Apparatus for energy service of user terminal, and method for energy service thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus for an energy service of a user terminal and a method for an energy service thereof. The apparatus for an energy service according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a processor that requests a first server for first information about a device providing an energy service among a plurality of devices connected over a smart home network in order to check whether a target device, selected from among the plurality of devices via a user interface of the user terminal, provides the energy service, requests a second server for second information about the plurality of devices connected over the smart home network when information about the target device does not exist in the first information received from the first server, and cross-checks the second information received from the second server and information about a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device provides the energy service; and a memory for storing at least one of the information about the plurality of devices connected over the smart home network or the information about the device providing the energy service. The energy service provides information related to at least one of a power usage or a saving mode of the devices connected over the smart home network. The management file may include information about the device providing the energy service and registered by a manager via an input means.

Description

Energy service device of user terminal and energy service method thereof

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to an energy service device for a user terminal and an energy service method thereof.

[0002] Energy service is a service that provides information related to at least one of the power usage and saving modes of devices connected to a smart home network to the energy service screen of the user terminal.

[0003] This allows users to monitor information related to power usage and saving modes of digital appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to a smart home network in real time.

[0004] However, even though the device provides information related to power usage and saving mode, information about the device may not be displayed on the energy service screen.

[0005] In this case, the user must register on the service website and then contact the service team. The team must then go through multiple steps to verify account and digital device information or provide a response to the user. This process takes considerable time, and the difficulty of the verification process effectively limits the provision of efficient energy services.

[0006] The disclosed invention provides an energy service device for a user terminal and an energy service method thereof that enable a user to easily check whether a device selected by the user is a device that provides energy service in order to provide efficient energy service.

[0007] An energy service device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a processor that requests first information about a device providing an energy service among a plurality of devices connected to a smart home network, to determine whether a target device selected through a user interface of a user terminal provides an energy service; and, if the first information received from the first server does not include information about the target device, requests second information about the plurality of devices connected to the smart home network from a second server, and cross-checks the second information received from the second server with information in a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing an energy service; and a memory that stores at least one of information about the plurality of devices connected to the smart home network and information about the device providing an energy service; wherein the energy service is a service that provides information related to at least one of power usage and a saving mode of a device connected to the smart home network, and the management file may include information about a device providing an energy service registered by an administrator through an input means.

[0008] The processor determines whether the target device provides information related to at least one of power usage and a saving mode based on the first information, when information about the target device exists in the first information received from the first server, wherein the first information includes a first setting value indicating whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage, and the processor can use the device ID of the target device included in the first information to check the first setting value of the target device and determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value.

[0009] The first information further includes mode information indicating whether the device provides information related to the saving mode, and the processor can determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value, based on the mode information.

[0010] The first information includes a second setting value indicating whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode, and the processor, if it is determined based on the mode information that the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode, can further determine based on the second setting value whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode.

[0011] The present invention further includes a service module that displays information related to at least one of power usage and saving mode of a device providing the energy service on an energy service screen of the user terminal, and the processor can perform an update operation for bug fixing of the service module based on the first information so that the target device is displayed on the energy service screen when the processor determines that the target device is a device providing the energy service while the target device is not displayed on the energy service screen.

[0012] The processor cross-checks the second information received from the second server with the information in the management file stored in the third server, and if the target device is determined to be a device providing energy services, the processor can update the information of the target device stored in the management file with the first information of the first server.

[0013] The second information includes information about a device type, and the device type includes at least one of a digital home appliance, a C2C (Cloud-To-Cloud) device, and a short-range communication device sharing a VID (Vender ID), and the processor can determine the device type of the target device based on the second information, and based on the device type of the target device, cross-check the second information with information in a management file stored in the third server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services.

[0014] The processor can check the presence of a VID of the target device by cross-checking the second information and information in a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services when the device type of the target device is C2C.

[0015] The processor may, when the device type of the target device is a digital home appliance, cross-check the second information with the information of the management file stored in the third server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services, and confirm whether the VID of the target device exists and whether power usage information is provided.

[0016] The processor can check whether a value corresponding to a combination of two or more of the VID, model code, and manufacturer code included in the second information is included in the information of the management file stored in the third server in order to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy service when the device type of the target device is a short-range communication device sharing a VID.

