Networking methods and apparatus for central nodes and terminal nodes in the Internet of Things

Abstract

This invention provides a networking method and apparatus for central nodes and terminal nodes of the Internet of Things (IoT). The networking method for central nodes includes: broadcasting search information, the search information including initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range; obtaining response information from IoT terminal nodes to the search information; and allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes based on the response information. The networking method and apparatus for central nodes and terminal nodes of the IoT according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention enable the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes using initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes, improving the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of the Internet of Things (IoT), and in particular, to a networking method and apparatus for a central node of the IoT and a networking method and apparatus for a terminal node of the IoT. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its increasingly widespread use, the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking processes are receiving increasing attention.

[0003] Typically, during the IoT network setup process, each terminal node needs to send its communication address to the central node. The central node then stores the communication addresses of each terminal node to complete the network setup. However, with a large number of terminal nodes, this networking method is very time-consuming, and there is a significant risk of incorrect mapping between terminal nodes and their communication addresses during the address storage process, resulting in low efficiency and accuracy in network setup.

[0004] Therefore, a more efficient and accurate networking method is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a networking method for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) is provided, comprising: broadcasting search information, the search information including initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range; obtaining response information from terminal nodes of the IoT in response to the search information; and allocating a communication address to the terminal nodes according to the response information.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a networking method for terminal nodes of an Internet of Things (IoT) is provided, comprising: generating an initial address of a terminal within a predetermined initial address range based on a corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node; receiving search information broadcast by a central node of the IoT, the search information including the initial address within the predetermined initial address range; responding to the search information based on the initial address of the terminal and the initial address; and receiving a communication address allocated by the central node based on the response.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a networking apparatus for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) is provided, comprising: a first unit configured to broadcast search information, the search information including an initial address within a predetermined initial address range; a second unit configured to acquire response information from a terminal node of the IoT in response to the search information; and a third unit configured to assign a communication address to the terminal node based on the response information.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a networking apparatus for terminal nodes of an Internet of Things (IoT) is provided, comprising: a fourth unit configured to generate a terminal initial address within a predetermined initial address range based on a corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node; a fifth unit configured to receive search information broadcast by a central node of the IoT, the search information including the initial address within the predetermined initial address range; a sixth unit configured to respond to the search information based on the terminal initial address and the initial address; and a seventh unit configured to receive a communication address allocated by the central node based on the response.

[0009] According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the networking method for a central node of an Internet of Things or the networking method for a terminal node of an Internet of Things according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above.

[0010] The networking method and apparatus for a central node of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the networking method and apparatus for a terminal node of the IoT according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention enable the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes through an initial address within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes, improving the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The invention can be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a networking method for a central node in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the central node broadcasting search information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a central node receiving response information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the sending of confirmation information by a central node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the interaction between a central node and a user terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 6A schematic diagram illustrating the networking of a central node and terminal nodes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0018] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the transmission of group communication addresses by a central node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 8 A flowchart of a networking method for a central node in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a networking method for terminal nodes in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 10 A flowchart of a networking method for terminal nodes for the Internet of Things according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of nodes completing their de-network exit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 12 A block diagram of a networking device for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 13 A block diagram of a networking device for terminal nodes for the Internet of Things is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without requiring some of these specific details. The following description of embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the invention by illustrating examples of the invention. The invention is by no means limited to any specific configurations and algorithms presented below, but covers any modifications, substitutions, and improvements to elements, components, and algorithms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Well-known structures and techniques are not shown in the drawings and the following description in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a networking method for a central node in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] For example, a central node can be an IoT gateway, which can form an IoT network with, for example, a home appliance. This home appliance can be any appliance, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, or lighting fixture.

[0028] For example, these unnetworked home appliances can automatically be placed in the same default physical address range (e.g., MAC address range) as the central node after being powered on, so as to achieve the following interactions with the central node and thus form a network with the central node.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 In step S110, the central node broadcasts search information, which includes initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range.

[0030] For example, the predetermined initial address range can be a pre-set address range stored in the central node and each terminal node. As an example, each terminal node can generate its initial address within this predetermined initial address range based on its corresponding terminal serial number. Thus, the central node can sequentially search for each terminal node using search information including different initial addresses.

