WO2006080763A1

WO2006080763A1 - System and method for plug and play between host and client by using repeater

Info

Publication number: WO2006080763A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bea Su Jo
Original assignee: Bea Su Jo
Priority date: 2004-10-13
Filing date: 2005-10-13
Publication date: 2006-08-03

Abstract

A host client plug-and-play (or plug-and-service) system and method capable of controlling a client at the same time that the client is connected to a host through a repeater are provided. The host client plug-and-play method using a repeater in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, includes: (a) a step of performing device connection between the repeater and the host; (b) a step of performing communication compatible operation step between the repeater and the host; (c) a step where the a device driver and control software for allowing the host to identify and control the client is transmitted to the host; (d) a step where the device driver and control software transmitted to the host is installed in the host; (e) a step where the repeater relays the communication compatible operation between the host and client; (f) a step of performing device identification and communication compatible operation between the host and the client by using the device deriver installed in the host; and (g) a step where the host controls the client by using the control software installed in the host.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLUG AND PLAY BETWEEN HOST AND CLIENT

BY USING REPEATER

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for controlling one or more client with a host, and more particularly, to a system and method for plug-and-play (or plug-and-service) between a host and a client capable of controlling the client at the same time that the client is connected to the host through a repeater .

BACKGROUND ART

The Internet has been widely used. In home, the Internet has also been required. Home network middleware techniques such as JINI and UPnP are provided, so that application programmers can control and manage devices installed in in-home network. Accordingly, users can control and manage electronic appliances and security systems in home . In general, home devices may be classified into information device such as personal computers , facsimiles, scanners , and printers, A/V devices such TV sets, set top boxes , DVD players , VCRs , audios , camcorders , and home game machines , control device such as coffee makers, electric rice cookers , refrigerators, washing machines , microwave ovens , and digital cameras , and dummy devices such as remote controllers, interphones, sensors, and lamps .

In the home network, the various devices are connected to each other through USB, IEEE1394 , phone lines , power lines , a wireless LAN, or Bluetooth . The devices in the home network constitute a plurality of sub networks .

The device may operate on different hardware and software platforms . Therefore, in general, it is not easy to construct the home network. Accordingly, as a method of constructing the home network, there has been proposed a scheme of constructing a virtual computing environment, that is , called middleware, common to the distributed devices and providing applications thereon . The middleware is a kind of software for device communication between different types of devices in the home network.

In addition, the middleware is located between an operating system and application programs in order to clearly connect distributed applications and distributed data in a service client service server environment .

In other words, the middleware is a kind of software for implementing independent connection to hardware according to kinds of networks in order to supports various types of communication protocols , system structures, OSs , database, and application programs . As currently proposed middleware schemes for the home network, there are UPnP

(Universal Plug and Play) , HAVi (Home AV Interoperability) , JINI , Home Wide Web, and the like .

Among them, although the HAVi utilizes separate protocol stacks designed based on IEEE1394 , the HAVi is not sufficient for the internetworking . The UPnP and the JINI are used in layers under the TCP/IP protocol in order to implement the internetworking . The UPnP and the JINI are mainly used for the internetworking between the PCs and the PC peripherals . However, the UPnP and the JINI are not sufficient for real time data transmission (audio/video data transmission) between the digital electronic appliances .

As one of the middleware techniques , there is proposed the UPnP in the UPnP forum. The UPnP forum, founded on October, 18 , 1999 , is a community of about 200 companies of electronic appliances, computers, home automation, mobile devices , or the like . The UPnP forum defines and discloses standard recommendations for devices and services based on an Internet-based communication standard. The obj ect of the UPnP forum is to easily construct the network for the devices in home or office and control the devices . Currently, methods of controlling and managing devices of an in-home network by using the UPnP technique have proposed. In the control management system, the user interfaces, UPnP application program interfaces (hereinafter, referred to as API ) , and control points exist on a single system. Therefore, when the user executes a control command by using the user interface and the UPnP API in order to control a device, the control point actually controls the devices . On the other hand, if an addition network administrator is not provided to the aforementioned home network, it is difficult for general users having less network knowledge to construct the network. Therefore, there is a need for a home network which can be easily constructed by the general users . In particular, techniques for controlling the client at the same time that the client is connected to the host are required.

In addition, web synchronization and PC synchronization techniques have been used in order to perform information processing and secure copyrights in multimedia devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players . In the techniques , the device driver, the control S/W, and application S/W are provided through separate storage media for example, CDs . In this case, customers must connect the device to a PC or a host system and, after that, install device drivers, the control S/W, and application S/W . Next, a device deriver and control SW of the client, for example, a mobile phone or an MP3 player must be installed and set up . In implementation of the PC synchronization of the client, there are problems of setup complexity and procedure difficulty . Although the aforementioned plug- and-play techniques may somewhat solve the problems , there is still a need for separate storage media for installing the device driver and the control S/W in the host .

