JP4120933B2 - GUI control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a GUI (graphical user) for displaying to a user whether a controlled device connected by a communication line such as an IEEE 1394 bus is currently “used” or “not used”. Interface) related to the control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, in a set top box (STB) or a television, recording / reproducing devices such as DVHS and HDD can be controlled via an IEEE 1394 bus. Although FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, it is also used here for description of a conventional example for convenience. In FIG. 1, as an example, controlled devices 11 to 15 are connected to a set top box 3 that is a GUI control device via an IEEE 1394 bus 4.
[0003]
The set-top box 3 reads the information of the controlled device by reading the Config ROM information through the IEEE1394 bus 4 or throwing the Unit info or Subunit info command to the newly connected controlled devices 11 to 15. get. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing identification information of each controlled apparatus in the conventional example. In FIG. 9, a device number 301 is a number assigned in order from 1 in the order of connection. The manufacturer name 302 is extracted from the Config ROM information and contains, for example, information ABCDEF. The model name 303 is similarly extracted from the Config ROM information and contains, for example, information HR-HD30000. Similarly, the EUI64 information 304 is extracted from the ConfigROM information, and is given so that there is no unique number assigned to the controlled device in the world. The flag 305 is used for distinguishing whether the controlled device is “used / not used” by the user.
[0004]
The controlled device function 306 to subunit-ID 308 are repeated by the number of functions included in the controlled device, and the example of FIG. 9 shows a case where there are three functions. That is, in the case of an IEEE 1394 multifunction peripheral, there are two or more functions, so this is repeated twice or more. The function 306 of the controlled device stores information such as DVHS, HDD, and various optical disk drives, for example, depending on the result of the Unit info or Subunit info command or, in some cases, the results of other commands. The subunit-type 307 stores a value defined in the IEEE 1394 standard depending on what category of the IEEE 1394 AV / C command is used according to the function of each controlled device. For example, tape recorder / player and disc recorder / player. The subunit-ID 308 is a number for identifying a plurality of devices of the same subunit-type included in a single device. The identification information is not limited to this and may include other information. Here, only information related to the present invention is described.
[0005]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example of a screen on which the user sets “use / do not use” to the controlled device. On the screen shown in FIG. 10, all the controlled devices that are currently connected are displayed. In FIG. 10, a title 101 indicates what is displayed on the screen. Below that, the functions of the controlled devices 11 to 15 and the model names 102 to 106 shown in FIG. ~ 111 are displayed.
[0006]
Here, the functions refer to devices having different command systems and control methods according to the IEEE 1394 standard, such as VHS, HDD, Blue-lay drive, MD drive, tuner, and the like. Even if the subunit-type is the same, the control method may be different. In this case, the functions are different. Here, for example, a maximum number of DVHS, two HDDs, a maximum tuner, one unit, etc., the prescribed number of devices that can be registered is determined for each function of the controlled device. Yes. This is because, for example, when one VHS is used, it is necessary to constantly monitor various parameters 601 to 607 as shown in FIG.
[0007]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of control information. In the figure, the power status 601 of the controlled device, the playback status 602 such as whether the controlled device is stopped, playing, recording, or fast-forwarding, and the media indicating whether a cassette is inserted Yes / No 603, media size 604 such as whether the cassette contained is a cassette of VHS size or a small cassette called VHS-C, media such as VHS tape, SVHS tape, DVHS tape Type 605, a flag 606 indicating whether or not write protection is applied, and a recording mode 607 such as HD and STD.
[0008]
Only typical ones have been written here, but there are actually many other parameters. This is the case for DVHS, and the parameters are different for other functions (for example, HDD). Since a large number of parameters must be held for one device in this way, a large amount of RAM is required unless the maximum number of devices having such information is specified. Become. Therefore, as described above, for example, the maximum number of devices that can be registered for each function of the device is determined, such as a maximum of 5 DVHS, 2 maximum HDD, 1 maximum tuner, and so on. Yes.
[0009]
In FIG. 10, all of the controlled devices are displayed on one screen, but if they cannot be displayed, they can be displayed sequentially by scrolling or page turning. Further, in the case of an IEEE 1394 multifunction peripheral, “multifunction peripheral” is displayed in the portions of functions 102 to 106 in FIG. 10 or representative functions thereof are displayed.
