JP2003304475A - Reservation control system and reservation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reservation control system and a reservation control method that can be used for apparatus capable of dealing with a plurality of streams simultaneously. <P>SOLUTION: The reservation control system has a picture recorder 3 and two set-top boxes 1, 2 communicatively connected through a serial bus 4 to control the operation of the recorder 3 according to reservations. The control system comprises a bulletin board sub-unit 3b for storing reservation information prescribing an operation schedule of the recorder 3, and a controller 1c for writing the reservation information in the bulletin board sub-unit 3b. The recorder 3 comprises a disk sub-unit 3a for executing its operation according to the operation schedule of the reservation information stored in the bulletin board sub-unit 3b. The reservation information includes information for controlling the reservations for every plug defined in the disc sub-unit 3a, and this disk sub-unit 3a executes its operation according to the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reservation management system and a reservation management method in which a plurality of devices are connected for information communication and the operation of the devices can be controlled according to a reservation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system has been developed in which AV devices connected via a network using an IEEE 1394 serial bus communicate with each other to control each device. This system is based on the AV / C Digital Interface Command Set General Version 4.0 (AV / C), which is a 1394TA (Trade Association) standard.
Digital Interface Command Set General Version 4.
0; Hereinafter, "AV / C General"
The AV / C command specified in (1) is used. FIG. 9 shows such a system. A set top box 101 such as a BS digital tuner or a terrestrial digital tuner, and a recording device 102 for digitally recording a video / audio stream received by the set top box 101 are IEEE 1394. It is connected via the serial bus 103. The serial bus 103 has D
A VD player, a CD player, a hard disk, etc. can also be connected.

In AV / C General, these devices are called a unit.
There are subunits that exhibit that function. For example, the tuner subunit existing in the unit of the set top box 101 exhibits a function as a tuner and can receive a digital signal such as digital satellite broadcast and transmit the digital signal to the serial bus 103. The tape subunit existing in the unit of the recording device 102 is a subunit showing the function of the device having the tape drive. AV / C
When controlling each device using a command, the control can be performed by transmitting a predetermined command to the unit or the subunit. Further, it is possible to mutually read and write information stored in each unit by using a descriptor between the units.

The bulletin board subunit (BS that exists in the set top box 101 and the recording device 102)
S) is a subunit having a descriptor for providing an information sharing function in the network. The controller of the set top box 101 is the recording device 102.
By using the function of the resource schedule board of the bulletin board subunit included in, it is possible to search for information necessary for recording reservation and perform recording reservation registration.

FIG. 10 shows a bulletin board subunit. In addition, FIG. 11 shows resources included in the recording device 102.
Resource Schedule Entry
Shows the configuration of.

In FIG. 10, the posting device is a set-top box 101,
Target device is the recording device 1
It corresponds to 02. When the set-top box 101 receives a recording reservation operation for the recording device 102 by the user's operation, the target device (Target Device)
The resource schedule entry (Resource Schedule Entry) of the resource schedule board of the recording device 102, which is the recording device 102, is read, and when there is no overlapping reservation, as scheduling data (Scheduling Data) Start time that defines the recording start time, Duration information that defines the recording time, 1
Repeat information (Repeat Information) that defines the recording schedule that is repeated on a weekly basis, and information for each used subunit (Resource used) are generated and written, and a new resource schedule entry is created in the target device (Target Device). (Resource Schedul
e Entry) and write it.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of a subunit resource information block (shown as "info_block" in FIG. 11) of the resource schedule entry shown in FIG.

The subunit resource information block shown in FIG. 12 has a byte length (compou) of the subunit resource information block.
nd_length), a coded value indicating the type of subunit resource information block (in
fo_block_type), posting device (Posting
Device) the number of subunits that will be used (number)
_Of_subunits), posting device (Posting)
Device) Subunit type and ID to be used
(Subunit_type_and_ID), the number of subunits (number_of_subunits), and the subunit type and ID (subunit_type_and_ID) byte length (primary
_Field_length) is defined.