In implantation of the web synchronization, there is a problem in that separate software must be installed to connect the web in addition to the aforementioned steps .

In order for the host to control the client through the communication compatible operation between the host and the client, the following steps and requirements must be satisfied .

( 1) Physical communication interfaces for connection between the host and the client must be equal . For example, if the host is a USB plug type, the client must also be a USB plug type .

(2) Electrical communication signal systems of the host and the client must be basically equal .

( 3) Logical communication data protocols of the host and the client must be equal . ( 4 ) In order to the host to control the client, the device driver installed in the host must be compatible to the control protocol of the client .

( 5) Command protocol of ^' the client control S/W installed in the host must be equal to a client command protocol or a client device driver installed in the host .

( 6) When a client based service is received from the host, a service software control and service protocol must be equal to a communication and control protocol of the client .

Conventionally, it is inconvenient for the user to directly install the protocol, the device driver, the control software, the service software for the client in the host in order to maintain compatibilities of the requirements (2 ) to ( 6) excluding the requirement ( 1) .

Hereinafter, in the present invention, the protocols and the device drivers are collectively referred to as a device driver .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a host client plug- and-play (or plug-and-service) system and method capable of easily controlling a client by automatically installing control software or application software of controlling the client by using a repeater of relaying communication connection between the host and client at the same time that the client is connected to the host through the repeater .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a host client plug-and-play system using a repeater in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising : a repeater which relays communication compatible operation between the host and the client; a host which automatically installs a device driver and control software for identifying and controlling a client when the client is connected to the host through the repeater; and a client which is connected to the host through the repeater and controlled with the control software installed in the host .

In the above aspect of the invention, the host client plug-and-play system may further comprise a device server which is connected to the host through a wired/wireless network and provides to the host the device driver and control software for allowing the host to identify and control the client .

In addition, the host client plug-and-play system may further comprise a service server which is connected to the host through a wired/wireless network and provides client based service software and service to the host . According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a host client plug-and-play method using a repeater in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising : (a) a step of performing device connection between the repeater and the host; (b) a step of performing communication compatible operation step between the repeater and the host; (c) a step where the a device driver and control software for allowing the host to identify and control the client is transmitted to the host; (d) a step where the device driver and control software transmitted to the host is installed in the host ; (e) a step where the repeater relays the communication compatible operation between the host and client; ( f) a step of performing device identification and communication compatible operation between the host and the client by using the device deriver installed in the host ; and (g) a step where the host controls the client by using the control software installed in the host . In the above aspect of the invention, the host client plug-and-play method may further comprise after the step

( f) : a step where the host connects the service server to transmit client terminal information; a step where the service server searches supportable client based service software from the client terminal information; and a step where the host receives the client based service software from the service server and install the client based service software .

In addition, the step (b) may comprise a step where the repeater loads a virtual device driver of the memory on a controller and executes the virtual device driver; a step' where the repeater executes a virtual device response process to transmit a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyses the received connection response signal to search a standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver . In addition, the step (b) may comprise a step where the repeater executes a standard device driver; a step where the repeater executes a standard device response process to transmit a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyzes the received connection response signal to search the standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver. In addition, the step (c) may comprise a step where the repeater transmits the device driver and control software stored in the memory to the host .

In addition, the step (c) may comprise a step where the repeater transmits an installation agent to the host; a step where the host executes the transmitted installation agent to transmit a list of the device drivers and control software which are to be installed in the host to the repeater; and a step where the repeater transmits the device drivers and control software requested by the installation agent to the host .

In addition, the step (c) may comprise a step where the repeater requests the client for terminal information to receive the terminal information from the client ; a step where the repeater transmits the received terminal information to the host ; a step where the host transmits the received terminal information to a device server; and a step where the device server searches a device driver and control software corresponding to the received terminal information and transmits the device driver and control software to the host .

In addition, the step (c) may comprise a step where the repeater transmits an installation agent to the host ; a step where the host executes the transmitted installation agent to transmit a list of the device drivers and control software which are to be installed in the host to the device server; and a step where the device server transmits the requested device drivers and control software to the host .

In addition, the step (c) may comprise a step where the repeaters connects the device server to request the host for the device driver and control software; a step where the device server transmits the device driver and control software to the host in response to the request .

