Management device, slave device in network system, and methods performed by same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a management device in a network system, the network system comprising at least one slave device, the management device communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the management device comprising: a memory, and a processor, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: receive function information of functions supported by one or more of the at least one slave device from the one or more of the at least one slave device; summarizing the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the network system and stored by the management equipment; determining the function information of the control equipment for the corresponding function in the summarized function information; and determining a control device for a function corresponding to the determined function information from the management device and the at least one slave device.

Description

Management device, slave device and execution method thereof in network system Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a functionally distributed network system and a management device and a slave device in the network system and an execution method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication network systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. As the content of communication continues to enrich, people's requirements for communication are getting higher and higher, such as higher speeds, lower latency, etc. Network systems including devices such as gateways can facilitate wireless communications and are increasingly widely used in environments such as homes, offices, and factories. With the development of technology, the functions of electronic devices in network systems (i.e., network devices) are constantly enriched, so that there are electronic devices in the network system that support different sets of functions, i.e., functionally distributed network systems. Therefore, it is necessary to fully manage all functions in the network system in a network system with constantly enriched functions (e.g., a functionally distributed network system).

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on the above content, the present disclosure provides a network system, a management device and other electronic devices (eg, slave devices) in the network system, and methods executed by the management device and the slave devices.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a management device in a network system, which network system includes at least one slave device, and the management device is communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the management device including: a memory, and a processor, which is communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: receive functional information of functions supported by it from one or more of the at least one slave device; aggregate the received functional information and the functional information of functions supported by the network system stored in the management device; determine the functional information of the control device for the function corresponding to the aggregated functional information; and determine the control device for the function corresponding to the determined functional information from the management device and the at least one slave device.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an electronic device in a network system, which includes: a memory, and a processor, which is communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: send functional information of functions supported by the electronic device in response to a predetermined trigger condition; and activate the configuration of the one or more functions in response to receiving an instruction designating the electronic device as a control device for one or more of the functions to control the one or more functions.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a method executed by a management device in a network system, the network system including at least one slave device, the management device being communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the method including: receiving functional information of functions supported by one or more of the at least one slave device; summarizing the received functional information and the functional information of functions supported by the network system stored by the management device; determining the functional information of the function corresponding to the function in the summarized functional information; and determining the control device for the function corresponding to the determined functional information from the management device and the at least one slave device.

[0008] On another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a method executed by an electronic device in a network system, the method comprising: sending functional information of functions supported by the electronic device in response to a predetermined trigger condition; activating the configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions in response to receiving an instruction designating the electronic device as a control device for one or more of the functions.

[0009] In addition, the present disclosure also provides a management device in a network system, which includes at least one slave device, and the management device is communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, and the management device includes: a receiving module, which receives functional information of the functions supported by it from one or more of the at least one slave device; a summarizing module, which summarizes the received functional information and the functional information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device; and a determination module, which determines the functional information of the control device for the function corresponding to it in the summarized functional information, and determines the control device for the function corresponding to the determined functional information from the management device and the at least one slave device.

[0010] The present disclosure also provides an electronic device in a network system, which includes: a sending module for sending functional information of functions supported by the electronic device; a receiving module for receiving instructions designating the electronic device as a control device for one or more of the functions; and a control module for activating the configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions.

[0011] The present disclosure also provides a network system, including the management device as described above and an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is a slave device in the network system, and the management device is communicatively connected to the slave device.

[0012] The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the method performed by a management device in a network system according to the present disclosure.

[0013] The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a method performed by an electronic device (eg, a slave device) in a network system according to the present disclosure.

[0014] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing the embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. The accompanying drawings are used together with the embodiments of the present disclosure to explain the present disclosure, but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the same reference numerals represent the same parts, steps or elements. In the accompanying drawings,

[0016] FIG1 illustrates an example network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG2 shows another example network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG3 illustrates an example management device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG4 shows an example method performed by a management device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG5 shows an example electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG6 shows an example method performed by an electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG7 shows another example method performed by an electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining exemplary function control performed by a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The technical solutions of the present disclosure are described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a portion of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without inventive effort are also within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0025] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Similarly, words such as "one", "an", or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" and the like mean that the element or object appearing before the word includes the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect", "connected", or "coupled" and the like are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0026] In the description of this disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connected," or "coupled" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, removable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this disclosure based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present disclosure described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0028] In the traditional management of a network system including devices such as a gateway, all functions in the entire network system are managed by the gateway device. However, for example, since electronic devices in the network system can support different sets of functions (i.e., a functionally distributed network system), the functions that the entire network system can support will increase rapidly. As the network system supports more and more functions, this management method of managing all functions in the entire network system by a gateway device may be difficult to manage effectively. For example, in a network system where the function sets supported by various electronic devices in the network system are too different or the distributed devices are more functional than the gateway devices, there are situations where some functions cannot be used or the functions are simplified. For another example, the processing power of the gateway device may not be able to effectively process the signaling related to managing all functions in the network system. Therefore, it is necessary to fully and effectively express and manage all functions in the network system in a network system with increasingly rich functions (e.g., a functionally distributed network system). Based on this, the present disclosure provides a network system and a management device and other electronic devices (e.g., slave devices) in the network system and a method for executing the same, which can achieve the complete and effective expression and management of all functions in the network system in a network system with increasingly rich functions.

