JP2003006978A - Information processor, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which permits the inquiry of the maximum recording capacity or a remaining recordable capacity by using an AV/C command. SOLUTION: The acquisition of information on the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity from medium control equipment such as a VTR which is connected to an IEEE 1394 bus and carries out data recording and reproduction to and from a medium, is carried out using the AV/C command. The information on the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of the medium controlled by medium control equipment connected to the IEEE 1394 bus can easily be acquired on an application runlevel by issuing the inquiry AV/C command of the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity to the medium control equipment, such as the VTR, which is connected to the IEEE 1394 bus and carries out data recording and reproduction to and from the medium.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. In particular,
Commands are used to inquire about the data recordable time, recordable capacity, etc. to the control device of the data recording medium such as VTR, and inquire about the data recordable remaining time, recordable remaining capacity, etc. to the recording medium control device during the data recording process. The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can be executed as a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, IEEE (Institute of Electrical Engineer) has been used as a digital data interface.
s) The 1394 data interface has been used in many fields. The IEEE 1394 data interface has a data transfer rate higher than that of, for example, SCSI, and is isochronous (Isochrono) which is guaranteed to periodically transmit and receive a required data size.
us) Communication is possible. Therefore, IEEE 1394
The data interface is advantageous for transferring stream data such as AV (Audio / Video) in real time.

The data transmission system based on IEEE 1394 includes the above-mentioned Isochronous.
Asynchronous (Asy) that communicates asynchronously with the communication method
There is a communication method. In general, the isochronous communication method is used for transmitting and receiving data, and
The hornous) communication method is used for transmitting and receiving various control commands. It is possible to send and receive by these two types of communication methods using one cable.

Electronic equipment such as various types of digital AV equipment and personal computer equipment is installed in the IEEE (Institute of El
Electrical Engineers) 1394 or the like to establish a data transmission system capable of transmitting and receiving data between devices by mutually connecting via a data bus conforming to a digital data interface standard.

In such an AV system, so-called remote control is also possible. For example, when the disc recording / reproducing apparatus and the personal computer are connected via a data bus, the recording / reproducing of the disc recording / reproducing apparatus and the operation of editing the recording source can be performed by the operation on the personal computer side. Becomes

FIG. 1 shows a TV 101, VTRs 1, 103,
VTR2, 104, and personal computer (P
C: Personal Computer) 102 is connected via an IEEE 1394 serial bus 105. TV101, VTR1, 103, VTR2, 104
Each of the IEEE 1394 compatible devices is an IEEE 1394
A transmission / reception unit is held as an interface with the serial bus 105. TV101, VTR1, 103,
The VTRs 2 and 104 are, for example, from a personal computer (PC) 102 to an IEEE 1394 serial bus 1
Processing corresponding to each device in response to commands transmitted via 05 (eg image output, playback, recording, etc.)
To execute.

Personal computer (PC) 102
Via the IEEE 1394 serial bus 105
It is possible to communicate with each of the V101, VTR1, 103, VTR2, 104, and further, the TV101, VTR
1, 103 and VTRs 2, 104 as a controller, the TV 101, VTRs 1, 10
3 and VTRs 2 and 104 can be output.

TV 10 which is an IEEE 1394 compatible device
The internal structure of each of the VTR 1, 103, VTR 2 and 104 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 shows the IEEE1
The structural example of VTR as an example of a 394 compatible device is shown. The PHY-IC 20 is provided inside the transmission / reception unit 201.
3, a LINK-IC 204, and an IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 205. PHY-IC203 is IEEE
According to the 1394 standard protocol, IEEE 1394
The communication with the IEEE serial bus 210 is controlled via the terminal 202, and the IEEE 1394 serial bus 210 is controlled.
The isochronous packet in which the digital video data and the digital audio data supplied from the above are packetized, or the asynchronous packet in which the control signal is packetized is supplied to the LINK-IC 204. PHY-
The IC 203 also outputs the isochronous packet and the asynchronous packet supplied from the LINK-IC 204 to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 210.

The LINK-IC204 is a PHY-IC2.
Asynchronous packet supplied from
The E1394 control microcomputer 205 converts it into a digital signal (command) that can be decoded and supplies it to the IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 205, or converts the digital signal supplied from the IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 205 into an asynchronous packet and supplies it to the PHY-IC 203. LI
The NK-IC 204 also converts the isochronous packet supplied from the PHY-IC 203 into a digital signal, and converts main data (for example, digital video data, digital audio data) input from the device into an isochronous packet, and then converts the PHY into PHY. -Supply to IC203.

The IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 205 is
The command supplied from LINK-IC204 is VTR
While transferring to the control microcomputer 206, a response corresponding to the command is generated, and the LINK-IC204 is generated.
Output to.

The VTR control microcomputer 206 is an IEEE1
In response to the command supplied from the 394 control microcomputer 205, a circuit (not shown) inside the VTR is controlled to execute various processes. IEEE1 configured in this way
The VTR as a 394 compatible device can communicate with each connected device via the IEEE 1394 serial bus 210.

For example, when a VTR is caused to execute a predetermined function, a personal computer (PC) commands the execution of the function, for example, an AV for reproduction, recording, rewinding, etc.
/ C command (AV / C Digital interface Command Set)
(Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as AV / C command)
Are transmitted to the VTR via the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

Upon receipt of the AV / C command, the VTR executes a process corresponding to the AV / C command and outputs a predetermined response to the personal computer (PC) which is the transmission source of the AV / C command. IEEE 1394
Various commands are transmitted and received between the devices connected to the bus, and the processes according to the commands are executed in each device.

[0014]

Conventionally, as an inquiry command using an AV / C command to a control device of a data recording medium, for example, a command for inquiring a recording mode of the recording medium, for example, SP or LP, or a medium ( ex.cassette), whether or not recording of the set media is possible, and a recording protection status inquiry command.

However, as a command for the control device of the data recording medium, a command for inquiring the recordable time or recordable capacity of the medium is not prepared.
Therefore, for example, a PC connected to the IEEE 1394 bus
To the VTR, it is not possible to inquire about the recordable time and recordable capacity of the media and display it on the PC display. Convenience in processing such as selecting the device according to the time and capacity of the data to be recorded. Was lacking.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and the control device of the data recording medium can receive the data recordable time and the recordable capacity of the medium by a command from another device connected to the bus. An information processing apparatus and an information processing method, which enable execution of inquiries regarding data recording remaining time, recordable remaining capacity, etc. to a recording medium control device during data recording processing. And to provide a program.

