Method for activating a communication interface of a residential gateway in a local area communication network, corresponding equipment and corresponding computer program

Description

1. Domaine de l'invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of a local domestic or professional communication network, managed by a gateway, called a residential gateway, to which user equipment is connected.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the activation of one or more previously deactivated wired or wireless communication interface(s) of the residential gateway, depending on the actual use thereof. 2. Art antérieur et ses inconvénients

[0003] A large majority of homes are equipped with a residential gateway, often called a "box" or "Home Gateway" (HGW). This equipment, installed at the customer's premises, is the hub for all the connections, services and applications provided by the operator. Indeed, the gateway is connected, on the one hand, to the operator's network, and on the other hand, presents a set of interfaces, wireless or wired, allowing the connection of a plurality of devices within a local communication network, such as for example a digital decoder ("Set-Top Box" in English or STB), a computer, a telephone, a digital television, etc.

[0004] Subsequently, the term "interface" is used to designate both a software component, a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components.

[0005] The residential gateway includes several communication interfaces allowing it to establish a connection with the different equipment of the communication network using different communication protocols such as WiFi ®, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (or " Bluetooth Low Energy » in English or BLE) etc.... These communication interfaces consume more or less energy depending on the communication protocol implemented.

[0006] WiFi ®<, for “ Wireless Fidelity » in English, is a technology which notably allows a wireless connection between several devices within a wireless communication network (“ Wireless Local Area Network » in English, or WLAN), such as between a residential gateway and user equipment, in particular via a WiFi-type wireless communication interface present within the gateway.

[0007] Currently, the WiFi frequencies are the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Most residential gateways use a so-called dual-band technology ("dual-band"). dual-band » in English) based on the use of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi frequencies.

[0008] When connected via a WiFi wireless connection to the residential gateway, the equipment on the local communication network primarily uses the 2.4 GHz frequency. However, some equipment is capable of connecting to the 5 GHz frequency, which was introduced more recently in the network and offers higher throughput: this is the case, for example, with the digital decoder.

[0009] Nowadays, citizens are increasingly concerned about the future of the planet, which leads them to try to reduce the waste of energy resources.

[0010] In the connected home or business, reducing energy consumption involves turning off or putting unused equipment, or at least some of its components, applications, or interfaces, into standby mode. In particular, one way to optimize the power consumption of residential gateway components is to dynamically activate or deactivate certain gateway communication interfaces in order to keep only the one that is actually useful to the end user active.

[0011] In other words, in order to limit power consumption, power-hungry communications interfaces are disabled by default, while low-power interfaces remain enabled.

[0012] Currently, in the case of the 5 GHz WiFi interface of the residential gateway, there is no mechanism for automatically reactivating this interface upon detection of the presence, in the local communication network, of equipment compatible with the 5 GHz frequency, such as a digital decoder.

[0013] One solution is therefore to periodically wake up the 5 GHz WiFi communication interface of the residential gateway, for example every thirty seconds, in order to detect the presence of compatible equipment in the communication network.

[0014] Thus, in the case of the 5 GHz WiFi communication interface of the residential gateway, the latter is only activated if the user actually needs it, i.e. when he wants equipment in the communication network, such as the digital decoder, to connect via this WiFi frequency to the WLAN communication network, and therefore to the residential gateway, for example to access a service such as a digital content consumption service.

[0015] However, this periodic wake-up, or activation, solution induces a latency that can have an impact on the user experience. Indeed, in an example, if the detection of a device compatible with the 5 GHz WiFi frequency is programmed to be carried out every 30 seconds, that is to say that the 5GHz WiFi communication interface is activated every 30 seconds, this means that the device, such as the digital decoder, when it wakes up, will potentially have to wait 30 seconds before connecting to the WLAN communication network via the 5GHz WiFi frequency.

[0016] To limit this latency, it is always possible to reduce the 5 GHz WiFi interface wake-up frequency. However, if the residential gateway has to restart its 5 GHz WiFi interface very frequently, then the power savings are limited.

[0017] There is therefore a need for a technique for dynamically waking up, or activating, a communication interface of the residential gateway, such as the 5 GHz WiFi wireless communication interface, which does not have this drawback. In particular, there is a need for such a technique making it possible to improve the quality of user experience by limiting the latency time between the moment when the user wishes to use a device and the moment when this device connects to the communication network via a previously deactivated communication interface of the residential gateway, while optimizing energy consumption.

