JP4208267B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to control of a multimedia device that handles various types of information such as characters, sounds, still images, and moving images.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digitalization has been actively performed in various fields including AV devices such as VTRs and CDs. There is a demand to digitize such devices as so-called multimedia devices and to integrate and use information such as video, audio and text. Conventionally, the connection of such devices has been managed by the user under the responsibility of the user, but in order to handle each information in an integrated manner, a device for managing and controlling these devices is required.
[0003]
There is a system in which an information processing apparatus such as a computer and a printer are connected by a network to a system similar to this. In such a system, in order to manage and operate the connected devices accurately and efficiently, an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as a multimedia controller) that manages and controls the devices is connected to the system. It is necessary to check the status of the installed equipment properly. The following method is used as a method of confirmation.
[1] A method in which identification information of each device connected to the system is manually input in advance into a storage device of the multimedia controller, and the multimedia controller reads and confirms it when the power is turned on.
[2] A method in which identification information of each device connected to the system is manually input to a storage device of each device, and the multimedia controller reads and confirms it by communication when power is turned on.
[3] A method in which identification information of each device connected to the system is allocated to the storage device of each device by examining the device connected to the multimedia controller according to a user operation.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technology is a computer system technology and requires a certain level of technology and knowledge about the computer system. For general users who are used in homes such as VTRs and CD players, etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to penetrate.
[0005]
For example, in the technique [1] of the prior art described above, information on the device connected to the device must be manually input to the multimedia controller in advance, and what identification information is assigned to which device. The administrator who made the input had to manage it. For this reason, the administrator must manage them accurately, and malfunctions due to input mistakes were inevitable. In addition, when it is desired to newly connect a device to the system, the administrator has to ask the administrator to newly allocate identification information and input it to the multimedia controller.
[0006]
Next, in the case of the above-mentioned prior art [2], even if the multimedia controller performs the allocation to each device, each identification information is also input beforehand to the device connected to the system manually. It was necessary to avoid malfunctions caused by input errors.
[0007]
Both [1] and [2] cannot be recognized when a new device is added to or disconnected from the system while the system is up, and the system must be shut down and restarted again. Without them, the devices could not be recognized correctly.
[0008]
In the case of the above-mentioned prior art [3], the above-mentioned problem has been considerably solved, and even when a new device is added to or disconnected from the system while the system is up, the system is once brought down. They can be recognized without restarting the system, but the system user does not have to issue a command to the multimedia controller that instructs the system controller to check the devices connected to the system. In other words, the user must always be aware that a new device has been connected to or disconnected from the system, and that the user has to perform the command issuing operation each time.
[0009]
Due to the problems as described above, the conventional system has a problem that it is difficult for general users who do not have the technology and knowledge of computer systems to accept.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present inventionPertaining toThe control device is a control device that controls a controlled device connected to a network,In a case where a message transmitted by the controlled device according to a predetermined period is received before a predetermined period elapses, it is determined that the controlled device is connected to the network, and the message is transmitted to the predetermined device. Means for determining that the controlled device is not connected to the network in a case where reception is not possible before the period elapses;The controlled device is connected to the network;If it is determined thatThe controlled deviceTheMeans for displaying an icon to be displayed on the display means, and from the controlled deviceofMeans for generating a control panel for controlling the controlled device based on control information; and means for notifying the controlled device of an operation on the control panel, and the control according to the operation on the icon Display the panel on the display meansDoIt is characterized by.
[0012]
【Example】
Embodiments of the system control system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
First, a multimedia device environment that is made into an object and connected by a network will be described.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows a logical connection form between a multimedia controller and a multimedia device incorporating the object-oriented concept of the present invention. A communication path is established so that various multimedia devices can directly interact with each other on a one-to-one basis centering on one multimedia controller, and messages are communicated with each other via the communication path. Control by things. Multimedia devices specifically target devices that handle all multimedia data such as AV devices such as CD players, digital VTRs, digital cameras, and digital TVs, and OA devices such as digital faxes, digital copiers, and printers. Yes.
[0015]
The controller is assumed to be a dedicated device here, but it can also be realized by mounting a dedicated OS and application software on a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a word processor WS.
[0016]
Next, FIG. 2 shows physical connection forms for establishing a bidirectional communication path between the multimedia controller and the multimedia device (a) to (c).
[0017]
Figure (a) shows the daisy chain connection method used in the SCSI bus (ANSI X3.131-1986), and (b) shows the star connection method used in Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) 10BaseT. (C) shows the series connection method adopted in Ethernet 10Base2 / 5.
