Method for managing logical connections in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network station

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of domestic networks. A domestic network based on the present UpnP-Standard allows AV connections to be set up between two network subscriber stations. Network connections such as these are set up and managed under the control of a network station which is in the form of a control point. In this case, the UpnP-Standard allows the network station which is the form of a control point to log off the network after setting up an AV connection, and thus to be inactive while the AV connection that has been set up is in existence. This results in the problem that an AV connection which has been set up unnecessarily remains in existence even after the desired AV data stream has been transmitted, so that further connection requests for such stations must be answered with a rejection. The invention solves this problem in that it provides additional monitoring means in the network subscriber stations which determine whether the connection has remained unused for a specific time. If yes, a signaling request is sent to all the network subscriber stations. If the connection partner station does not then respond, the connection which has been set up can likewise be added autonomously by the requesting station.

1 . A method for monitoring audio/video connections hereinafter called AV connections which have been set up in a network of distributed stations which are networked with one another via at least one of a wire-free and a wire bus connections wherein a station monitored to determine whether the station which is AV connected to it has sent a logging-off message and, if yes, in that this station autonomously ends the setting up of the AV connection with the station which is logged off.  
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a station which is AV connected to another station sends a signaling request to the stations in the network in the situation where the AV connection has remained unused for a first specific time, and in that, in the situation where the signaling request remains unanswered by the station which is AV connected to the requesting station, the requesting station autonomously internally ends the setting up of the AV connection.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when a new connection request arrives, a station from which an AV connection to another station has already been set up, sends a signaling request to the stations in the network and in that, in the situation where the signaling request remains unanswered by the station which is AV connected to the requesting station, the requesting station autonomously internally ends the setting up of the AV connection.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein, in the situation in which it is found that the other station on the AV connection which has been set up is still registered in the network, the logical connection has remained unused for a second specific time, the station which is carrying out the check autonomously internally ends the setting up of the existing AV connection.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of audio and video data is transmitted via the AV connection.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the data transmissions in the network are carried out in accordance with the rules of the UPnP Standard.  
   
   
       7 . A network station for a network of distributed stations which are networked with one another via wire-free or wire bus connections, having means for setting up an audio/video connection hereinafter called AV connection to another station, wherein the network station has monitoring means which it uses to monitor whether the station which is AV connected to it has sent a logging-off message, and furthermore having connection ending means for autonomously ending the AV connection which has been set up when the monitoring means finds that the logging-off message has been sent from the station which is AV connected to it.  
   
   
       8 . The network station as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the monitoring means are also designed to monitor whether the AV connection which has been set up has remained unused for a first specific time and, if yes, to send a signaling request to the stations in the network, and is also designed such that it autonomously internally ends the setting up of the existing AV connection if the signaling request remains unanswered by the station which is AV connected to the requesting station.  
   
   
       9 . The network station as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the monitoring means is designed to send a signaling request to the network stations when a new connection request for a further station has arrived and it has been found that the AV connection which has been set up has been unused for that time, with autonomous ending of the setting up of the existing AV connection when the signaling request remains unanswered by the station which is AV connected to the requesting station.  
   
   
       10 . The network station as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the monitoring means are also designed such that they end the setting up of the existing AV connection autonomously when it is found that the other station in the AV connection which has been set up is admittedly still registered in the network, but that the AV connection has remained unused for a second specific time.  
   
   
       11 . The network station as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the network station is designed for data transmissions in accordance with the UPnP Standard.