[0018] Some of the relevant prior art documents are: EP2608454A2, EP1895713A1 and WO2010 / 044714A1. 3. Présentation de l'invention

[0019] The invention meets this need by proposing a method for activating at least one communication interface of a residential gateway of a local communication network to which is connected at least one main device configured to connect to said at least one communication interface of the residential gateway. This method is implemented by at least one secondary device configured to communicate with said at least one main device via a first wireless communication channel, and with the residential gateway via a second wireless communication channel associated with at least one other communication interface of the residential gateway. This method comprises: a transmission to said at least one main device, on the first wireless communication channel, of a control message from said at least one main device and, a transmission to the residential gateway, on the second wireless communication channel, of a request to activate said at least one communication interface.

[0020] Thus, the invention is based on a completely new and inventive approach to activating, or waking up, a communication interface of the residential gateway deactivated by default, such as for example a wired communication interface of the Ethernet type, or a wireless communication interface of the 5GHz WiFi type.

[0021] More particularly, when the user wishes to use equipment from the communication network, called main equipment, to access a service via the residential gateway requiring a connection to a deactivated communication interface of the gateway, the invention proposes using another equipment, called secondary equipment, configured to communicate, on the one hand, with the main equipment, and, on the other hand, with the residential gateway.

[0022] To this end, initially, when the user wishes to use the main equipment of the communication network, such as for example a digital decoder, the user sends a control message from this main equipment via a secondary equipment configured to communicate with it, such as for example a remote control controlling the digital decoder. More particularly, in a conventional manner known from the prior art, at the request of the user, the secondary equipment transmits to the main equipment a control message from the latter. The transmission of this control message can be done on a communication channel based for example on a communication protocol of the Bluetooth low energy type (" Bluetooth Low Energy » in English or BLE).

[0023] In order to be able to access the service requested by the user, if the main equipment must connect to a communication interface of the gateway, which has been deactivated to limit its energy consumption, the invention makes it possible to transmit a control message to the main equipment on a first wireless communication channel, and to transmit on a second wireless communication channel, a request to activate the communication interface to which the main equipment must connect.

[0024] In the previous example, in order to access a digital content consumption service, the digital decoder is configured to connect to a communication interface of the residential gateway, in particular to the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface, which is deactivated, when not in use, to limit energy consumption.

[0025] In order to activate the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface of the residential gateway, the user then uses the remote control of the digital decoder, configured to communicate with the digital decoder and the residential gateway, via an active communication channel, such as a BLE communication channel.

[0026] Thus, the remote control transmits to the digital decoder a control message from the digital decoder, in a conventional manner known from the prior art (for example by the user pressing the on / off button of the remote control). In addition, the remote control transmits to the residential gateway a request to activate the communication interface to which the digital decoder must connect, in this example the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface of the residential gateway.

[0027] Thus, the user sends, via secondary equipment, here the remote control, a command message to the main equipment, in this example the digital decoder, and a request to activate the communication interface of the residential gateway allowing the digital decoder and the residential gateway to communicate together, typically the 5GHz WiFi communication interface.

[0028] This eliminates any latency between the time the main device receives and processes its control message and the time the communication interface it needs on the gateway is activated.

[0029] Activating the communication interface, for example the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface of the residential gateway, is therefore only done when it is actually in use. Activating / deactivating this communication interface on demand reduces the power consumption of the residential gateway, while avoiding any harmful latency for the main equipment that needs to connect to it.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the request for activation of said at least one communication interface is transmitted prior to the transmission to said at least one main user equipment of the control message from said at least one main equipment.

[0031] Advantageously, transmitting the request to activate the deactivated communication interface of the residential gateway, prior to transmitting the control message from the main equipment, makes it possible to activate the interface in question before activating the main equipment. Thus, the main equipment can connect to the now active communication interface of the residential gateway without latency.

[0032] According to another characteristic of the invention, the request for activation of said at least one communication interface comprises information for activation of said at least one communication interface.

[0033] Advantageously, this activation information allows, for example, the modification of a value of an activation control characteristic of a proprietary profile of a BLE type communication protocol and thus the activation of the communication interface of interest.