[0031] In one embodiment, the search information may further include a communication address, which corresponds to the initial address in the search information. That is, the communication address is the address used for subsequent communication between the central node and the terminal node with the initial address.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the central node broadcasting search information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0033] exist Figure 2 The example shows a central node A and four terminal nodes a, b, c, and d. These four terminal nodes a and d can each have terminal sequence numbers a1, b1, c1, and d1, and they can all use their respective terminal sequence numbers to generate terminal initial addresses a2, b2, c2, and d2 within the predetermined initial address range mentioned above.

[0034] Central node A may have its own communication address pool, which contains a certain number of communication addresses. When searching for each initial address within a predetermined initial address range, central node A may select one communication address from the communication address pool and include it in the search information. For example, when central node A searches for initial address a2 within the predetermined initial address range, it may select one communication address from the communication address pool as communication address a3 and include it in the search information; when searching for initial address b2, it may select one communication address from the communication address pool as communication address b3 and include it in the search information; when searching for initial address c2, it may select one communication address from the communication address pool as communication address c3 and include it in the search information; when searching for initial address d2, it may select one communication address from the communication address pool as communication address d3 and include it in the search information; and so on. It should be understood that if central node A searches for a certain initial address and includes a corresponding communication address in the search information, but does not find a terminal node corresponding to that initial address, when central node A searches for the next initial address, it may include the same communication address or a different communication address included in the previous search in the search information.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, central node A can currently use search information to search for the initial address a2, that is, to search for terminal nodes with the initial address a2. Specifically, the central node can broadcast search information containing the initial address a2 and the corresponding communication address a3 to the four terminal nodes ad.

[0036] Accordingly, each terminal node ad can receive the search information broadcast by the central node A and respond to the search information. For example, when a terminal node (e.g., a) determines that its initial terminal address is the same as the initial address a2 in the search information, it can send a response message to the central node and optionally temporarily store the communication address a3 in the search information; when a terminal node (e.g., bd) determines that its initial terminal address is different from the initial address a2 in the search information, it may not send a response message to the central node and wait for the next search information.

[0037] Return to reference Figure 1 In step S120, the central node obtains the response information of the IoT terminal nodes in response to the search information.

[0038] In one embodiment, step S120 may include: the central node may determine whether it receives a response from the corresponding terminal node of the Internet of Things within a first predetermined time period (e.g., within 10ms, 20ms, etc.) after broadcasting the search information. Here, the corresponding terminal node may be a terminal node with the initial address in the search information (e.g., terminal node a above), and the response information may include the terminal serial number of the corresponding terminal node (e.g., terminal serial number a1).

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a central node receiving response information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] In the above Figure 2 In the example, when the central node A searches for the initial address a2, the terminal node a can determine that its initial terminal address is the same as the initial address a2 in the search information. Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, terminal node a can send a response message to central node A, and the response message includes its terminal sequence number a1.

[0041] Return to reference Figure 1 In step S130, the central node assigns a communication address to the terminal node based on the response information of the terminal node to the search information in step S130.

[0042] In one embodiment, step S130 may include: if the central node determines that it has not received a response (e.g., if the central node is searching for initial addresses other than a2, b2, c2, and d2), it may determine that there is no terminal node with that initial address and return to step S110 of broadcasting search information. In this case, the initial address in the search information may be the next initial address after the currently searched initial address. For example, the central node may search for initial addresses within the predetermined range of initial addresses in a predetermined search order, and the next initial address may be the later initial address in that search order.

[0043] Furthermore, in step S130, if the central node determines that it has received (e.g., from terminal node a) a response message, it may send an acknowledgment message to the corresponding terminal node (e.g., terminal node a). The acknowledgment message may include the above communication address (e.g., communication address a3) and the terminal serial number (e.g., the terminal serial number a1 received from terminal node a).

[0044] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the sending of confirmation information by a central node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0045] In the above Figure 3In the example, when central node A receives the response information sent by terminal node a, such as Figure 4 As shown, the central node A can send an acknowledgment message to the terminal node a, and the acknowledgment message includes the terminal sequence number a1 and the corresponding communication address a3 received by the central node A from the terminal node a. Figure 4 In order to distinguish it from the terminal serial number in the response information, the terminal serial number in the confirmation information is marked as x1.

[0046] Accordingly, in response to the received confirmation information, terminal node a can persistently store the communication address a3 that was temporarily stored above, so as to use the communication address a3 to communicate with central node A in the future.