[0017] The processor may further determine whether the target device is excluded from devices that provide information related to energy services based on the third setting value, if the second information includes a VID corresponding to the target device and the information in the management file stored in the third server includes a third setting value indicating whether the target device is excluded from devices that provide information related to energy services.

[0018] According to another aspect of the disclosed invention, an energy service method comprises: requesting first information about a device providing an energy service among a plurality of devices connected to a smart home network, to check whether a target device selected through a user interface of a user terminal provides an energy service; requesting second information about a device providing an energy service among a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network from a first server in order to check whether the target device provides an energy service; and, if the first information received from the first server does not contain information about the target device, requesting second information about a second server in order to cross-check the second information received from the second server with information in a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing an energy service; and outputting a determination result about whether the target device is a device providing an energy service on a screen of the user terminal, wherein the energy service is a service that provides information related to at least one of power usage and a saving mode of a device connected to the smart home network, and the management file may include information about a device providing an energy service registered by an administrator through an input means.

[0019] If information about the target device exists in the first information received from the first server, it is determined whether the target device provides information related to at least one of power usage and a saving mode based on the first information, wherein the first information includes a first setting value indicating whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage, and the first setting value of the target device is confirmed using the device ID of the target device included in the first information, and it is determined whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value.

[0020] The first information may further include mode information indicating whether the device provides information related to the saving mode, and if the target device is determined to be a device providing information related to the power usage based on the first setting value, the method may further include determining whether the target device is a device providing information related to the saving mode based on the mode information.

[0021] The first information includes a second setting value indicating whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode, and if the target device is determined to be a device that provides information related to the saving mode based on the mode information, it is possible to further determine whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode based on the second setting value.

[0022] Information related to at least one of power usage and saving mode of the device providing the energy service is displayed on the energy service screen of the user terminal by the service module, and if the target device is determined to be the device providing the energy service while not being displayed on the energy service screen, an update operation for fixing a bug in the service module based on the first information may be further included so that the target device is displayed on the energy service screen.

[0023] By cross-checking the second information received from the second server and the information in the management file stored in the third server, if the target device is determined to be a device providing energy services, the information of the target device stored in the management file can be updated in the first information of the first server.

[0024] The second information may further include information on a device type, and the device type may include at least one of a digital home appliance, a C2C (Cloud-To-Cloud) device, and a short-range communication device sharing a VID, and may further include checking the device type of the target device based on the second information, and cross-checking the second information and information of a management file stored in the third server based on the device type of the target device to check whether the device provides an energy service.

[0025] If the device type of the target device is C2C, the method may further include cross-checking the second information and the information of the management file stored in the third server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services, thereby confirming the presence of the VID of the target device.

[0026] If the device type of the target device is a digital home appliance, the method may further include cross-checking the second information and the information of the management file stored in the third server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services, thereby confirming whether the VID of the target device exists and whether power usage information is provided.

[0027] If the device type of the target device is a short-range communication device sharing a VID, the method may further include checking whether a value corresponding to a combination of two or more of the VID, model code, and manufacturer code included in the second information is included in the information of the management file stored in the third server in order to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy services.

[0028] If the second information contains a VID corresponding to the target device, and the information in the management file stored in the third server includes a third setting value indicating whether the device is an exception target for exclusion from devices that provide information related to energy services, it is possible to further determine whether the target device is an exception target for exclusion from devices that provide information related to energy services based on the third setting value.

[0029] The disclosed energy service device of a user terminal and the energy service method thereof can enable a user to easily check whether a device selected by the user is a device that provides energy service in order to provide efficient energy service.

[0030] Additionally, if the device is determined to be providing energy services, the device may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal so that the user can check information related to the device's power usage and saving mode.

[0031] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an energy service device and servers according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a user interface provided by the energy service device of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1 and the first server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to power usage.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1 and the first server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to a saving mode.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1, the second server, and the third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy services.

[0037] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0038] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0039] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0041] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0042] The terms "part," "module," and "member" may be implemented in hardware or software. Depending on the embodiments, multiple "parts," "modules," or "members" may be implemented as a single component, or a single "part," "module," or "member" may include multiple components.

[0043] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0044] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0045] The terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0046] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0047] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0048] Below, displays according to various embodiments are specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an energy service device and servers according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a user interface provided by the energy service device of FIG. 1.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user can register and comprehensively manage information on multiple devices connected to a smart home network through an application installed on a user terminal (101). The user terminal (101) may include, for example, a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, wearable device, etc.