[0010]
When a controlled device is newly connected, a bus reset is applied from the IEEE 1394 bus 4, and the CPU 208 (see FIG. 2) to which it is transmitted goes to investigate which device is newly connected. Then, the identification information of FIG. 9 is collected, and the contents are displayed when the screen of FIG. 10 is displayed next time. In the initial state of the controlled device newly connected at this time, the “use / do not use” flag 305 in FIG. 9 is set to “do not use”. Similarly, when the controlled device is removed, a bus reset is applied from the IEEE 1394 bus 4 and the CPU 208 to which it is transmitted goes to investigate which device has been removed, and the contents of the screen shown in FIG. Display the next time it is displayed.
[0011]
Connected devices are displayed from the top in the order they are connected. In the case of FIG. 10, the multifunction device (1) (11 in FIG. 1) of DVHS (1) and HDD (1) is connected first, and then the multifunction device (2) of DVHS (2) and DVHS (3). (12 in FIG. 1), then DVHS (4) (13 in FIG. 1), HDD (2) (14 in FIG. 1), HDD (3) + BD (1) MFP (3) (15 in FIG. 1) ) In order of connection.
[0012]
The user looks at the screen of the connected device in FIG. 10 and changes from “not used” to “used” when he / she wants to use it. When not in use, change from “use” to “do not use”. FIG. 11 shows a conventional GUI screen when changing from “not used” to “use”, and FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of conventional processing. In the following, it is assumed that the operation is performed when a place to be selected on the GUI screen is selected with a cross key or the like of the remote controller and the enter key is pressed there.
[0013]
When “not used” in FIG. 10 (for example, “not used” 108 which is focused in FIG. 10) is selected by remote control operation and the enter button on the remote control is pressed there, the screen in FIG. 11 is displayed ( Step 402 in FIG. Here, the process waits for key input (step 403). Therefore, when “NO” 120 is selected with the remote controller and the OK button is pressed, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 10 (“NO” pressed in step 403 corresponds to a transition to step 407). When “Yes” 121 is selected with the remote controller and the enter button is pressed, it is checked whether or not the number of “controlled” devices that have the same function as that of “Yes” is exceeded (step 404).
[0014]
Therefore, when the number exceeds the specified number, it cannot be used anymore (transition to YES in step 404), so that “registration exceeds the specified number and cannot be registered” is displayed (step 405), and the end (end), That is, the screen returns to the display screen of FIG. 10 (step 407). On the other hand, if the number is less than the specified number, it can be set to “usable” (transition to NO in step 404), and therefore is changed to “use” (step 406). At this time, the “use / do not use” flag 305 in FIG. 9 of the identification information of the controlled device is changed to “use”. Then, collection of control information as shown in FIG. 15 is started.
[0015]
On the other hand, a conventional case of changing from “use” to “not use” will be described with reference to the GUI screen of FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG. When the display portion of “Use” in FIG. 10 (for example, “Use” 107 in FIG. 10) is selected by remote control operation and the enter button on the remote control is pressed there, the screen of FIG. 13 is displayed (FIG. 14). Step 502). Here, the process waits for key input (step 503). Therefore, when “NO” 130 is selected with the remote controller and the OK button is pressed, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 10 (“NO” pressed in step 503 corresponds to a transition to step 506). When “Yes” 131 is selected with the remote controller and the enter button is pressed (“Yes” was pressed in step 503, which corresponds to the transition to step 504), the controlled device is changed to “not used”. "Yes" makes the identification information of the controlled device "use / do not use" and flag 305 "do not use" in FIG. In FIG. 10, when the display portions 102 to 106 are selected and the enter key is pressed, a control panel as shown in FIG. 5 appears on the screen and the controlled device can be controlled.
[0016]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-358037 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-237660 A
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, the number of “use” is determined for each function of the controlled device, whereas the user sets “use / do not use” for each controlled device. There was a problem of being troublesome. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to understand why this is not possible when it is not possible to change from “not used” to “used” because the specified number of functions that are internal information of the device is unknown. It was.