[0047] In one example, terminal node A can compare its terminal sequence number a1 with the terminal sequence number x1 in the acknowledgment information. Only if a1 and x1 are the same will the communication address a3 be persistently stored. If a1 and x1 are different, it indicates that another terminal node with the same initial address has responded to the central node A before it, and the terminal sequence number x1 is the terminal sequence number received by the central node from another terminal node. At this time, the terminal node can delete the temporarily stored communication address a3 and generate another initial terminal address so that it can be found by the central node through subsequent search information (this will be further described below with reference to an embodiment of the terminal node networking method).

[0048] By including the communication address a3 in both the search and confirmation information, the likelihood of the corresponding terminal node receiving its communication address is greatly increased. This ensures that even if information is lost in the search or confirmation information, the corresponding terminal node can still obtain its communication address and achieve networking with the central node. This improves the reliability of the network.

[0049] In the above Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiments of the present invention, in order to facilitate monitoring and management by IoT users after a communication address has been assigned to the terminal node, the networking method for a central node of the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: when the central node determines that it has received a response message, generating identification information (e.g., terminal ID) of the corresponding terminal node (e.g., a) according to the terminal serial number (e.g., a1); and sending a mapping of the identification information (e.g., terminal ID) with the terminal serial number (e.g., a1) and the communication address (e.g., a3) to the user terminal, so as to display the mapping and / or edit the identification information (e.g., terminal ID) on the user terminal.

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the interaction between a central node and a user terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0051] like Figure 5 As shown, when, before, or after the central node A sends the confirmation information, the central node A can generate identification information (e.g., terminal ID) of the corresponding terminal node (e.g., a) and interact with the user terminal D of the Internet of Things (e.g., the user's electronic device, such as a mobile phone) to send the mapping of the identification information (e.g., terminal ID) with the terminal serial number (e.g., a1) and communication address (e.g., a3) to the user terminal D, so that the mapping information can be displayed on the user terminal D, and / or the terminal ID can be edited and modified on the user terminal.

[0052] In the above Figures 1 to 5 In an embodiment, in order to enable the central node to automatically allocate a communication address to the next terminal node after completing the allocation of a communication address to a terminal node, and to end the allocation of communication addresses under specific conditions to avoid wasting the central node's resources, in an exemplary embodiment, the networking method for a central node of the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: if the central node determines that it has received a response message, it determines whether networking is completed; and if it determines that networking is not completed, it returns to the step S110 of broadcasting search information, whereby the initial address in the search information may be the next initial address after the current initial address, and the next initial address may be the later initial address according to the search order.

[0053] In one example, determining whether a network is complete may include: determining whether a second predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed since the first search message was sent; if the second predetermined time has elapsed, determining that the network is complete; if the second predetermined time has not elapsed, determining that the network is not complete.

[0054] In another example, determining whether the network is complete may include: determining whether a predetermined number of search messages (e.g., 2 times) were broadcast for each initial address within the predetermined initial address range (i.e., determining whether a predetermined number of rounds of searching were performed on the predetermined initial address range); if it is determined that the predetermined number of search messages were broadcast, determining that the network is complete; if it is determined that the predetermined number of search messages were not broadcast, determining that the network is not complete.

[0055] In the above example, for instance, if the central node confirms that the network is not yet complete, it can search for the next initial address (e.g., the initial address b2 of terminal node b), and after completing the communication address allocation for the terminal node with the next initial address, it can search for subsequent initial addresses in sequence until the above network completion conditions are met.

[0056] Figure 6A schematic diagram illustrating the networking of a central node and terminal nodes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0057] exist Figure 6 In the example, central node A has completed the network connection with each terminal node ad. At this point, each terminal node ad has been assigned a communication address, a3, b3, c3, and d3, respectively. Central node A can use these communication addresses a3, b3, c3, and d3 to communicate with each terminal node ad.

[0058] After completing the network formation between the central node and each terminal node using the above methods, the central node and each terminal node can exit the default physical address range before network formation and enter a new physical address range generated based on the central node's sequence number (e.g., the sequence number A1 of central node A). Communication between the central node and terminal nodes can then be conducted via this new physical address range and the aforementioned communication addresses. In one embodiment, the central node may include its sequence number in the search and confirmation information, enabling the terminal node assigned a communication address to generate a new physical address range based on that sequence number.

[0059] This allows communication with the central node to be achieved through a physical address. For example, the central node and each terminal node can use the central node's sequence number itself as a new physical address range, or they can intercept the central node's sequence number.

[0060] The common part of the column number is used as a new physical address range.