[0029] FIG1 shows an example network system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the network system 100 may include a management device 101 and slave devices 102a-102h for managing the network system 100. As an example, the management device 101 may be a gateway device, a router, an access point, etc. The slave devices 102a-102h may be, for example, wireless extenders. The wireless extenders according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may also serve as management devices. Of course, gateway devices, routers, access points, etc. may also serve as slave devices in the network system 100. The management device 101 and the slave devices 102a-102h may be communicatively connected in various ways, such as through one or more wireless links (e.g., as shown by the dotted lines in FIG1 ), one or more wired links (e.g., as shown by the solid lines in FIG1 ), or any combination thereof.

[0030] The network system 100 can be connected to another network 110 (e.g., the Internet) through the management device 101. End-user devices, such as the end-user devices 120a and 120b shown in FIG1 , can be connected to the network system 100 and, in turn, can be connected to another network 110 (e.g., the Internet) through the network system 100, thereby accessing the other network 110 (e.g., the Internet). In addition, end-user devices, such as the end-user device 120c shown in FIG1 , can be connected to another network 110 (e.g., the Internet) and, in turn, can be connected to the network system 100 through the network 110, thereby accessing and controlling the network system 100. End users can control the network system 100 through end-user devices (e.g., the end-user devices 120a and 120b shown in FIG1 ), for example, via an app or a browser, to configure, query, and / or instruct the operation of one or more functions supported by the management device 101 and slave devices 102a-102h in the network system 100. In addition, when an end-user device (e.g., end-user device 120c shown in FIG1 ) is connected to the network system 100 via the network 110, the end-user can also remotely control the network system 100 through the end-user device. The end-user devices 120a-120c can be any personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer.

[0031] FIG2 illustrates another example network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network system 100′ shown in FIG2 is substantially identical to the network system 100 shown in FIG1 , except that, in addition to the single link connection shown in FIG1 , the management device 101 and the slave devices 102a-102h can also be interconnected, allowing the slave devices to connect to the management device via multiple links, thereby forming a mesh topology, such as that shown in FIG2 .

[0032] In the following, for the sake of simplicity, slave device 102 may be used to represent one or more of the slave devices 102a-102h shown in Figures 1 and 2, and end-user device 120 may be used to represent one or more of the end-user devices 120a-120c shown in Figures 1 and 2. In addition, it should be understood that Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples of network systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not limiting. The types and quantities of the management devices 101, slave devices 102, and end-user devices 120 shown in Figures 1 and 2, as well as the connection methods, are merely examples, and are not limiting. For example, a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include different types of management devices 101 and slave devices 102, and / or may include more or fewer slave devices 102. For another example, the wireless connection represented by the dotted line shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be replaced by a wired connection, and vice versa. For another example, in addition to the connection shown in Figures 1 and 2, the management device 101 and the slave device 102 may also be interconnected via various intermediate devices (e.g., switches). For example, the slave device 102c may be connected to the management device 101 via a switch (not shown). In the present disclosure, the connection mode may include wireless connection, wired connection, power line connection and other connection modes.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the management device 101 and the slave device 102 in the network system 100 can support different function sets. In the present disclosure, as an example, different function sets can include, for example, different functions and different versions of the same function. For example, the management device 101 can support three functions: network system management (version 1), main network (version 1), and guest network (version 2); the slave devices 102a-102d can support four functions: network system management (version 1), main network (version 1), guest network (version 2), and IoT (Internet of Things); and the slave devices 102e-102h can support three functions: network system management (version 1), main network (version 2), and guest network (version 2). In this case, the management device 101, the slave devices 102a-102d, and the slave devices 102e-102h support different function sets. Electronic devices in the network system (for example, the management device 101 and the slave device 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2) can increase the supported functions through firmware upgrades, which can increase the functions supported by the network system without changing the hardware of the electronic devices in the network system.

[0034] FIG3 illustrates an example management device 300 in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The example management device 300 illustrated in FIG3 may be, for example, the management device 101 illustrated in FIG1 and FIG2 . As illustrated in FIG3 , the management device 300 may include a processor 310 and a memory 320 communicatively coupled thereto. The processor 310 may include an intelligent hardware device, such as a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or the like, or any combination thereof. The memory 320 may include, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The processor 310 may be configured to execute the method described in conjunction with FIG4 . The memory 320 may store instructions that, when executed by the processor 310, cause the processor 310 to execute the method described in conjunction with FIG4 . It should be understood that the management device 300 illustrated in FIG3 may also include other components, such as a transceiver.