The sub-unit type is a coded sub-unit type indicating the function of a unit such as a tuner sub-unit, a tape sub-unit or a disk sub-unit. The subunit ID is an ID given to each subunit type, and when there are a plurality of subunits belonging to the same subunit type in one unit, they can be identified by the subunit ID.

As described above, the set top box 101
When a recording reservation of the program received by the recording device 102 is made, the information necessary for the reservation of the recording device 102 is provided to the recording device 102 under the control of the set top box 101.
The board is written using the AV / C command. When another device similarly makes a reservation for the recording device 102, the resource schedule board is referenced to determine whether or not the reservation is possible, and if the reservation is possible, the information necessary for the reservation so as not to be duplicated. On the resource schedule board.

[0011]

In recent years, some AV recording devices using a disk such as a hard disk or a DVD as a medium have a feature that simultaneous recording and reproduction are possible. Some devices, such as hard disk recorders, can be connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus. When such devices are used, it is possible to simultaneously receive and record a plurality of streams transmitted on the serial bus. .

However, as described above, the resource schedule board of the recording device 102 which is the target device.
Resource Schedule Entry (Resource Sched
ule Entry) is not configured to accept multiple streams at the same time.

For example, when an attempt is made to record a program broadcast by two devices in the same time zone, the following processing is performed. First, when making a recording reservation from the first device, the recording start can be registered by registering the start time, the duration, and the subunit to be used by the user's reservation operation. However, if the second device tries to make a recording reservation for the same subunit in the overlapping time zone, as a result of the resource schedule board reference, the reservation is rejected as an overlapping reservation. In this case, although the recording device has the ability to accept recording reservations from both devices, in reality only the reservation from one device can be accepted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reservation management system and a reservation management method which can deal with a device capable of simultaneously handling a plurality of streams.

[0015]

In the reservation management system of the present invention, a first device (3) and a second device (1, 2) are connected by an information communication means (4) so that they can communicate with each other. In the reservation management system capable of controlling the operation of the first device (3) according to the reservation, the reservation management system is
Reservation information storage means (3b) for storing reservation information that defines the operation schedule of the device (3), and writing means (1c) for writing reservation information in the reservation information storage means (3b).
And the first device (3) has a reservation information storage means (3
A plug that manages a reservation for each plug defined by the operation execution unit (3a), the operation information executing unit (3a) executing an operation corresponding to the operation schedule of the reservation information stored in b). The operation execution means (3a) includes reservation management information and executes an operation according to the plug reservation management information.

According to this reservation management system, the reservation information includes plug reservation management information for managing reservations for each plug defined in the operation execution means, and the operation execution means executes the operation according to the plug reservation management information. When the first device can handle a plurality of streams at the same time, by defining a plurality of plugs, it is possible to reserve an operation content that simultaneously handles a plurality of streams according to the capability of the first device. The information communication means may be wireless.

The second device (1, 2) is the first device (3)
First control means (1) for controlling the operation execution means (3a) of
c, 2c), and the first control means (1c, 2c) has a first device (3) based on the operation schedule of the reservation information.
The operation executing means (3a) may be controlled.

The reservation information may include information defining the operation schedule of the operation executing means (3a) and information defining the connection schedule of the plugs (31 to 34) of the operation executing means (3a).

In this case, the reservation information defines which plug is used to execute the scheduled stream transmission / reception.

The reservation information storage means (3b) may be provided in the first device (3).

The writing means (1c, 2c) is provided in the second device (1, 2), and the writing means (1c, 2c) is stored in the reservation information storage means (3b) via the communication means (4). You may write the reservation information.

The second device (1, 2) has corresponding information storage means (1b, 2b) for storing information corresponding to the reservation information.
And an operation execution means (1a, 2a) for executing an operation according to an operation schedule of information stored in the correspondence information storage means (1b, 2b), and the operation execution means (3a) of the first device (3). ) And the operation executing means (1a, 2a) of the second device (1, 2) execute the operation corresponding to the reservation information and the correspondence information, respectively, so that the first device (3) and the second device Streams may be transmitted and received between the devices (1, 2).