[0061] In addition, in the above Figures 1 to 6 In one embodiment, to further improve the convenience of communication between the central node and each terminal node, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention...

[0062] The networking method for a central node in the Internet of Things may further include: after networking is completed, the central node groups the networked terminal nodes; and sends data to each group of terminal nodes.

[0063] The group communication address is used for communication between the terminal nodes and the central node of the group.

[0064] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the transmission of group communication addresses by a central node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0065] like Figure 7 As shown, central node A can group terminal nodes a and b together, and terminal nodes c and d together. Central node A can send data to terminal nodes a and b.

[0066] Point b sends group communication address G1 for communication between central node A and terminal nodes a and b. Central node A can send group communication address G2 to terminal nodes c and d for communication between central node A and terminal nodes c and d.

[0067] For example, the central node can use unicast to send a group communication address. In this case, each terminal node that receives the group communication address can send a corresponding response to the central node.

[0068] The central node receives the group communication address to confirm receipt. Furthermore, the central node can use multicast to send the group communication address; for example, the central node can multicast the group communication address a predetermined number of times (e.g., 2 times, 3 times, etc.) to ensure that the corresponding terminal nodes can receive the group communication address.

[0069] The following is for reference Figure 8 Here is a detailed description of a 5-example network topology method for central nodes in the Internet of Things.

[0070] Figure 8 A flowchart of a networking method for a central node in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0071] like Figure 8 As shown, in step S110, the central node broadcasts search information. For example, the search information includes an initial address within the predetermined initial address range and the communication address corresponding to that initial address.

[0072] In step S120, the central node determines whether it has received a response message, including the terminal serial number, from the corresponding terminal node of the Internet of Things within a first predetermined time after broadcasting the search information.

[0073] If no response is received within the first predetermined time in step S120 ( Figure 8 If the "No" is not found in the initial address, the central node can determine that there is no terminal node with that initial address and return to step S110 to broadcast search information for the next initial address in order to search for a terminal node with the next initial address.

[0074] In step S120, if a response message is received within a first predetermined time ( Figure 8 In step S130, the central node sends confirmation information including the received terminal serial number (the "yes" in the text).

[0075] At the same time as, before or after step S130, in step S140, the central node may use the received terminal serial number to generate identification information (e.g., terminal ID) of the terminal node, and in step S150, send the mapping of the identification information with the terminal serial number and communication address to the user terminal so as to display the mapping and / or edit the identification information on the user terminal.

[0076] In step S160, either simultaneously with, before, or after steps S130-S150, the central node can determine whether network formation is complete. For example, this can be achieved through the above reference... Figures 1 to 7 The method of description determines whether the network has been completed.

[0077] In step S160, if it is determined that the network has not been completed ( Figure 8 If the "No" is selected, the central node can return to step S110 to broadcast search information with the next initial address in order to search for terminal nodes with the next initial address.

[0078] In step S160, if it is determined that the network has been completed ( Figure 8 In step S170, the central node can group the terminal nodes and in step S180, send the group communication address to the terminal nodes of each group.

[0079] In addition, when the central node sends the group communication address to the terminal nodes of each group via unicast, the central node can also receive a response message from the corresponding terminal node indicating that the terminal node has received the group communication address.

[0080] The networking method for a central node of the Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention enables the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes using initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes, improving the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking.

[0081] The following is for reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 An exemplary embodiment describing the operation of the terminal node corresponding to the central node during the networking process.

[0082] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a networking method for terminal nodes in an Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0083] For example, the terminal nodes here can be the above. Figures 2 to 7 Any of the terminal nodes shown, for example, terminal node a.

[0084] like Figure 9As shown, in step S210, the terminal node generates an initial address within a predetermined initial address range based on its corresponding terminal serial number. For example, this predetermined initial address range can be the one referenced above. Figures 1 to 8 The predetermined initial address range.

[0085] In one embodiment, a terminal node may use all or part of the terminal serial number as the initial terminal address. For example, when the predetermined initial address range is an address range with three data bits, the terminal node may extract three data bits from the terminal serial number as the initial terminal address.

[0086] In step S220, the terminal node receives search information broadcast by the central node of the Internet of Things, which includes initial addresses within the predetermined initial address range mentioned above.

[0087] For example, a terminal node can be like Figure 2 The system receives search information broadcast by the central node. For example, the search information may include an initial address (a2) and a communication address (a3) ​​corresponding to that initial address.