[0017]

The first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
A media control device that is connected to another information processing device via a bus and executes data transfer via the bus, and is connected to the bus and executes media control to a media control device that controls a data recording medium. AV / C command (AV / C Digital
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that generates an Interface Command Set); and a data transmission unit that transmits the AV / C command generated by the control unit.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the recording capacity information of the medium is at least one of the maximum recording capacity and the remaining recordable capacity of the medium.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the data transmitting means transmits the AV / C command generated by the control means to an asynchronous (Async).
It is characterized in that it is configured to be transmitted as a (honourous) communication packet.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the AV / C command as the recording capacity information acquisition request command of the medium is either the maximum recording capacity of the medium or the recordable remaining capacity of the information request command. It is characterized in that the configuration includes selection data indicating whether or not

Further, in one embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the control means is an AV / C at an application layer level of an IEEE 1394 protocol stack.
It is characterized in that the command generating process is executed.

Further, a second aspect of the present invention is a media control device which is connected to another information processing device via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium. And an AV / C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command S) as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for media.
et), which responds to the command based on the reception of
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that generates a correspondence response; and a data transmission unit that transmits the AV / C correspondence response generated by the control unit.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the data transmission means transmits the AV / C compatible response generated by the control means to an asynchronous (As
It is characterized in that it is transmitted as a communication packet.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the AV / C compatible response includes an operand as response actual data, and the operand is at least the maximum recording capacity or the recordable remaining capacity of the medium. It is characterized in that it is data indicating either the recordable data amount or the recordable time.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the control means is an AV / C at an application layer level of an IEEE 1394 protocol stack.
It is characterized in that the corresponding response generation process is executed.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus and executes data transfer via the bus, and is connected to the bus. , A for generating an AV / C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command Set) as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for the media to the media control device that controls the data recording media A
An information processing method comprising a V / C command generation step and a data transmission step of transmitting the AV / C command.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the recording capacity information of the medium is at least one of a maximum recording capacity and a recordable remaining capacity of the medium.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the data transmitting step is the AV / C.
It is characterized in that the AV / C command generated in the command generation step is transmitted as an Asynchronous communication packet.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the AV / C command generating step is
It is characterized in that the V / C command includes a step of storing selection data indicating whether the information request command is the maximum recording capacity of the medium or the recordable remaining capacity.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the information processing device is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the AV / C command generating step is I
It is characterized in that AV / C command generation processing is executed at the application layer level of the EEE1394 protocol stack.

Further, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a media control device which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium. Information processing method in an information processing apparatus of the above, which is an AV / C command (AV / C Digital
Interface / Command Set), an AV / C corresponding response that responds to the command is generated.
An information processing method is characterized by including a C corresponding response generating step and a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C corresponding response.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the data transmitting step is the AV / C.
AV / C generated in the corresponding response generation step
Corresponding response to Asynchronous (Asyncron
It is characterized in that it is transmitted as a communication packet.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, in the AV / C compatible response generating step, at least one of the maximum recording capacity and the remaining recordable capacity of the medium is used as an operand as response actual data. The method is characterized by including the step of storing the data indicated by either the recordable data amount or the recordable time.

Further, in an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, the information processing device is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the AV / C command generating step is I
It is characterized in that the AV / C-compatible response generation process is executed at the application layer level of the EEE1394 protocol stack.

Further, a fifth aspect of the present invention is a program which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus and causes an information processing apparatus for executing data transfer via the bus to execute information processing on a computer system. In addition, an AV / C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command Set) as a recording capacity information acquisition request command of the medium is connected to the media control device which is connected to the bus and controls the data recording medium. Generate A
A program characterized by comprising a V / C command generation step and a data transmission step of transmitting the AV / C command.

Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention is a media control device which is connected to another information processing device via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium. AV / C command (AV / C Digital I) which is a program for executing information processing in the information processing apparatus of the present invention on a computer system and is a recording capacity information acquisition request command of media.
an AV / C that responds to the command based on the reception of the command
The program is characterized by comprising a corresponding response generating step and a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C corresponding response.

The program of the present invention is, for example, a medium provided in a computer-readable format to a general-purpose computer system capable of executing various program codes, for example, a storage medium such as a CD, FD, or MO. It is a program that can be provided by being stored in, and can also be provided by a transmission medium such as a network.

Such a program regulates the execution of various functions of the system based on the reading of the program under the control of the processor and exerts a cooperative action on the system. It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the side surface.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention are as follows.
It will be clarified by a more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described below and the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and is not limited to a device in which each configuration is provided in the same housing.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
A description will be given with reference to the drawings. The devices interconnected by the data bus according to the IEEE 1394 data interface format include, for example, an image recording / reproducing device,
There is an audio recording / reproducing device. These are specifically VT
R, MD recorder / player, TV, etc. For example, a personal computer (PC) that controls (remotely controls) these devices can be connected to the IEEE 1394 bus, and the personal computer executes various controls on the connected devices.

IEEE1 as the information processing apparatus of the present invention
A connection configuration example of a 394 compatible device will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration example of FIG. 3 is a monitor (IEEE1394 compatible device) 320 and a VTR (IEEE1394 compatible device).
This is an example in which 330 is connected by an IEEE 1394 bus 310.

Monitor (IEEE1394 compliant device) 32
0, and PHY-ICs 323, 333 and LINK-IC32 as data processing means inside the transmitting / receiving units 321 and 331 of the VTR (IEEE1394 compatible device) 330.
4,334, IEEE1394 control microcomputer 325,3
35.

The PHY-ICs 323 and 333 take charge of the electrical interface of the physical layer, and the LINK-IC 32.
Convert parallel data from 4,334 to serial
Generates electrical signal of IEEE 1394 standard, and conversely IEEE
The 1394 standard signal is returned to serial data and transmitted as parallel data to the LINK-ICs 324 and 334. The PHY-ICs 323 and 333 are buses (cables).
State recognition, bus initialization, and arbitration processing. That is, PHY-IC 323,333
Conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard protocol.
Controls communication with the IEEE serial bus 310 via the IEEE 1394 terminals 322 and 332.
4 LINK-IC 324 is an isochronous packet in which digital video data or digital audio data supplied from the serial bus 310 is packetized, or an asynchronous packet in which a control signal is packetized.
334. The PHY-ICs 323 and 333 also send the isochronous packets and asynchronous packets supplied from the LINK-ICs 324 and 334 to the IE.
Output to the EE1394 serial bus 310.

The LINK-ICs 324 and 334 are responsible for the data link layer and are responsible for the PHY-I of the transmission data packet.
Transmission to C323, 333, PHY-IC 323, 33
3 Send the received packet to the transaction / application layer. That is, PHY-IC32
Asynchronous packets supplied from 3,333
It is converted into a digital signal (command) that can be decoded by the IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 325, 335, and IEEE 13
94 control microcomputers 325, 335 or IEEE
The digital signal supplied from the E1394 control microcomputer 325, 335 is converted into an asynchronous packet, and the PH
It is supplied to the Y-ICs 323 and 333. LINK-IC3
24 and 334 also convert the isochronous packets supplied from the PHY-ICs 323 and 333 into digital signals, and convert the main data (for example, digital video data, digital audio data) input from the device into isochronous packets. , PHY-IC323,
333.