[0034] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the request for activation of said at least one communication interface further comprises information identifying said at least one communication interface.

[0035] Advantageously, this identification information makes it possible, for example, to modify a value of an identification characteristic of the communication interface to be activated of a proprietary profile in a BLE type communication protocol and therefore the activation of the communication interface of interest. In other words, in the case where several different communication interfaces are deactivated within the residential gateway, it is possible to choose whether one or more communication interfaces must be activated and if so, which ones.

[0036] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are based on a communication protocol chosen from: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Z-wave, Zigbee, DECT-ULE, Li-Fi, 4G, 5G or WiFi 6GHz.

[0037] Advantageously, the residential gateway comprises different wireless communication interfaces allowing it to communicate via different communication channels with one or more main devices of the local network and at least one secondary device configured to control all or part of these main devices. The gateway can, for example, be connected to these devices via a wireless communication channel based on wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, z-wave, zigbee, DECT-ULE (for " Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommnication-Ultra Low Energy » in English or enhanced digital low energy wireless telecommunications), Li-Fi (for “ Light Fidelity » in English or visible light communication), 4G, 5G, WiFi 6GHz etc. Advantageously, the wireless communication interfaces associated with these different communication channels remain active within the residential gateway, for example because they consume less energy.

[0038] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel are based on the same communication protocol.

[0039] The invention also relates to equipment configured to communicate with a main equipment via a first wireless communication channel, and with a residential gateway of a local communication network to which said at least one main equipment is connected via a second wireless communication channel. This equipment comprises a module for activating at least one communication interface of the residential gateway to which the main equipment is capable of connecting. The communication interface is distinct from a communication interface with which the second wireless communication channel is associated. The activation module is configured to: transmitting to said at least one main device a control message on the first wireless communication channel, and transmitting to the residential gateway a request to activate said at least one communication interface on the second wireless communication channel.

[0040] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing the activation method as described above, when executed by a processor.

[0041] A program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present technique is implemented by means of software and / or hardware components. In this regard, the term "module" may correspond in this document to a software component, a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components.

[0043] A software component corresponds to one or more computer programs, one or more sub-programs of a program, or more generally to any element of a program or software capable of implementing a function or a set of functions, as described below for the module concerned. Such a software component is executed by a data processor of a physical entity (terminal, server, gateway, set-top-box, router, etc.) and is likely to access the hardware resources of this physical entity (memories, recording media, communication buses, electronic input / output cards, user interfaces, etc.). Subsequently, resources are understood to mean all sets of hardware and / or software elements supporting a function or a service, whether individual or combined.

[0044] Similarly, a hardware component is any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or set of functions, as described below for the module concerned. It may be a programmable hardware component or one with an integrated processor for running software, for example an integrated circuit, a smart card, a memory card, an electronic card for running firmware, etc.

[0045] Each component of the system described above of course implements its own software modules.

[0046] The invention also relates to a system for activating at least one communication interface of a residential gateway of a local communication network to which is connected at least one main device configured to connect to said at least one communication interface of the residential gateway. This system comprises a residential gateway and at least one device, called secondary device, as described previously.

[0047] The different embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other for the implementation of the present technique.

[0048] The aforementioned equipment, computer program, and corresponding system have at least the same advantages as those conferred by the method of activating at least one communication interface of a residential gateway according to the present invention. 4. Brève description des figures

[0049] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given as a simple illustrative, and non-limiting, example, in relation to the figures, among which: [ Fig.1 ] : there [ Fig.1 ] illustrates an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment; [ Fig.2A ] : there [ Fig.2A ] illustrates an example of architecture of a system for activating a communication interface of a local communication network management gateway according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.2B ] : there [ Fig.2B ] illustrates an example of architecture of a system for activating a communication interface of a communication network management gateway according to a particular embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.3 ] : there [ Fig.3 ] schematically illustrates an example of prioritization of a proprietary profile of a wireless communication protocol according to an embodiment of the invention. [ Fig.4 ] : there [ Fig.4 ] presents in the form of a flow diagram the exchanges between an activation module of at least one communication interface of the residential gateway of a secondary device, a main device, and the management gateway of the local communication network, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention [ Fig.5 ]: schematically illustrate an example of architecture of equipment connected to the local network integrating an activation module of at least one communication interface of the residential gateway, according to one embodiment of the invention. 5. Description détaillée de l'invention

[0050] The general principle of the invention is based on the dynamic awakening, or activation, of a communication interface of the residential gateway deactivated by default, such as the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface, using the possible interactions between the gateway and different user equipment, such as for example a remote control of a digital decoder (or "Set Top Box" STB in English), a smartphone, a tablet etc....