[0088] In step S230, the terminal node responds to the search information based on the terminal initial address and the initial address.

[0089] In one embodiment, step S230 may include: determining whether the initial address of the terminal is the same as the initial address in the search information; if it is determined that they are the same address, sending response information to the central node, the response information including the corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node; if it is determined that they are not the same address, returning to the execution of step S220 of receiving search information.

[0090] For example, if a terminal node determines that its initial terminal address is the same as the initial address in the search information, it can do so as follows: Figure 3 As shown, a response message is sent to the central node, and the response message includes its terminal sequence number (e.g., a1).

[0091] Furthermore, since the search information in the above examples may include a communication address (a3) ​​and the communication address corresponds to the initial address (a2), in one embodiment, the networking method for terminal nodes may further include: temporarily storing the communication address when the terminal node determines that its initial terminal address is the same as the initial address in the search information, in order to improve the reliability of its receiving the communication address. For example, the communication address may be stored in its volatile memory.

[0092] After the terminal node responds to the search information as described above in step S230, in step S240, the terminal node receives the communication address assigned by the central node based on the response.

[0093] In one embodiment, step S240 may include: the terminal node determining whether it has received confirmation information from the central node within a third predetermined time period (e.g., a few milliseconds or tens of milliseconds) after sending the response signal in step S230. This confirmation information includes the aforementioned communication address and the terminal serial number (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (As shown).

[0094] In step S240, upon receiving confirmation information, the terminal node may persistently store the received communication address. For example, the communication address may be stored in non-volatile memory.

[0095] In one embodiment, upon receiving confirmation information, the terminal node can determine the terminal serial number in the confirmation information (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The system checks whether x1 in the address is the same as its corresponding terminal serial number (e.g., a1). If they are the same serial number, the communication address is persistently stored. If they are not the same serial number, another terminal initial address is generated as the above terminal initial address, and the system returns to the step S220 of receiving search information.

[0096] Here, if the terminal sequence number in the confirmation message differs from its corresponding terminal sequence number, it indicates that another terminal node with the same initial address responded to central node A before this terminal node. Therefore, the central node saves and sends the terminal sequence numbers of the other terminal nodes. At this time, the communication address in the central node's confirmation message is the communication address assigned to this other terminal node. Therefore, this terminal node can delete the temporarily stored communication address, generate another initial terminal address, and continue receiving subsequent search information broadcast by the central node, so that it can be found in the central node's subsequent searches. As an example, this other terminal address is an initial address following the current terminal initial address within the predetermined initial address range. For example, a later initial address according to the central node's search order.

[0097] Furthermore, in step S240, if no confirmation information is received, the terminal node may generate another terminal initial address as the above terminal initial address, and return to the step S220 of receiving search information, so that it can be searched by the central node through the subsequent search information of the central node.

[0098] Furthermore, where the central node can group the already networked terminal nodes, in one embodiment, the networking method for terminal nodes for the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: receiving a group communication address sent by the central node after the terminal node has persistently stored a communication address; and persistently storing the group communication address to communicate with the central node through the group communication address. For example, the terminal node may refer to the above... Figure 7The terminal node can receive the group communication address, and when the central node sends the group communication address via unicast, it can also send a response message to the central node indicating that the terminal node has received the group communication address.

[0099] The following is for reference Figure 10 Here is an example of a networking method for terminal nodes used in the Internet of Things (IoT) described in detail.

[0100] Figure 10 A flowchart of a networking method for terminal nodes for the Internet of Things according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0101] like Figure 10 As shown, in step S210, the terminal node generates a terminal initial address within a predetermined initial address range based on the corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node.

[0102] In step S220, the terminal node receives search information broadcast by the central node of the Internet of Things. The search information includes an initial address within the predetermined initial address range and the communication address corresponding to the initial address.

[0103] In step S231, the terminal node determines whether its initial terminal address is the same as the initial address in the search information.

[0104] In step S231, if it is determined that the addresses are not the same ( Figure 10 If the "No" option is selected, return to step S220 to receive search information.

[0105] In step S231, if it is determined that they are the same address ( Figure 10 In step S232, the terminal node sends a response message to the central node, which includes the corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node (e.g., a1).

[0106] At the same time as, before or after step S232, in step S250, the terminal node temporarily stores the communication address in the search information.

[0107] In step S241, the terminal node determines whether it has received confirmation information from the central node within a third predetermined time after sending the response information. The confirmation information includes the above communication address and the terminal serial number.

