can be forwarded to this audio frequency amplifier.

Description of drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been shown in the accompanying drawing, and will have explained these embodiment in the following description in more detail.In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the diagram that two home networks are connected with each other by gateway;

Fig. 2 shows the component software of gateway;

Fig. 3 shows the component software of HAVi display; And

Fig. 4 shows the component software of HAVi tuner.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of two home networks that are connected with each other by gateway (network connection unit).Show home network at the left-hand side of Fig. 1 based on UPnP.Reference number 10 expressions are as the surveillance camera of the example of UPnP equipment.Reference number 11 expressions are as the television set of another example of UPnP website.Reference number 12 other expressions are integrated into the personal computer in the UPnP network equally.UPnP equipment connects 13 by network and links together.The internet bus of common general knowledge is connected 13 typical case as such network.

Show home network example at the right-hand side of Fig. 1 according to the appointment of HAVi standard.The so-called set-top box of reference number 19 expressions is as the receiving equipment of Digital Television.Reference number 20 expression HAVi show the digital television of type of display.The receiving unit that such digital television no longer has himself also no longer has the audio-frequency unit of himself.They obtain digital of digital video data from waiting another equipment such as set-top box 19.Yet, in the illustrated case, video data is transferred to digital television 20 by network cable.Can followingly dispose: set-top box 19 produces the MPEG2 transport stream of the Voice ﹠ Video data that comprise multiplexed form.Then, digital television 20 obtains video data from transport stream, and it is decoded and show the video content that is transmitted on display.

Reference number 21 expression video recorders.Reference number 22 expression amplifiers.Equally, can provide MPEG2 transport stream to amplifier 22 by set-top box.Amplifier extracts voice data from transport stream, it is decoded and by loud speaker audio content is reproduced.

Network cable is by reference number 23 marks.Under the supposition situation of HAVi network example, this network cable 23 is realized by so-called IEEE 1394 buses.

Show gateway 14 at the center of Fig. 1.This gateway 14 is connected with each other two networks.For this reason, a side is represented so-called IP and UPnP stack 15 on gateway 14, and opposite side is represented so-called HAVi stack 16.IP stack 15 comprises all required component softwares of each network that links to each other of participation with HAVi stack 16.In addition, gateway 14 also comprises other component software (not listing discretely).Yet this diagram schematically shows swap data between two software stacks 15 and 16.In this case, reference number 17 expressions are at the data path of Voice ﹠ Video data flow.On the contrary, reference number 18 expression is used for the data path of the control information that will exchange between two software stacks.

HAVi standard and UPnP standard have been announced.Now, the HAVi standard is a version 1.1.Be expressed as accurately: HAVi standard " Specification of the Home Audio/Videointeroperability (HAVi) Architecture ", version 1.1, May 15 calendar year 2001.Can obtain this UPnP standard by Microsoft.On official's internet webpage of UPnP system, also has more detailed information.In this, can note internet webpage Www. UPnP.org

Because all component that is not HAVi and UPnP system will only be explained essential assembly below in more detail for explaining that the present invention all is important.For more details, at of the present invention open, clearly with reference to two previous standards of mentioning.

In Fig. 2, identical reference number is illustrated in the assembly that also illustrated among Fig. 1.Wherein show the essential component software of gateway 14.As explaining at Fig. 1, gateway 14 comprises the internet protocol negotiation UPnP stack 15 of the communication that is used for the UPnP network and the HAVi stack 16 that is used for the communication of HAVi network.In this case, in the HAVi network, gateway table is shown FAV equipment, corresponding to full AV equipment.FAV equipment has the component software of upgrade level in the HAVi network.

The bottom at HAVi stack 16 shows IEEE 1394 interfaces 41.Typically, described interface is not embodied as component software.Yet IEEE 1394 standard code physical layers and data link layer must be come specific implementation with hardware.Typically, two discrete IC are used for this realization.So-called communication media manager 42 is based upon on this, as component software.It has formed the part of network layer and transport layer, and has formed the interface between other component softwares and IEEE 1394 buses.

So-called messaging system 43 is implemented on the communication media manager 42.If because two other software modules are wanted swap data each other, all will use messaging system in all cases, this assembly is very important assembly in the HAVi standard.Messaging system is independent of network layer and the transport layer in the ISO/OSI reference model.

Another module of HAVi stack is so-called task manager 44.The task of task manager 34 is changes/events that each component software notice in network has occurred.Particularly, no matter when when equipment being added on the network or when network disconnects this equipment, such incident can occurring.

Another component software of HAVi stack is so-called registration office 45.The available software elements in the network has been listed in this registration office.This registration office provides the search service to particular software cell.The software unit of wanting to communicate by letter with other software units in the network must be registered in the registration office.

Another component software of HAVi stack is so-called DCM manager 46.The task of DCM manager 46 is that the DCM code unit at each website is installed in FAV and the IAV equipment.

The task of explorer 47 is whether the specific resources in the monitoring network still can be used for each tasks requested, still is assigned with.Therefore, explorer 47 is given application program with corresponding resource allocation, as long as they are idle.