[0018]
In particular, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand in the case of a 1394 multifunction peripheral. Therefore, even if the user simply sees the screen shown in FIG. 10, it is difficult to understand where and how many functions are included. It was very difficult to judge whether all the restrictions were met, such as whether DVHS was within the prescribed number of 5 or HDD was within 2 units. In other words, it is possible to calculate using a paper and a pencil on a desk, but such a GUI screen must be intuitively understood, and the user does not know what to do at that moment. Such a state has become difficult to use as a user interface.
[0019]
Furthermore, in the case of a 1394 multifunction machine, a single controlled device has multiple functions, and only a part of them is used, but the number of unused functions exceeds the specified number. There were cases that did not meet the constraints, which was irrational.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a GUI control apparatus capable of simplifying an operation for a user to set “use” and “do not use” of a controlled device.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sets the function to “use” when a new controlled device is connected to the communication line, and the number of “use” of the function exceeds the specified number. In this case, “Use” with the oldest last use time among the “Use” in the function is changed to “Do not use” and displayed.
[0021]
That is, according to the present invention, the controlled device connected to the communication line Have Each function Set against "use "or Does not use Information ,as well as For each function When the storage means for storing the last use time and a newly controlled device is connected to the communication line, all the functions of the controlled device are set to “use”, and Of all the functions of the controlled device connected to the communication line, only the same type of function as that of the newly connected controlled device is used for each type of these functions. ”Is set If the number exceeds the specified number, , That " use" Among the functions that are set, Last use time In order from the oldest function, until the specified number is not exceeded, "use" settings of To “do not use” in the storage means Memory And the storage means Memory Was Based on the “use” or “do not use” information, There is provided a GUI control device provided with GUI control means for displaying whether each function of the controlled device is currently “used” or “not used”.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system equipped with an embodiment of a GUI control device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the set-top box of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an identification of a controlled device of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a GUI screen on which the user sets “use / do not use” of the function of the controlled device, and FIG. 5 shows a GUI screen of the control panel by the set top box of FIG. FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the processing of the set top box of FIG.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, the set top box 3 is a control device that controls various controlled devices 11 to 15 using the IEEE 1394 bus 4, displays a GUI screen on the monitor 1, and the user uses the remote controller 5. GUI control for performing the operation is performed.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, five controlled devices 11 to 15 are connected to the set top box 3 using the IEEE 1394 bus 4, and these are the DVHS (1) + HDD (1) MFP (1) 11 and the DVHS ( 2) a multifunction device (2) 12 of + DVHS (3), DVHS (4) 13, HDD (2) 14, and a multifunction device (3) 15 of HDD (3) + BD (1). Here, the multifunction peripheral includes two or more IEEE 1394 standard subunits (excluding the bulletin board subunit) inside a controlled apparatus connected by one IEEE 1394 bus 4.
[0025]
DVHS (1) to (4) are digital video tape recorders, which can record data digitally via the IEEE1394 bus 4 on the tape and output the reproduced digital data to the IEEE1394 bus 4. HDDs (1) to (3) are hard disk devices, which can similarly record data on the IEEE 1394 bus 4 and output playback data to the IEEE 1394 bus 4. BD (1) is an optical disk, which can record the data received via the IEEE 1394 bus 4 on the disk and output the reproduced digital data to the IEEE 1394 bus 4. The numbers in DVHS (1) to (4), HDD (1) to (3), and BD (1) are simply numbers for identifying devices.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the control device (set top box 3 in FIG. 1) used in this embodiment. First, a channel is selected by the tuner 201 for radio waves that have entered from the antenna 200. In digital broadcasting, unlike analog broadcasting, multiple companies broadcast on one channel. Therefore, the tuner 201 performs selection by frequency and also selects one operator from the frequencies. Next, it passes through the descrambler 202. This means that if you want to charge for pay broadcasting, etc., scramble the signal so that it cannot be viewed as it is, so that you can unscramble and watch only when a specific card etc. is inserted in the receiver It is a circuit for.