IEEE 1394 control microcomputer 325, 3
35 transfers the command supplied from the LINK-ICs 324 and 334 to the monitor control microcomputer 326 or the VTR control microcomputer 336, generates a response corresponding to the command, and outputs the LINK-IC 324.
Output to 334.

Monitor control microcomputer 326 or VTR
The control microcomputer 336 controls a circuit (not shown) inside the device in response to the command supplied from the IEEE 1394 control microcomputers 325 and 335 to execute various processes.

The 1394-compatible device configured as described above can execute data transmission / reception and communication with other connected devices via the IEEE 1394 serial bus 310.

VTR as a device compatible with IEEE 1394
When a predetermined function is to be executed by an IEEE 1394 serial bus, for example, an AV / C command for reproducing, recording, rewinding, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as an AV / C command) for instructing the execution of the function is used. Via VTR
To transmit.

Upon receipt of the AV / C command, the VTR executes a process corresponding to the AV / C command and outputs a predetermined response to a source of the AV / C command, for example, a personal computer (PC).

The transmission / reception of AV / C commands transmitted via the bus is performed by the transmission / reception unit (PHY-IC, LINK) of each device.
-IC etc.) executes. Execution of the received command and operation control of the information processing apparatus are performed by the control means of each device, such as the monitor control microcomputer 326 and the VTR control microcomputer 3 in FIG.
27 executes.

In the AV / C command generation processing or the AV / C correspondence response generation processing corresponding to the received AV / C command, the basic information necessary for command generation or response generation is the control means of each device, For example, the monitor control microcomputer 326 and the VTR control microcomputer 3 shown in FIG.
The information acquired in 27 is provided to the 1394 control means (1394 control microcomputers 325 and 335 in FIG. 3), and the 1394 control means generates and outputs a command and a response based on the basic information.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of a cable actually used as an IEEE 1394 bus. In this figure, connectors 400A and 400B are cables 40
1 and the pin numbers 1 to 6 are used as the pin terminals of the connectors 400A and 400B.
6 shows that 6 pins are used. Connector 40
Regarding the pin terminals provided on 0A and 400B, the pin number 1 is the power source (VP) and the pin number 2 is the ground (V
G), pin number 3 is TPB1, pin number 4 is TPB2,
The pin number 5 is TPA1 and the pin number 5 is TPA2. The connection form of each pin between the connectors 400A and 400B is as follows.

Connector 400A-Connector 400B Pin No. 1 (VP) -Pin No. 1 (VP) Pin No. 2 (VG) -Pin No. 2 (VG) Pin No. 3 (TPB1) -Pin No. 5 (TPA1) Pin No. 4 (TPB2) -Pin No. 6 (TPA2) Pin number 5 (TPA1) -Pin number 3 (TPB1) Pin No. 6 (TPA2) -Pin No. 4 (TPB2)

Of the above-mentioned set of pin connections, two twisted wire sets of pin number 3 (TPB1) -pin number 5 (TPA1) pin number 4 (TPB2) -pin number 6 (TPA2) are differentially connected. A signal line 401A for mutually transmitting signals is formed, and a differential is formed by a set of two twisted wires of pin number 5 (TPA1) -pin number 3 (TPB1) pin number 6 (TPA2) -pin number 4 (TPB2). Form a signal line 401B for mutually transmitting signals.

The above-mentioned two sets of signal line 401A and signal line 40
The signals transmitted by 1B are the data signal (Data) shown in FIG. 5A and the strobe signal (Strobe) shown in FIG. 5B. The data signal shown in FIG. 5A is output from TPB1 and TPB2 using one of the signal line 401A and the signal line 401B and input to TPA1 and TPA2. The strobe signal shown in FIG. 5B is a signal obtained by performing a predetermined logical operation on the data signal and the transmission clock synchronized with this data signal, and has a frequency lower than the actual transmission clock. Have.
This strobe signal is the signal line 401A or the signal line 40.
Of the 1B, the other signal line not used for data signal transmission is used to output from TPA1 and TPA2.
Input to 1 and 2.

For example, the data signal and the strobe signal shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are some IEEE 1394 signals.
If it is input to a corresponding device, this device performs a predetermined logical operation on the input data signal and strobe signal to generate a transmission clock (Clock) as shown in FIG. 5C. And used for required input data signal processing. In the IEEE 1394 format, by adopting such a hardware-like data transmission form, it is not necessary to transmit a transmission clock having a high-speed cycle between devices by a cable, and reliability of signal transmission is improved. In the above description, the specification of 6 pins has been described, but in the IEEE 1394 format, the power supply (VP) and the ground (VG) are omitted, and the 4 pins including only the signal line 401A and the signal line 401B, which are two twisted lines, are used. There is also a specification of. For example, in the MD recorder / player 1 of the present embodiment, in actuality, it is considered that a simpler system can be provided to the user by using the 4-pin specification cable.

The signals of IEEE1394 are TPA and TP.
The combination of B is performed. In initialization, arbitration, and idle, analog communication is performed, and in data packet communication, a clock is generated and digital communication is executed. The two signal lines of TPA and TPB are 1, 0,
Takes three values of Z (high impedance). TPA and TPB for initialization, arbitration, and idol
The content of communication is determined by the combination of.

FIG. 6 shows a stack model of IEEE1394. The IEEE 1394 format is roughly classified into an asynchronous system and an isochronous system. Here, as a layer common to the asynchronous system and the isochronous system, a physical layer (layer) is provided at the lowest position, and a link layer (layer) is provided above it. The physical layer is a layer for controlling hardware-like signal transmission, and the link layer is a layer having a function for converting the IEEE 1394 bus into, for example, an internal bus specified for each device.

The physical layer, the link layer, and the transaction layer described below are linked to the bus management by the event / control / configuration line.

A transaction layer is provided above the link layer in the asynchronous system. The transaction layer is a layer that defines a data transmission protocol as IEEE 1394, and basic asynchronous-transactions include a write transaction, a read transaction, and a lock transaction.

FCP for upper layer of transaction layer
(Function Control Protocol) is specified. FCP
Is an AV / C command (AV / C Digital Interface Comman
By using a control command defined as d Set), command control for various AV devices can be executed.

For the upper layer of the transaction layer, CMP (connection management procedure: Connecti)
on Management Procedures) to set a plug (logical device connection relation in IEEE 1394) (Plug Control Register: Plug Control Register).
sters) is defined.

A CIP header format is defined above the link layer in the isochronous system.
Transmission protocols such as DV transmission standard, MPEG transmission standard, Audio & Music transmission standard, etc. are defined in a form managed by the P header format.