So-called flow manager 48 also is expressed as another assembly in the HAVi stack.This flow manager 48 is responsible for setting up the connection between the network distributed station.Then, can transmit the AV data flow via the connection of having set up.

Also various DCM code units are based upon on the software unit of HAVi stack of gateway (as up to the present describing).The DCM code unit is the software unit that uses on the HAVi side, so that the HAVi equipment that control is associated.Therefore, in order to control UPnP equipment, at UPnP equipment, the HAVi DCM code unit with association under each situation is installed in the gateway.For example, reference number 49 expressions are at the DCM code unit of the surveillance camera in the UPnP network 10.DCM code unit 50 is used for controlling the personal computer 12 of UPnP network.In addition, for television set 11, exist in the related DCM code unit 51 of expression in the HAVi gateway 14.According to the HAVi standard, other DCM code units of HAVi network can also be installed in the HAVi gateway 14, but also nonessential such installation, shown in the example of Fig. 2.Reference number 60 is the application program of expression gateway 14 in addition.

The so-called FCM (functional component module) that the application access that realizes in the HAVi network is a large amount of.The function of in HAVi standard self, having specified various types of FCM.These functions comprise tuner FCM, VCR FCM, clock FCM, video camera FCM, AV dish FCM, amplifier FCM, display FCM, AV display FCM, modulator-demodulator FCM and web proxy FCM.Should consider,, in the HAVi controller, the DCM and the lot of F CM of the general utility functions that is used to control HAVi equipment can be installed under the common situation for HAVi equipment.Then, DCM and FCM are combined in the so-called DCM code unit.

Be illustrated in IP and UPnP stack 15 and not shown its all component in the gateway 14 equally.The structure of such stack is known in the prior art.Therefore, for simplicity of illustration, only show one of these assemblies.Just so-called HTTP Web server 33.HTTP Web server 33 comprises the various XML device descriptions to the equipment that exists in the HAVi network.Just, at the XML device description 34 of video recorder 21, at the XML device description 35 of set-top box 19, at the XML device description 36 of television set 20 and at the XML device description 37 of amplifier 22.

In addition, under the remainder of IP and UPnP stack 32, show internet interface 31 in addition.Described internet interface is used for this gateway is linked to each other with the UPnP network.

In Fig. 3, at digital television 20, each software unit of HAVi stack is represented equally discretely.Since these assemblies by with the HAVi stack 16 of gateway 14 in same letter abbreviation and reference number represent, so do not need once more these parts to be made an explanation.

Equally, suppose that digital television 20 is the FAV equipment in the exemplary embodiments.As explained, such equipment configuration has the HAVi software unit of maximum quantity.Specific characteristic is: FAV equipment also has been integrated in the so-called J ava virtual machine.Therefore, this equipment can be that executable program code is correspondingly carried out it then with the Java code conversion.FAV equipment has the ability that loads the DCM code unit from another HAVi network equipment.Then, the DCM code unit of DCM code unit with FAV equipment is installed in the FAV equipment.Therefore, Fig. 3 shows the DCM code unit 52 and 55 that is used for control of video register 21 and amplifier 22 is installed in addition with the DCM code unit 53 of digital television 20.Equally also show user interface 56.

Fig. 4 shows the component software of set-top box 19 in addition.This equipment is classified as IAV equipment (middle AV equipment).Therefore, it comprises than FAV equipment component software still less.Owing to before it was explained, therefore these component softwares of great majority will no longer be mentioned in detail.The DCM code unit 54 that will be used for the controller top box is expressed as another component software of before not mentioning in addition.

Now, want equipment, each software unit of controlling the HAVi network from the UPnP side how mutual if will describe below.Yet because HAVi stack 16 is not accepted specific UPnP message, the conversion of these message to HAVi stack 15 intelligible forms must be initiated/be carried out to gateway software 60.Can be by the related UPnP message that UPnP stack 15 is produced based on so-called soap protocol (Simple Object Access Protocol).Therefore, gateway software 60 must be facilitated or self realize the conversion of soap message to the HAVi form of message.Because two kinds of systems all are appointments, for many UPnP message, this conversion is possible, and can not have other difficulty.

Below, suppose and want to control HAVi display device 20 by UPnP media renderer (renderer) 11.According to the UPnP standard, TV equipment has a series of services that change equipment is provided with that can be used for.For example, these services are contrast, tone, color, brightness, program, volume.For services such as contrast, tone, color, brightness, show the corresponding service of existence among the FCM at HAVi, that is, and Display ∷ SetContrast, Display ∷ SetTint, Display ∷ SetColor and Display ∷ SetBrightness.Therefore, can easily be correct HAVi display FCM order in gateway software 60 with corresponding SOAP command conversion.

Yet, there is not respective modules owing to be arranged among the HAVi display FCM at program and volume, therefore the process of conversion is as follows.

Volume is provided with

Whether gateway software 60 is checked to have registered for the HAVi display and is connected.For this reason, gateway software 60 is inquired flow manager 48 via messaging system 43.Set up if connect, for example,, then determine by checking whether set-top box has set up another connection of amplifier FCM with being connected of set-top box 19.In this case, then carries out the conversion that volume is provided with order, thereby the order of Amplifier ∷ SetVolume form is guided the amplifier FCM of gateway 14.Gateway 14 is sent to amplifier 22 via IEEE 1394 buses 23 with corresponding HAVi message.