[0051] At this time, the second server (220) can be connected to a user terminal (101) through a user account, and can store and manage information on multiple devices connected to a smart home network (hereinafter, also referred to as second information).

[0052] The first server (210) can store and manage information (hereinafter, also referred to as first information) about devices providing energy services among the devices stored in the second server (220). Specifically, during the registration process for multiple devices connected to a smart home network, the second server (220) can identify devices providing energy services based on the device's VID (Vender ID), device type, etc., and transmit information related to the devices providing energy services to the first server (210).

[0053] The energy service provides information related to at least one of the power usage and saving mode of the device on the energy service screen of the user terminal (101), thereby allowing the user to easily check information related to the power usage and saving mode of the device.

[0054] The third server (230) stores a management file (235) containing information about devices providing energy services. The management file (235) contains information about smart devices providing energy services that the administrator has directly registered through an input means. If information about a device providing energy services is registered in the management file (235) but not in the first information of the first server (210), the device registration information of the first information of the first server (210) may be updated based on the device registration information of the management file (235).

[0055] The user terminal (101) displays a list of multiple devices connected to the smart home network on the management screen (103), allowing the user to check the devices connected to the smart home network.

[0056] For example, multiple devices connected to a smart home network may include a smart refrigerator, smart oven, coffee maker, washing machine and dryer, robot vacuum cleaner, standing air conditioner, wall-mounted air conditioner, smart lighting, smart outlet, smart lock, smart sensor, smart TV, smart speaker, etc. The devices connected to the smart home network may include at least one device that provides energy services.

[0057] Information related to at least one of the power usage and saving modes of a device providing energy services among devices connected to a smart home network can be displayed on an energy service screen (not shown) of a user terminal (101).

[0058] Devices that provide information about power usage in energy services may include smart refrigerators, smart ovens, washers and dryers, robot vacuums, and air conditioners. For example, a smart refrigerator may provide the ability to monitor and report power consumption to the user.

[0059] Devices that provide energy-saving mode-related information in energy services may include smart refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and air conditioners. For example, a smart refrigerator may offer energy-saving features by adjusting its temperature setting and cooling mode.

[0060] The user terminal (101) includes an energy service device (100), and the energy service device (100) may include a service module (110), a user interface (120), a processor (130), and a memory (140).

[0061] To provide efficient energy services, the energy service device (100) can easily determine whether a device not displayed on the energy service screen provides energy services. Furthermore, if the energy service device (100) determines that a device provides energy services, it can display the device on the energy service screen, allowing the user to check information related to the device's power usage and saving mode.

[0062] The service module (110) can be installed in the form of a plug-in on the user terminal (101). The service module (110) can display information related to at least one of the power usage and saving mode of a device providing energy services on the energy service screen.

[0063] For example, the service module (110) can display the current power usage of a smart refrigerator or a stand-alone air conditioner, etc., in numerical form on the energy service screen, or can display the usage trends for each day, week, month, etc. in a visual form in the form of a graph or chart.

[0064] Additionally, the service module (110) can display in various forms, such as icons, whether the energy saving mode of a smart refrigerator or a standing air conditioner is activated on the energy service screen. The user can activate or deactivate the energy saving mode of a standing air conditioner on the energy service screen.

[0065] The user interface (120) may provide a list of multiple devices connected to the smart home network on the management screen (103) so that the user can select a target device to determine whether it provides energy services.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, for convenience of explanation, for a device that is displayed in the device list of the management screen (103) but not displayed in the energy service screen, a device selected by the user from the device list of the management screen (103) is defined as a target device in order to check whether the device provides energy service.

[0067] A user can select at least one target device from a list of multiple devices displayed on the management screen (103). For example, a user may select a smart refrigerator that is known to provide power usage and energy-saving modes, but is not displayed on the energy service screen.

[0068] When a user's target device is selected from the device list of the management screen (103), the user interface (120) may provide a button for confirming whether the device provides energy services. At this time, the user interface (120) may provide a power usage provision device confirmation button (122) for confirming whether the device provides information on power usage, and a saving mode provision device confirmation button (124) for confirming whether the device provides information on a saving mode, respectively, on the management screen (103).