[0027]
Thereafter, the data is divided into video data and audio data via the demultiplexer 203, and temporarily stored in the demultiplexer RAM 212, and then from the demultiplexer RAM 212 to the video decoder 204 and the audio decoder 205, respectively. Sent. The video decoder 204 decodes the compressed video data, and then superimposes the graphics 213 data and outputs it as a video output 2 to the monitor. The audio decoder 205 decodes the compressed audio data and outputs it as an audio output 207 by an audio amplifier.
[0028]
The tuner 201 to the audio decoder 205 are connected to the CPU 208 via the bus 220 and operate under the control thereof. In addition to the above, the bus 208 of the CPU 208 includes a ROM 209 that stores a program of the CPU 208, a RAM 210 that stores variables of the CPU 208, a flash memory 211, a 1394 I / F 214, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 215, and a remote control I / F 216. Is connected. Further, the demultiplexer 203 extracts SI / PSI information and data carousel information other than the above audio and video, and temporarily stores them in the demultiplexer RAM 212. The CPU 208 acquires this information, and for example, if it is SI information, it is information for EPG. The information of the BML document is extracted from the data carousel information and stored in the RAM 210.
[0029]
When there is an instruction to display EPG information from the user, it is presented to the user through the graphics 213. The BML document is automatically executed or is executed by a user operation. For example, a graphics user interface portion in the BML document presents a GUI screen to the user using the graphics 213.
[0030]
The 1394 I / F 214 is controlled by being connected to the CPU 208 through the bus 220. A command for control such as an AVC command is exchanged with the controlled devices 11 to 15 connected via the IEEE1394 bus 4 directly under the control of the CPU 208. In addition, when recording on the controlled devices 11 to 15 connected via the IEEE 1394 bus 4, the partial stream is received from the demultiplexer 203 and output to the IEEE 1394 bus 4, and connected via the IEEE 1394 bus 4. When the playback is performed from the existing device, the partial stream is received via the IEEE1394 bus 4 and output to the demultiplexer 203.
[0031]
Similar to the received broadcast, the demultiplexer 203 is divided into video data and audio data, temporarily stored in the demultiplexer RAM 212, and then sent from the demultiplexer RAM 212 to the video decoder 204 and the audio decoder 205, respectively. It is done. Also, SI / PSI information and data carousel information in the partial stream are processed in the same manner as when a broadcast is received.
[0032]
The RTC 215 is a timepiece, and may hold a crystal oscillator in itself and hold the time by itself, or may hold the time based on time data received as SI information from a broadcast. In the latter case, the CPU 208 acquires the time information TOT in the SI information from the demultiplexer RAM 212 via the demultiplexer 203 and holds it in the RTC 215. In some cases, it may be a relative time such as how many clocks the crystal oscillator has oscillated after the power is turned on instead of the normal time such as hour, minute and second. In any case, the CPU 208 can acquire the time data from the RTC 215.
[0033]
The remote control I / F 216 acquires and holds the infrared 6 command from the remote control 5 of FIG. The CPU 208 reads this to know which button on the remote control has been pressed or released.
[0034]
When there is a change in the connection of the device on the IEEE 1394 bus 4, a bus reset occurs on the IEEE 1394 bus 4, which is notified to the CPU 208 through the 1394 I / F 214. A bus reset may occur when there are newly connected devices, when there are no devices originally connected, or both together. The CPU 208 controls the 1394 I / F 214 to know which device is newly connected and which device is not connected.
[0035]
The identification information of the controlled device according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, and the same items as those in FIG. Here, the difference from FIG. 9 will be mainly described. The first difference is that there is one flag 305 “used / not used” for the controlled devices 11 to 15 in the conventional example, but in the present invention, each function included in the controlled devices 11 to 15. It is attached to each. The second difference is that a “last used time” 351 is newly added to each function of the controlled devices 11 to 15. As this information 351 of each controlled device, the CPU 208 acquires and sets time information from the RTC 215 shown in FIG. 2 every time each controlled device is used.
[0036]
As a result, information attached to each function of the controlled devices 11 to 15 is
-"Use / Do not use" flag 305,
The function 306 of the controlled device,
・ Subunit-type 307,
・ Subunit-ID308,
・ Last used time 351
These are five. FIG. 3 shows an example of an IEEE 1394 multifunction machine having three functions, and these pieces of information 305 to 308 and 351 are repeated three times.