The DV transmission standard is a digital VTR (Video T
ape Recorder) is a data transmission protocol. SD-DVCR Realtime Transmi
The data handled by the session is SD-DVCR reco
A data sequence (SD-DVCR data sequence) obtained in accordance with the regulation of the rding format.
ce). In addition, HD-DVCR Realti
Data handled by meTransmission is HD
A data sequence (SD-DVCR d obtained according to the rules of DVCR recording format)
ATA sequence). SDL-DVCR
Data handled by Realtime Transmission is SDL-DVCR recording for.
The data sequence (SD
-DVCR data sequence).

The MPEG transmission standard is a transmission protocol corresponding to, for example, a tuner corresponding to digital satellite broadcasting, and the data handled by this is DVB recording.
format or ATV recording f
It is a data sequence (MPEG2-TS data sequence) obtained according to the specifications of the ormat.

The Audio & Music transmission standard is a transmission protocol compatible with all digital audio devices including the MD system of this embodiment,
The data that this handles is Audio and Music.
A data sequence (Audio and Music) obtained according to the definition of recording format.
data sequence).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a communication layer structure in IEEE1394. The communication layer of IEEE 1394 is composed of a physical layer, a link layer, a transaction layer, and three layers, and a serial bus management.

The physical layer is a layer that performs signal processing between an electric signal to be transmitted and received and a link layer, and defines a mechanical interface such as a connector and a cable, encodes and decodes a signal used by the link layer, and sets a signal level.
Performs arbitration, resynchronization processing of communication clocks, bus initialization detection processing, etc.

The link layer executes signal processing between the physical layer and the transaction layer, and performs address allocation, data check, packet transmission / reception, and cycle control. Isochronous data is processed without passing through the transaction layer.

The transaction layer executes signal processing between the upper application and the link layer. Processing such as data reading and writing is executed. That is, the inter-node communication is performed by transmitting the request packet, receiving the response packet, further receiving the request packet, and transmitting the response packet using the processing of the link layer.

Serial bus management controls all three layers, and the configuration RO
M, CSR (Control and Status Register) registers and the like are included.

Next, the data transmission / reception processing in the IEEE 1394 system will be described. In the IEEE 1394 format, data transmission is performed by repeating an isochronous cycle (nominal cycle) cycle as shown in FIG. In this case, one isochronous cycle is 125 μsec, and the bandwidth is 1
This corresponds to 00 MHz. It is specified that the period of the isochronous cycle may be other than 125 μsec. Then, in every isochronous cycle, the data is packetized and transmitted.

As shown in this figure, a cycle start packet indicating the start of one isochronous cycle is arranged at the beginning of the isochronous cycle. The generation timing of this cycle start packet is instructed by a specific device in the IEEE 1394 system defined as the cycle master. Following the cycle start packet, the isochronous packet is preferentially arranged. Isochronous packets can be used for each channel (ch1, ch1,
After being packetized in 2), they are arranged in a time division manner and transferred (isochronous subsection). Also,
A pause section (for example, 0.05 μsec) called an isochronous gap is provided at the delimiter for each packet in the isochronous subsection. As described above, in the IEEE 1394 system, it is possible to transmit and receive isochronous data in multiple channels by using one transmission line.

Here, for example, when the compressed audio data (hereinafter also referred to as ATRAC data) supported by the MD recorder / player is transmitted by the isochronous method, the ATRAC data has a transfer rate of 1.4 Mb at a 1 × speed.
If it is ps, if at least about 20 Mbytes of ATRAC data is transmitted as an isochronous packet in every isochronous cycle period of 125 μsec, time-series continuity (real-time property)
Will be secured. For example, a device is ATRA
When transmitting C data, to the IRM (Isochronous Resource Manager) in the IEEE 1394 system,
Request an isochronous packet size that ensures real-time transmission of ATRAC data. The IRM monitors the current data transmission status and gives permission / non-permission. When the permission is given, ATRAC data is packetized into isochronous packets and transmitted by a designated channel. This is called bandwidth reservation in the IEEE 1394 interface.

Asynchronous subsection, that is, asynchronous packet transmission is performed by using the remaining band which is not used by the isochronous subsection in the band of the isochronous cycle. In FIG. 8, two asynchronous packets A and B are
It shows an example where a packet is being sent. After the asynchronous packet, the acknowledgment gap (Ackn
The ACK (Acknowledge) signal is accompanied by the rest period of the owledge gap (0.05 μsec). ACK is
In the process of an asynchronous transaction, it is output from the receiving side by hardware to notify the transmitting side that data has been received. In addition, a pause period called a subsection gap of about 10 μsec is provided before and after a data transmission unit consisting of an asynchronous packet and an ACK that follows it. here,
AUX that transmits ATRAC data by an isochronous packet and is attached to the ATRAC data
If the data file is transmitted by asynchronous packet, it seems that ATRAC data and AU
It becomes possible to transmit the X data file at the same time.

FIG. 9 shows a basic communication rule (transaction rule) in asynchronous communication. This transaction rule is defined by the FCP. As shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S11, the requester (transmission side) transmits a request to the responder (reception side). Upon receiving this request (step S12), the responder first returns an acknowledge (Acknowledge) to the requester (step S13). The transmitting side recognizes that the requester has been received by the receiving side by receiving the acknowledge (step S14). After that, the responder transmits a response to the requester as a response to the request received in the previous step S12 (step S15).

The requester receives the response (step S16) and, in response to this, transmits an acknowledge to the responder (step S17). By receiving the acknowledge, the responder recognizes that the response is received by the transmitting side.

Request transactions to be transmitted are roughly classified into three types, that is, a write request, a read request, and a lock request. Light (Wri
The te) request is a command for requesting data write, and the read (Read) request is a command for requesting data read. Lock
Requests can be swapped, compared, comp
are), a command for a mask, etc.

For the write (Read) request and the read (Read) request, three types are further defined according to the data size of the command (operand) stored in the asynchronous packet. Request (dat
a Quadlet) transmits a command only by the header size of an asynchronous packet. The request (data block: data length = 4 bytes) and the request (data block: data length ≠ 4 bytes) add a data block to the header as an asynchronous packet to perform command transmission.
The difference is whether the data size of the operand stored in the data block is 4 bytes or more.

As the response transaction, a write response or a No response is defined for the above-mentioned three types of write requests. In addition, the lead (Rea
d) A read response (data Qquadlet) is defined for the request (data quadlet), and a read (Read) request (data block: data length = 4 bytes) or read (Rea)
d) Request (data block: data length ≠ 4 byt
For e), a read response (data block) is defined.

A lock (Lock) response is defined for the lock (Lock) request.

FIG. 10 shows the addressing structure of the IEEE 1394 bus. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the IEEE 1394 format, 64 bits are prepared as a bus address register (address space). The upper 10-bit area of this register is IEEE
A bus ID for identifying the E1394 bus is shown in FIG.
As shown in 0 (b), buses # 0 to # are set as bus IDs.
It is possible to set a total of 1023 bus IDs of 1022. Bus # 1023 is defined as a local bus.