[0069] When a user presses the button (122) to check the power usage provision device, a process is performed to check whether the target device selected from the device list on the management screen (103) is a device that provides information on power usage.

[0070] When the user presses the button (124) to check the device providing the saving mode, a process is performed to check whether the target device selected from the device list on the management screen (103) is a device that provides information about the saving mode.

[0071] The processor (130) can control the overall operation and function of the energy service device (100), and can include logic circuits and operational circuits as hardware. The processor (130) can control electrically connected components of the energy service device (100) using programs, instructions, and / or data stored in the memory (140) for the operation of the energy service device (100). In addition, the processor (130) can include a communication module (not shown) capable of communicating with a server, smart device, etc.

[0072] The processor (130) may request first information about a device providing energy service from the first server (210) among the plurality of devices connected to the smart home network to check whether the target device selected through the user interface (120) of the user terminal (101) provides energy service.

[0073] If information about a target device exists in the first information received from the first server (210), the processor (130) can determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services based on the first information.

[0074] If the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides energy service while the first information received from the first server (210) contains information about the target device and the target device is not displayed on the energy service screen, the processor (130) may perform an update operation for bug treatment of the service module (110) based on the first information so that the target device is displayed on the energy service screen.

[0075] If the processor (130) does not include information about the target device in the first information received from the first server (210), it requests second information about a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network from the second server (220), and cross-checks the second information received from the second server (220) with information in a management file stored in the third server (230) to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services.

[0076] The processor (130) cross-checks the second information received from the second server (220) with the information in the management file (235) stored in the third server (230), and if the target device is determined to be a device providing energy services, the processor (130) can update the information about the target device in the first information of the first server (210) based on the information in the management file.

[0077] The memory (140) can store programs, applications, and / or data for the operation of the energy service device (100), and can store data generated by the processor. The memory can include non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory for long-term storage of data. The memory can include volatile memory such as S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) and D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data.

[0078] Additionally, the memory (140) can store at least one piece of information about a plurality of devices connected to a smart home network and a target device providing energy services.

[0079] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1 and the first server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to power usage.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, when a user presses the button (122) for checking the power usage provision device, the processor (130) requests first information about a device providing energy service among a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network from the first server (210) to check whether information on power usage of a target device selected by the user among a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network is provided (301). The processor (130) may, for example, access the first server (210) through a user account and then request the first information about the device providing energy service.

[0081] As described above, the second server (220) can identify a device providing energy services based on the device's VID, device type, etc. during the registration process for multiple devices connected to a smart home network, and transmit information related to the device providing energy services to the first server (210). The first server (210) can store and manage the information related to the device providing energy services received from the second server (220) as first information.

[0082] The processor (130) receives first information from the first server (210) and checks whether information about the target device exists in the received first information (311).

[0083] For example, the processor (130) can check whether at least one of the device ID, model code, and manufacturer code of the target device is present in the first information. If the first information received from the first server (210) does not contain information about the target device, the process of FIG. 5, which will be described later, can be performed.

[0084] If information about a target device exists in the first information received from the first server (210), the processor (130) checks the first setting value of the target device to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to power usage (321).

[0085] The first setting value included in the first information is a value indicating whether the device provides information related to power usage.

[0086] The processor (130) can check information related to the target device using the device ID of the target device included in the first information. For example, if the first setting value of the target device is set to a value called “common,” the processor (130) can determine that the target device is a device that does not provide power usage. If the first setting value of the target device is set to a value other than “common,” including a case where the first setting value of the target device is empty, the processor (130) can determine that the target device is a device that provides power usage.

[0087] The processor (130) outputs the result of the determination as to whether the target device is a device that provides power usage information on the screen (331). If the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides power usage information, the processor (130) may output a message indicating that the target device is a device that provides power usage information on the management screen (103). If the processor (130) determines that the target device is not a device that provides power usage information, the processor (130) may output a message indicating that the target device does not support power usage information on the management screen (103).

[0088] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1 and the first server to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to a saving mode.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 4, when a user presses the energy saving mode providing device confirmation button (124), the processor (130) requests first information about a device providing energy service among a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network from the first server (210) to confirm whether information related to the energy saving mode of a target device selected by the user among a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network is provided (401).