In this case, the operation executing means of the second device is
Streams are transmitted and received by performing operations according to the correspondence information corresponding to the reservation information.

The second device (1, 2) is the second device (1,
The second control means (1c, 2c) for controlling the operation execution means (1a, 2a) of 2) is provided, and the second control means (1c, 2c) is provided.
2c) may control the operation execution means (1a, 2a) of the second device (1, 2) based on the operation schedule of the reservation information.

The maximum stream number storage means (3) for storing the maximum number of streams that the operation execution means (3a) can handle, and the writing means () by acquiring the maximum stream number from the maximum stream number storage means (3) 1c, 2c) a judgment means (1) for judging whether or not the reservation information can be written.
c, 2c).

In this case, it is possible to judge the reservation availability based on the limitation of the number of streams that can be handled by the operation executing means.

According to the reservation management method of the present invention, the first device (3) and the second device (1, 2) are connected by the information communication means (4) so that they can communicate with each other, and the first device follows the reservation.
In the reservation management method capable of controlling the operation of the device (3), the reservation management method includes a reservation information storing procedure for storing reservation information that defines an operation schedule of the first device (3). The device (3) includes an operation executing means (3a) for executing an operation according to an operation schedule of the reservation information stored by the reservation information storing procedure, and the reservation information is defined by the operation executing means (3a). ~ 34)
Each operation may include plug reservation management information for managing reservations, and the operation execution means (3a) may execute the operation according to the plug reservation management information.

According to this reservation management method, the reservation information includes plug reservation management information for managing reservations for each plug defined in the operation execution means, and the operation execution means executes the operation according to the plug reservation management information. When the first device can handle a plurality of streams at the same time, by defining a plurality of plugs, it is possible to reserve an operation content that simultaneously handles a plurality of streams according to the capability of the first device. The information communication means may be wireless.

The reservation information may include information defining the operation schedule of the operation executing means (3a) and information defining the connection schedule of the plugs (31 to 34) of the operation executing means (3a).

In this case, the reservation information defines which plug is used to execute the scheduled stream transmission / reception.

In the writing procedure, the reservation information may be written from the second device (1, 2) via the communication means (4) to the reservation storage means provided in the first equipment (3).

The second device (1, 2) has corresponding information storage means (1b, 2b) for storing information corresponding to the reservation information.
And an operation executing means (1a, 2a) for executing an operation corresponding to the operation schedule of the information stored in the correspondence information storage means (1b, 2b), and the operation execution of the first device (3). The means (3a) and the operation executing means (1a, 2a) of the second device (1, 2) execute the operation according to the reservation information and the correspondence information, respectively, to thereby obtain the first device (3) and the second device (3). Streams may be transmitted and received between the devices (1, 2).

In this case, the operation executing means of the second device is
Streams are transmitted and received by performing operations according to the correspondence information corresponding to the reservation information.

The reservation information based on the maximum stream number acquisition procedure (1c) for acquiring the maximum stream number that can be handled by the operation execution means (3a) and the maximum stream number acquired by the maximum stream number acquisition procedure (1c). And a determination procedure (1c) for determining whether or not the writing is possible.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0036]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a reservation management system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reservation management system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reservation management system 100 of the present embodiment is a set top box 1 and a set top box 2 such as a BS digital tuner and a terrestrial digital tuner, and a set top box 1 or a set top box 2. A video recording device 3 for digitally recording the video / audio stream received in 1. and an IEEE 1394 serial bus 4 connecting the set top box 1, the set top box 2 and the video recording device 3 to each other.