In addition, the step (f) may comprise a step where the host transmits to the repeater install completion information of the client device driver and control software; a step where the repeater requests the client for execution; a step where the client is executed in response to the request of the repeater; a step where the repeater transmits a communication compatible operation signal to the client ; a step where the client transmits a communication compatible operation response signal to the repeater; a step where the repeater analyzes the transmitted communication compatible operation response signal to transmit a client execution information to the host, ends executing the virtual device driver or standard device driver, and starts relaying communication between the host and client; a step where the host loads the client device driver on a memory and execute the control software; a step where the host transmits a device searching signal to the client; a step where the client transmits a communication compatible operation response signal to the host ; a step where the host searches the device driver by using the transmitted communication compatible operation response signal to execute the client device driver and transmits a device connection information to the client; and a step of completing the communication compatible operation between the host and the client .

In addition, the host client play-and-play method may further comprise, before the step ( c) , an authentication step for transmitting the device driver and control software .

In addition, the authentication step may comprise a step where the host receives authentication information; a step where the host transmits the transmitted authentication information to an authentication server; a step where the authentication server verifies the transmitted authentication information; a step where authentication success information is transmitted to the host where the authentication succeeds as a verification result ; a step where the host analyzes the authentication success information to inform data transmission permission; a step where authentication failure information is transmitted to the host where the authentication does not succeed as a verification result ; and a step where the host analyzes the authentication failure information to inform data transmission prohibition.

In addition, the host client play-and-play method may further comprise, before the step (d) , an authentication step for installing the device driver and control software .

In addition, the authentication step may comprise a step where the host transmits terminal information and installation file information to an authentication server; a step where the authentication server determines where not the terminal information and the installation file information are equal to each other; a step where authentication success information is transmitted to the host when a file is a normally authenticated file as a determination result; a step where the host analyzes transmitted authentication success information to install the file; a step where authentication failure information is transmitted to the host when a file is not a normally authenticated file as a determination result; a step where the host stop installing the file due to the authentication failure .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a host client plug-and-play method in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising : (a) a step of performing device connection between the repeater and the host ; (b) a step of performing communication compatible operation step between the repeater and the host by using a translation process ; (c) a step where the host receives control software for allowing the host to control the client and installs the control software ; (d) a step where the repeater relays communication compatible operation between the host and the client; (d) a step where the host performs device identification and communication compatible operation between the host and the client by using a standard device driver; and (e) a step where the host controls the client by using the control software installed in the host,

In the above aspect of the invention, the step (b) may comprise a step where the repeater executes the standard device driver and the translation process ; a step where the repeater executes a standard device response process to transmit^' a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyzes the received the connection response signal to search the standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver

In addition, the communication compatible operation step may comprise a step where the host transmits a control command to the repeater by using the standard device driver; a step of the repeater translates the transmitted control command into a form which the repeater can recognize by using the translation process ; and a step where the repeater executes the translated control command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which :

Fig . 1 is a view showing a plug-and-play system using a repeater according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing a construction of a plug-and-play system using a repeater according to preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Fig . 3 is a signal flowchart showing a plug-and-play procedure using a repeater according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig . 4 is a signal flowchart showing a plug-and-play procedure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig . 5 is a signal flowchart showing a communication compatible operation procedure by a virtual device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention;

Fig . 6 is a signal flowchart showing a communication compatible operation procedure by a standard device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention;

Fig . 7 is a signal flowchart showing a communication compatible operation procedure by a translator according to the first and second fifth embodiments of the present invention; Figs . 8 and 9 are signal flowcharts showing a device driver and control S/W transmission procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figs . 10 and 11 are signal flowcharts showing a device driver and control S/W transmission procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig . 12 is a signal flowchart showing a device identification relay procedure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a signal flowchart showing a device identification and communication compatible operation procedure by using an original device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention;

Fig . 14 is a signal flowchart showing a device driver and S/W transmission authentication procedure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention; and

Fig . 15 is a signal flowchart showing a device driver and S/W installation authentication procedure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . In the description, well-known constructions or components which may not clarify the construction of the present invention will be omitted.

In the present invention, a method of allowing a host to control a client at the same time that the client is connected to the host is provided. In order to achieve the obj ect, when the client is connected to the host through a repeater, a device driver and control software (hereinafter, referred to as "control S/W" ) capable of identifying and controlling the client is automatically installed, and the installed control S/W is executed, so that the client is controlled. In addition, in the following description,

' plug-and-play ' implemented in the present invention includes ' plug-and-service" .

The method of installing the device driver and control S/W in the host may be implemented in various manners according to the embodiments of the present invention. As an example, the device driver and control software is stored in a memory of the repeater, and at the same time that the repeater is connected to the host , the device driver and control S/W stored in the repeater is transmitted to the host in order to install the device driver and control S/W in the host .

As another example, at the same time that the repeater is connected to the host, the repeater requests the device server to transmit the device driver and control

S/W, and the host receives and installs the device driver and control S/W .

