JP2003223377A - Device control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device control system for installing an equipment control program judged to be optimal by a user at the time of selecting an equipment control program for controlling certain equipment connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: In this device control system, host equipment 100 is provided with an equipment control program selection condition storing part 104 for storing a condition for deciding a control host and an equipment control program for guest equipment 120, an equipment control program storing part 105 for a guest for installing and storing a program for controlling the guest equipment from the host side, a device list storing part 108 for storing a device list being the list of equipment identification ID of equipment connected to a network, and a control part 111. The control part communicates with the other host equipment as for the guest equipment to be controlled to update the equipment control program selection condition, and to select the optimal host equipment and equipment control program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device control system for controlling a plurality of AV devices and the like connected via a network, and more specifically, a plurality of host devices and guest devices are connected on a network to provide a host. The present invention relates to a device control system operated by a user via a host device by using a device control program included in a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a network system for connecting a plurality of home electric appliances with a cable at home and transmitting and receiving voice and image data has been attracting attention. For example, it has become common to connect a monitor with a cable to watch an image taken by a digital video camera, or to connect a video to edit an image.

As a technology for realizing a home AV network, for example, HAVi (Home Audio / Video Interoperability) Archi, which was standardized in January 2000.
There is a standard specification called tecture. This specification is HAVi
Overview of V1.0 Specification version (1.1 General of 1 General
As described in pe), we have provided an interface for connecting home appliances and computers to allow a user to use one device to operate another device. In the HAVi specifications, as an example, the IEEE (Instit
ute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 13
94 and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commi)
ssion) It is assumed that the network will be constructed by household appliances conforming to 61883. Further, as described in the same outline part of the specification, all users can freely use the device connected to the network realized by HAVi. As described above, by connecting the AV devices in the home to construct the AV network, the user can freely combine and use the devices even in the distant room.

Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-30144 discloses a method of uploading a control program for another device from one device in a network by uploading from a device to be controlled. There is. However, this method has a problem that the control program for a certain device cannot be changed. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-282251 discloses a method in which the system judges the latest and optimum control program for a certain device from a plurality of control programs on the network and automatically selects it.

Furthermore, HAVi Organizati
HAVi Specification formulated by on
According to the installation method of the Device Control Module specified in 1.0 (hereinafter, simply described as HAVi), the system automatically installs according to the registered conditions. The condition can be rewritten by the user.

[0006]

However, such a system for selecting a device control program for AV devices or the like connected to a network has the following problems. That is, even a control program determined to be the latest and most suitable for the system does not always match the user's wishes. For example, the devices described in the above publications have not realized a system that reflects the user's wishes.

On the other hand, in HAVi, the user can freely set the conditions for installation, but it is necessary to set a plurality of conditions. What kind of conditions should be set by the user. There is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether the control program can be installed, and it is difficult to register an appropriate condition when the latest model device is connected to the network or when the control program is upgraded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is optimal for a user when selecting from a plurality of device control programs for controlling a device connected to a network. It is intended to provide a device control system that can install what it determines to be.

Further, according to the present invention, the user's wish can be easily registered in the system, and even when a new device or a new control program is provided to the network, the user can immediately combine all the devices on the network with the control program. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device control system that can be redetermined according to the wishes of.

[0010]

A device control system of the present invention is a device control system including one or more host devices and guest devices connected on a network, wherein the host device is the guest device. The device control program for controlling
In the device control system for controlling the guest device using the device control program, the host device is
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information from other devices through the network, device control program storage means for storing a device control program for controlling the guest device, control host for the guest device, and the device control program Regarding a device control program selection condition storage unit that stores a condition for determining a device, a device list storage unit that stores a device list that is a device identification ID list of devices connected to the network, and a guest device to be controlled Control means for communicating with another host device to update the device control program selection conditions and selecting an optimum host device and the device control program; and display means for displaying various information including the device control program selection conditions. , And input means for receiving input from the user. It is.