[0035] FIG4 illustrates an example method 400 performed by a management device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method illustrated in FIG4 can be performed by a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (e.g., the management device 101 shown in FIG1 and FIG2 , and the management device 300 shown in FIG3 ). As shown in FIG4 , the method 400 performed by the management device in the network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure begins at step S410.

[0036] At step S410, a management device in the network system (e.g., management device 101 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and management device 300 shown in Figure 3) receives functional information of supported functions from at least one slave device (e.g., slave device 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2). Exemplarily, a slave device may proactively send functional information of supported functions to the management device upon accessing the network system. Alternatively, a slave device may send functional information of supported functions to the management device in response to a request from the management device. In one embodiment, the management device may receive functional information of supported functions from all slave devices in the network system. For example, when the network system is initially set up. For another example, when one or more slave devices in the network system go offline, functional information of supported functions may be received from each of the remaining slave devices in the network system. In another embodiment, functional information of supported functions may be received from only some of the slave devices in the network system. For example, when a new slave device accesses an existing network system (i.e., including a management device and at least one slave device), functional information of supported functions may be received only from the newly accessed slave device. For another example, function information of supported functions may be received only from slave devices whose function sets differ from those of the management device. For another example, if the network system includes slave devices that do not have the capability to send function information, function information may be received only from slave devices that have the capability to send function information.

[0037] Function information may include any information related to a function. For example, function information may include at least one of the function name (which may include a version number), attribute information, an instruction list, and configuration information. Function attributes may define factors that influence the presentation of the function. For example, a read / write attribute may define whether the function supports modification; an operating mode attribute may define that the function takes effect when the management device or a slave device supporting the function is in a specific operating mode; a node attribute may define that the function can only take effect on a gateway device; and a collaboration attribute may define the type or number of collaboration devices required for the function. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, attributes may be categorized into static attributes, semi-static attributes, and dynamic attributes. Static attributes may define that the presentation of a function is not affected by the network system (e.g., the operating mode of electronic devices in the network system, the type or number of electronic devices in the network system, etc.). Examples include the read / write attributes and node attributes described above. Semi-static attributes may define that the presentation of a function is affected by the architecture of the network system (e.g., the type or number of electronic devices in the network system), but not by the operating mode of the electronic devices in the network system. Examples include the collaboration attributes described above. Dynamic attributes may define that the presentation of a function is affected by the operating mode of the electronic devices in the network system. Examples include the operating mode attributes described above. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the slave device may refer to the attribute information of the function to determine whether to send the function information of the function. For example, the slave device may determine whether to send the function information of the function based on static attributes (e.g., node attributes). For example, the node attribute of function A defines that function A can only take effect on the gateway device, then the slave device may determine not to send the function information of function A to the management device based on the node attribute. Of course, it is also possible to determine whether to send the function information of a function from the device based on other attributes (e.g., the semi-static attributes and dynamic attributes described above). The instruction list may include a configuration and / or information display interface provided by the function to the terminal user. The configuration information may include the configuration required for the function to actually take effect, which may be predefined or modified by the terminal user in a certain way, such as by the terminal user device via an APP or a browser.

[0038] At step S420, the management device may aggregate the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device. For example, when the network system is initially set up, the management device may aggregate the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the management device itself. In this case, the function information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device may be the function information of the functions supported by the management device itself. For another example, when a new slave device is connected to an existing network system, the management device may aggregate the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the existing network system previously aggregated by the management device. In this case, the function information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device may be the function information of the functions supported by the network system previously aggregated by the management device. Aggregation may include merging the received function information. For example, when different versions of the same function exist, the higher version may be retained and the lower version may be removed, where the higher version is compatible with the lower version. Of course, aggregation may also not perform a merging operation on the received function information. For example, when different versions of the same function exist, both the higher and lower versions may be retained.

[0039] At step S430, the management device may determine the functional information of the summarized functional information for which the control device is to be determined for the corresponding function. In one embodiment, the control device may be determined for the functions corresponding to all the summarized functional information. For example, when the network system is initially set up. For another example, when one or more slave devices in the network system go offline. In another implementation, the control device may be determined for the functions corresponding to the received functional information, for example, when a new slave device is connected to the existing network system. In yet another embodiment, determining the functional information of the control device for the corresponding function may include: determining that the summarized functional information is different from the functional information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device, and determining the control device for the functions corresponding to the different functional information. Note that step S430 is not required, but the control device may be determined for all functional information or the received functional information by default. For example, in an embodiment in which the control device is determined for the functions corresponding to all the summarized functional information and the method 400 is implemented by software, the code for executing the determination step may not be required.