[0037]
FIG. 4 shows a GUI screen on which the user sets “use / do not use” for each function of the controlled device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, a 1394 connection setting menu 701 indicates that this screen displays a setting menu for 1394 connection. The entire setting menu frame 702 is linked to a slide bar 726 (a range surrounded by a double line). A position indicator 727 in the slide bar 726 indicates which portion of the entire setting menu 702 is currently displayed depending on where the black square is located in the two triangles in the slide bar 726.
[0038]
When the frames 721 to 725 indicating “use” and “not use” are traced up and down by the cross key from the remote controller 5, the position indicator 727 moves up and down in conjunction with the frames. In FIG. 4, the “use” 723 is currently focused and reversed, but this is a state where the “use” 725 is in focus and the down key of the cross key of the remote controller 5 is pressed. When the button is pressed, the screen in FIG. 4 scrolls up, the line hidden underneath is displayed, and the position indicator 727 is interlocked and lowered in the scroll bar 726. At this time, the number of lines to be scrolled may be one line or a plurality of lines, or it may change depending on the case and all functions of the controlled devices 11 to 15 after scrolling may be displayed. Good.
[0039]
As described above, when the up / down operation is performed with the cross key of the remote controller 5, various information of the connected controlled devices 11 to 15 is displayed. The information 703 of the multifunction device (1), the information 704 of the multifunction device (2), and the information 705 of DVHS (1) are obtained. As for the function of the controlled device, information 710 to 713 is displayed for the currently displayed information 703 to 705, but this also shows a representative example (like information 705). In the case of a single function, the function is displayed without being separated, and the device name and the function may be divided into different lines.) Therefore, the controlled device names 703 to 705 and the functions 710 to 713 are described in the following description, but these actually represent all the controlled devices connected by the reference numerals 703 to 705. That is. As for functions, all functions of all controlled devices are represented by reference numerals 710 to 713. In other words, those not displayed are also included by these codes.
[0040]
In FIG. 4, when the display portions 710 to 713 (corresponding to 102 to 106 in FIG. 10 in the conventional example) are selected and the enter key is pressed, a control panel as shown in FIG. 5 appears on the screen and the controlled devices 11 to 15 are displayed. It is possible to control the same as in FIG. The operation when a new controlled device is connected will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When a new device is connected (step 601), the new controlled device is first "used" by default (step 602). Next, it is checked whether or not the prescribed number is satisfied for each function (hereinafter, the case where the number is less than the prescribed number is satisfied, which is larger than the prescribed number, that is, the case where the number is exceeded is not satisfied) (step 603). This indicates that what kind of functions are included in each of the devices that are “used”.
[0041]
For example, suppose that the current state is the connection state (see FIG. 1) of the controlled devices 11 to 15 as follows.
Controlled device 11: DVHS (1) and HDD (1) compound machine
-Controlled device 12: DVHS (2) and DVHS (3) compound machine
Controlled device 13: DVHS (4)
Controlled device 14: HDD (2)
Controlled device 15: MFP (3) and BD (1) compound machine
[0042]
In this case, there are four DVHS, three HDD, and one BD as functions. On the other hand, it is assumed that the maximum number of DVHS is 5, the maximum number of HDDs is 3, and the maximum number of BDs is 1. Here, when a DVHS is connected as the controlled device 16 (not shown) in the above connection state, five DVHS and three HDDs, both of which are within the prescribed number. Next, consider a case where an HDD is connected as the controlled device 16. In this case, four DVHS and four HDDs exceed the prescribed number of HDDs. Further, consider a case where a DVHS and HDD multifunction device is connected as the controlled device 16. In this case, there are five DVHS and three HDDs, and the number of HDDs exceeds the specified number. Further, when considering a case where a multifunction device containing two DVHSs is connected as the controlled device 16, in this case, there are six DVHS and two HDDs, and DVHS exceeds the prescribed number. As described above, which function exceeds the specified number varies depending on the controlled device 16 connected.