In FIG. 10A, the 6-bit area following the bus address is the IEEE indicated by the bus ID.
Node ID of the device connected to each E1394 bus
Indicates. As shown in FIG. 10C, the node ID can identify 63 node IDs of the nodes # 0 to # 62. A 16-bit area indicating the bus ID and the node ID is an AV / C Command described later.
destinati in the header of d Packet
onID, which corresponds to this bus ID and node I
By D, the device connected to a certain bus is IEEE13
94 system.

2 following the node ID in FIG.
The 0-bit area is a register space, and the 28-bit area following the register space is a register address. Register space value is [F FF FF
h] to indicate the register shown in FIG. 10 (d), and the contents of this register are defined as shown in FIG. 10 (e). The register address specifies the address of the register shown in FIG.

To briefly explain, in the register of FIG. 10E, for example, the address 512 [0 00 02 0
By referring to the serial bus dependent register starting from 0h], the cycle time of the isochronous cycle and the information of the empty channel can be obtained. Further, referring to the contents of the configuration ROM starting from the address 1024 [0 00 04 00h],
From the node model, the node unique ID attached to the model can also be identified.

The AV / C command will be described. In asynchronous communication, FCP (Function Control P
(rotocol) can communicate with various AV devices using AV / C commands. FCP is IEEE
This is a protocol (IEC61883-1 standard) for controlling AV equipment in the 1394 system, and the controlling side is the controller and the controlled side is the target.

An AV / C command is generated at the application level on the controller side, a header is generated for the AV / C command at the transaction layer, and the header is transmitted to the target. Further, the target that has received the AV / C command from the controller side responds to the A / V response corresponding to the AV / C command at the application level.
A V / C command is generated, a header is generated for the AV / C compatible response in the transaction layer, and the header is transmitted to the controller. A general AV / C command format will be described with reference to FIG.
The AV / C compatible response is 1 of AV / C command.
It is a form and is distinguished by CT / RC described below.

FIG. 11A shows the format of a general AV / C command. CT / RC (command type / r
esponse code) represents the function classification of the command or the processing result of the command. FIG. 11B shows an example of commands and responses. In the above-mentioned CT / RC, for example, if the command is a CONTROL command, 00, S
If the command is a TATUS command, 01 is described, if it is a SPECIFIC command, 02, if it is a NOTIFY command, 03, and if it is a GENERAL command, 04. For example, the STATUS command is a status inquiry command, and NOTIFY requests the controller to notify when there is a change in the target status. As a response, NOT IMPLEMENTED is 08, ACCEPTED is 09, REJECTE
D stores 0A, IN TRANSITION stores 0B, STABLE / IMPLEMENTED stores 0C, CHANGED stores 0D, and INTERIUM stores 0F.
For example, NOT IMPLEMENTED means that the target does not correspond to the command. ACCEPTED means the command has been accepted. REJECTED means reject the requested command.

Following CT / RC in the AV / C command format in FIG. 11A, Dest. (Destinat
ion) is stored. This indicates whether this packet is for the entire unit or some of the subunits that make up the unit. Further, the operation code (OPECODE) indicates the code of the command, and finally the operand as the command parameter is stored.

In the system of the present invention, this AV /
For the information processing device as a media control device that executes control of the data recording medium using the C command,
Using commands from other devices connected to the bus, inquires about the recordable time of the media, recordable capacity, etc., and the recordable remaining time of the recording media control device during the data recording process, inquiry about the recordable remaining capacity, etc. It is what you do. The medium is a data recordable medium, and includes various data recordable media such as VTRs, MDs, CDs, and semiconductor memories. An information processing device as a media control device is a device that controls data recording or reproduction processing for each of these media. A media control device described below is connected to another information processing device by a data transferable bus such as an IEEE 1394 bus, and is connected to an AV via the bus.
/ C command is transmitted / received to execute various processes.

First, FIG. 12 shows an example of an AV / C command for inquiring the maximum recording capacity to the control device of the medium by a command from another device connected to the bus. Command example A is an example of the maximum recording capacity inquiry AV / C command when a unique operation code is assigned to the AV / C command for inquiring about the maximum recording capacity, and command example B
Is an example of the maximum recording capacity inquiry AV / C command when the AV / C command for inquiring about the maximum recording capacity is a vendor unique command.

In the command example A, a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry) is set in CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command. Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a subunit of a VTR as a control device for media is stored, and an operation code indicating a command type is set for a command for inquiring the maximum recording capacity. Set the opcode [DBh]. Dummy data [FFh] is stored in the next operand field.

Also in the command example B, CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command
Is set to a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry). Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a VTR subunit serving as a media control device is stored.

In the next operation code field, a vendor dependent code [00h] indicating a vendor unique command is stored. In the next operand field, the first 3 bytes are used to store a company code, for example, [08h, 00h, 46h], and the next 1 byte is a code indicating that this packet is a command for inquiring the maximum recording capacity. [32h] is stored. Dummy data [FF
h] is stored.

The transmission of the AV / C command transmitted via the bus is performed by the transmitting / receiving unit (PHY-I) of each device described in FIG.
C, LINK-IC, etc.). In the AV / C command generation processing, the basic information necessary for generating the AV / C command is 1394 from the control means of each device, for example, the monitor control microcomputer 326 and the VTR control microcomputer 327 in FIG.
Control means (1394 control microcomputers 325, 33 in FIG. 3)
5) and the command is generated and output based on the basic information provided to the 1394 control means (1394 control microcomputers 325 and 335 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 13 shows an example of response data generated on the target side when the command for inquiring about the maximum recording capacity shown in FIG. 12 is received. FIG. 13A shows an example of a response by a unit capable of responding to the maximum recording capacity inquiry command, and FIG. 13B shows an example of a response by a unit not capable of responding to the maximum recording capacity inquiry command.

In the response example of the unit capable of responding to the maximum recording capacity inquiry command in FIG. 13A, first, CT / RC and Des are set in the first 3 bytes.
t. , The opcode is stored. The CT / RC has a Stabl indicating that the response corresponds to the command.
The code [0Ch] indicating e is stored. Dest. ，
The operation code is a code similar to the code in the received maximum recording capacity inquiry command, Dest. = [20
h] and operation code = [DBh] are stored. Response actual data is stored in the operand. Specifically, data regarding the maximum recording time in the currently recording or recordable mode or the standard mode is stored. A specific example is shown in FIG. For example, when [01] is stored as the operand, the maximum recording capacity is 5 minutes,
When [02] is stored as the operand, it indicates that the maximum recording capacity is 10 minutes. When [00] is stored as the operand, it indicates that the maximum recording capacity cannot be detected, and when [60] is stored as the operand, it means that the medium, for example, the VTR cassette is not set. Indicates. Note that these examples are only examples, and other response data configurations may be used. For example, 1 minute unit data or second unit data is stored as a response, or when the device has a plurality of recording modes, the maximum recording capacity (time) in each mode is stored as a response. Good.