[0040] At step S440, the management device may determine a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information from the management device and at least one slave device (e.g., the management device 101 and slave devices 102a-102h shown in Figures 1 and 2). By determining the control device for the function, the function set corresponding to the aggregated function information can be divided, the function set supported by the network system can be divided into multiple subsets, and a control device can be determined for each function subset. The control device can actually control the effectiveness of the function.

[0041] In one embodiment, determining the control device may include: determining at least one device that can be used to control a function from a management device and at least one slave device; and then selecting a control device for the function from the at least one device based on a predetermined rule. For example, the predetermined rule may include at least one of the following: prioritizing the management device, prioritizing the slave device with the smallest number of hops from the management device, prioritizing the slave device with the highest link rate to the management device, prioritizing the device with the smallest current load, prioritizing the device with the highest main processor performance, prioritizing the device with the largest memory space, and prioritizing the device with the smallest or largest physical address.

[0042] For example, in one embodiment, the predetermined rule may be a combination of one or more of the above-mentioned rules. For example, taking the combination of prioritizing the device with the lowest current load and the device with the smallest or largest physical address as an example, the control device for a function can be selected from the at least one device based on the device with the lowest current load. This approach may allow multiple devices to be selected, as multiple devices within the at least one device may have the same and lowest load. In this case, the control device can be selected from the multiple devices based on the device with the smallest or largest physical address, thereby selecting a unique control device. By selecting the control device for a function from the at least one device available for controlling a function based on the combination of prioritizing the device with the lowest current load and the device with the smallest or largest physical address, a unique control device can be selected while achieving functional load balancing within the network system. Similarly, a combination of prioritizing the device with the highest main processor performance or the device with the largest memory space and the device with the smallest or largest physical address can also ensure the selection of a unique control device while achieving functional load balancing within the network system. It should be understood that other rule combinations are also possible, as long as the rules are not mutually exclusive.

[0043] Furthermore, as described above, the function information may include attribute information of the function. In this case, from the management device and at least one slave device, determining the control device for the function can be based on the attribute information of the function. For example, the control device of the function can be determined based on the semi-static attributes described above. Exemplarily, assuming that the collaboration attribute of function B defines that function B requires at least 3 downstream devices to collaborate and the at least three downstream devices communicate directly with the device controlling function B, then the control device of function B can be determined as a device with at least 3 downstream devices that communicate directly with it (for example, the slave device 102b in Figure 1). Of course, the control device of the function can also be determined based on static attributes and dynamic attributes.

[0044] In addition, after determining the control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information (i.e., step S440), it is possible to determine whether the network system supports the function for the terminal user based on the attribute information (i.e., attributes) of the function. In one embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the network system supports a certain function for the terminal user based on the dynamic attributes described above (e.g., the working mode attributes described above). For example, assuming that the working mode attribute of function C defines that function C is effective when the management device is in working mode A, if the management device is not in working mode A, function C can be hidden from the terminal user. That is, it is determined that the network system does not support function C for the terminal user. In this case, when the terminal user queries the functions supported by the network system through the terminal user device, function C is not included in the query result. In this way, the network system can present the functions that are truly effective to the terminal user without including functions that cannot be effective. Of course, it is also possible to determine whether the network system supports a certain function for the terminal user based on other attributes (e.g., the static attributes and semi-static attributes described above).

[0045] Furthermore, after determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information, the management device may map the function's instruction list to the control device. Subsequently, the management device may receive a function-related instruction sent by the end-user device and, in response to receiving the instruction, send the instruction to the control device based on the mapping between the function's instruction list and the control device. The control device may then execute the operation corresponding to the instruction.

[0046] In addition, as described above, the function information may include configuration information of the function. In this case, the management device may send a configuration information set to each of the at least one slave device. The configuration information set may include configuration information of all functions supported by the network system that is summarized by the management device.

[0047] In addition to the management device 300 in the network system including the processor 310 and the memory 320 shown in Figure 3. The present disclosure also provides a management device in a network system, the network system including at least one slave device, the management device being communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the management device including: a receiving module that receives function information of functions supported by one or more of the at least one slave device; a summarizing module that summarizes the received function information and the function information of functions supported by the network system stored by the management device; and a determination module that determines the function information of the function to be determined for the function corresponding to the summarized function information, and determines the control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information from the management device and the at least one slave device. Each module in the management device (e.g., the receiving module, the summarizing module, and the determining module) can also execute the method described above in conjunction with Figure 4. In addition, the present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the method performed by the management device in the network system according to the present disclosure, such as the method described above in conjunction with Figure 4.