[0043]
In step 603, an algorithm for determining whether the specified number has been exceeded becomes important. The algorithm in this case will look at each function. For example, first, when a function called DVHS is looked at and the prescribed number is not satisfied, among the devices including the function called DVHS, the last used time 351 is “ “Don't use”. When the DVHS is satisfied, the next time the HDD is viewed, if the specified number is not met, the device that includes the HDD is “not used”. ”In order, and the algorithm looks at the next function.
[0044]
In this case, when the newly connected device is a multi-function device having a plurality of functions, it is also important which function to look at. In that case
1) Look in the originally defined order.
2) Find the subunit corresponding to the unit type returned by the unit info command for the newly connected MFP, and first look at the corresponding function.
3) According to the order of the subunits that appear in the subunit page table entry returned by the subunit info command for the newly connected MFP, the function order corresponding to the subunits is used.
And so on.
[0045]
In the determination of the specified number in step 603, when the specified number of all functions is satisfied (“the specified number of all functions is satisfied” in step 603), the process proceeds to the end 605 to end. On the other hand, if there is a function that does not satisfy the specified number (“There is a function that is not satisfied” in step 603), the “use / do not use” flag 305 is used in the identification information of the function of the controlled device that does not satisfy the function. Is set to “use”, and the “use / do not use” flag 305 of the function with the oldest use time (see time 351 in FIG. 3) is changed to “do not use” (step 604). ). That is, the function of the controlled device is put into a “not used” state. The other functions of the same controlled device in the multifunction peripheral are not changed as they are. Then, the process proceeds to step 603 again to check. Steps 603 and 604 are repeated until all the prescribed numbers are satisfied. In step 603, all functions are checked, but only the functions of the newly connected device may be investigated.
[0046]
Next, the operation when the controlled device is disconnected from the IEEE1394 bus 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the controlled device is removed from the IEEE 1394 bus 4, a bus reset is generated from the IEEE 1394 bus 4 (step 631). In response, for each function that the removed controlled device had, look at the identification information in the currently connected controlled device for each function, and check whether the function exists. Check (step 632). When a plurality of controlled devices are removed, all the functions they have are checked. If all the functions have already been checked (“all functions have been checked” in step 632), the process proceeds to the end of step 638 and ends.
[0047]
If not all functions have been checked (“all functions have not been checked” in step 632), the process proceeds to step 633 to check each of the functions of the removed controlled device so far. Start checking for one of the functions that are not. The algorithm for selecting one of the functions not checked so far is the same as in FIG.
1) Look in the originally defined order.
2) Find the subunit corresponding to the unit type returned by the unit info command for the newly connected MFP, and first look at the corresponding function.
3) According to the order of the subunits that appear in the subunit page table entry returned by the subunit info command for the newly connected MFP, the function order corresponding to the subunits is used.
And so on.
[0048]
Therefore, the process proceeds to step 634, and the function 306 of the controlled device as shown in FIG. 3 is checked with respect to all the controlled devices for one of the functions that have not been checked so far and selected in step 633. Among the functions that have the function and the "use / do not use" flag 305 for the function is not used, the latest use time 351 is found by looking at the last use time 351, and the corresponding "use" Change the “No” flag 305 to “Use”. At this time, if none of the “use / do not use” flags 305 is set to “do not use”, the process proceeds to “None” in the next step 635 and goes to step 632. This is because the function no longer needs to be checked.
[0049]
On the other hand, if there is something that is “not used”, it is determined in step 635 that it “has not yet”, and the process proceeds to step 636. In step 636, it is checked whether the specified number of the function is satisfied. If the specified number of the function is not satisfied due to the change from “not used” to “used” in step 634 (“not satisfied the specified number” in step 636), the process proceeds to step 637. Now, change it back to meet the specified number. Then, the check for the function is finished, and the process proceeds to step 632 to check whether there is a function to be checked next.
[0050]
On the other hand, in step 636, when the specified number is satisfied by changing from “not used” to “used” in step 634 (“the specified number of the function is satisfied” in step 636). The process proceeds to step 634 to search for other items that are not used. That is, what is determined to be “not used” is determined as “none” in step 635, or is determined to be “not satisfying the prescribed number” in step 636, until steps 634, 635, 636 loops. With the above operation, when the end of step 638 is reached, the function that always satisfies the specified number and enters the “used” state reaches the maximum state.