In the set top box 1 as a unit referred to as AV / C General,
There is a tuner subunit 1a and a bulletin board subunit 1b. Also, set top box 1
Control the operation of the set top box 1 and connect the recording device 3 connected to the 1394 serial bus 4.
A controller 1c is provided for controlling the operation of (1) using AV / C commands, and an antenna 1d is connected to the tuner subunit 1a.

Similarly, in the set top box 2 as a unit, there are a tuner subunit 2a and a bulletin board subunit 2b. Further, the set top box 2 is provided with a controller 2c that controls the operation of the set top box 2 and also controls the operation of the recording device 3 connected to the 1394 serial bus 4 using AV / C commands. An antenna 2d is connected to the tuner subunit 2a.

The recording device 3 is a recording device using a hard disk and can record a plurality of streams at the same time. Also, it is possible to simultaneously reproduce and output a plurality of streams. AV / C General
To describe according to l), a disk subunit 3a and a bulletin board subunit 3b exist in the recording device 3 which is a unit. Further, a controller 3c that controls the operation of the recording device 3 is provided.

The operation of the recording device 3 corresponding to the reservation information from the set top box 1 described later is executed under the control of the controller 1c, and the operation of the recording device 3 corresponding to the reservation information from the set top box 2 is performed. It is executed under the control of the controller 2c.

Next, the function of the recording device 3 will be described using the concept of a plug.

In AV / C General, the unit and sub-unit have the concept of a plug. FIG. 2 shows a unit model. The unit has a virtual unit plug indicating a data input / output function. The stream transmitted on the serial bus 4 is input from 30 or less serial bus isochronous input plugs 51 and 30 or less serial bus isochronous output plugs 5.
2 can be considered as the output. Other plugs include a serial bus asynchronous input plug 53, a serial bus asynchronous output plug 54, an external input plug 55, and an external plug.
Output plug 56 is defined.

FIG. 3 shows a subunit model.
As shown in FIG. 3, a subunit plug is also defined in the subunit. The subunit plug is a virtual plug showing a function of handling input / output of one stream to / from a unit plug or another subunit plug. In the subunit, 30 or less destination plugs 61 are defined as subunit plugs for inputting a stream, and 30 or less source plugs 62 are defined as subunit plugs for outputting a stream, respectively. The function block shown in FIG. 3 is a block that processes an input / output stream in the subunit.

In the 1394A / V device, the number of unit plugs and subunit plugs depends on the mounting, and the required number of plugs will be mounted. Further, some subunits may not have a subunit plug or a function block. The logical connection state to the sub-unit plug in the unit is called internal connection, and AV /
It can be referenced using the C command.

Assuming that the recording device 3 is capable of transmitting and receiving two streams simultaneously, the recording device 3 is shown in FIG. 4 in the AV / C unit model.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording device 3 as a unit has two serial bus isochronous input plugs 35 and 36 and two serial bus
It has isochronous output plugs 37 and 38. Further, the disk subunit 3a capable of receiving two streams at the same time has two destination plugs 31 and 32, and one stream can be input to one destination plug. Also, a disk subunit 3 capable of transmitting two streams at the same time
The a has two source plugs 31 and 32, and one stream can be output from one source plug. The destination plugs 31, 32 and the source plugs 33, 34 are subunit resources. By registering the information for identifying the subunit plugs (for example, the destination plugs 31, 32) in addition to the conventional information, the controller attempting to reserve
Controllers that try to make a later reservation determine that they are not the same subunit resource if the subunit plugs are different even if the same subunit is already reserved in the overlapping time zones.

Specifically, by expanding the subunit resource information block shown in FIG. 12, it becomes possible to register the subunit plug identification information. FIG. 5 shows the expanded subunit resource information block.

The extended subunit resource information block shown in FIG. 5 is coded to indicate the byte length (compound_length) of the subunit resource information block and the type of the subunit resource information block. Value (info_block_type), the number of subunits that the posting device (Posting Device) will use (number_of_subunits), the subunit type and ID that the posting device (Posting Device) will use (subunit_type_and_ID), and the subunit It defines the number (number_of_subunits) and the byte length (primary_field_length) of the subunit type and ID (subunit_type_and_ID). The address offset shown in FIG. 5 is specified in units of bytes.