[0048] In the above, in conjunction with Figures 1 to 4, a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a management device in the network system and a method for executing the same are described. The network system, the management device and the method for executing the same can fully and effectively express and manage all functions of the network system, so that what is presented to the user for control can be a complete set of functions of the system, thereby allowing the user to use any function of the network system, breaking the limitation that the management device manages all functions of the network system (for example, a functionally distributed network system as described above) and is difficult to express all functions of the network system. And compared to the management device controlling all functions supported by the network system, the slave device in the network system can act as a control device for the functions it supports to actually control the effectiveness of the functions, which can reduce the load of the processing resources of the management device (for example, the CPU and memory resources of the management device) and achieve functional load balancing of the network system. In addition, since the control device can be determined for the function controlled by the offline slave device or supported by the online slave device when one or more slave devices are online (for example, accessing the network) or offline (for example, leaving the network), the network system, the management device and the method for executing the same can perform adaptive modulation and dynamic migration of the control device of the function when the slave device is online and offline. In addition, by having the slave device in the network system send function information to the management device based on the function attribute information (for example, the static attributes described above), the management device determine the control device of the function based on the function attribute information (for example, the semi-static attributes described above), and / or the management device determine whether the network system supports the function for the terminal user based on the function attribute information (for example, the dynamic attributes described above), it is possible to fully and effectively express and manage all functions in the network system while reducing the signaling load used for function information communication and better managing the network system.

[0049] In the above, the present disclosure describes a management device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a method executed therein in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4. Hereinafter, the present disclosure will describe other electronic devices in the network system (e.g., the slave device 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2) and methods executed therein in conjunction with Figures 5-7.

[0050] FIG5 shows an example electronic device 500 in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device 500 may be the slave device 102 shown in FIG1 and FIG2 . The example management device 500 shown in FIG5 may include a processor 510 and a memory 520 communicatively coupled thereto. The processor 510 may include an intelligent hardware device, such as a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or the like, or any combination thereof. The memory 520 may include a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The processor 510 may be configured to execute the method described in conjunction with FIG6 and FIG7 . The memory 520 may store instructions that, when executed by the processor 510, may cause the processor 510 to execute the method described in conjunction with FIG6 and FIG7 . It should be understood that the electronic device 500 shown in FIG5 may also include other components, such as a transceiver, etc.

[0051] FIG6 illustrates an example method 600 performed by an electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method illustrated in FIG6 may be performed by an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (e.g., slave device 102 shown in FIG1 and FIG2 and electronic device 500 shown in FIG5 ). As shown in FIG6 , the method 600 performed by the electronic device in the network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may begin at step S610.

[0052] At step S610, an electronic device in the network system (e.g., the slave device 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2 or the electronic device 500 shown in Figure 5) may send functional information of the functions it supports in response to a predetermined trigger condition. For example, functional information of the functions it supports may be sent to a management device in the network system (e.g., the management device 101 shown in Figures 1 and 2). Step S610 may occur when the electronic device accesses the network. For example, when the network system is initially set up or when the electronic device accesses an existing network system. Alternatively, this step may occur when one or more electronic devices in the network system leave the network system. Exemplarily, the predetermined trigger condition may include, for example, the electronic device accessing the network system or the electronic device receiving a request to send functional information. Specifically, the electronic device may actively send functional information of the functions it supports to the management device when accessing the network system. Alternatively, the electronic device may send functional information to the management device in response to receiving a request sent by the management device.

[0053] As described above, the function information may include any information related to the function. For example, the function information may include at least one of the name of the function (with a version number), attribute information, an instruction list, and configuration information. In the case where the function information includes attribute information, sending the function information of the function supported by the electronic device may include: determining whether to send the function information based on the attribute information of the function; and sending the function information in response to determining to send the function information. In one embodiment, whether to send the function information may be determined based on the static attribute information described above. Of course, whether to send the function information may also be determined based on semi-static attribute information and dynamic attribute information. By determining whether to send the function information based on the attribute information, the signaling load for function information communication can be reduced.

[0054] At step S620, the electronic device in the network system responds to receiving an instruction from a control device specifying one or more functions among the functions supported by the electronic device, and activates the configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions. In one embodiment, the one or more functions may be all functions supported by the electronic device, for example, when the functions supported by the electronic device are only supported by it. In another embodiment, the one or more functions may be a part of all functions supported by the electronic device, for example, when there are multiple electronic devices in the network system that support the functions supported by the electronic device. In this case, the electronic device may also receive an instruction sent by a management device in the network system in response to other electronic devices in the network system going offline, specifying that the electronic device controls one or more functions controlled by other electronic devices that are offline, and in response to receiving the instruction, activates the configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions. In this way, dynamic migration of the control device of the function can be achieved when the electronic device in the network system goes offline.

[0055] When implementing control of one or more functions, the method may include: receiving instructions related to the one or more functions; and performing an operation corresponding to the instructions based on the received instructions. The instructions may be sent by a management device in the network system based on a mapping between an instruction list of the one or more functions and the electronic device, as described above.

[0056] After being determined as a control device for a certain function, the control device can receive an instruction to modify its configuration, and based on the instruction, modify its configuration information and send the modified configuration information to the management device in the network system. The management device can receive the latest configuration information of the functions it controls from each electronic device in the network system, summarize the received configuration information, and send the summarized configuration information set (i.e., a configuration information set that includes the configuration information of all functions supported by the network system summarized by the management device) to other electronic devices in the network system except the management device itself. Accordingly, other electronic devices in the network system can receive this configuration information set.