[0051] More particularly, the invention makes it possible to take advantage of the presence of one or more other communication interface(s) already active within the residential gateway, such as for example a communication interface using a Bluetooth low energy wireless communication protocol (“ Bluetooth Low Energy » in English, or BLE), to activate, only when necessary, a communication interface disabled by default, such as the 5 GHz WiFi wireless communication interface.

[0052] To this end, the invention is based on transmission by a piece of equipment, called secondary equipment, of a control message from a piece of equipment in the communications network, called main equipment, and a request to wake up, or activate, at least one deactivated communications interface of the residential gateway.

[0053] In other words, when the user wishes to use a piece of equipment in the communications network, called the main equipment, to access a service requiring a connection to a communications interface of the residential gateway, which is in an inactive state, he can use another piece of equipment, called the secondary equipment, configured to connect and communicate with the main equipment on the one hand and the residential gateway on the other hand, via a communications channel associated with another active communications interface of the gateway, distinct from the deactivated communications interface.

[0054] Thanks to this secondary equipment and the presence of communication interfaces already active within the gateway, a control message from the main equipment and a request to wake up, or activate, the deactivated communication interface of the residential gateway are transmitted by the secondary equipment.

[0055] According to a variant of the invention, this request to wake up, or activate, the deactivated communication interface of the residential gateway is transmitted prior to the transmission of the control message from the main equipment. The communication interface of the residential gateway is then active before the activation of the main equipment.

[0056] This allows the main device to connect to the now-enabled residential gateway communication interface as soon as it wakes up. In other words, the gateway communication interface required by the main device is activated before the user activates the main device, thus avoiding latency times while ensuring reduced energy consumption.

[0057] We now present, in relation to the [ Fig.1 ] an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment.

[0058] The environment illustrated in [ Fig.1 ] includes in particular a local communication network LAN which is managed by a residential gateway GW connected to a data communication network R_EXT of an operator.

[0059] In this example, the LAN network is a home network, to which several devices are connected such as: a digital STB decoder associated with a remote control 1 allowing the digital STB decoder to be controlled remotely, for example via a Bluetooth Low Energy wireless connection, an HDMI C_HDMI key, a smartphone 2, a tablet 3.

[0060] The STB digital decoder and the C_HDMI HDMI key are connected to a TV allowing the reproduction of video content, such as a film.

[0061] In an example, the digital decoder STB, the HDMI key C_HDMI, the telephone 2, the tablet 3 are connected to the gateway GW by a wireless radio link in a local wireless communication network WLAN, for example WiFi on a frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Of course other types of wireless link can be used such as WiFi on a frequency of 6 GHz, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, z-wave, zigbee, DECT-ULE (" Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications - Ultra Low Energy » in English or enhanced digital wireless telecommunications, 4G, 5G or Li-Fi etc.

[0062] In another example, the digital STB decoder is connected to the GW gateway by a wired connection, such as an Ethernet connection.

[0063] In order to establish communication between the various network devices, or with devices outside the communication network, and the residential gateway GW, the latter comprises several wired or wireless communication interfaces. More specifically, these different communication interfaces use different communication protocols allowing different communication channels to be established between the gateway and the network or non-network devices.

[0064] In one example, the gateway comprises a wireless communication interface making it possible to establish a communication channel based on a Bluetooth Low Energy type communication protocol with one of the network devices such as, for example, the smartphone 2 or a device not belonging to the communication network, but configured to control a device of the communication network, such as, for example, the remote control 1.

[0065] The GW gateway can also include a 5GHz WiFi communication interface allowing a wireless WiFi connection to be established on a 5GHz frequency with, for example, the HDMI key C_HDMI or the digital decoder STB.