Further, the host device comprises a device identification ID storage means for own device for storing its own device identification ID and a device control program storage means for own device for storing a program for controlling itself. The guest device is a communication unit that transmits and receives information from other devices through a network, a device identification ID storage unit for own device that stores its own device identification ID, and a self device that stores a program for controlling itself. The device control program storage means and the device control program selection condition storage means for determining a program for controlling itself may be provided. Further, among the plurality of host devices, the control means of the host device selected as the leader may communicate with another host device regarding the guest device to be controlled and update the device control program selection condition. Good.

The device control system of the present invention thus configured has a device control program for a certain guest device without burdening the user even when a new host device or guest device is connected to the network. It is possible to always reflect the latest selection condition and the content that the user likes the most.

More preferably, when a device that has never been connected to the network is newly connected,
A device control program selection condition corresponding to the device is read from the device control program selection condition storage means of the device itself, or is acquired from outside the system and registered in the device control program selection condition storage means of the host device. Good.

More preferably, the device control program selection condition storage means stores the newly added device control program selection condition and the existing device control program selection condition together with the priority order given by the user. When there is no free space in the device control program selection condition storage means, the device control program selection conditions may be deleted in order from the lowest priority. Further, more preferably, the device list storage means is a device identification ID of a device that has been previously connected to the network.
May be stored.

In a preferred specific embodiment, the device control program selection condition specifies whether a host device manufactured by the same manufacturer as the guest device wants to be a control host, and specifies a host device. Device identification ID
Or the location where the device control program is stored. The host device is a HAVi.
It may be a control device having a controller function conforming to the standard.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a device control system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a host device and a guest device to which a device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of the host device and the guest device. is there. The device control system according to the present embodiment can be applied as a network system to, for example, a television receiver having a digital broadcast reception function capable of receiving radio waves of digital broadcast.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 100 is a host device, 120 is a guest device, and 130 is a network connecting the host device 100 and the guest device 120. The host device 100 has a program for controlling the guest device 120 and can operate the guest device 120 using the program.

The host device 100 includes a network monitoring unit 101 for detecting a network reset, a message receiving unit 102 (communication unit), a message transmitting unit 103 (communication unit), and a device control program selection condition storage unit 104.
(Device control program selection condition storage unit), guest device control program storage unit 105 (device control program storage unit), own device device identification ID storage unit 106 (own device device identification ID storage unit), own device device A control program storage unit 107 (device control program storage unit for own device), a device list storage unit 108 (device list storage unit), a display device 109 (display unit), an input unit 110 (input unit), and the above-described constituent elements. The control unit 111 (control means) for controlling is provided.

The message receiving unit 102 receives a message from another device via the network 130, and the message transmitting unit 103 transmits a message to another device via the network 130. The message receiving unit 102 and the message transmitting unit 103 are communication devices that exchange data with other host devices and guest devices of the network 130, and the interface may be a wireless interface or a wired interface connected to a cable. .

Device control program selection condition storage unit 104
When the host device has the device control program of the guest device, the device stores the device identification ID of the guest, the ID of the device control program corresponding thereto, and the supported function.

Guest device control program storage unit 105
Installs and stores a program for controlling the guest device from the host side.

Device identification ID storage unit 106 for own device
Stores its own device identification ID. The device control program storage unit 107 for own device stores a program for controlling itself. Device list storage unit 108
Is the device identification ID of the device connected to the network
A device list 108A that is a list is stored.

The display device 109 is a CR for displaying a user interface and applications to the user.
The display device includes a T, an LCD, and the like. Input unit 110
Is an input device including a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse that receives an input from a user, and performs input to a user terminal such as a touch panel or keyboard in a PDA, keys in a mobile phone, or a jog dial It is a function.

The control section 111 is composed of a CPU or the like and controls the entire apparatus including execution of control program selection processing.
The CPU is a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM (electrically era) that is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory.
sable programmable ROM), Flash ROM, etc., and stores various data such as programs, communication control data, and terminal identification codes. In particular, the control unit 111 communicates with the other host device regarding the guest device to be controlled, updates the device control program selection condition, and performs control to select the optimum host device and the device control program.