Firstly, constructions of plug-and-play system and device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs . 1 and 2.

Fig . 1 is a view showing the plug-and-play system according to an embodiment of the present invention .

Referring to Fig . 1, the plug-and-play system according to the present invention includes a client 100 , a repeater 110 , a host 120 , a device server 130 , and a service server 140.

The repeater 110 is a component for implementing a plug-and-play function by relaying communication connection between the host 120 and the client 100 which does is not supported with the plug-and-play function . The repeater 110 is connected to the host 120 and the client 100 through wired/wireless communication means to relay the communication connection between the host 120 and the client 100. The wired/wireless communication means may be any of Infrared Data Association ( IrDA) , universal serial bus (USB) , IEEE 1394 , RS232 , RS422 , RS485 , Bluetooth, and the like .

On the other hand, the repeater 110 may directly communicate through mobile communication network with the service server 140 or the device server 130.

The host 120 can be connected through a wired/wireless network to the device server 130 ^' and/or the service server 140. In addition, the host 120 can be connected through the repeater 110 to the at least one client 100. According to the present invention, the host 120 can automatically identify and control the client 100 without any addition installation procedure of device drivers and control S/W by a user at the time that the host 120 is connected to the client 100.

In addition, the client 100 may be a PDA, a smart phone, an MP3 player, a digital camera, or various electronic home appliances having the communication means . The device server 130 transmits a device driver and control S/W for identifying and controlling the client 100 through the wired/wireless network to the host 120.

In response to a request for the host 120 , the service server 140 transmits client based service software (hereinafter, referred as "service S/W" ) to the host 120. On the other hand, although not shown in Fig . 1 , the plug-and-play system according to the present invention may further include an authentication server which is connected to the host 120 through the wired/wireless network.

The authentication server authenticates transmission of files of the device driver or the control S/W transmitted to the host 120. In addition, before the installation of the files , the authentication server authenticates to-be-installed files . On the other hand, the authentication server, as described above, may a third party organization or an "authentication unit" as a component of the device server 130 or the service server 140.

Fig . 2 is a detailed view showing a construction of a plug-and-play system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention .

Referring to Fig . 2, the device server 130 may include a communication unit 231, a controller 232 , an authentication unit 233, and a device database (hereinafter, referred to as "device D/B" ) 224. The communication unit 231 communicates through the wired/wireless network with the host 120 and the repeater

110. The controller 232 transmits to the host 120 and the repeater 110 the files of the device driver and control S/W

(hereinafter, referred to as "control S/W or the like" ) and controls the host 120 and the repeater 110.

The authentication unit 233 authenticates transmission and installation of the control S/W or the like which is to be transmitted and installed to the host 120. As described above, the authentication unit 233 may be a component of the service server 140 or a third party organization which is physically independent of the authentication server .

The device D/B 234 stores information such as information on the device driver 235 , the control S/W 236, and the application S/W 237 , and terminal information 238 , terminal registration information 239, and the like .

The terminal information 238 may include a serial number, terminal history information, terminal trouble information, and terminal owner information of a client terminal, and various kinds of information associated with the client terminal . The information on the device driver 235 may include information of device drivers used to the clients 100 and the host 120 according to the type, use, and version thereof . The information on the control software 236 may include information of control software used to the clients 100 and the host 120 according to the type, use, and version thereof . In addition, the terminal registration information 239 may include history information and generation information which are common to a type of terminals, error information, or the like .

The host 120 may include a communication unit 221 , a controller 222 , a client communication unit 223 , a memory 224 , and the like .

The controller 222 controls all the functions of the host 120 , and the communication unit 221 has a function of enabling the host 120 to be connected through wired/wireless network to the device server 130 or the service server 140.

The client communication unit 223 has a function of enabling the host 120 to communicate with the repeater 110.

The memory 224 includes application S/W 225 , service S/W

226, control S/W 227 , a device driver 228 , an operating system (O/S) 229, and the like .

The repeater 110 may include a communication unit 211, a controller 212 , a memory 213 , and the like .

The communication unit 211 has a function of enabling the repeater 110 to communicate with the device server 130 or the host 120 , and the controller 212 controls all the functions of the repeater 110. The memory 213 includes application S/W 214 , control S/W 215, a device driver 216, terminal information 217 , and the like, and preferably, is conducted with a non-volatile memory.

The device drivers 216 and 228 are installed in the host 120 to enable the host 120 to identify and communicate with the client 100. The control S/W 215 and 227 are installed in the host 120 to enable the host 120 to control the client 100. The application S/W 214 and 225 and the service S/W 226 are installed in the host 120 to provide a client based service .