The sub-unit type is a coded sub-unit type indicating the function of a unit such as a tuner sub-unit, a tape sub-unit or a disk sub-unit. The subunit type may also refer to a unit (a unit is also defined as a type of subunit). The subunit ID is an ID given to each subunit type, and when there are a plurality of subunits belonging to the same subunit type in one unit, they can be identified by the subunit ID.

The above information is the same as the conventional subunit resource information block.

As shown in FIG. 5, the extended subunit resource information block includes "plug type [i]" and "plug ID" in FIG.
[i] ”has been added.

The plug type [i] is a coded description of various plugs. For example, if the subunit type is a unit, the serial bus isochronous input plug and the serial bus
Isochronous output plug, serial bus asynchronous input plug, serial
Bass asynchronous output plugs, external input plugs and external
Code each output plug to describe it. If the subunit type is a specific subunit, the destination plug and source plug are coded and described.

The plug ID [i] is information for identifying individual plugs included in a plurality of plugs of the same type.

"I" of the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] is a value that identifies the subunit, and "i" is 0.
To "number of subunits-1" (number_of_subunit
Takes integers up to s).

Therefore, one subunit resource includes a subunit type and an ID [i] (subunit_type_a
nd_ID), plug type [i] and plug ID [i] 3
It is specified by a combination of three pieces of information. When reserving a plurality of subunit resources, a plurality of sets of these three pieces of information will be registered.

When it is not necessary to specify a sub-unit plug such as a sub-unit that does not have a plug, FF is set as the value of the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i].
Register ₁₆

Next, the handling of the maximum number of streams will be described.

Normally, in an IEEE 1394 device, even if a unit has, for example, four plugs, maximum two stream reception and two stream transmission cannot be performed at the same time. The number of streams that can be handled at the same time is limited to the total number of transmissions and receptions. Therefore, for example, as a limit of using the plug, 2 streams are received, 0 streams are sent,
One-stream reception is one-stream transmission, and zero-stream reception is two-stream transmission. For example, if the reservation content includes a reservation for receiving two streams in the same time zone, a reservation for outputting one more stream cannot be made. However, the maximum stream cannot be obtained from the extended subunit resource information block shown in FIG. For this reason, if the reservation is made only based on the expanded subunit resource information block, the reservation is allowed until the two-stream reception becomes the two-stream transmission state in which the operation cannot be actually realized.

For this reason, in this embodiment, an AV / C command for acquiring information on the number of streams that can be simultaneously handled by a unit and a subunit is installed. The controller acquires the number of streams that can be handled simultaneously with this command, and then uses the resource schedule board (Resource S
When referring to the reservation information of the (Schedule Board), the availability of the reservation is judged based on the number of already reserved streams. For example, if the number of streams that can be handled at the same time (maximum number of streams) is 2, if there is already a reservation that uses two input plugs when referring to the reservation information, even if the output plugs are available, further output will be performed. Judge that it is impossible to make a reservation using the plug.

By issuing such a command to the unit of the target device, for example, the maximum number of isochronous plugs that can be used simultaneously can be acquired. Similarly, if such a command is issued to the subunit of the target device, the maximum number of isochronous streams that can be handled simultaneously for the subunit plug can be acquired. Before performing reservation registration, the controller needs to acquire in advance information on the maximum number of isochronous streams that can be handled simultaneously from the target device.
The information about the maximum number of streams may be stored in the storage unit of the target device.

For example, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the serial bus isochronous input plug 35,
If a reservation is made to internally connect the destination plug 31 of the disk subunit 3a and record a stream input from the set top box 1 to the disk subunit 3a via the serial bus isochronous input plug 35. To do. The serial bus isochronous input plug 36 and the destination plug 3 of the disk subunit 3a are also included.
2 is internally connected, and it is assumed that there is a reservation for recording a stream input from the set top box 2 to the disk subunit 3a via the serial bus isochronous input plug 36.