[0066] There [ Fig.2A ] and the [ Fig.2B ] illustrate examples of architecture of a management system 10 of a system for activating at least one communication interface of a management gateway of the local communication network according to embodiments of the invention.

[0067] This management system 10 comprises, among other things, the gateway GW for managing the WLAN wireless communication network, or residential gateway, as well as several pieces of equipment, including at least one main piece of equipment EQ1 belonging to this communication network, such as for example a digital decoder STB, an HDMI key C_HDMI, and at least one secondary piece of equipment EQ2 belonging to the communication network, such as for example a smartphone 2, or not belonging to the communication network, such as for example a remote control 1. It will be noted that the notion of belonging to the network underlies the notion of IP protocol: as such, the remote control does not belong to the local network, although it is geographically “local” equipment, which makes it possible to use short-distance radio links in one embodiment of the invention.

[0068] Main equipment EQ1 is defined as equipment in the WLAN communication network that the user wishes to use to access a service via the residential gateway GW, such as a digital content consumption service for example. Main equipment EQ1 is configured to connect via a communication interface Int_COM2' to a communication interface Int_COM2 of the residential gateway GW to access the requested service. When the communication interface Int_COM2 of the gateway is not in use, i.e. when no network equipment is connected to it, it is deactivated by default to save energy.

[0069] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], the main device EQ1 is for example the digital decoder STB, and the residential gateway communication interface Int_COM2 and the digital decoder communication interface Int_COM2' are 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interfaces. By default, to save power, the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface of the GW gateway is disabled.

[0070] The STB digital decoder is therefore configured to connect and exchange data with the GW residential gateway via a connection between their 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface Int_WiFi SGHz 2 and Int_WiFi 5GHz_2'. Indeed, the STB digital decoder is one of the devices compatible with the 5 GHz WiFi frequency of the GW residential gateway, which makes it possible to receive digital content in 5GHz WiFi between the GW gateway and the STB digital decoder.

[0071] Alternatively, the residential gateway communication interface Int_COM2 and the digital decoder communication interface Int_COM2' are wired Ethernet type communication interfaces.

[0072] A secondary device EQ2 is a device that may or may not be part of the WLAN communication network used by the user to control the main device EQ1. The secondary device EQ2 is configured to connect, via a communication interface Int_COM, to a wireless communication interface Int_COM1' of the main device EQ1. In other words, the secondary device EQ2 communicates with the main device EQ1 via a wireless communication channel established between the communication interfaces Int_COM of the secondary device EQ2 and the communication interface Int_COM1' of the main device EQ1.

[0073] The wireless communication interface Int_COM of the secondary device EQ2 is also configured to establish a connection with an already activated wireless communication interface Int_COM1 of the residential gateway GW.

[0074] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], remote control 1 is the secondary equipment EQ2 which communicates with: the digital decoder STB, which is then the main equipment EQ1, via a BLE type wireless communication channel established between the Int_BLE communication interfaces of the remote control 1 and the Int_BLE1' communication interface of the digital decoder STB, and the gateway GW via a BLE type wireless communication channel established between Int_BLE and Int_BLE1 communication interfaces.

[0075] Alternatively, the wireless communication interfaces of the gateway Int_COM1, the secondary equipment Int_COM and the main equipment Int_COM1' may be any type of radio wireless communication interface allowing the secondary equipment EQ2 to communicate with the residential gateway GW and the main equipment EQ1 such as for example a communication interface of the Bluetooth, z-wave, zigbee, DECT-ULE, WiFi 2.4GHz or 6GHz, Li-Fi, 4G, 5G type etc.

[0076] In other words, the secondary equipment EQ2 can communicate with the main equipment EQ1 via a first communication channel and with the residential gateway GW via a second communication channel, these two channels being able to use the same communication protocol, or different communication protocols.

[0077] The general principle of the invention is presented in connection with the examples of the [ Fig.2A ] and the [ Fig.2B ].

[0078] In these examples, user UT wants to access a service via the residential gateway GW, such as a digital content consumption service. To do this, user UT uses secondary device EQ2 to control and activate primary device EQ1.