Program is provided with

If program switching command (that is, prog+ or prog-) arrives from UPnP television set 11, then gateway software 60 checks that the connection that whether will arrive tuner FCM is registered in flow manager 48 places at HAVi display 20.In this case, then carries out the conversion that program is provided with order, thereby the order of Tuner ∷ SelectService form is directed to the tuner FCM of set-top box 19.Gateway 14 is sent to set-top box 19 via IEEE 1394 buses 23 with corresponding HAVi message.

The present invention is particularly suitable for gateway and is used for situation that the HAVi network is linked to each other with UPnP.Yet, it is also contemplated that use that gateway is connected with each other other networks may, for example, the HAVi network linked to each other with the OSGi network or will based on the network (for example EHS) of power line transfer of data with link to each other such as IP network such as UPnP or OSGi.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a network station (20) in a network of the first type from a network station (11) in a network of the second type, setting a network connection unit (14) to connect the two networks, if The equipment to be controlled in the network of the first type has corresponding functions, then the network connection unit (14) executes the direct conversion from the control command in the format in the network of the second type to the corresponding format in the network of the first type. conversion,

Wherein if the device to be controlled in the first type of network does not have the corresponding function, the network connection unit (14) performs an indirect conversion of the control command, thereby checking to determine whether there is a A data connection to another network station (19) with corresponding functionality, if present, converts the control commands into a corresponding format and transmits them to the other network station (19).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that if another network station (20) does not have a corresponding function, then a check is made to determine whether, for the other network station (20), a link to a corresponding function is established The data connection of the third network station (22), if established, converts the control command into the corresponding format of the third network station (22) and transmits it to the third network station (22).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the network station (20) to be controlled in the network of the first type is a display device, and the control device (11) in the network of the second type It's a TV.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that when a control command related to program settings arrives, a check is made by the network connection unit (14) to determine whether the display device (20) maintains an established connection to the tuner The data connection of the device (19), if maintained, converts the control commands to the matching format of the tuner device (19) and transmits to the tuner device (19).

5. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that when a control command related to volume setting arrives, a check is made by the network connection unit (14) to determine whether the display device (20) holds established outgoing video data The data connection of source equipment (19), if keep, then determine whether to further set up the data connection going to audio equipment (22) for video data source equipment (19), if set up further, then the control command relevant with volume setting is converted Match format for audio device (22) and transfer to audio device (22).

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network of the first type is a network based on the HAVi standard, where HAVi stands for Home Audio/Video Interoperability.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second type of network is a network based on Internet Protocol, in particular UPnP, where UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the program setting control command is converted into the HAVi command Tuner::SelectService of the tuner FCM, wherein FCM stands for Functional Component Module.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the volume setting control command is converted into the HAVi command Amplifier::SetVolume of the amplifier FCM.

10. A connection unit for connecting a network of a first type with a network of a second type, having conversion means for directly converting a control command of one network type into a format of another network type, wherein the connection unit ( 14) also having another conversion means for indirect conversion of control commands, said other conversion means being activated if the device (20) to be controlled in the network of the first type does not have a function corresponding to the control command, Said another conversion device checks for the network station (20) to be controlled, whether there is a data connection to another network station (19) with corresponding functions, and if so, said conversion device converts the control command into a corresponding format for said another network site (19) and transmit it to said another network site (19).

11. Connecting unit according to claim 10, characterized in that if another network station (20) does not have a corresponding function, the further conversion means checks whether a de-registration is established for the other network station (20). A data connection to a third network station (22) with corresponding functions, if established, converts the control commands into the corresponding format of the third network station (22) and transmits them to the third network station (22).

12. Connecting unit according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said further switching means check that when a control command related to program settings arrives from a television set (11) in a network of the second type, it will control Whether the display device (20) in the network of the first type to which the command is directed maintains an established data connection to the tuner device (19), if so, said conversion means converts the control command to the tuner device (19) and transmit to the tuner device (19).

13. Connecting unit according to one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that when a control command related to the volume setting arrives, said further conversion means checks whether the display device (20) maintains the established going video The data connection of data source equipment (19), if keep, then check whether to further set up the data connection going to audio equipment (22) for video data source equipment (19), if set up further, then will set up the relevant control command with volume Convert to the matching format of the audio device (22) and transfer it to the audio device (22).

14. Connecting unit according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the connecting unit is designed as a connection of a network based on the HAVi standard to a network based on the Internet Protocol, in particular UPnP, where HAVi stands for Home Audio /video interoperability, while UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play.

15. The connection unit according to claim 14, characterized in that said further conversion means are designed to convert the control commands of program settings into HAVi commands Tuner::SelectService of the tuner FCM, wherein FCM stands for Functional Component module.

16. The connecting unit according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that said another conversion device is designed to convert the control command of volume setting into the HAVi command Amplifier::SetVolume of the amplifier FCM.