[0090] The processor (130) receives first information from the first server (210) and checks whether information about the target device exists in the received first information (411).

[0091] For example, the processor (130) can check whether the device ID of the target device exists in the first information. If information about the target device does not exist in the first information received from the first server (210), the process of FIG. 5, which will be described later, can be performed.

[0092] If information about a target device exists in the first information received from the first server (210), the processor (130) checks the first setting value of the target device to determine whether the target device is a device that provides information related to power usage (421).

[0093] Since the above processes (401, 411, 421) have been described in Fig. 3, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The processor (130) can check information related to the target device using the device ID of the target device included in the first information.

[0094] If the target device is a device that does not provide information related to power usage, the processor (130) may naturally determine that the target device is a device that does not provide information about a power saving mode.

[0095] If the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides information related to power usage based on the first setting value, it determines whether the target device is a device that provides information related to a saving mode based on mode information (431).

[0096] The mode information included in the first information is a value indicating whether the device provides information related to the saving mode.

[0097] For example, if the mode information of the target device has a value set to “NOT SUPPORTED,” the processor (130) may determine that the target device is a device that does not provide information related to the power saving mode. If the mode information has a value other than “NOT SUPPORTED,” including a case where the mode information is empty, the processor (130) may determine that the target device is a device that provides information related to the power saving mode.

[0098] If the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides information related to the saving mode based on the above-described mode information, it checks whether there are any exceptions.

[0099] To this end, the processor (130) can check a second setting value indicating whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode, and can determine whether the target device is an exception target from devices that provide information related to the saving mode based on the second setting value (441).

[0100] For example, in the case of a standing air conditioner and a wall-mounted air conditioner, the standing air conditioner and the wall-mounted air conditioner can operate together in energy-saving mode. In this case, if the wall-mounted air conditioner is managed as a single group with the standing air conditioner, the standing air conditioner may be classified as a device that provides energy-saving mode, while the wall-mounted air conditioner may be classified as a device excluded from providing information related to energy-saving mode.

[0101] Therefore, if the target device is a wall-mounted air conditioner, the second setting value is set to a value (e.g., MRAC (Multi Room Air Conditioner)) indicating that the wall-mounted air conditioner is an excluded device from devices that provide information related to the economy mode.

[0102] If the second setting value is set to “MRAC”, the processor (130) may determine that the target device is a device excluded from devices that provide information related to the saving mode. If the second setting value is set to a value other than “MRAC”, including cases where the second setting value is empty, the processor (130) may determine that the target device is a device that provides information related to the saving mode.

[0103] The processor (130) can inform the user by displaying on the screen whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the saving mode according to the above-described judgment result (451).

[0104] Through the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4, if the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides energy service that provides information on at least one of power usage and saving mode while the target device is not displayed on the energy service screen, the processor (130) may perform an update operation for bug treatment of the service module (110) based on the first information of the first server (210) so that the target device is displayed on the energy service screen.

[0105] To this end, the processor (130) can send bug information about the service module (110) providing energy service to the first server (210), and receive update information for bug treatment of the service module (110) from the first server (210) to perform an update operation on the service module (110).

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, a power usage provision device confirmation button (122) for confirming whether the device provides information on power usage, and a saving mode provision device confirmation button (124) for confirming whether the device provides information on a saving mode are each provided on the management screen (103). However, in other embodiments, they may be provided as a single energy service confirmation button (not shown). In this case, when the user presses the energy service confirmation button, the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 described above are sequentially performed by the processor (130), so that it is possible to effectively determine whether the target device provides energy services. At this time, the process already performed in FIG. 3, such as the process of the energy service device (100) requesting and receiving first information from the first server (210), may be omitted in the process of FIG. 4.

[0107] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process performed between the energy service device of FIG. 1, the second server, and the third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy services.

[0108] Meanwhile, in the case where the first information received from the first server (210) in the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 described above does not contain information on the target device, the processor (130) requests the second server (220) for second information on multiple devices connected to the smart home network (501). The processor (130) may, for example, access the second server (220) through a user account and then request the second information on multiple devices connected to the smart home network.

[0109] The processor (130) checks the device type of the target device based on the second information received from the second server (220) (511).