[0079] Thus, in a conventional manner known from the prior art, in a step 21, the user UT activates the main equipment EQ1 using the secondary equipment EQ2 configured to control the main equipment EQ1. At the user's request, the secondary equipment EQ2 transmits in a step 21', a control message from the main equipment EQ1 to the latter. In one example, this control message from the main equipment EQ1 is transmitted via a wireless communication channel established between the communication interface Int_COM of the secondary equipment EQ2 and the communication interface Int_COM1' of the main equipment EQ1. This wireless communication channel is for example a BLE type communication channel.

[0080] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], by pressing for example an on / off button, or a button coming out of standby on the remote control 1, the user UT therefore sends a command message to the digital decoder STB, via for example the establishment of a wireless communication channel of type BLE, between a communication interface of type BLE Int_BLE of the remote control 1 and a communication interface of type BLE Int_BLE1' of the digital decoder STB.

[0081] To reduce power consumption, one or more communication interfaces of the GW residential gateway are disabled by default, for example wired communication interfaces such as Ethernet, or wireless communication interfaces such as 5GHz WiFi.

[0082] Thus, in a step 22, the secondary equipment EQ2 transmits a connection request to the communication interface Int_COM1 of the residential gateway GW via a communication channel, for example of the BLE type, prior to the transmission of a request to activate the communication interface Int_COM2 of the residential gateway GW. The secondary equipment EQ2 connects via its wireless communication interface Int_COM to a wireless communication interface Int_COM1 of the residential gateway GW that is already active. Indeed, the residential gateway also comprises one or more other less energy-consuming communication interfaces that are active by default and that allow certain equipment to communicate and exchange data with the residential gateway GW.

[0083] Prior to the transmission of a control message from the main device EQ1, the secondary device EQ2 transmits to the gateway GW the activation request for one or more communication interfaces of the previously deactivated residential gateway Int_COM2. It should be noted that as a variant the activation request and the control message can be transmitted jointly, or the activation request can be transmitted after the control message.

[0084] This request to activate the previously deactivated communication interface of the residential gateway Int_COM2 includes information to activate this communication interface of the residential gateway Int_COM2.

[0085] Alternatively, this request to activate the residential gateway communication interface Int_COM2 also includes information to wake up the residential gateway GW from deep sleep.

[0086] Alternatively, this residential gateway communication interface activation request Int_COM2 also includes an identifier of the residential gateway communication interface GW to be activated.

[0087] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], the BLE wireless communication interface Int_BLE of the remote control 1, connects to the BLE wireless communication interface Int _BLE1 of the residential gateway GW. At the user's request, prior to the transmission of the control message from the digital decoder STB, the remote control 1 transmits via a BLE type communication channel, a request to activate the 5GHz WiFi communication interface Int_WiFi 5GHz_2 of the residential gateway GW to the latter.

[0088] In a step 23, the active communication interface Int_COM1 of the residential gateway GW decodes the activation request of the previously deactivated communication interface Int_COM2.

[0089] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], it is the BLE communication interface Int_BLE1 of the GW gateway which decodes the activation request of the 5GHz WiFi wireless communication interface Int_WiFi 5GHz_2.

[0090] In a step 24, upon receipt of the request to activate the communication interface Int_COM2 from the secondary equipment EQ2, the residential gateway GW activates the communication interface Int_COM2, such as for example the 5GHz WiFi communication interface Int_WiFi 5GHz_2 of the [ Fig.2B ].

[0091] Alternatively, when the activation request includes activation information for the previously deactivated communication interface Int_COM2 and information for exiting deep sleep of the residential gateway GW, the residential gateway GW exits deep sleep, then activates its communication interface Int_COM2.

[0092] In a step 25, the main equipment EQ1 connects via its communication interface Int_COM2' to the activated interface Int_COM2 of the residential gateway GW to establish communication and exchange data.

[0093] In the example related to the [ Fig.2B ], the digital STB decoder connects to the WLAN network via a connection between its 5GHz WiFi-enabled communication interface Int_5GHz_2' and the enabled 5 GHz WiFi communication interface Int_WiFi 5GHz_2 of the residential gateway GW.

[0094] There [ Fig.3 ] illustrates an example of prioritization of a proprietary profile of a wireless communication protocol according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the [ Fig.3 ] illustrates the prioritization of a proprietary profile according to a Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE communication protocol in the example linked to the [ Fig.2B ] and the [ Fig.4 ], used for establishing communication between the secondary equipment EQ2, such as the remote control 1, and the residential gateway GW on the one hand, and the main equipment EQ1, such as the digital decoder STB on the other hand.