On the other hand, the guest device 120 has a message receiving section 121 (communication means), a message transmitting section 122 (communication means), and a device identification ID storage section 123 for own device (device for own device) that stores its own device identification ID. ID
Storage device), a device control program storage unit 124 for own device which stores a program for controlling itself (device control program storage device for own device), a device control program selection condition storage for determining a program for controlling itself It is configured to include a unit 125 (device control program selection condition storage unit) and a control unit 126 that controls each of the above components.

The message receiving unit 121 receives a message from another device through the network 130,
The message transmission unit 122 transmits a message to another device via the network 130. The message receiving unit 121 and the message transmitting unit 122 are communication devices that exchange data with other host devices and guest devices of the network 130, and the interface may be a wireless interface or a wired interface connected to a cable. .

The guest device 120 of this embodiment is a device operated by a user through one or a plurality of host devices by using a device control program. In a network environment in which a plurality of guest devices 120 are respectively connected as shown in FIG. 2, when controlling a guest device via a host device, the guest device for the guest device existing on the network is used. Present the function of the device control program to the user.

The network 130 connects the host devices 100 and guest devices 120 in arbitrary numbers. The network 130 is a general term for data communication means such as Ethernet that connects a plurality of host devices 100 and guest devices 120. Further, as an access line of the network 130, FTTH (Fiber To The Home), HFC
(Hybrid Fiber Coax) and ADS
Large capacity lines such as L (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) can be used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information table in which the host device 100 holds a list of guest device control programs stored in its own device. The device control program selection condition storage unit 104 stores the device control program information table shown in FIG. 3, and the device identification ID “ID g1, ID g2, ..., ID gn” of the guest device and the corresponding guest device. Whether a host device manufactured by the same manufacturer as the control host is desired
o,-(undecided) ", when specifying the desired host device as the control host, the device identification ID" ID of the host device "
h1, ID h2, ..., etc. ", the location where the desired device control program is stored" ID h1, ID g2, ..., URL
"Designation etc." is memorized. As the storage location of the desired device control program, the guest device control program storage unit 105 of the host device 100, the own device device control program storage unit 124 of the guest device, or the external U
RL (Uniform Resource Locators) etc. are considered.

As described above, the host device 100 has a program for controlling the guest device 120, and the guest device 120 can be operated using the program. In the present embodiment, the host device 100 can be applied to a TV with a display or a TV with a built-in tuner, and the guest device 120 can be applied to a VTR. In the above case, the host device 100 displays the operation screen (“play”, “stop” ...) of the VTR which is the guest device 120 on its own display. The user can operate the VTR, which is the guest device 120, by moving the cursor or the enter key using the TV remote control device. That is, the user does not directly operate the VTR, but specifies a VTR operation command toward the TV, and the TV that receives the command operates the VTR using the control program of the VTR. As a result, it becomes possible to play back a program, for example, using a VTR located in a room separate from the TV.

FIG. 4 shows the device identification I of all the devices that the host device 100 holds in the device list storage unit 108 and has been connected to the network so far.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the information table which shows the list of D.

The device list storage unit 108 stores the device list information table shown in FIG. 3, and the network 130 is previously stored for each device identification ID of the host device.
Device identification of all devices that have been connected to
D “ID1, ID2, ..., IDn” is stored.

The operation of the device control system configured as described above will be described below. When the network monitoring unit 101 of the host device 100 detects the network reset, it notifies the control unit 111 of the host device 100.
If there are multiple host devices, select one of them as the leader. The leader selection method is HAVi Sp
Follow the DCMM's leader election method in the certification. The host device selected as the leader is
Manage the installation of device control programs for guest devices connected to the network.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for explaining the processing of the host device which is the leader immediately after the network reset occurs, and shows the flow when the network monitoring unit of the host device detects the network reset. Show. In the figure, S indicates each step of the flow.

First, in step S1, the network monitoring unit 101 detects a network reset, and in step S2
Check if there is an unknown device. Specifically, the control unit 111 of the host device, which is a leader, collects the device identification IDs of all the devices on the network through the message transmission unit 103, and stores the device identification IDs in the device list storage unit 108 of its own. One by one is compared with the device list 108A of the device identification ID. The device list storage unit 108 stores device identification IDs of all devices that have been connected to the network before, as shown in FIG.