[0108] In step S241, if it is determined that no confirmation message has been received within the third predetermined time ( Figure 10In step S244 (if "No"), the terminal node may generate another terminal initial address (e.g., a later initial address according to the search order of the central node) and return to step S220 to receive search information so that it can be searched by the central node in the subsequent search process.

[0109] In step S241, if it is determined that a confirmation message is received within a third predetermined time period ( Figure 10 In step S242, the terminal node can determine whether the terminal serial number in the confirmation information is the same as its corresponding terminal serial number.

[0110] In step S242, if it is determined that the serial numbers are not the same ( Figure 10 If the "No" option is selected, step S244 can be executed to generate another terminal initial address, and then return to step S220 to receive search information.

[0111] In step S242, if it is determined that they are the same serial number ( Figure 10 In step S243, the terminal node can persistently store the received communication address (indicated by "Yes").

[0112] After the terminal node persistently stores the communication address, it can receive the group communication address sent by the central node in step S260, and persistently store the received group communication address in step S270, so as to communicate with the central node through the group communication address.

[0113] In addition, when the central node sends the group communication address via unicast, the terminal node can also send a response message to the central node indicating that the terminal node has received the group communication address.

[0114] The networking method for terminal nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention enables the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes using initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus enhances the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking. Especially when the terminal nodes are nodes such as lighting devices that do not have networking-related operation buttons, the feasibility, convenience, and efficiency of networking are improved.

[0115] It should be understood that the steps and values ​​shown in the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples. In other embodiments, more or fewer steps may be included or the above steps may be performed in a different order as needed, and the values ​​shown above may be modified to any other values ​​as needed.

[0116] In addition, through the above Figures 1 to 10After networking in the manner shown, the networked nodes can be de-networked to allow the central node to network with a set of different terminal nodes, and / or allow the terminal nodes to re-network with the same central node or with different central nodes.

[0117] In one embodiment, to perform network decommissioning, the central node can send a network decommissioning command to each terminal node. Each terminal node, in response to the command, can delete its generated initial terminal address, received communication address, and received group communication address, retaining only its terminal serial number to complete the network decommissioning process. Simultaneously, the central node can delete its generated communication addresses and group communication addresses to complete the network decommissioning process.

[0118] Afterwards, the central node and individual terminal nodes that have completed the network shutdown can reconnect with any other node.

[0119] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of nodes completing their de-network exit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0120] like Figure 11 As shown, after decommissioning, each terminal node ad no longer has an association with the central node A via communication addresses. Each terminal node ad retains only its terminal serial number a1-d1, and no longer possesses the received communication address, group communication address, or the new physical address generated after network formation. Furthermore, the central node A, after decommissioning, can reclaim the communication addresses and group communication addresses it assigned to each terminal node ad.

[0121] Through the above methods, multiple arbitrary networking of central nodes and terminal nodes can be achieved, thereby further improving the flexibility, convenience and efficiency of IoT networking.

[0122] Figure 12 A block diagram of a networking device 100 for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] like Figure 12 As shown, a networking device 100 for a central node of an Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first unit 110, a second unit 120 and a third unit 130.

[0124] The first unit 110 can be configured to broadcast search information, which includes initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range.

[0125] The second unit 120 can be configured to acquire response information from IoT terminal nodes in response to search information.

[0126] The third unit 130 can be configured to assign a communication address to the terminal node based on the response information.

[0127] The above has been referred to Figures 1 to 8 Examples of broadcasting search information, obtaining response information, and allocating communication addresses have been described in detail and will not be repeated here. In other words, the networking device 100 for a central node of the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can perform the above-described operations. Figures 1 to 8 A networking method for central nodes in the Internet of Things is described.

[0128] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a networking apparatus for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) enables the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes using initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes, improving the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking.

[0129] Figure 13 A block diagram of a networking device 200 for terminal nodes of the Internet of Things is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] like Figure 13 As shown, a networking device 200 for terminal nodes of the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a fourth unit 210, a fifth unit 220, a sixth unit 230 and a seventh unit 240.

[0131] The fourth unit 210 can be configured to generate a terminal initial address within a predetermined initial address range based on the corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node.

[0132] The fifth unit 220 can be configured to receive search information broadcast by the central node of the Internet of Things, the search information including initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range.

[0133] Unit 230 can be configured to respond to search information based on the terminal initial address and the initial address.