[0095] The BLE standard specification provides the possibility of creating proprietary profiles that comply with the generic attribute profile protocol (" Generic Attribute Protocol » in English or GATT). A profile is defined in the GATT standard as a set of services and characteristics allowing certain applications to be carried out. It is therefore possible to define proprietary characteristics supported by a GATT server, using universally unique identifiers (“ Universally Unique Identifier » in English or specific UUIDs.

[0096] The GW residential gateway implements such a so-called "proprietary" GATT server profile SRV_GATT to wake up, or activate, communication interfaces of the GW gateway previously deactivated to save energy. In other words, the GW residential gateway implements a service for waking up, or activating its communication interfaces previously deactivated Srv_WKP_INT.

[0097] At the request of the UT user, the GATT client, i.e. in the examples presented in connection with the figures 2A , 2B And 4, the secondary equipment EQ2 or remote control 1, then modifies the values ​​of the writable attributes of the characteristics defined in the owner profile. In one example, a characteristic defined in the owner profile may be a command to activate one or more communication interfaces of the GW gateway disabled by default COM_act. After selecting the owner identifier associated with the profile, the GATT client modifies the value, for example integer "0" or "1", assigned to the activation command characteristic COM_act, to trigger the activation process of the communication interface of the GW gateway.

[0098] To do this, the GATT client, i.e. the secondary equipment EQ2, transmits to the residential gateway GW, in particular to the GATT server of the gateway, a request for activation, or wake-up, of at least one communication interface deactivated by default of this gateway. This activation request, or wake-up, includes in particular information for activation of at least one communication interface deactivated by default, allowing the modification of the value of the activation control characteristic COM_act of the owner profile and therefore the activation of the communication interface of interest.

[0099] Alternatively, it is possible to define an additional characteristic, for example to select the communication interface of the GW gateway to be woken up, or activated. In the same way as before, after selecting the owner identifier associated with the profile, the GATT client modifies the value, for example "wlan0" or "wlan1", "eth0" or "eth1", assigned to the identification characteristic of the communication interface to be activated ID_Int_act, to trigger the activation process of the communication interface of the chosen GW gateway.

[0100] For this, the request for activation, or awakening, of at least one communication interface deactivated by default of this gateway sent by the GATT client further comprises identification information for at least one communication interface of the gateway, allowing the modification of the value of the identification characteristic of the communication interface to be activated ID_Int_act of the owner profile and therefore the activation of the communication interface of interest.

[0101] There [ Fig.4 ] illustrates in the form of a flow diagram the exchanges between an activation module of at least one communication interface of the residential gateway of the secondary equipment, the main equipment, and the management gateway of the local communication network, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0102] In the example related to the [ Fig.4 ], the activation module of at least one communication interface of the gateway of the secondary equipment DISP_EQ2, or activation module DISP_EQ2, presented in connection with the [ Fig.5 ], includes a communication interface Int_COM, for example a BLE type communication interface, allowing the establishment of a connection between the secondary equipment EQ2 and the main equipment EQ1.

[0103] Thus, in a step 401, the user UT activates the main equipment EQ1 using the secondary equipment EQ2 configured to control the main equipment EQ1. For this, the secondary equipment EQ2, via the establishment of a wireless communications channel between the communication interface Int_COM of its activation module DISP_EQ2 and the communication interface Int_COM1' of the main equipment EQ1, transmits a control message to the main equipment EQ1.

[0104] In one example, the command message from the main device EQ1 may be a command message of type: BLE HID EQ1 wake-up.

[0105] In a step 402, prior to the transmission of the control message from the main equipment EQ1, the secondary equipment EQ2 transmits to the residential gateway, via the communication interface Int_COM of its activation module DISP_EQ2, a request for activation, or awakening, of one or more communication interface(s) of the residential gateway previously deactivated.

[0106] In one example, this request to activate at least one previously deactivated communication interface of the GW gateway includes information on activating the previously deactivated communication interface, and is of type: BLE Write (activation command = 1).

[0107] Alternatively, this activation request also includes an identifier of the communication interface to be activated, for example one or more wireless “wlan1” or wired “eth1” communication interfaces.