On the other hand, in order to control the client 100 according to the present invention, the control S/W or the like which is installed in the host 120 to enable the host 120 to control the client 100 may be transmitted from the repeater 110 to the host 120 or from the device server 130 to the host 120 at the time of connection between the host 120 and the repeater 110.

Now, a plug-and-play method between a host and a client according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs 3 to 11. According to the embodiments of the present invention, as described above, after communication connection between the host 120 and the repeater 110 are established by device connection therebetween, the host 120 receives the control S/W or the like for controlling the client 100 from the repeater 110 or the device server 130 and installs the control S/W or the like, and the repeater 110 relays the communication connection between the host 120 and the client 100 , so that the host 120 can control the client 100. Firstly, plug-and-play procedures according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs . 3 and 4.

Fig . 3 is a signal flowchart showing a plug-and-play procedure according to a first embodiment of the present invention .

Referring to Fig. 3, the host 120 receives the control S/W or the like from the repeater 110 and install the control S/W or the like, the repeater 110 relays the communication connection between the host 120 and the client 100 , so that the host 120 can control the client 100.

More specifically, firstly, when device connection between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established

( S301) , a communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is performed (S302 ) . Next, the device driver and the control S/W of identifying and controlling the client 100 are transmitted from the repeater 110 to the host 120 (S303) , and the host 120 installs the transmitted device driver and control S/W (S304 ) . Next, the repeater 110 relays the communication connection between the host 120 and the client 100 (S305 ) . The host 120 identifies the client 100 by using the device driver installed in the host 120 , and the communication compatible operation therebetween is established (S306) . Finally, the host 120 controls the client 100 by using the control S/W installed in the host 120 (S307 ) .

The details of the steps will be described later with reference to Figs . 5 to 15.

Fig . 4 is a signal flowchart showing a plug-and-play procedure according to a second embodiment of the present invention .

Referring to Fig . 4 , after the device connection between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established, the repeater 110 requests the device server 130 for the control S/W transmission, and in response to the request , the device server 130 accesses the host 120 to transmit the control S/W or the like . The host 120 installs the transmitted control S/W or the like, so that the host 120 can control the client 100. More specifically, firstly, when device connection between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established

(S401 ) , a communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is performed

(S402 ) . Next, the repeater 110 requests the device server 130 to transmit the control S/W or the like (S403 ) , and in response to the request, the device server 130 accesses the host 120 to transmit the control S/W or the like to the host 120 ( S404 ) .

The host 120 installs the transmitted control S/W or the like (S405) , and the repeater 110 relays the communication compatible operation between the host 120 and the client 100 ( S406) , so that the host 120 identifies the client 100 by using the device driver installed in the host 120. Accordingly, communication compatible operation therebetween is established (S407 ) . Finally, the host 120 controls the client 100 by using the control S/W installed in the host 120.

The details of the steps will be described later with reference to Figs . 5 to 15. On the other hand, the aforementioned embodiments , a transmission authentication step may further be included before the control S/W or the like is transmitted from the repeater 110 or the device server 130 to the host 120. In addition, an installation authentication step may further be included before the transmitted control S/W or the like is installed in the host 120.

In the later description, some steps may be commonly employed in the first and second embodiments , and other steps may be limited to some embodiments . Now, detailed procedures of the aforementioned steps shown in Figs . 3 and 4 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will described with^' reference to Figs . 5 to 15.

Firstly, the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs . 5 to 7.

Fig . 5 is a detailed signal flowchart showing the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 by a virtual device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

In the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 by the virtual device driver, the repeater 110 executes the virtual device driver, so that the repeater 110 operates like a standard device which is basically installed in the host 120 to implement the communication between the host 120 and the repeater 110. The details of^' the procedure are as follows .

Referring to Fig . 5, firstly, in the repeater 110 , a virtual device driver of the memory is loaded on the controller and executed (S501 ) . Next, the repeater 110 executes a virtual device response process (S502 ) and transmits a client connection response signal according to a virtual device process to the host 120 (S503 ) .

The host 120 analyzes the transmitted response signal and searches a standard device driver (S504 ) . By loading the standard device driver on the memory ( S505 ) to identify the repeater 110 as a standard device (S506) , the communication between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established (S507 ) .

Fig . 6 is a detailed signal flowchart showing the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 by a standard device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention .

In the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 by the standard device driver, the repeater 110 executes the standard device driver supported by the host 120 , so that communication between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is implemented. The details of the procedure are as follows .

Referring to Fig. 6, firstly, in the repeater 110, a standard device driver of the memory 214 is loaded on the controller and executed (S601) . Next, the repeater 110 executes a standard device response process ( S602 ) and transmits a connection response signal to the host 120

(S603) . The host 120 analyzes the transmitted response signal and searches the standard device driver (S604 ) . By loading the standard device driver on the memory (S605) to identify the repeater 110 as a standard device ( SβOβ) , the communication between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established ( S607 ) .