[0110] The second information may include information about the device type. The device type may include at least one of digital appliances, cloud-to-cloud (C2C) devices, and short-range communication (e.g., Zigbee, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.) devices that share a VID. C2C devices can operate in different cloud environments through cloud-to-cloud data exchange. C2C devices may include, for example, various security-related devices. Short-range communication devices that share a VID communicate with or are controlled by each other through a hub, and may include, for example, smart lights, smart outlets, and smart locks.

[0111] Next, based on the device type of the target device, the processor (130) cross-checks the second information received from the second server (220) and the information of the management file (235) stored in the third server (230) to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services (521).

[0112] To this end, the processor (130) can connect to the third server (230) to check the information of the management file (235) and cross-check it with the second information received from the second server (220).

[0113] The processor (130) cross-checks the second information received from the second server (220) and the information in the management file (235) stored in the third server (230), and if it is determined that the target device is a device providing energy services, it can update the information of the target device stored in the management file (235) to the first information of the first server (210).

[0114] Specifically, when the device type of the target device is C2C, the processor (130) can cross-check the second information received from the second server (220) and the information in the management file (235) stored in the third server (230) to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services, thereby confirming the presence of the VID of the target device. When the device type is C2C, it is possible to determine whether the device provides energy services based solely on the presence of the VID. When the VID of the target device exists in both the second information and the management file (235) stored in the third server (230), the processor (130) can determine the target device as a device that provides energy services. In addition, when the processor (130) determines that the target device is a device that provides energy services as described above, the processor (130) can update the information of the target device stored in the management file (235) to the first information of the first server (210). If the VID of the target device exists in the second information but does not exist in the management file (235), the processor (130) may determine that the target device is a device that does not provide energy services.

[0115] When the device type of the target device is a digital home appliance, the processor (130) can cross-check the second information received from the second server (220) and the information of the management file (235) stored in the third server (230) to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services, thereby confirming whether the VID of the target device exists and whether power usage information is provided.

[0116] If the processor (130) confirms that the target device is a device that provides VID and power usage in both the second information and the management file (235) stored in the third server (230), the processor can determine that the target device is a device that provides energy services.

[0117] When the device type of the target device is a short-range communication (e.g., ZIGBEE) device that shares a VID, the processor (130) can check whether a value corresponding to a combination of two or more of the VID, model code, and manufacturer code included in the second information is included in the information of the management file stored in the third server (230) to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services.

[0118] If the target device is a short-range communication device sharing a VID, a value combining two or more of the VID, model code, and manufacturer code included in the second information is pre-stored in the information of the management file stored in the third server (230).

[0119] If the target device is a short-range communication device that shares a VID, it is difficult to determine whether the target device is a device that provides energy services based on the VID alone. Therefore, if a value corresponding to the combination of the above-described codes is included in the information of the management file (235) stored in the third server (230), the processor (130) can determine the target device as a device that provides energy services.

[0120] Thereafter, the processor (130) determines whether the target device is an exception to the list of devices that provide information related to energy services (531). To this end, the processor (130) can check the third setting value included in the management file (235) to determine whether the target device is an exception to the list of devices that provide information related to energy services.

[0121] Specifically, if the VID of the target device exists in the second information of the second server (220), and the third setting value of the management file (235) is set to a value indicating that the target device is an exception to devices that provide information related to energy services, the processor (130) may determine the target device as a device that does not provide energy services even if all other conditions are satisfied. For example, in the case of a TV model that shares a VID, even if the power consumption is indicated in the device profile in the management file (235), it may not be the actual power consumption value of the TV (target device), and a value indicating this may be set in the third setting value. In this case, the processor (130) may check the third setting value and determine the target device as a device that does not provide energy services.

[0122] The methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between multiple user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0123] The above illustrates and describes specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A processor that requests first information about a device providing energy service among a plurality of devices connected to a smart home network, and if information about the target device does not exist in the first information received from the first server, requests second information about the plurality of devices connected to the smart home network to a second server, and cross-checks the second information received from the second server with information in a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy service; and A memory storing at least one of information about a plurality of devices connected to the smart home network and a device providing energy services; The above energy service is a service that provides information related to at least one of the power usage and saving modes of a device connected to the smart home network. The above management file is an energy service device that contains information about a device that provides energy services registered by an administrator through an input means.