If a device identification ID not found in this device list is found, it is determined in step S3 whether this unknown device is a host device or a guest device. To identify whether an unknown device is a host device or a guest device, the device identification I
You should be able to distinguish by D.

When the unknown device is the host device, unless a change is made to the device control program selection condition for the guest device on the network, the newly connected host device is used as the control host for one of the guest devices. May not be selected as. Therefore, first, step S4
Then, it is checked whether or not the device control program selection condition storage unit 104 of the host device has the device control program selection conditions for all guest devices on the network 130. If there is a device control program selection condition for all guest devices on the network 130, this flow ends and the control host selection for each guest is performed as it is.

However, actually, even if the device control program selection conditions for all guest devices on the market are stored in the host device, the network 1
Only a small part of the device control program selection conditions are required on the memory 30, and most of the device control program selection conditions are wasted memory. Therefore, it is considered that the device control program selection conditions registered in advance in the host device are often limited to guest devices whose manufacturing time is near, guest devices manufactured by the same manufacturer, and the like. Therefore, the manufacturer of the host device discloses all the device control program selection condition information by means such as posting the device control program selection conditions for the existing guest device on its WWW site.

If the device control program selection conditions for all guest devices on the network 130 are not present in step S4, the user displays those device control program selection condition information displayed on the display device 109 in step S5. From among the above, the device control program selection conditions satisfying the user's wishes are selected, downloaded to the host device, and the present flow ends.

By the way, even if the device control program selection conditions for all guest devices are complete in step S4, the contents of these device control program selection conditions are displayed on the display device of the host where the user is the leader. Check through 108, and if you are not satisfied with the contents, download appropriate device control program selection conditions from outside the network as described above, or rewrite part or all of the device control program selection conditions using an input device or the like. Is also good.

If the unknown device is the guest device in step S3, it is checked in step S6 whether the selection condition for the unknown guest device exists in the host device on the network 130. That is, when the unknown device is a guest device, first, the host device that has become the leader instructs all host devices on the network to search the device control program selection condition storage unit 104, and Check whether the device control program selection condition exists. If the device control program selection condition exists, this flow is ended as it is and the process proceeds to the control host selection of each guest.

If the unknown device control program selection condition for the guest device does not exist in any host on the network 130 in step S6, the guest device itself is embedded with the device control program selection condition for itself. Since it is a problem whether or not the unknown guest device has its own selection condition at step S7. If the device control program selection condition is not embedded in the guest device, the manufacturer of the guest device publishes the device control program selection condition for its own guest device using the WWW site or the like, as in step S5. To do.

If the unknown guest device itself does not have its own selection condition, the user satisfies his or her desire from the device control program selection condition information displayed on the display device 109 in step S8. The device control program selection condition is selected and downloaded to any of the host devices, and the device control program selection condition storage unit 104 is selected.
Register to and end this flow. If the unknown guest device itself has its own selection condition, and here the device control program selection condition for itself is embedded in the guest device, each host device exists in the guest device in step S9. The device control program selection conditions are read, registered in the device control program selection condition storage section 104 of each of them, and this flow ends. Here, the user confirms the contents of the device control program selection condition through the display device 109 of the host device which is the reader, and if the contents are dissatisfied, download the appropriate device control program selection condition from the outside of the network as described above. Alternatively, some or all of the device control program selection conditions may be rewritten using an input device or the like.

In the present embodiment, in any of the above cases, even after registering a new device control program selection condition for one guest device in the device control program selection condition storage unit 104 of the host device. , Keep the old device control program selection conditions. By doing so, even if the user wants to return to the old device control program selection condition, it can be easily changed. Furthermore, when registering a new device control program selection condition, the user is requested to prioritize through the display device 109. If the user registers the priority order through the input unit 110, the device control program selection condition storage unit 10
It is also possible to automatically delete the device control program selection condition with the lower priority when the memory of No. 4 is full.