AV / received by the transmitting / receiving means
In the AV / C compliant response generation process corresponding to the C command, the basic information necessary for the AV / C compliant response generation is acquired by the control means of each device, for example, the monitor control microcomputer 326 and the VTR control microcomputer 327 in FIG. The obtained information is transferred to the 1394 control means (139 in FIG. 3).
4 control microcomputer 325, 335), and 1394
A response is generated and output based on the basic information provided by the control means. The AV / C compatible response corresponding to the AV / C command received by the transmitting / receiving means is generated not only during the data recording process but also during the recording medium control device during the data recording process. The media control device as an IEEE 1394 compatible device generates a response storing data such as a data recordable remaining time and a recordable remaining capacity according to the command as an AV / C compatible response (AV / C command).

The response data configuration example shown in FIG. 13A is a response corresponding to the command example A in FIG. 12, and the response corresponding to the command example B in FIG. 12 is CT / RC to OPC. The upper 3 bytes of the operand are
The data is the same as the command example B in FIG. 12, and the configuration code and the response data of the vendor are stored after that.

Note that the response data configuration example shown in FIG. 13B is data indicating the maximum recording capacity of the medium in terms of the recordable time. However, as the recordable data amount, for example, a data amount such as bytes or megabytes is used. It may be configured as shown.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a response from a target that does not support the maximum recording capacity inquiry command.
As shown in (c). First, CT / R in the first 3 bytes
C, Dest. , The opcode is stored. CT / RC
Indicates that the command is not supported by Not Im
A code [08h] indicating "plemented" is stored. Dest. , The same code as the code in the received maximum recording capacity inquiry command is stored as the operation code and the operand.

Note that the response data configuration example shown in FIG. 13C is a response corresponding to the command example A in FIG. 12, and the response corresponding to the command example B in FIG. N that indicates correspondence
Code indicating ot Implemented [08h]
Is stored, and after that, Des of the command example B in FIG. 12 is stored.
t. The same data as in ~ is stored.

Next, FIG. 14 shows an example of an AV / C command for inquiring the remaining recording capacity, that is, the remaining recordable capacity, to the control device of the medium by a command from another device connected to the bus. Command example C is an example of a recordable remaining capacity inquiry AV / C command when a unique operation code is assigned to the AV / C command for inquiring about the recordable remaining capacity, and command example D is an AV / C that inquires about the recordable remaining capacity. It is an example of a recordable remaining capacity inquiry AV / C command when the C command is a vendor unique command.

In command example C, a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry) is set in CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command. Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a VTR subunit serving as a medium control device is stored, and an operation code indicating a command type is set for a command for inquiring the remaining recordable capacity. Opcode [DCh] is set. Dummy data [FFh] is stored in the next operand field.

Also in the command example D, CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command
Is set to a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry). Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a VTR subunit serving as a media control device is stored.

In the next operation code field, a vendor dependent code [00h] indicating a vendor unique command is stored. In the next operand field, the first 3 bytes are used to store a company code, for example, [08h, 00h, 46h], and the next 1 byte indicates that this packet is a command for inquiring the remaining recordable capacity. The code [35h] is stored. Dummy data [F
Fh] is stored.

FIG. 15 shows an example of response data generated on the target side when the command for inquiring the remaining recordable capacity shown in FIG. 14 is received. FIG. 15A is an example of a response from a unit that can respond to the remaining recordable capacity inquiry command, and FIG. 15C is an example of a response from a unit that does not correspond to the remaining recordable capacity inquiry command. .

In the response example of the unit capable of responding to the recordable remaining capacity inquiry command in FIG. 15A, CT / RC and Des are first set in the first 3 bytes.
t. , The opcode is stored. The CT / RC has a Stabl indicating that the response corresponds to the command.
The code [0Ch] indicating e is stored. Dest. ，
The operation code is a code similar to the code in the received recordable remaining capacity inquiry command, Dest. = [20
h] and operation code = [DCh] are stored.

Response actual data is stored in the operand. Specifically, data relating to the remaining recordable time in the currently recording or recordable mode is stored.
A specific example is shown in FIG. For example, when [01] is stored as the operand, the remaining recordable capacity is 5
If [02] is stored as the minute and the operand, it indicates that the remaining recordable capacity is 10 minutes. When [00] is stored as the operand, it indicates that the remaining recordable capacity cannot be detected, and when [60] is stored as the operand, it means that the medium, for example, the VTR cassette is not set. Indicates that. Note that these examples are only examples, and other response data configurations may be used. For example, data in units of 1 minute or data in units of seconds may be stored as a response, or if the device has a plurality of recording modes, the recording capacity (time) in each mode may be stored as a response. Good.

The example of the response data structure shown in FIG. 15A is a response corresponding to the command example A in FIG. 14, and the response corresponding to the command example B in FIG. 14 is CT / RC to OPC. The upper 3 bytes of the operand are
The data is the same as the command example B in FIG. 14, and the configuration code and the response data of the vendor are stored after that.

The example of the response data structure shown in FIG. 15B is data showing the remaining recordable capacity of the medium in terms of the recordable time. However, the recordable data amount uses a data amount such as bytes or megabytes. The configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the response from the target that does not support the recordable remaining capacity inquiry command.
As shown in (c). First, CT / R in the first 3 bytes
C, Dest. , The opcode is stored. CT / RC
Indicates that the command is not supported by Not Im
A code [08h] indicating "plemented" is stored. Dest. As the operation code and operand, the same code as the code in the received recordable remaining capacity inquiry command is stored.

The response data configuration example shown in FIG. 15C is a response corresponding to the command example A in FIG. 14, and the response corresponding to the command example B in FIG. N that indicates correspondence
Code indicating ot Implemented [08h]
Is stored, and then Des of command example B in FIG.
t. The same data as in ~ is stored.

FIG. 16 shows an example in which the command for executing either the maximum recording capacity inquiry or the recordable remaining capacity inquiry is one AV / C command. Command example E is the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry A when a unique opcode is assigned to the AV / C command for inquiring about the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity A
V / C command example, command example F is a maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry AV / C command example when the AV / C command for inquiring about maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity is a vendor unique command Is.

In the command example E, a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry) is set in CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command. Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a VTR subunit serving as a medium control device is stored, and an opcode indicating a command type includes a command for inquiring the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity. Set the opcode [DDh] set for that. The first field of the next operand field is the [Select] field, which is set to [00] for inquiry processing of the maximum recording capacity and [01] for inquiry processing of the remaining recordable capacity. Dummy data [FFh] is stored in the field.