2. In paragraph 1, The above processor, If information about the target device exists in the first information received from the first server, it is determined whether the target device provides information related to at least one of power usage and saving mode based on the first information. The above first information includes a first setting value indicating whether the device provides information related to the power usage, The above processor, An energy service device that verifies the first setting value of the target device using the device ID of the target device included in the first information, and determines whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first information further includes mode information indicating whether the device provides information related to the saving mode, The above processor, An energy service device that determines whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value and whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power saving mode based on the mode information.

4. In paragraph 3, The above first information includes a second setting value indicating whether the device is an exception target for providing information related to the above saving mode. The above processor, An energy service device that determines whether the target device is excluded from devices providing information related to the saving mode based on the second setting value when the target device is determined to be a device providing information related to the saving mode based on the above mode information.

5. In paragraph 4, Further comprising a service module for displaying information related to at least one of power usage and saving mode of the device providing the energy service on the energy service screen of the user terminal; The above processor, An energy service device that performs an update task for fixing a bug in the service module based on the first information so that the target device is displayed on the energy service screen when the target device is determined to be a device providing energy service while not being displayed on the energy service screen.

6. In paragraph 1, The above processor, An energy service device that cross-checks the second information received from the second server and the information in the management file stored in the third server, and, if the target device is determined to be a device providing energy service, updates the information of the target device stored in the management file to the first information of the first server.

7. In paragraph 1, The above second information includes information about the device type, The above device type includes at least one of a digital home appliance, a C2C (Cloud-To-Cloud) device, and a short-range communication device sharing a VID (Vender ID). The above processor, Based on the above second information, the device type of the target device is confirmed, An energy service device that determines whether the target device is a device that provides energy services by cross-checking the second information and the information in the management file stored in the third server based on the device type of the target device.

8. In paragraph 7, The above processor, An energy service device that verifies the existence of a VID of the target device by cross-checking the second information and the information of a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy services when the device type of the target device is C2C.

9. In paragraph 7, The above processor, An energy service device that cross-checks the second information with the information of a management file stored in a third server to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy services when the device type of the target device is a digital home appliance, and confirms whether the VID of the target device exists and whether power usage information is provided.

10. In paragraph 7, The above processor, An energy service device that checks whether a value corresponding to a combination of two or more of the VID, model code, and manufacturer code included in the second information is included in the information of the management file stored in the third server in order to determine whether the target device is a device providing energy service when the device type of the target device is a short-range communication device sharing a VID.

11. In paragraph 7, The above processor, If the second information contains a VID corresponding to the target device, and the information in the management file stored in the third server includes a third setting value indicating whether the device is an exception target for providing information related to energy services. An energy service device that further determines whether the target device is excluded from devices that provide information related to energy services based on the third setting value.

12. In order to check whether energy service is provided by a target device selected through a user interface of a user terminal among multiple devices connected to a smart home network, the first server is requested to provide first information about a device providing energy service among the multiple devices. If the first information received from the first server does not contain information about the target device, the second server is requested to provide second information about multiple devices connected to the smart home network. By cross-checking the second information received from the second server and the information in the management file stored in the third server, it is determined whether the target device is a device that provides energy services. The result of the judgment as to whether the target device is a device providing energy service is output on the screen of the user terminal. The above energy service is a service that provides information related to at least one of the power usage and saving modes of a device connected to the smart home network. An energy service method wherein the above management file includes information on a device providing energy services registered by an administrator through an input means.

13. In paragraph 12, If information about the target device exists in the first information received from the first server, it is determined whether the target device provides information related to at least one of power usage and saving mode based on the first information. The above first information includes a first setting value indicating whether the device provides information related to the power usage, The first setting value of the target device is confirmed using the device ID of the target device included in the first information, An energy service method for determining whether the target device is a device that provides information related to the power usage based on the first setting value.

14. In paragraph 12, If the target device is determined to be a device providing energy services by cross-checking the second information received from the second server and the information in the management file stored in the third server, An energy service method for updating information of the target device stored in the management file in the first information of the first server.

15. In paragraph 12, The above second information includes information about the device type, The above device type includes at least one of a digital home appliance, a C2C (Cloud-To-Cloud) device, and a short-range communication device sharing a VID (Vender ID). Based on the above second information, the device type of the target device is confirmed, An energy service method further comprising cross-checking the second information and the information of the management file stored in the third server based on the device type of the target device to determine whether the device provides energy service.

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