When the time is duplicated in such a reservation, the plug type and the plug ID are different even if the subunit type and the subunit expressed by the ID are the same. Therefore, the controller 1c or the controller 2c, which performs reservation registration based on the user's reservation operation, can determine that the subunit resources are different, and the unit
If the information that the maximum number of streams that the subunit can handle at the same time is 2 is acquired in advance, it can be determined that the reservation can be executed.

However, after such a reservation is registered,
Furthermore, when an attempt is made to make a reservation for outputting a stream from the disk subunit 3a, that is, a disk reproduction reservation, the controller acquires in advance information that the maximum number of streams that can be simultaneously processed by this unit and subunit is 2, Furthermore, it can be determined that the recording device 3 does not have the ability to handle a new stream. Therefore, before the execution time on the reservation, for example, at the time of the reservation operation, the user can be notified that the reservation cannot be made or that the reservation cannot be executed.

Next, the operation of the information management system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The following processing is executed under the control of the controller of the posting device (for example, the set top box 1 or the set top box 2).

In step S1 of FIG. 6, the reservation setting operation to the controller by the user is accepted. Next, the subunit type, ID, and plug type of the subunit scheduled to be reserved for the target device (for example, the recording device 3) are determined (step S2). Next, by issuing a command, the maximum number of streams that can be simultaneously handled by each reserved subunit is acquired (step S3).

Next, the plug number information of each reserved subunit is acquired (step S4), and the resource schedule board of the target device is opened (step S4).
5). Next, the descriptor length, the list specific information field, and the number of entries are read from the resource schedule board (step S
6), list specific information field (list specific info
rmation field), the maximum size of the object list (object list maximum size), the maximum number of object entries (object entrymaximum field) and the maximum size of object entry (object entry maximum siz
e) is extracted (step S7). Next, the descriptor length, the number of object entries, and the object entry size when the reservation is written in the resource schedule board are calculated (step S8).

Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the descriptor length when the reservation is written is within the limit of the object list maximum size, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S10 and the determination is made. If is denied, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the number of object entries when the reservation is written is within the limit of the object entry maximum field (object entry maximum field). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11, and the determination is negative. If so, the process proceeds to step S12.

Next, in step S11, the object entry size is the object entry maximum size (ob
It is determined whether or not it is within the limit of (ject entry maximum size). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S14 (FIG. 7), and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, a warning is displayed to the user that the reservation cannot be made, and the process ends.

In step S14, i indicating the individual reservation contents is set to 0, the number of streams of the subunit is set to 0, and usable plug ID information is initialized.
The usable plug ID information is information indicating usable plugs (list of usable plugs). Step S
In 14, the plug ID information includes all plugs of the target type including the plugs that have already been used (reserved) in the plug ID information.

Next, in step S15, the number of entries-
It is determined whether i> 0, that is, whether all the reservation contents have been retrieved, and if the determination is affirmative, step S19.
If it is denied, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S19, the plug ID used in each subunit is determined from the available plug ID information as a result of the search. In step S19, the usable (reserved) plugs are not included in the available plugs indicated by the plug ID information. Use (reservation)
The completed plug is excluded in the process described later.

Next, an object entry is created (step S20), and the entry specific information field (entry specific informati) of the resource schedule board is created.
The reservation content is written in (on field) (step S21).
Next, the resource schedule board is closed (step S22), and the fact that the reservation has been established is presented to the user (step S23). Next, it is determined whether or not there is another reservation to be set. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S2 (FIG. 6), and if the determination is negative, the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S16, the reservation information of the resource schedule board is read, and whether or not both the content (eg, recording, reproduction, etc.) to be reserved and the time zone overlap with the already established reservation. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S25 (FIG. 8), and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S18 (step S1
7). In step S18, 1 is added to i, that is, the next reservation content is entered and the process returns to step S15.