Further, even if the device control program selection condition related to a certain device actually exists on the network, if the user desires to change the device control program selection condition, the new device control program selection condition is added to the inside or outside of the network. Alternatively, the user may rewrite a part or all of the device control program selection conditions using an input device or the like.

When the device control program selection conditions relating to all the devices on the network are satisfied by executing the above flow, the procedure proceeds to the control host selection procedure for controlling each guest device. The host device that is the leader requests the other host devices through the message transmission unit 103 to provide the condition with the highest priority for a guest device in the device control program selection condition storage unit 104. . Each host device provides a corresponding device control program selection condition in response to the request from the reader, and the reader compares the collected device control program selection conditions to determine the optimum host device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the contents of the device control program selection conditions specify whether the host device manufactured by the same manufacturer as the guest device is desired to be the control host, and the desired host device is designated as the control host. In this case, the device identification ID of the host device 100 is designated, and the location where the desired device control program is stored is designated.
As a storage location of the desired device control program, the guest device control program storage unit 10 of the host device 100 is used.
5, the device control program storage unit 124 for the own device of the guest device, an external URL, or the like. The specific control host selection procedure is HAVi Specif.
Follow the instructions in the ication. If the result does not meet the user's wishes, the network control may be performed again after changing the priority of the device control program selection conditions.

As described above, in the device control system according to this embodiment, the host device 100 includes a network monitoring unit 101 for detecting a network reset, a message receiving unit 102, a message transmitting unit 103, and a guest device control host. Device control program selection condition storage unit 10 that stores conditions for determining a device control program
4. Guest device control program storage unit 105 that installs and stores a program for controlling guest devices from the host side, own device device identification ID storage unit 1
06, own device device control program storage unit 107,
A device list storage unit 10 that stores a device list that is a list of device identification IDs of devices connected to a network.
8, display device 109, input unit 110, and control unit 1
11, the control unit 111 communicates with other host devices regarding the guest device to be controlled, updates the device control program selection condition, and performs control for selecting the optimum host device and the device control program. Because I did
Of the multiple host devices, the one selected as the reader is
It is possible to obtain information about a certain guest device from a table of another host device, compare it with its own table, and select an optimum host device.

As a result, in the conventional example, even if the control program is determined to be the latest and most suitable for the system,
Although it may not match the user's wishes, in the present embodiment, the selection condition of the host device reflects the latest network status and the user's wishes to make the most preferable decision for the user. It becomes possible to improve the operability of the user.

The device control system according to the above embodiment can be applied to the above-mentioned HAVi-compliant device, but any device can be applied.
Also, although a plurality of host devices and guest devices have been described, more or less devices are available in the network 1.
It does not matter even if it is connected to 30.

The device controlled by the device control system may be any device. Further, the type and recording method of the recording device are not limited and can be applied to all devices. For example, as a CS tuner or a recording device, not only a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) but also an HDD or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) may be used for recording. Furthermore, each circuit unit constituting the device control system, for example, the type of message transmitting / receiving unit, storage unit, etc.,
The number and connection method are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.

The device control system described above is also realized by a program for causing the device control system to function. This program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, as the recording medium, the main memory itself may be a program medium, or a program reading device is provided as an external storage device, and the program medium can be read by inserting the recording medium therein. May be. In any case, the stored program may be configured to be accessed and executed by the CPU, or in any case, the program is read and the read program is stored in a program storage area (not shown). The program may be downloaded to the computer and the program may be executed. It is assumed that this download program is stored in the main body device in advance.

Here, the program medium is a recording medium which can be separated from the main body, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, or a floppy (registered trademark).
Magnetic disks such as disks and hard disks, and CD-Rs
Disc systems of optical discs such as OM / MO / MD / DVD, card systems such as IC cards / optical cards, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash RO
It may be a medium including a semiconductor memory such as M that holds the program fixedly.

Further, although not shown, in the case where means for connecting to an external communication network is provided, it is possible to fluidly download the program from the communication network via the communication connecting means. It may be a medium carrying the program. When the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, the download program may be stored in the main body device in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium. The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to the program and may be data.

