| Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network stationRelated Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Diagnostic Testing (other Than Synchronization)Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050286427, Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of domestic networks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The efforts to network evermore electronic devices to one another domestically or at home have already now progressed to a very major extent. A range of different standards for the networking of devices have now been worked out, some of which have different objectives. One of the systems envisages devices being networked on the basis of the so-called Internal Protocol IP. A first version of a Standard is already available for this system. This system has become known by the abbreviation UPnP, which stands for Universal Plug and Play. The corresponding standard is currently available, in Version 1.0. Further information related to the UPnP System and the associated Standard can be found on the official Internet site for the UPnP consortium at www.upnp.org. In the UPnP System, there are no restrictions on the device types. It is thus intended to be possible to network not only devices from the consumer electronics field such as TVs, DVD players, set-top boxes, video recorders, camcorders etc., but also domestic devices, such as washing machines, refrigerators, heating controllers, automatic coffee machines, and so on. Personal computers may form a specific category of devices, although these are also taken into account in the UPnP System and can also be integrated in the network. [0003] However, the various layers of the OSI/ISO reference model for data communication are not specified in the UPnP system. This relates in particular to the bit transmission layer and the data link layer. The UPnP System therefore no longer contains any specification related to the transmission medium via which the data to be interchanged must be transmitted. Widely differing transmission standards are permissible here. These include, for example, the Ethernet Protocol, IEEE 1394 Protocol, wire-free transmission itself in accordance with IEEE 802.11x, Bluetooth or HIPERLAN/2. [0004] Invention [0005] In the course of UPnP Standardization, a specification for the transmission of AV data (audio/video-data) between network subscriber stations has also been worked out, and was completed in June 2002. The precise title of this specification is: UPnP AV Architecture: 0.83 dated Jun. 12, 2002. This specification defines three different types of devices for the transmission of AV data. Firstly a so-called media server, which is always allocated to that device which is chosen as the source of the AV data. The second device type is the media renderer, which is allocated to a device which is chosen as a data sink for the AV data. Thirdly, a control point type is also provided, as a dedicated type of device. A universal remote control for AV devices is generally considered to be an example of a control point device. However, alternatively, a personal computer in the network can also carry out this task, or else a TV with a remote control may likewise be suitable as a control point. The control point device communicates with two further UPnP devices, which may be used as a data source and data sink for a desired AV connection. The control point device initializes and configures both devices for the AV connection, so that the desired data stream can also be sent. Once an AV connection such as this has been set up, the control point device does not need to control the rest of the data transmission, and the UpnP AV specification does not contain any stipulations that the control point must be active all the time throughout the duration of the AV connection that has been set up. Instead of this, the control point device may also be disconnected from the network. The task of a control point device is thus typically to set up an AV connection between two network subscribers, to make any changes required to the settings of the two devices (typically including the volume setting, the brightness setting, the contrast setting, the tone setting, the sharpness setting and so on) and, once the desired AV data stream has been transmitted, to cap the connection once again, that is to say request both devices associated with the AV connection to delete the data that characterizes that connection. [0006] If, however, as has already been mentioned above, the control point device is disconnected from the network once the AV connection has been set up, irrespective of whether this is a result of disconnection by the user or a result, of a malfunction, then it is possible for the situation to occur in which the two devices in the AV connection still remain connected to one another even after the AV data stream has been transmitted, and in the worst case even for as long as the devices remain switched on. This behavior conceals the risk that, if the control point device once again wishes to set up an AV connection for one of the previously connected devices at a later point in time, this new connection cannot be set up because one of the previously connected devices is still maintaining the old AV connection. The control point device could admittedly deal with this fault situation if it were previously to gather all the data about the connections that have been set up by all the network subscriber stations, but this would involve a high degree of complexity in terms of additional messages, which would be incurred whenever the control point device had previously been switched to be inactive. [0007] The invention solves the problem in that a portion of the control point device functionality is implemented in media server and media renderer devices for an AV connection. [0008] In a method for managing logical connections which have been set up in a network of distributed stations, provision is made for one station to monitor the connection which has been set up, to determine whether the station which is logically connected to it has sent a logging-off message and, if yes, for this station to autonomously internally end the setting up of the logical connection to the station that has logged of. Specifically, whenever a station in the UPnP System is switched off, it transmits the so-called ssdp:byebye message to all the other stations. If the station which is connected to the station that has logged off detects this logging-off message, then it is automatically clear that the connection can be ended. This is then carried out autonomously internally by the partner station. [0009] However, a situation is possible in which a station is no longer able to send the logging-off message. For example, if the network plug for this station is pulled out, it is no longer possible to transmit this logging-off message. In this situation, it is advantageous for provision to be made for a station to monitor an AV connection to determine whether the logical connection has remained unused for a first specific time and if yes, to send a signaling request to the station in the network and, finally, to monitor all the signals from the network stations and, in the absence of signaling from the station to which it is logically connected, to automatically internally end the setting up of the logical connection. In consequence, a connection is thus correctly cleared even when a station which is logged off from the network is no longer able to send the logging-off message. [0010] This measure can advantageously also be carried out in particular whenever a new connection request arrives at the station. [0011] It is also advantageous if it is found after a signaling request that the other station in the logical connection that has been set up is still in the network but that the logical connection has remained unused for a second specific time, for the station which is carrying out the check to internally finally end the setting up of the existing logical connection, which has been inactive beyond the specific time limit (which may be several hours). [0012] Corresponding advantageous measures for a network station are listed in claims 7-11. DRAWINGS [0013] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following description and are illustrated in the drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 shows an outline diagram of the transmission of AV data between two network stations using the UpnP AV Architecture: 0.83; [0015] FIG. 2 shows the procedure for an AV data transmission between a set-top box and a video recorder; [0016] FIG. 3 shows an example of the network shown in FIG. 2 with an AV connection having been set up; [0017] FIG. 4 shows the transmission of a logging-off message after a station in the connection that has been set up is switched off; [0018] FIG. 5 shows the procedure for connecting a device between a set-top box and a TV; [0019] FIG. 6 shows the AV connection which is set up between a set-top box and a TV; [0020] FIG. 7 shows the remaining existence of a connection which has been set up, after a station in the AV connection has been switched off; [0021] FIG. 8 shows the problem of setting up an AV connection between a set-top box and a stereo amplifier when a connection is still in existence between the set-top box and the video recorder; [0022] FIG. 9 shows the procedure for setting up an AV connection between a set-top box and a stereo amplifier; Continue reading about Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station... Full patent description for Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Abnormal traffic eliminating apparatus Next Patent Application: Multiplexer, multimedia communication apparatus and time stamp generation method Industry Class: Multiplex communications ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.5028 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