[0057] In the above, an example method performed by an electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in conjunction with FIG6. Through this method, an electronic device in the network system can act as a control device for the function it supports to actually control the effectiveness of the function, which can reduce the load of the processing resources of the management device (for example, the CPU and memory resources of the management device) and achieve functional load balancing within the network system. Furthermore, by performing the method described in conjunction with FIG6 when an electronic device in the network system goes offline, dynamic migration of the function control device can be achieved. The dynamic migration of the function control device combined with the electronic device receiving a set of configuration information of all functions supported by the network system can ensure the continuity of the function performance, so that the user does not perceive the difference in function performance. This is because each electronic device receives the latest set of configuration information of all functions supported by the network system, and thus can directly retrieve the latest configuration of the function from the configuration information set (which may have been modified by the previous control device) when it is designated as a new control device for the function, and control the function based on the latest configuration. Below, the present disclosure will describe another example method 700 performed by an electronic device in a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in conjunction with FIG7. As shown in FIG7, method 700 can start from step S710.

[0058] At step S710, when a management device in the network system goes offline (for example, when the management device fails), an electronic device in the network system can set itself as the new management device in response to a predetermined trigger condition. At step S720, the electronic device serving as the new management device activates the management configuration corresponding to the stored management configuration information and manages the network system based on the management configuration information. In one embodiment, the predetermined trigger condition can be that the electronic device accesses an external network system (for example, the network 110 shown in Figures 1 and 2). In this case, when the electronic device accesses the external network system, it automatically sets itself as the new management device. In another embodiment, the predetermined trigger condition can be that the electronic device receives an instruction designating it as the new management device. In this case, when the electronic device accesses the external network system, it does not automatically set itself as the new management device, but only sets itself as the new management device after receiving the instruction designating it as the new management device. The instruction can be sent by the end user via the end user device (for example, the end user device 120 shown in Figures 1 and 2). In this way, dynamic migration of management devices can be achieved when a management device in the network system goes offline, further ensuring the continuity of functional performance.

[0059] In addition to the electronic device 500 in the network system including the processor 510 and the memory 520 shown in Figure 5. The present disclosure also provides an electronic device in a network system, which includes: a sending module that sends function information of functions supported by the electronic device; a receiving module that receives instructions for controlling the electronic device for one or more functions supported by the electronic device; and a control module that activates the configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions. The various modules in the electronic device (for example, a receiving module and a control module, etc.) can also execute the method described above in conjunction with Figures 6 and 7. In addition, the present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the method executed by the electronic device in the network system according to the present disclosure, such as the method described above in conjunction with Figures 6 and 7.

[0060] In the above, the present disclosure describes a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a management device and an electronic device in the network system and a method for executing the same, in conjunction with Figures 1 to 7. In order for those skilled in the art to better understand the present disclosure, the present disclosure will hereinafter provide an example of function control of a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in conjunction with Figure 8. It should be understood that the description of function control in conjunction with Figure 8 hereinafter is merely to illustrate an example of the present disclosure, and is not intended to be limiting. The example may include more or fewer features than those described above, and it is not required that all features included in the example be included in the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0061] Similar to FIG1 , the example network system 800 shown in FIG8 may include a management device 801 and other electronic devices 802a-802d (i.e., slave devices) for managing the network system 800. The management device 801 and the slave devices 802a-802d may be communicatively connected via networks 803a and 803b. The slave devices 802a and 802d have IoT functionality, which can control an IoT device, a light 830a, via networks 803c and 803d, respectively. The network system 800 may be connected to another network system 810 (e.g., the Internet) via the management device 801. End-user devices 820a and 820b may be connected to the network system 800, and may then be connected to another network system 810 via the network system 800 (e.g., via the management device 801), thereby accessing the other network system 810. The end user may configure, query and / or instruct the operation of one or more supported functions of the management device 801 and the slave devices 802a - 802d via the end user devices 820a and 820b via an APP or a browser.

[0062] Assume that the management device 801 can support the three functions of [network system management (version 1), main network (version 1), guest network (version 2)], and its corresponding function information is [network system management (version 1) information, main network (version 1) information, guest network (version 2) information]; the slave devices 802a-802c can support the three functions of [network system management (version 1), main network (version 2), IoT function (version 2)], and its corresponding function information is [network system management (version 1) information, main network (version 2) information, IoT function (version 2) information]; the slave device 802d can support the three functions of [network system management (version 1), guest network (version 2), IoT function (version 2)], and its corresponding function information is [network system management (version 1) information, guest network (version 2) information, IoT function (version 2) information].