Also in the command example F, CT / RC (command type / response code) indicating the function classification of the command
Is set to a code [01h] indicating a STATUS request (status inquiry). Next Dest. In the field, for example, a code [20h] indicating that it is addressed to a VTR subunit serving as a media control device is stored.

In the next operation code field, a vendor dependent code [00h] indicating a vendor unique command is stored. In the next operand field, the first 3 bytes are used to store the company code, for example, [08h, 00h, 46h], and the next 1 byte is a command for inquiring the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity of this packet. The code [38h] indicating that there is is stored. The first field of the next operand field is the Select field,
Selection indicating whether the information request command is the maximum recording capacity of the medium or the remaining recordable capacity (Selec
t) data. [00] is set for the inquiry processing of the maximum recording capacity, and [01] is set for the inquiry processing of the remaining recordable capacity. Dummy data [FFh] is stored in the subsequent field.

FIG. 17 shows an example of response data generated on the target side when the command for inquiring about the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity shown in FIG. 16 is received. FIG. 17
FIG. 17A shows an example of response by a unit capable of responding to the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry command, and FIG. It is an example of a response by a unit.

In the example of the response by the unit capable of responding to the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry command in FIG. 17A, first CT / CT is set in the first 3 bytes.
RC, Dest. , The opcode is stored. CT / R
A code [0Ch] indicating Stable indicating that the response corresponds to the command is stored in C.
Dest. , The operation code is the same as the code in the received maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry command, Dest. = [20h], opcode = [DD
h] is stored.

Response actual data is stored in the operand. Specifically, for example, in the case of a response to the inquiry about the maximum recording capacity, data regarding the maximum recording time in the currently recording or recordable mode or the standard mode is stored. A specific example is as shown in FIG. Further, in the case of a response to the inquiry about the remaining recordable capacity, data regarding the remaining recordable time in the currently recording or recordable mode is stored.
A specific example is as shown in FIG.

The response data configuration example shown in FIG. 17A is a response corresponding to the command example E in FIG. 16, and the response corresponding to the command example F in FIG. 16 is CT / RC to OPC. The upper 3 bytes of the operand are
The data is the same as the command example B in FIG. 16, and the configuration code and the response data of the vendor are stored after that.

An example of a response from a target that does not correspond to the maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry command is as shown in FIG. 17 (b). First, CT / RC, Dest. , The opcode is stored. In CT / RC, a code [08] indicating Not Implemented indicating that the command is not supported
h] is stored. Dest. As the operation code and operand, the same code as the code in the received maximum recording capacity / recordable remaining capacity inquiry command is stored.

Note that the response data configuration example shown in FIG. 17B is a response corresponding to the command example E in FIG. 16, and the response corresponding to the command example F in FIG. N that indicates correspondence
Code indicating ot Implemented [08h]
Is stored, and then Des of command example F in FIG.
t. The same data as in ~ is stored.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the data structure of the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity. Various methods are available for how to store the data of the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity in the response data packet. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, an 8-bit data field is used, and 1 = 5 min is defined,
If it is [00000001], it means the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of 5 minutes (minutes), and
[000010] indicates the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of 10 minutes (minutes), and [0001
0000], there is a method of indicating the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of 80 minutes (minutes).

Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, six 4
The bit data field may be used to indicate a 6-digit numerical value. When the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity is 5 min, [0101] indicating 5 is set in the final 4-bit field to show the numerical value 5, and when the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity is 10 min, from the end. [0001] indicating 1 is set in the second 4-bit field to indicate the numerical value 1, and the other 4-bit data field is set to [0000] to indicate the numerical value 10. When the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity is 80 min, [1000] indicating 8 is set in the second 4-bit field from the end to indicate the numerical value 8, and the other 4-bit data fields are set to [0000]. Is shown as 80. The control means of the target device generates a response in which the data indicating the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity is stored as an operand in the response and transmits the response to the controller side device. The control means of the controller can obtain the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of the target by acquiring the operand included in the response.

As described above, the maximum recording capacity of the medium or the remaining recordable capacity is not the recordable time but the
As the recordable data amount, a data amount such as bytes or megabytes may be used.

Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20, the procedure of the controller side processing and the target side processing when inquiring about the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity using the AV / C command will be described.

First, the processing on the controller side will be described with reference to FIG. In step S101, the controller determines whether or not a trigger as an execution request for the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity inquiry processing has occurred. The trigger occurs, for example, in the input of an inquiry request by a user input, or in an application program execution process executed as a preliminary process of starting a recording process for a medium.

If a request to execute the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry processing is issued, step S10 is executed.
2, the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command shown in FIGS. 12, 14 and 16 is generated and transmitted.

Next, in step S103, the controller receives the response from the target, extracts the operand in the packet, and executes the operand content determination processing in step S104. The control means of the controller retrieves the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity data having the configuration of FIG. 18, for example, and interprets the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity data according to a preset command processing program. Next, the process proceeds to step S105, a process using the interpreted maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity data, for example, display processing of the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity data on the display, or a recordable medium is selected. The data transmission process is executed for the selected medium, the recording mode (SP, LP) is selected according to the recording capacity information, or a plurality of recording devices on the bus are sequentially switched to perform the recording process. Perform processing according to various applications.

On the other hand, the processing on the target side will be described with reference to FIG. In step S201, the target receives the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry command shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 14, or FIG. 16 from the controller. Next, in step S202, the operation code in the received maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry command is confirmed. If the target side supports the processing of the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity inquiry command by the AV / C command, the command processing is possible (Yes in S203), and the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, the target side is AV / C
If the command does not support the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry command, the command processing is not possible (No in S203), and the process proceeds to step S208.
FIG. 13 (b), FIG. 15 (b), or FIG.
A response in the case of not supporting the command shown in (b) is generated and transmitted to the controller.

When the target side supports the processing of the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry command by the AV / C command, command processing is possible (S203).
Then, in step S204, it is determined whether or not the received AV / C command is the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity inquiry command. This determination processing is executed based on the operation code or the code in the operand.

If the received AV / C command is the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity inquiry command (Yes in step S204), the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of the medium is calculated in step S205, and the step In S206, a response in which the calculation result is stored as an operand is generated and transmitted to the controller. If the received AV / C command is not the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity inquiry command (No in step S204), step S207
At, the process according to the command is executed.

As described above, in the system of the present invention, since the inquiry about the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity is executed by using the AV / C command that can be generated at the application level, the application execution level It is possible to easily obtain the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity information of the medium controlled by the media control device connected to the IEEE 1394 bus.

The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and should not be limitedly interpreted. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the section of the claims described at the beginning should be taken into consideration.

The series of processes described in the specification can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both. When executing the processing by software, the program recording the processing sequence is installed in the memory in the computer incorporated in the dedicated hardware and executed, or the program is stored in a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processing. It can be installed and run.