[0051]
Further, the operation when the user wants to use the controlled apparatus currently set to “not used” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, first, when the columns 710 to 713 on the GUI screen shown in FIG. 4 are selected and the determination key is pressed, the “use / do not use” state corresponding to the controlled device is important. If it is “Used”, it remains as it is. If it is “not used”, it starts from the start (step 661) in FIG. This flow is almost the same as in FIG. 6, and steps 601 to 605 correspond to steps 66l to 665.
[0052]
The first difference is in step 662, the process proceeds from start to step 662, and the function of the selected controlled device is set to “use”. At this time, it is assumed that the last-selected controlled device is used with the current time as the time 351 used at the end of the identification information of the corresponding controlled device. As a result, even if the time when the selected controlled device was last used is older than the time when the other controlled device was used, it is used most recently, and the loop of steps 663 and 664 is performed. Make the order of “not used” last.
[0053]
The operations in steps 663 to 665 are the same as those in steps 603 to 605 in FIG. 6, but all functions are checked for FIG. 6, but the second difference is now changed to “use” in FIG. 8. Check for functionality only. In any case, in step 663, the function that is “used” in the oldest function used in step 664 is changed to “not used” until the specified number of functions is satisfied. Repeat to do.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, according to the present invention, Yu The user can easily perform the operation of setting “use / do not use” of the controlled device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system including an embodiment of a GUI control apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the set top box of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing identification information of the controlled device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a GUI screen on which the user sets “use / do not use” of the function of the controlled device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a GUI screen of a control panel by the set top box of FIG. 1;
6 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the set-top box of FIG. 1 when a new controlled device is connected.
7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the set-top box of FIG. 1 when a controlled device is removed.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the set-top box of FIG. 1 when the user changes the function of the controlled device from “not use” to “enable”.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing identification information of each controlled apparatus of a conventional example.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a controlled device setting screen of a conventional example.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen of a conventional example when changing from “not used” to “used”;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional process when changing from “not used” to “used”;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen of a conventional example when changing from “use” to “not use”;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a conventional example when changing from “use” to “not use”;
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of control information.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Monitor
3 Set top box
4 IEEE1394 bus
5 Remote control
11-15 Controlled device
200 antenna
201 Tuner
202 Descrambler
203 Demultiplexer
204 Video decoder
205 Audio decoder
208 CPU
209 ROM
210 RAM
211 flash memory
212 Demultiplexer RAM
213 graphics
214 1394 I / F
215 RTC (Real Time Clock)
216 Remote control I / F

Claims (2)

Storage means for storing information of "ON" or "OFF" is set for each function which the control device has connected to the communication line, and the last used time of each of said functions,
When a new controlled device is connected to the communication line, all the functions of the controlled device are set to “use” and all the controlled devices connected to the communication line have Of these functions, only the functions of the same type as the functions of the newly connected controlled device , the number of functions for which “Use” is set exceeds the specified number for each type of these functions whether the determined, if it exceeds predetermined number, for that of the function "oN" is set, the order from the last used time old function, until no more than said predetermined number, the function Change the setting of “use” to “not use” and store it in the storage means,
Whether each function of the controlled device is currently “used” or “not used” based on the “used” or “not used” information stored in the storage means GUI control means for displaying
GUI control device provided. The GUI control unit, when the one of the controlled device of the controlled device that has been connected to the communication line is disconnected, "not used" in the disengaged the controlled device had functional Among all the functions of the controlled device connected to the communication circuit, only for the same type of function as the function of the controlled device removed from the communication line, for each type of these functions, the number of function "oN" is set, it is determined whether or not less than the prescribed number, if less than the predetermined number, function the "OFF" is set Among them, in order from the new function of the last use time , until the specified number is reached, the setting of “ not used” for the function is changed to “use” and stored in the storage means,
Based on the information of said "ON" stored in the storage means or "OFF", the each function of the controlled device, the current "ON" or "OFF" either state The GUI control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the GUI is displayed.

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