Equipment Integrated Control Protocol Based On Distributed Object-oriented Architecture

In this paper, we propose an equipment integrated control protocol based on a chstributed object-oriented architecture. On ths protocol, the equipment is controlled through an object-oriented interface which is compensated by an object request broker. The application of the protocol leads to flexible and easy integrated remote control in most equipment control systems. Introduction Recently, more and more electronic apparatuses such as TVs, VCRs, PCs and Set-TopBoxes arise. These apparatuses tend to support more complicated functions, and they also tend to be located and controlled simultaneously in one system. Under these circumstances, integrated and easier user interface that can be used commonly for controlling these apparatuses is indispensable. In thls paper, we propose a new remote control protocol. The protocol is widely applicable to various systems in whch an integrated control of distributed apparatuses is required such as home remote control systems and multimeha LANs. We describe the control archtecture of the protocol and the application system. Control Architecture The control architecture is based on a client.server manner. An apparatus, that. is a server, is controlled by request messages from a client controller. Therefore, the design of the interface and the implementation of the client-server middleware for the integrated control are essential. 1)Object Control Interface R-CC The control interface R-CC@emote serverControl Command) is object,-oriented, and it is composed of classes whch are templates of objects. Data and methods are encapsulated into an object, and each method is called by the related request message &.om a controller. Ths architecture leads to flexible and extensible integrated control, since the interface is independent of the implementation inside the objects. Figure 1 shows the class herarchy of the interface. Some classes are shown below. * Directory Class : provides methods to find servers such as existing apparatuses and their services. Parameter Class : provides methods to control parameters such as TV channel up/down. * Pointing Class : provides methods to move up/ down/right/left such as menu slection control. Stream Class : provides methods to control streams such as VCR control. Equipment. Class : provides methods to control common functions to most apparatuses such as power odoff. 2)Object Request Broker ORB client-server middleware ORB ( Object &quest To control dstributed remote apparatuses, a