Method and apparatus for sharing function of external device through complex network

Abstract

A method of sharing a function of a device, the method including detecting at least one device from among a plurality of devices through a first device connected to the plurality of devices through a plurality of networks, wherein the detecting is performed by a second device in the plurality of devices; interworking the second device with a third device in the detected at least one device, through the first device; and using, by the second device, a function of the third device through the first device.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0077874, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to communication between devices through a complex network.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Recent electronic devices have been provided with a communication function through a network. Some electronic devices communicate through various networks, whereas some devices communicate only through a limited network. Although the performance of the electronic devices using various networks is improving, communication through a heterogeneous network is still inconvenient.[0006]Although electronic devices are widely becoming portable due to miniaturization of the electronic devices and development of a network, it is practically difficult to install ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relay device for sharing a function of a device through a plurality of networks, the relay device including a plural networks establishing controller for establishing a plurality of networks connected to a plurality of devices, wherein at least one device is connected to a current device for each of the plurality of networks; and a device function sharing relay for interworking a second device and a third device when the second device in the plurality of devices detects at least one device including the third device from among the plurality of devices through the current device, and relaying an operation of the second device using a function of the third device.

Problems solved by technology

Although the performance of the electronic devices using various networks is improving, communication through a heterogeneous network is still inconvenient.

Although electronic devices are widely becoming portable due to miniaturization of the electronic devices and development of a network, it is practically difficult to install all functions in portable electronic devices, and thus only representative functions suitable for the purpose of the portable electronic devices are generally installed.

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