Fig . 7 is a detailed signal flowchart showing the communication compatible operation procedure between the host 120 and the repeater 110 by a translator according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention . Referring to Fig . 7 , firstly, in the repeater 110 , a standard device driver of the memory is loaded on the controller and executed (S701 ) . Next, after the repeater 110 executes a translation process (S702 ) , the repeater 110 executes a standard device response process ( S703 ) and transmits a connection response signal to the host 120 ( S704 ) .

The host 120 analyzes the transmitted response signal and searches a standard device driver ( S705 ) . By loading the standard device driver on the memory (S706) to identify the repeater 110 as a standard device ( S707 ) , the communication between the host 120 and the repeater 110 is established ( S708 ) .

The procedure following the communication compatible operation is as follows . When the host 120 transmits a control command to the repeater 110 by using the standard device driver, the repeater 110 translates the transmitted control command into a form which the repeater 110 can recognize by using the translation process, and after that , the repeater 110 executes the translated control command. Figs . 8 and 9 are detailed signal flowcharts showing a control S/W transmission procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention .

Referring to Fig . 8 , firstly, the repeater 110 searches data which are to be installed in the host 120 ( S801 ) . Next, the repeater 110 transmits the terminal information and the control S/W or the like stored in the memory through the communication unit to the host 120 (S802 and S803) .

Fig . 9 is a signal flowchart showing a control S/W transmission procedure using an installation agent .

Referring to Fig . 9 , firstly, the repeater 110 transmits the installation agent of the memory through the communication unit to the host 120 (S901 and S902 ) . The host 120 executes the transmitted installation agent (S903) , searches files which are to be installed in the host 120

(S904 ) , and transmits to the repeater 110 a file list of the files which are to be installed in the host 120 (S905 ) .

The repeater 110 transmits the terminal information and data of the control S/W or the like requested by the installation agent through the communication unit to the host 120 (S906 and S907 ) .

Figs . 10 and 11 are detailed signal flowcharts showing a control S/W transmission procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention . Referring to Fig. 10, firstly, the repeater requests the client 100 for terminal information and receives the terminal information (SlOOl and S1002 ) . The repeater 110 transmits the received terminal information to the host 120 (S1003) , and the host 120 transmits the received terminal information to the device server 130 (S1004 ) .

The device server 130 searches the control software or the like and a service list corresponding to the received terminal information and transmits the control software or the like and the service list to the host 120 (S1005 and S1006) .

On the other hand, in a case where the repeater 110 has terminal information, the steps S701 and S702 may be omitted.

Fig . 11 is a signal flowchart showing a control S/W transmission procedure using an installation agent .

Referring to Fig . 11, firstly, the repeater 110 transmits the installation agent to the host 120 (SIlOl) .

The host 120 executes the transmitted installation agent

(S1102 ) , searches files which are to be installed in the host 120 ( S1103 ) , and requests the device server 130 to transmit the control S/W or the like (S1104 ) . The device server 130 searches the requested control S/W or the like (S1105) and transmits the control S/W or the like to the host 120 (S1106) . Fig . 12 is a signal flowchart showing a communication compatible operation relay procedure between the host and client by using a repeater according to the first and second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig . 12 , firstly, the host 120 transmits an install completion information of the control S/W or the like to the repeater 110 (S1201) , and the repeater 110 requests the client 100 to execute the control S/W or the like . In response to the request of the repeater 100, the client 100 executes the installation agent ( S1203 ) . After that, in order to check whether or not the client 100 normally operates, the repeater 110 transmits a communication compatible operation signal to the client 100 (S1204 ) . When the client 100 transmits^" a communication compatible operation response signal to the repeater 110 ( S1205 ) , the repeater 110 analyzes the transmitted response signal and transmits client execution information to the host 120 ( S206) . After the execution of the virtual device driver or the standard device driver ends , the communication compatible operation between the host 120 and the client 100 starts being relayed ( S1207 ) . The host 120 loads the client device driver on a memory to execute the control S/W and, after that, transmits device searching signal to the client 100 ( S1208 and S1209 ) . If the client 100 transmits a communication compatible operation response signal to the host 120

(S1210 ) , the host 120 identifies the client 100 , searches the device driver, executes the client device, and after that, transmits device connection information to the client

100 to complete the communication compatible operation (S1211, S1212 , and S1213 ) .