In step S25, a value j for specifying a subunit (a unit is also included in the subunit as described above) is initialized to 0. Next, in step S26, it is determined whether or not subject number (number of subjects) -j> 0, that is, whether or not all the subunit resources in the reservation information regarding the reservation content to be targeted are referenced, If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S18, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S27. That is, here, the subunit type and ID [i] (subunit_type
_And_ID), plug type [i] and plug ID [i]
It is judged whether or not all combinations of the above three information are referred to.

In step S27, the value k for specifying the subunit resource is initialized to 0. Note that k is assigned to all subunit resources (plugs) regardless of the type (plug type) of subunit resources. Next, in step S28, it is determined whether or not k is larger than N, that is, whether or not all the subunit resources scheduled to be reserved have been investigated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S31, and if not, the step is performed. Proceed to S29. In step S29, 1 is added to j, that is, the process moves to the next subunit resource and the process returns to step S26.

At step S31, based on the reservation information,
The subunit type and ID of the scheduled reservation, that is, whether or not the subunit resource is reserved (registered),
If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S33, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S33, 1 is added to k. Next, when the reservation is made, it is judged whether the number of streams of the reserved subunit will exceed the maximum number of streams, and if the judgment is affirmative (if not, step S)
If it is denied, the process proceeds to step S36 (step S34).

In step S35, both the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] to be reserved are FF ₁₆ , or both the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] in the reservation information are FF ₁₆ . Determine if there is. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S36, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S38. As described above, FF ₁₆ is registered as the value of the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] when it is not necessary to specify the subunit plug, such as a subunit having no plug. Therefore, the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] in the reservation information are both FF ₁₆
Indicates that the subunit itself is reserved regardless of the plug, and the plug type [i] and the plug ID [i] to be reserved are the plug type [i] in the reservation information. ] And the plug ID [i], it is determined that the subunit resource is already reserved.

In step S37, it is determined whether or not the plug type to be reserved and the plug type of the reserved subunit resource included in the reservation information are the same. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S38, and if not, the step is performed. S
Proceed to 32. In step S38, the plug that has already been used (reserved) (plug determined in step S37) is deleted from the available plug ID information.

Next, in step S39, it is determined based on the plug ID information whether or not there is any available plug (a plug of the same plug type as the plug to be reserved), and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S32. If the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S32, 1 is added to k to shift to the next subunit resource.
Return to 28.

In step S36, a warning is displayed to the user that the reservation is impossible, and the process ends.

As described above, in the above processing, referring to the reservation information, if the plug of the plug type to be used is already used (reserved) (if the determination in step S37 is affirmative), use it. Plug the plug I
If it is deleted from the D information (step S38), and plugs remain until the end of the search for all subunits (if the determination in step S39 is affirmative), the plug is selected from the remaining plugs. And make a reservation (step S21). When the number of streams in the subunit exceeds the maximum number of streams (when the determination in step S34 is negative), the user is warned without making a reservation (step S36).

[0088]

As described above, according to the reservation management system of the present invention, the reservation information includes the plug reservation management information for managing the reservation for each plug defined in the operation executing means, and the operation executing means includes the plug. Since the operation is executed according to the reservation management information, by defining a plurality of plugs when the first device can handle a plurality of streams at the same time,
It is possible to make a reservation for the operation content such that a plurality of streams are simultaneously handled according to the capability of the first device.