[0134] Unit 7 240 can be configured to receive a communication address assigned by the central node based on the response.

[0135] The above has been referred to Figures 9 to 10 Examples of generating an initial terminal address, receiving search information, responding to the search information, and receiving a communication address have been described in detail and will not be repeated here. In other words, the networking device 200 for terminal nodes of the Internet of Things according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can perform the above-described actions. Figures 9 to 10 A networking method for terminal nodes used in the Internet of Things is described.

[0136] The networking apparatus for terminal nodes of the Internet of Things (IoT) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention enables the central node of the IoT to search for terminal nodes using initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, thereby allocating communication addresses to the terminal nodes. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of address allocation, and thus enhances the efficiency and accuracy of IoT networking. Especially when the terminal nodes are nodes such as lighting devices that do not have networking-related operation buttons, the feasibility, convenience, and efficiency of networking are improved.

[0137] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the networking method for a central node of an Internet of Things (IoT) or the networking method for a terminal node of an IoT according to embodiments of the present disclosure described above.

[0138] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown, and those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0139] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0140] This invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit and essential characteristics. For example, the algorithm described in a particular embodiment can be modified without departing from the basic spirit of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be regarded as exemplary rather than limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are thus included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A networking method for a central node of an Internet of Things, comprising: broadcasting search information, the search information comprising an initial address within a predetermined initial address range, the predetermined initial address range being an address range preset and stored in the central node and each terminal node of the Internet of Things; acquiring response information of a terminal node of the Internet of Things to the search information sent to the central node; and allocating and sending a communication address to the terminal node according to the response information, the communication address being used by the terminal node to communicate with the central node, wherein the search information further comprises the communication address corresponding to the initial address, so that the corresponding terminal node of the Internet of Things temporarily stores the communication address upon receipt of the search information, the corresponding terminal node being a terminal node having the initial address; wherein acquiring the response information of the terminal node of the Internet of Things to the search information comprises determining whether to receive reply information of the corresponding terminal node within a first predetermined time after broadcasting the search information, the reply information comprising a terminal serial number of the corresponding terminal node, wherein allocating the communication address to the terminal node according to the response information comprises, in a case where it is determined that the reply information is received, sending confirmation information to the corresponding terminal node, the confirmation information comprising the communication address and the terminal serial number, so that the corresponding terminal node permanently stores the communication address upon receipt of the confirmation information. Allocating the communication address to the terminal node according to the response information further comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in a case where it is determined that the reply information is not received, determining that there is no terminal node having the initial address, and returning to the step of broadcasting the search information, wherein the initial address is a next initial address after a current initial address. 3.The networking method of claim 2, further comprising: in a case where it is determined that the reply information is received, generating identification information of the corresponding terminal node according to the terminal serial number; and sending the mapping of the identification information and the terminal serial number and the communication address to a user terminal, so as to display the mapping and / or edit the identification information on the user terminal. 4.The networking method of claim 2, further comprising: in a case where it is determined that the reply information is received, determining whether the networking is completed; and in a case where it is determined that the networking is not completed, returning to the step of broadcasting the search information, wherein the initial address is a next initial address after a current initial address. Determining whether the networking is completed comprises: determining whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since the search information is sent for the first time; in a case where it is determined that the second predetermined time has elapsed, determining that the networking is completed; 5. The method of claim 4, wherein, in a case where it is determined that the second predetermined time has not elapsed, determining that the networking is not completed. Determining whether the networking is completed comprises: determining whether the search information is broadcasted for a predetermined number of times for each initial address within the predetermined initial address range; in a case where it is determined that the search information is broadcasted for the predetermined number of times, determining that the networking is completed; 6. The method of claim 4, wherein, ​ ​ ​ In a case where it is determined that the search information is not broadcasted the predetermined number of times, it is determined that the networking is not completed.

7. The networking method according to claim 5, further comprising: in a case where the networking is completed, grouping the terminal nodes that have been networked; and sending a group communication address to the terminal nodes of each group, the group communication address being used for communication between the terminal nodes of the group and the center node.