[0055]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, there are several types of host devices and device control programs that can be a control host for a certain guest device on the network, and one of them is selected. In this case, the control host and the device control program desired by the user can be selected for the guest device by updating the device control program selection conditions related to all devices according to the device connection status of the network and the user's request. it can.

Further, when a device that has never been connected to the network is newly connected, the unknown device can be detected by obtaining the device control program selection condition related to the device from the device itself or the outside. Even when connected to the network, it becomes possible to immediately determine the role on the network by preparing the device control program selection conditions similarly to other devices already connected to the network.

When the new device control program selection condition is registered, the existing device control program selection condition is also saved together with the priority order given by the user, so that the user can change the device control program selection condition at any time. Will be possible. Further, when the device control program selection condition storage unit runs out of free space, it is possible to automatically delete the device control program selection condition storage unit in descending order of priority after asking the user for confirmation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a host device and a guest device to which a device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of a host device and a guest device of the device control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information table showing a list of guest device control programs held in the host device of the device control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is information showing a list of device identification IDs of all devices that have been connected to the network and are held in the device list storage unit by the host device of the device control system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for explaining processing of a host device which is a reader immediately after a network reset occurs in the device control system of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Host Device 101 Network Monitoring Unit 102 Message Reception Unit (Communication Unit) 103 Message Transmission Unit (Communication Unit) 104, 125 Device Control Program Selection Condition Storage Unit (Device Control Program Selection Condition Storage Unit) 105 Guest Device Control Program Storage Unit (Device control program storage means) 106, 123 Own device device identification ID storage unit (own device device identification ID storage unit) 107, 124 Own device device control program storage unit (own device device control program storage unit) 108 Device list storage unit (device list storage unit) 109 display device (display unit) 110 input unit (input unit) 111, 126 control unit (control unit) 120 guest device 121 message receiving unit (communication unit) 122 message transmitting unit (communication) Stage) 130 network

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A device control system including one or a plurality of host devices and a guest device connected on a network, wherein the host device executes a device control program for controlling the guest device via a network. In the device control system that acquires and controls the guest device using the device control program, the host device controls the guest device and a communication unit that transmits and receives information from another device through the network. A device control program storage means for storing the device control program, a device control program selection condition storage means for storing a control host for the guest device and a condition for determining the device control program, and a device connected to the network. A device that stores a device list that is a list of device identification IDs of devices A list storage unit, a control unit that communicates with another host device regarding a guest device to be controlled, updates the device control program selection condition, and selects an optimum host device and the device control program; and the device control program A device control system comprising: a display unit that displays various information including selection conditions; and an input unit that receives an input from a user. 2. The host device further includes a device identification I for its own device which stores its own device identification ID.
D storage means, and a device control program storage means for own device that stores a program for controlling itself, the guest device, a communication means for transmitting and receiving information from other devices through a network, and its own device Device identification for own device that stores identification ID I
D storage means, self-device device control program storage means for storing a program for controlling itself, and device control program selection condition storage means for determining a program for controlling itself. The device control system according to claim 1. 3. The control means of the host device selected as the leader among the plurality of host devices communicates with another host device regarding the guest device to be controlled and updates the device control program selection condition. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the device control system is a system. 4. When a device that has never been connected to the network is newly connected, a device control program selection condition corresponding to the device is read from the device control program selection condition storage means of the device itself, or a system. 2. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the device control system is obtained from the outside and registered in a device control program selection condition storage means of the host device. 5. The device control program selection condition storage means stores the newly added device control program selection condition and the existing device control program selection condition together with the priority order given by the user. 2. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein when there is no more free space in the program selection condition storage means, the programs are deleted in order of decreasing priority. 6. The device list storage means stores a device identification ID of a device that has been previously connected to the network.
Device control system described. 7. The device control program selection conditions include designation of whether or not a host device made by the same manufacturer as the guest device is desired to be a control host, designation of a device identification ID designating the host device, or The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the device control program is a designation of a location where the device control program is stored. 8. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the host device is a control device having a controller function conforming to the HAVi standard.