[0063] When the network system 800 is just set up, the slave devices 802a-802d can send functional information of the functions they support to the management device 801. After receiving the functional information sent by the slave devices 802a-802d, the management device 801 can summarize the received functional information and the functional information of the functions supported by the network system (in this example, the functional information of the functions supported by the management device 801, namely [network system management (version 1) information, main network (version 1) information, guest network (version 2) information]) by merging (that is, deleting the same functional information, and when there are different versions of the same function, retaining the higher version and removing the lower version). In this way, the summarized functional information is [network system management (version 1) information, main network (version 2) information, guest network (version 2) information], IoT function (version 2) information].

[0064] Afterwards, the management device 801 can determine the control device for each function corresponding to the summarized function information. Assuming that the management device 801 determines that the control device for network system management (version 1) is the management device 801, the control device for the main network (version 2) is the slave device 802b, the control device for the guest network (version 2) is the slave device 802d, and the slave device for the IoT function (version 2) is 802a, then after the management device 801 determines the control device for the function corresponding to each summarized function information, the management device 801 can send instructions to the slave device 802b, the slave device 802d and the slave device 802a respectively, indicating that they are the control devices for the main network (version 2), the guest network (version 2) and the IoT function (version 2). After receiving the instructions, the slave device 802b, the slave device 802d and the slave device 802a can activate the configuration of the corresponding function to control the corresponding function.

[0065] After determining control devices for network system management (version 1), primary network (version 2), guest network (version 2), and IoT (version 2) functions supported by network system 800, management device 801 can map the instruction lists for each function to the corresponding control devices. End users can then control (e.g., modify configuration or operate functions) the functions supported by network system 800 through an app or browser on end-user devices 820a or 820b.

[0066] Specifically, suppose the end user wants to turn on the IoT device - lamp 830a - at 8 o'clock every day. Then the end user can send the corresponding instructions to the management device 801 through the end user device 830a via the APP. After receiving the instruction, the management device 801, unlike the traditional network system, controls the execution of the instruction by itself (for example, sending a command to the slave device connected to the lamp 830 to light it at 8 o'clock every day). Instead, based on the mapping between the instruction and the slave device 802a, the instruction is sent to the slave device 802a. The slave device 802a then controls the lighting of the lamp 830a at 8 o'clock every day by modifying and controlling the configuration of the lamp 830a.

[0067] Afterwards, slave device 802a may send the modified configuration information to management device 801. Management device 801 may aggregate the modified configuration with the already stored configuration information of the functions supported by the network system, and then send the aggregated configuration set to all slave devices in the network system, i.e., slave devices 802a-802d. Alternatively, management device 801 may send the aggregated configuration set to all slave devices in the network system except slave device 802a, i.e., slave devices 802b-802d.

[0068] After a period of time, assuming that the slave device 802a that controls the light 830a is offline (for example, a fault occurs), the slave device 802d with the IoT function (version 2) can be selected as the new control device of the IoT function (version 2) through the determination of the control device of the above function, thereby controlling the lighting of the light 830a. Furthermore, since the slave device 802d stores a configuration set including the configuration for controlling the light 830a to light up at 8 o'clock every day, the new control device of the IoT function (version 2) - the slave device 802d - can retrieve the configuration of the IoT function from the control set to control the light 830a to light up at 8 o'clock every day, without the user terminal sending an instruction specifying that the light 830a be lit at 8 o'clock every day. This ensures the continuity of the functional performance (i.e., lighting the light 830a at 8 o'clock every day).

[0069] So far, the present disclosure has described the network system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the management device and electronic device (i.e., slave device) in the network system and the method for executing the same in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The network system, the management device and the electronic device and the method for executing the same can fully and effectively express and manage all functions of the network system, so that any function of the network system can be used, breaking the limitation that the management device is used to manage all functions of the network system (for example, the functionally distributed network system as described above), and it is difficult to express all functions of the network system. In addition, the network system, the management device and the electronic device and the method for executing the same can realize dynamic migration of the management device and / or the control device when the management device goes offline and the electronic device goes offline or online, thereby adapting to the addition and deletion of nodes in the adaptive network system and changes in the network topology. This dynamic migration, combined with the electronic device receiving a set of configuration information of all functions supported by the network system, can make the performance of the same function continuous before and after the change of the slave device going offline, switching to a new management device, etc., and the user cannot perceive the difference in functional performance.

[0070] It should be noted that the above description is only an illustration of some embodiments of the present disclosure and the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure involved in the present disclosure is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but also includes other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-mentioned disclosure concept. For example, the above-mentioned features can be replaced with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this disclosure.

[0071] In addition, although each operation is described in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring these operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in a sequential order. Under certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although some specific implementation details have been included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Some features described in the context of a separate embodiment can also be implemented in a single embodiment in combination. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination mode.