Fig . 13 is a signal flowchart showing a device identification and communication compatible operation procedure by using an original device driver according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention . Referring to Fig . 13 , if the host 120 transmits device driver install completion information to the client 100 ( S1301) , the client 100 executes the original device driver (S1302) and transmits original device execution information to the host 120 ( S1303 ) . After that, the host 120 identifies the client 100 by using the original device driver, so that the communication compatible operation between the host 120 and the client 100 is established (S1304 ) . Next, the host 120 loads the original device driver on the memory and executes the control S/W (S1305 ) . Fig . 14 is a signal flowchart showing a control S/W transmission authentication procedure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention .

Referring to Fig. 14 , after access for control S/W transmission between the host 120 and the repeater 110 or between host 120 and the device server 130 is made, the host 120 requests the repeater 110 or the device server 130 to transmit authentication information (S1401 and S1402 ) .

The repeater 110 or the device server 130 generates the authentication information and transmits the authentication information to the host 120 (S1403 and S1404 ) .

The host 120 transmits the transmitted authentication information to an authentication server (S1405 ) , and the authentication server verifies the transmitted authentication information to determine whether or not authentication succeeds ( S1406 and S1407 ) .

As a determination result, if the authentication succeeds , authentication success information is transmitted to the host 120 (S1408 ) , and the host 120 receiving the authentication success information analyzes the authentication success information and informs the repeater 110 or the device server 130 of control S/W transmission permission ( S1409 ) .

As a determination result, if the authentication does not succeed, authentication failure information is transmitted to the host 120 (S1410 ) , and the host 120 receiving the authentication failure information analyzes the authentication failure information and informs the repeater 110 or the device server 130 of control S/W transmission prohibition (S1411) .

Fig . 15 is a signal flowchart showing a control S/W installation authentication procedure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to Fig . 15 , firstly, the host 120 transmits terminal information and installation file information for control S/W installation file authentication to the authentication server (S1501) . The authentication server queries database (D/B) whether or not the transmitted terminal information is equal to the installation file information to determine whether or not the authentication file is a normally authenticated file ( S1502 and S1503 ) .

As a determination result, if the authentication file is a normally authenticated file, authentication success information is transmitted to the host 120 ( S1504 ) , and the host 120 analyzes the transmitted authentication success information to start installing the control S/W or the like (S1505 ) .

As a determination result, if the authentication file is not a normally authenticated file, authentication failure information is transmitted to the host 120 ( S1506) , and the host 120 analyzes the transmitted authentication failure information to end installing the control S/W or the like ( S1507 ) .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, at the same time that a client is connected to a host through a repeater, control software capable of controlling the client is automatically installed in the host and executed, so that it is possible for the client to easily control the client .

Although the exemplary embodiments and the modified examples of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples , but may be modified in various forms without departing ^• from the scope of the appended claims, the detailed description, and the accompanying drawings of the present invention . Therefore, it is natural that such modifications belong to the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A host client plug-and-play system using a repeater in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising : a repeater which relays communication compatible operation between the host and the client; a host which automatically installs a device driver and control software for identifying and controlling a client when the client is connected to the host through the repeater; and a client which is connected to the host through the repeater and controlled with the control software installed - in the host .

2. The host client plug-and-play system according to 1, further comprising a device server which is connected to the host through a wired/wireless network and provides to the host the device driver and control software for allowing the host to identify and control the client .

3. The host client plug-and-play system according to 1 or 2 , further comprising a service server which is connected to the host through a wired/wireless network and provides client based service software and service to the host .

4. The host client plug-and-play system according to 2 , wherein the device server comprises an authentication unit which authenticates transmission and installation of the device driver and software provided to the host .

5. The host client plug-and-play system according to 1, wherein the repeater comprises a memory which stores the device driver and software for allowing the host to identify and control the client .

6. The host client plug-and-play system according to 5 , wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory.

7. The host client plug-and-play system according to 1, wherein the repeater is connected to the host and the client through wired or wireless communication means .

8. The host client plug-and-play system according to 7 , wherein the communication means is one selected among Infrared data association communication ( IrDA) , universal serial bus (USB) , IEEE 1394 , RS-232, RS422 , RS-485 , and Bluetooth communication schemes .

9. A host client plug-and-play method using a repeater in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising :

(a) a step of performing device connection between the repeater and the host;

(b) a step of performing communication compatible operation step between the repeater and the host ; (c) a step where the a device driver and control software for allowing the host to identify and control the client is transmitted to the host ;

(d) a step where the device driver and control software transmitted to the host is installed in the host; (e) a step where the repeater relays the communication compatible operation between the host and client ;

(f) a step of performing device identification and communication compatible operation between the host and the client by using the device deriver installed in the host ; and

(g) a step where the host controls the client by using the control software installed in the host .

10. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9, further comprising, after the step (f) : a step where the host connects the service server to transmit client terminal information; a step where the service server searches supportable client based service software from the client terminal information; and a step where the host receives the client based service software from the service server and install the client based service software .

11. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , wherein the step (b) comprises : a step where the repeater loads a virtual device driver of the memory on a controller and executes the virtual device driver; a step where the repeater executes a virtual device response process to transmit a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyses the received connection response signal to search a standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver .

12. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9, wherein the step (b) comprises : a step where the repeater executes a standard device driver; a step where the repeater executes a standard device response process to transmit a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyzes the received connection response signal to search the standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver .

13. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , wherein the step (c) comprises a step where the repeater transmits the device driver and control software stored in the memory to the host .

14. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , wherein the step (c) comprises : a step where the repeater transmits an installation agent to the host; a step where the host executes the transmitted installation agent to transmit a list of the device drivers and control software which are to be installed in the host to the repeater; and a step where the repeater transmits the device drivers and control software requested by the installation agent to the host .

15. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9, wherein the step (c) comprises : a step where the repeater requests the client for terminal information to receive the terminal information from the client; a step where the repeater transmits the received terminal information to the host ; a step where the host transmits the received terminal information to a device server; and a step where the device server searches a device driver and control software corresponding to the received terminal information and transmits the device driver and control software to the host .

16. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9, wherein the step ( c) comprises : a step where the repeater transmits an installation agent to the host; a step where the host executes the transmitted installation agent to transmit a list of the device drivers and control software which are to be installed in the host to the device server; and a step where the device server transmits the requested device drivers and control software to the host .

17. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , wherein the step (c) comprises :- a step where the repeaters connects the device server to request the host for the device driver and control software ; a step where the device server transmits the device driver and control software to the host in response to the request .

18. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9, wherein the step (f) comprises : a step where the host transmits to the repeater install completion information of the client device driver and control software; a step where the repeater requests the client for execution; a step where the client is executed in response to the request of the repeater; a step where the repeater transmits a communication compatible operation signal to the client ; a step where the client transmits a communication compatible operation response signal to the repeater; a step where the repeater analyzes the transmitted communication compatible operation response signal to transmit a client execution information to the host, ends executing the virtual device driver or standard device driver, and starts relaying communication between the host and client; a step where the host loads the client device driver on a memory and execute the control software; a step where the host transmits a device searching signal to the client ; a step where the client transmits a communication compatible operation response signal to the host ; a step where the host searches the device driver by using the transmitted communication compatible operation response signal to execute the client device driver and transmits a device connection information to the client ; and a step of completing the communication compatible operation between the host and the client .

19. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , further comprising, before the step (c) , an authentication step for transmitting the device driver and control software .

20. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 19, wherein the authentication step comprises : a step where the host receives authentication information; a step where the host transmits the transmitted authentication information to an authentication server; a step where the authentication server verifies the transmitted authentication information; a step where authentication success information is transmitted to the host where the authentication succeeds as a verification result ; a step where the host analyzes the authentication success information to inform data transmission permission; a step where authentication failure information is transmitted to the host where the authentication does not succeed as a verification result; and a step where the host analyzes the authentication failure information to inform data transmission prohibition ,

21. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 9 , further comprising, before the step (d) , an authentication step for installing the device driver and control software .

22. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 21 , wherein the authentication step comprises : a step where the host transmits terminal information and installation file information to an authentication server; a step where the authentication server determines where not the terminal information and the installation file information are equal to each other; a step where authentication success information is transmitted to the host when a file is a normally authenticated file as a determination result ; a step where the host analyzes transmitted authentication success information to install the file; a step where authentication failure information is transmitted to the host when a file is not a normally authenticated file as a determination result; a step where the host stop installing the file due to the authentication failure .

23. A host client plug-and-play method in a host client communication system where at least one client is controlled by at least one host, comprising :

(a) a step of performing device connection between the repeater and the host;

(b) a step of performing communication compatible operation step between the repeater and the host by using a translation process ;

(c) a step where the host receives control software for allowing the host to control the client and installs the control software;

(d) a step where the repeater relays communication compatible operation between the host and the client;

(d) a step where the host performs device identification and communication compatible operation between the host and the client by using a standard device driver; and

(e) a step where the host controls the client by using the control software installed in the host ,

24. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 23, wherein the step (b) comprises : a step where the repeater executes the standard device driver and the translation process ; a step where the repeater executes a standard device response process to transmit a connection response signal to the host ; a step where the host analyzes the received the connection response signal to search the standard device driver; a step where the host loads the searched standard device driver on a memory; and a step where the host identifies the repeater and performs communication compatible operation by using the standard device driver

25. The host client play-and-play method according to claim 24 , wherein the communication compatible operation step comprises : a step where the host transmits a control command to the repeater by using the standard device driver; a step of the repeater translates the transmitted control command into a form which the repeater can recognize by using the translation process; and a step where the repeater executes the translated control command.