[0108] In a step 403, the residential gateway GW commands the activation of the communication interface(s) Int_COM2 of the gateway GW.

[0109] In a step 404, the main device EQ1 then connects to the WLAN network via its communication interface Int_COM2' to the activated Int_COM2 interface of the residential gateway GW.

[0110] In order to illustrate more precisely the principle of the invention, the [ Fig.5 ] schematically presents an example of architecture of a secondary EQ2 device integrating an activation module of at least one communication interface of the residential gateway DISP_EQ2 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0111] The DISP_EQ2 activation module comprises a RAM (e.g., a RAM memory), a CPU processing unit equipped, for example, with a processor, and controlled by a computer program stored in a read-only memory (e.g., a ROM memory or a hard disk). During initialization, the code instructions of the computer program are, for example, loaded into the RAM before being executed by the processor of the CPU processing unit.

[0112] The DISP_EQ2 activation module further includes a wireless communication interface Int_COM allowing the secondary equipment to establish communication.

[0113] There [ Fig.5 ] illustrates only one particular way, among several possible ones, of implementing the DISP_EQ2 activation module, so that it carries out the steps of the methods of activating at least one communication interface of the GW gateway detailed above, in relation to the figures 2A ,2B And 4 in its various embodiments. Indeed, these steps can be carried out indifferently on a reprogrammable computing machine (a PC computer, a DSP processor or a microcontroller) executing a program comprising a sequence of instructions, or on a dedicated computing machine (for example a set of logic gates such as an FPGA or an ASIC, or any other hardware module).

[0114] In the case where the DISP_EQ2 activation module is produced with a reprogrammable computing machine, the corresponding program (i.e. the sequence of instructions) may be stored in a removable storage medium (such as for example an SD card, a USB key, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM) or not, this storage medium being partially or totally readable by a computer or a processor.

Claims

1. Method for activating at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) of a home gateway (GW) of a local area network (LAN) to which at least one main equipment (EQ1) configured to connect to said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) of said home gateway is connected, said method being implemented by at least one secondary equipment (EQ2) configured to communicate with said at least one main equipment (EQ1) via a first wireless communication channel, and with said home gateway (GW) via a second wireless communication channel associated with at least one other communication interface (Int_COM1) of said home gateway (GW), said method comprising: - transmitting, to said at least one main equipment (EQ1), over said first wireless communication channel, a message for controlling said at least one main equipment (EQ1), and - transmitting, to said home gateway (GW), over said second wireless communication channel, a request to activate said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2).

2. Activation method according to Claim 1, said request to activate said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) being transmitted prior to said transmission, to said at least one main user equipment (EQ1), of said message for controlling said at least one main equipment (EQ1).

3. Activation method according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, said request to activate said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) comprising information for activating said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2).

4. Activation method according to Claim 3, said request to activate said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) further comprising information for identifying said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2).

5. Activation method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, said first wireless communication channel and said second wireless communication channel being based on a communication protocol chosen from among: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Z-wave, Zigbee, DECT-ULE, Li-Fi, 4G, 5G or Wi-Fi 6 GHz.

6. Activation method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, said first wireless communication channel and said second wireless communication channel being based on the same communication protocol.

7. Equipment (EQ) configured to communicate with a main equipment (EQ1) via a first wireless communication channel, and with a home gateway (GW) of a local area network (LAN) to which said at least one main equipment (EQ1) is connected via a second wireless communication channel, said equipment comprising a module (DISP_EQ2) for activating at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) of said home gateway (GW) to which said main equipment (EQ1) is able to connect, said communication interface being distinct from a communication interface with which said second wireless communication channel is associated, and said activation module being configured to: - transmit, to said at least one main equipment (EQ1), a control message over said first wireless communication channel, and - transmit, to said home gateway (GW), a request to activate said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) over said second wireless communication channel.

8. Computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 when it is executed by a processor.

9. System (10) for activating at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) of a home gateway (GW) of a local area network (LAN) to which at least one main equipment (EQ1) configured to connect to said at least one communication interface (Int_COM2) of said home gateway (GW) is connected, said system comprising a home gateway (GW) and at least one equipment, referred to as a secondary equipment (EQ2), according to Claim 7.