8. A networking method for a terminal node of an Internet of Things, comprising: generating a terminal initial address within a predetermined initial address range according to a corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node, the predetermined initial address range being an address range that is preset and stored in a center node and each terminal node of the Internet of Things; receiving search information broadcasted by a center node of the Internet of Things, the search information including an initial address within the predetermined initial address range; responding to the search information according to the terminal initial address and the initial address; and receiving a communication address allocated and sent by the center node according to the response, the communication address being used by the terminal node for communication with the center node; responding to the search information according to the terminal initial address and the initial address comprises: determining whether the terminal initial address and the initial address are the same address; in a case where it is determined that they are the same address, sending reply information to the center node, the reply information including the corresponding terminal serial number of the terminal node, the search information further includes the communication address corresponding to the initial address, and the networking method further comprises: in a case where it is determined that they are the same address, temporarily storing the communication address; receiving the communication address allocated by the center node according to the response comprises: determining whether the confirmation information sent by the center node is received within a third predetermined time after the reply information is sent, the confirmation information including the communication address and a terminal serial number; and in a case where the confirmation information is received, persistently storing the communication address.

9. The method of networking of claim 8, wherein, responding to the search information according to the terminal initial address and the initial address further comprises: in a case where it is determined that they are not the same address, returning to the step of receiving the search information broadcasted by the center node of the Internet of Things.

10. The method of networking of claim 9, wherein, receiving the communication address allocated by the center node according to the response further comprises: in a case where the confirmation information is not received, generating another terminal initial address as the terminal initial address, and returning to the step of receiving the search information broadcasted by the center node of the Internet of Things, wherein the another terminal address is an initial address after a current terminal initial address within the predetermined initial address range.

11. The method of networking of claim 10, wherein, in a case where the confirmation information is received, persistently storing the communication address comprises: in a case where the confirmation information is received, determining whether the terminal serial number and the corresponding terminal serial number are the same serial number; in a case where it is determined that they are the same serial number, persistently storing the communication address; generating the other terminal initial address as the terminal initial address in case of determining that the terminal initial addresses are not the same, and returning to the step of receiving the search information broadcasted by the center node of the Internet of Things.

12. The networking method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: receiving the group communication address sent by the center node after persistently storing the communication address; and persistently storing the group communication address for communication with the center node through the group communication address.

13. A networking device for a center node of an Internet of Things, comprising: a first unit configured to broadcast search information, the search information comprising initial addresses within a predetermined initial address range, the predetermined initial address range being an address range preset and stored in the center node and each terminal node of the Internet of Things; a second unit configured to acquire response information sent by a terminal node of the Internet of Things to the center node for the search information; and a third unit configured to allocate and send a communication address to the terminal node according to the response information, the communication address being used by the terminal node to communicate with the center node, wherein the search information further comprises the communication address corresponding to the initial address, so that the corresponding terminal node of the Internet of Things temporarily stores the communication address upon receiving the search information, the corresponding terminal node being a terminal node having the initial address; wherein the second unit is further configured to determine whether the response information of the corresponding terminal node is received within a first predetermined time after broadcasting the search information, the response information comprising a terminal serial number of the corresponding terminal node, wherein the third unit is further configured to send confirmation information to the corresponding terminal node in case of determining that the response information is received, the confirmation information comprising the communication address and the terminal serial number, so that the corresponding terminal node permanently stores the communication address upon receiving the confirmation information.

14. A networking device for a terminal node of an Internet of Things, comprising: a fourth unit configured to generate a terminal initial address within a predetermined initial address range according to a corresponding terminal serial number of a terminal node, the predetermined initial address range being an address range preset and stored in a center node and each terminal node of the Internet of Things; a fifth unit configured to receive search information broadcasted by a center node of the Internet of Things, the search information comprising initial addresses within the predetermined initial address range; a sixth unit configured to respond to the search information according to the terminal initial address and the initial address; and a seventh unit configured to receive a communication address allocated and sent by the center node according to the response, the communication address being used by the terminal node to communicate with the center node; the sixth unit is further configured to: determine whether the terminal initial address and the initial address are the same address; in case of determining that the addresses are identical, sending response information to the central node, the response information comprising the corresponding terminal sequence number of the terminal node, the search information further comprises the communication address corresponding to the initial address, and the sixth unit is further configured to: in case of determining that the addresses are identical, temporarily storing the communication address; the seventh unit is further configured to: determine whether the confirmation information sent by the central node is received within a third predetermined time after sending the response information, the confirmation information comprising the communication address and a terminal sequence number; in case of receiving the confirmation information, persistently storing the communication address. 15.A computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the networking method of the central node for the Internet of Things according to any one of claims 1-7 or the networking method of the terminal node for the Internet of Things according to any one of claims 8-12.

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