For example, the program can be recorded in advance in a hard disk or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program may be a floppy (registered trademark) disc or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc).
Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto optical) disk,
It can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) in a removable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

The program is installed in the computer from the removable recording medium as described above, is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer, or is wired to the computer via a network such as LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Then, the computer can receive the program thus transferred and install it in a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

[0139]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program of the present invention, it is possible to generate AV / AV at the application level.
Since the C command is used to make an inquiry about the maximum recording capacity or remaining recordable capacity of the media to the media control device, the maximum control of the media controlled by the media control device connected to the IEEE 1394 bus can be easily performed at the application execution level. It becomes possible to acquire the recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device connection configuration for an IEEE 1394 bus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of an IEEE 1394-compatible device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a device connection configuration of an IEEE 1394-compatible device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an IEEE 1394 cable configuration.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a signal transmission process in IEEE1394.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an IEEE 1394 protocol stack.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating each layer configuration in an IEEE 1394 protocol stack.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating packet transfer processing in the IEEE 1394 system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a packet transfer processing sequence in the IEEE 1394 system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating addressing in an IEEE 1394 system.

FIG. 11: AV / C in the IEEE 1394 system
It is a figure explaining a command.

FIG. 12: Configuration example of maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which AV / C command is applied (Example 1)
It is a figure explaining about.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a response configuration example (example 1) to a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied.

FIG. 14 is a configuration example of a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied (Example 2).
It is a figure explaining about.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a response configuration example (example 2) to a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied.

FIG. 16 is a configuration example of a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied (Example 3).
It is a figure explaining about.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a response configuration example (example 3) to a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity data structure in a response to a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command to which an AV / C command is applied.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a processing flow on the controller side in a maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command processing to which an AV / C command is applied.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a target-side processing flow in the maximum recording capacity or recordable remaining capacity inquiry command processing to which the AV / C command is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 TV 102 PC 103, 104 VTR 105 IEEE 1394 bus 201 Transmitter / receiver 202 IEEE1394 terminal 203 PHY unit (PHY-IC) 204 LINK part (LINK-IC) 205 1394 control microcomputer 206 Equipment control microcomputer 210 IEEE 1394 bus 320 monitor (1394 equipment) 321 Transmitter / Receiver 322 IEEE1394 terminal 323 PHY unit (PHY-IC) 324 LINK part (LINK-IC) 325 1394 control microcomputer 326 Monitor control microcomputer 327 monitor body 330 VTR (1394 equipment) 331 Transmitter / receiver 332 IEEE1394 terminal 333 PHY unit (PHY-IC) 334 LINK part (LINK-IC) 335 1394 control microcomputer 336 Monitor control microcomputer 337 VTR body 310 IEEE 1394 bus 400 connector 401 cable (signal line)

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Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A media control device which is connected to another information processing device via a bus and executes data transfer via the bus, wherein the media control device is connected to the bus and controls a data recording medium. In response to the AV / C command (AV / C
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that generates a Digital Interface Command Set); and a data transmission unit that transmits the AV / C command generated by the control unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording capacity information of the medium is at least one of a maximum recording capacity and a recordable remaining capacity of the medium. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission unit is configured to transmit the AV / C command generated by the control unit as an asynchronous communication packet. 4. An AV / C command as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for the medium is a selection (Select) indicating whether the information request command is the maximum recording capacity or the remaining recordable capacity of the medium.
t) A structure including data.
The information processing device according to 1. 5. The information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the control means is configured to execute AV / C command generation processing at an application layer level of an IEEE 1394 protocol stack. The information processing device according to 1. 6. An information processing device as a media control device, which is connected to another information processing device via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium. AV as recording capacity information acquisition request command
/ C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command Set)
Information based on the reception of the command, the control means generating an AV / C corresponding response in response to the command, and the data transmitting means transmitting the AV / C corresponding response generated by the control means. Processing equipment. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data transmission unit is configured to transmit the AV / C compatible response generated by the control unit as an Asynchronous communication packet. 8. The AV / C compliant response includes an operand as response actual data, and the operand indicates at least one of a maximum recording capacity and a recordable remaining capacity of a medium as a recordable data amount or a recordable time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data is any one of the data. 9. The information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the control means is configured to execute AV / C compliant response generation processing at an application layer level of an IEEE 1394 protocol stack. 6. The information processing device according to item 6. 10. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus, which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus and executes data transfer via the bus, wherein the information processing method is connected to the bus to control a data recording medium. To the media control device that controls the AV / C command (AV / C
AV / C to generate Digital Interface Command Set)
An information processing method comprising: a command generating step; and a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C command. 11. The recording capacity information of the medium is at least one of a maximum recording capacity and a recordable remaining capacity of the medium.
Information processing method described in. 12. The A data generated in the AV / C command generation step in the data transmission step.
V / C command is changed to Asynchronous (Asyncron).
11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the information is transmitted as a communication packet. 13. The AV / C command generating step stores, in the AV / C command, selection data indicating whether the information request command is the maximum recording capacity of the medium or the remaining recordable capacity of the medium. The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising steps. 14. The information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the AV / C command generating step is IEEE 139.
11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein AV / C command generation processing is executed at the application layer level of the 4-protocol stack. 15. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus as a media control device which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium. Yes, AV as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for media
/ C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command Set)
And a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C corresponding response, the AV / C corresponding response generating step of generating an AV / C corresponding response in response to the command based on the reception of the information. Processing method. 16. The AV / C compatible response generated in the AV / C compatible response generating step is asynchronous (Asy) in the data transmitting step.
16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the information is transmitted as a communication packet. 17. The AV / C-compatible response generating step uses at least one of a maximum recordable capacity and a recordable remaining capacity of a medium as an operand as response actual data in a recordable data amount or a recordable time. The information processing method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of storing the indicated data. 18. The information processing apparatus is an IEEE 1394 compliant device, and the AV / C command generating step is IEEE 139.
16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein AV / C compatible response generation processing is executed at an application layer level of the four protocol stack. 19. A program, which is connected to another information processing apparatus via a bus and causes an information processing apparatus that executes data transfer via the bus to execute information processing on a computer system, the program being connected to the bus. , An AV / C command (AV / C command) as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for the media to the media control device that executes control of the data recording media.
AV / C to generate Digital Interface Command Set)
A program comprising: a command generating step; and a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C command. 20. A computer for performing information processing in an information processing device as a media control device which is connected to another information processing device via a bus, executes data transfer via the bus, and controls a data recording medium.・
A program that can be executed on the system, and is an AV as a recording capacity information acquisition request command for media.
/ C command (AV / C Digital Interface Command Set)
And a data transmitting step of transmitting the AV / C corresponding response, the AV / C corresponding response generating step of generating an AV / C corresponding response in response to the command based on the reception of the command. .