[0072] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A management device in a network system, the network system comprising at least one slave device, the management device being communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the management device comprising: Memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving, from one or more of the at least one slave devices, function information of functions supported by the at least one slave device; Aggregating the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device; Determine the function information of the control device corresponding to the function in the aggregated function information; as well as A control device is determined for the function corresponding to the determined function information from among the management device and the at least one slave device.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: Determining a control device for a function corresponding to the determined function information from among the management device and the at least one slave device includes: determining at least one device that can be used to control the function from the management device and the at least one slave device; and A device for controlling the function is selected from the at least one device based on a predetermined rule.

3. The management device according to claim 2, wherein: The predetermined rule includes at least one of the following: The management device takes priority; The slave device with the shortest hop distance from the management device is given priority; The slave device with the highest link rate to the management device is given priority; The device with the smallest current load is given priority; Devices with the highest main processor performance are given priority; The device with the largest memory space is given priority; The device with the smallest or largest physical address takes precedence. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein: The function information includes attribute information of the function, and wherein determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information from the management device and the at least one slave device includes: Based on the attribute information of the function, a control device for the function is determined from the management device and the at least one slave device. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein: The function information includes attribute information of the function, and the processor is further configured to: After determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information, it is determined whether the network system supports the function for the terminal user based on attribute information included in the determined function information. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein: The processor is further configured to: After determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information, mapping the instruction list of the function to the control device; as well as In response to receiving an instruction related to the function, the instruction is sent to the control device based on a mapping between an instruction list of the function and the control device.

7. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The function information includes configuration information of the function, and the processor is further configured to: A configuration information set is sent to each of the at least one slave device, wherein the configuration information set includes configuration information of all functions supported by the network system summarized by the management device.

8. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to: When one or more slave devices among the at least one slave device go offline, receiving function information of functions supported by each of the remaining slave devices among the at least one slave device; Summarizing the received function information and function information of functions supported by the management device; as well as For each function information in the aggregated function information, a control device for the function is determined from the management device and the remaining slave devices.

9. An electronic device in a network system, the electronic device comprising: Memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: In response to a predetermined trigger condition, sending function information of functions supported by the electronic device; as well as In response to receiving an instruction designating the electronic device as a control device for one or more of the functions, configurations of the one or more functions are activated to control the one or more functions.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein The predetermined trigger condition includes: the electronic device accessing the network system, or the electronic device receiving a request to send the function information.

11. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein The function information includes attribute information of the function, and wherein sending the function information of the function supported by the electronic device includes: determining whether to send the function information based on attribute information of the functions supported by the electronic device; and In response to determining to send the function information, the function information is sent.

12. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein The processor is further configured to: receiving instructions related to the one or more functions; and Based on the received instruction, perform the operation corresponding to the instruction, The instruction is sent by the management device in the network system based on the mapping between the instruction list of the one or more functions and the electronic device.

13. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a slave device in a network system, the network system further comprising a management device, the management device being communicatively connected to the slave device, the memory storing management configuration information for the management device to manage the network system, and the processor being further configured to: When the management device goes offline, in response to a second predetermined trigger condition, setting the electronic device as a new management device, and The management configuration corresponding to the stored management configuration information is activated, and the network system is managed based on the management configuration information.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein: The second trigger condition includes that the electronic device accesses an external network system, or the electronic device receives an instruction designating the electronic device as a new management device.

15. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein The function information includes configuration information of the function, and the processor is further configured to: A configuration information set is received, wherein the configuration information set includes configuration information of all functions supported by the network system and summarized by a management device in the network system.

16. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a slave device in a network system, the network system further comprising a management device, the management device being communicatively connected to the slave device, and the processor is further configured to: receiving an instruction sent by the management device in response to other slave devices in the network system going offline, the instruction specifying the electronic device to control one or more functions; and in response to receiving the instruction, activating a configuration of the one or more functions to control the one or more functions, in, The one or more functions are functions controlled by the other slave devices.

17. A method performed by a management device in a network system, the network system comprising at least one slave device, the management device being communicatively connected to the at least one slave device, the method comprising: receiving, from one or more of the at least one slave devices, function information of functions supported by the at least one slave device; Aggregating the received function information and the function information of the functions supported by the network system stored by the management device; Determine the function information of the control device corresponding to the function in the aggregated function information; as well as A control device is determined for the function corresponding to the determined function information from among the management device and the at least one slave device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The function information includes attribute information of the function, and wherein determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information from the management device and the at least one slave device includes: Based on the attribute information of the function, a control device for the function is determined from the management device and the at least one slave device.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The function information includes attribute information of the function, and the method further includes: After determining a control device for the function corresponding to the determined function information, it is determined whether the network system supports the function for the terminal user based on attribute information included in the determined function information.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: When one or more slave devices among the at least one slave device go offline, receiving function information of functions supported by each of the remaining slave devices among the at least one slave device; Summarizing the received function information and function information of functions supported by the management device; as well as For each function information in the aggregated function information, a control device for the function is determined from the management device and the remaining slave devices.

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