Further, according to the reservation management method of the present invention, the reservation information includes plug reservation management information for managing reservation for each plug defined in the operation execution means, and the operation execution means corresponds to the plug reservation management information. Since the operation is executed by
In the case where the device described above can handle a plurality of streams at the same time, by defining a plurality of plugs, it is possible to reserve an operation content such that a plurality of streams can be handled simultaneously according to the capability of the first device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a reservation management system according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a unit model.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a subunit model.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an AV / C unit model of a recording device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an expanded subunit resource information block.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system using AV / C commands.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a bulletin board subunit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a resource schedule entry.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a subunit resource information block.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 set top box (second device) 1c controller (writing device, determination device) 2 set top box (second device) 2c controller (writing device, determination device) 3 recording device (first device) 3a Disk sub-unit (operation executing means) 3b Bulletin board sub-unit (reservation information storage means) 4 IEEE serial bus (communication means) 31,32 Destination plug (plug) 33,34 Source plug (plug)

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A reservation management system in which a first device and a second device are communicably connected by an information communication means so that the operation of the first device can be controlled according to a reservation, The management system includes a reservation information storage unit that stores reservation information that defines an operation schedule of the first device, and a writing unit that writes the reservation information in the reservation information storage unit. Includes operation execution means for executing an operation corresponding to the operation schedule of the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means, and the reservation information manages the reservation for each plug defined in the operation execution means. A reservation management system including plug reservation management information, wherein the operation execution means executes an operation in accordance with the plug reservation management information. 2. The second device comprises first control means for controlling an operation execution means of the first device, and the first control means comprises the first control means based on an operation schedule of the reservation information. 2. The reservation management system according to claim 1, wherein the operation execution means of the device is controlled. 3. The reservation information according to claim 1, wherein the reservation information includes information defining an operation schedule of the operation executing means and information defining a connection schedule of the plug of the operation executing means. Reservation management system described. 4. The reservation management system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation information storage unit is provided in the first device. 5. The writing means is provided in the second device, and the writing means writes the reservation information in the reservation information storage means via the communication means. Reservation management system described. 6. The second device includes a correspondence information storage unit that stores information corresponding to the reservation information, and an operation execution unit that executes an operation according to an operation schedule of the information stored in the correspondence information storage unit. And the operation executing means of the first device and the operation executing means of the second device execute an operation corresponding to the reservation information and the correspondence information, respectively, to thereby obtain the first The reservation management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a stream is transmitted and received between the device and the second device. 7. The second device comprises a second control means for controlling an operation execution means of the second device, and the second control means comprises the second control means based on an operation schedule of the reservation information. 7. The reservation management system according to claim 6, wherein the operation execution means of the device is controlled. 8. The maximum stream number storage means for storing the maximum number of streams that the operation execution means can handle, and the reservation information by the writing means obtained from the maximum stream number storage means. The reservation management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the writing is possible. 9. A reservation management method, wherein a first device and a second device are connected by an information communication means so that they can communicate information, and the operation of the first device can be controlled according to a reservation. The method comprises a reservation information storing procedure for storing reservation information defining an operation schedule of the first device, wherein the first device operates according to an operation schedule of the reservation information stored by the reservation information storing procedure. An operation executing means for executing the operation, wherein the reservation information includes plug reservation management information for managing a reservation for each plug defined in the operation executing means, and the operation executing means operates corresponding to the plug reservation management information. Reservation management method characterized by executing. 10. The reservation information according to claim 9, wherein the reservation information includes information defining an operation schedule of the operation executing means and information defining a connection schedule of the plug of the operation executing means. Reservation management method. 11. The writing procedure according to claim 9, wherein the reservation information is written from the second device to the reservation storage means provided in the first device via the communication means. Reservation management method described in. 12. The second device executes an operation in correspondence with a correspondence information storage unit that stores information corresponding to the reservation information, and an operation schedule of the information stored in the correspondence information storage unit. An operation executing means, wherein the operation executing means of the first device and the operation executing means of the second device execute an operation in accordance with the reservation information and the correspondence information, respectively, and thereby the first device The reservation management method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a stream is transmitted and received between the device and the second device. 13. A maximum stream number acquisition procedure for acquiring the maximum stream number that can be handled by the operation executing means, and whether the reservation information can be written based on the maximum stream number acquired by the maximum stream number acquisition procedure. 13. The reservation management method according to claim 9, further comprising: a judgment procedure for judging whether or not the reservation management is performed.