[0018]
In connection mode, there are (a) to (c) mixed methods such as GPIB (IEEE 488), and Ethernet (b) and (c) mixed methods. As for the communication method, various combinations and selections other than those shown in FIG. 2, such as a method using an optical cable or ISDN, can be performed.
[0019]
In the present invention, no particular mention is made as to how to establish this bidirectional communication path and which one is selected. However, physical restrictions (transfer speed, number of connections, connection length, connector shape, etc.) due to differences in communication methods do not pose a problem because the protocol hierarchy is different in message communication, but it is not possible to interconnect peripheral devices. In order to carry out surely, it is necessary to have at least one kind of physical (mechanical / electrical) common interface.
[0020]
In order to realize high-speed data communication such as moving images, optical communication methods such as FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) and B-ISDN, which are faster than Ethernet, can be considered. The explanation will be made assuming that Ethernet 10Base2 (/ T), which is inexpensive and popular, has a common communication connector.
[0021]
Next, an internal block diagram in terms of hardware of a general multimedia device is shown in FIG.
[0022]
Each of the plurality of multimedia devices is connected to the controller via 4 LANs. Since the LAN is now Ethernet, an interface unit 20 for processing the communication protocol (TCP / IP) is provided. This can be realized by using a dedicated LSI. Here, the sent message itself is taken out, or conversely, the message is sent to the controller. As an example of a message, in Objective-C, the general form is expressed as:
[0023]
[Target object method name: argument]
The expression is different in other languages, but basically the same, and the following designations are made.
[0024]
(1) Specifying the target object
(2) Specifying the method (process to be executed)
(3) If there is an argument (parameter), specify it
The handling of this message will be described with reference to the software flow of FIG.
[0025]
Inside the multimedia device, there are 11 CPUs that perform all software processing and hardware control via 10 internal buses, 12 ROMs that store programs, initial values and specific information, temporary data and 13 RAMs used as work areas for storing internal parameters such as device status and program execution, 14 data I / Os for accessing 15 multimedia data stored in the internal medium or external medium, There are 16 mechanical system drive units for controlling mechanical parts such as 17 motors and 18 electrical system drive units for controlling electrical parts of the display system such as 19 switches SW and LEDs. In addition, 15 multimedia data is a part where digital data such as images, sounds, and characters are stored, but optical disks such as CD-ROM and MD, magnetic tape media such as DCC and DAT, semiconductor memory cards, etc. There can be various forms.
[0026]
Next, FIG. 4 shows an internal block diagram of the multimedia controller in terms of hardware. In the figure, it is connected to a multimedia device via a LAN 4. Since the LAN is now Ethernet, there is an interface unit 31 for processing the communication protocol (TCP / IP). This can be realized by using a dedicated LSI or the like. The message itself sent here is taken out, or conversely, the message is sent to the multimedia device.
[0027]
Inside the multimedia controller, there are 21 CPUs that perform all software processing and hardware control via 30 internal buses, 22 ROMs that store programs, initial values and specific information, temporary data and There are 23 RAMs that store internal parameters such as device status and are used as work areas when executing programs. The 25 multimedia filing apparatus performs storage, retrieval, reproduction, editing, and the like of multimedia data regardless of either the internal medium or the external medium. The access control is performed by 24 data I / Os, 29 switches SW, LEDs, etc., 28 electrical drive units for controlling the electrical parts of the display system, and 27 displays for configuring the man-machine interface. 26 display controllers for controlling the display, and a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a system hierarchy diagram in the software aspect of the multimedia device. The internal block diagram shown in FIG. The 58 OS performs basic control for controlling these hardware. The OS itself is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to have a multitasking function for executing a plurality of programs in parallel with real-time performance. On this OS, in order to realize the objectization of the multimedia device, a class library 59 specific to each multimedia device is provided.
[0029]
Although it is not shown in the figure, it has its own control panel and control library to be controlled by the controller, and this is transmitted when connected to the controller, so that the control specific to the multimedia device is realized from the controller side. . There is also a C function 60 for performing timers and arithmetic operations.
[0030]
At the highest level, there are 61 application software that controls the multimedia device itself, communicates with the multimedia controller, and handles the user interface. With this application, the multimedia device body can perform various controls and executions by exchanging messages from the controller as one object, and internal parameters can be read and changed as instance variables.
[0031]
FIG. 5 shows a system hierarchy diagram in software of the multimedia controller. The internal block diagram shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to 50 hardware. The 51 OS performs basic control for controlling these hardware. Again, the OS itself is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to have both real-time and multitasking functions.
[0032]
On this OS, 52 Window Servers that perform general GUI (Graphical Users Interface) such as display of control screens of a plurality of connected multimedia devices, display and control of overall system connection status, and switching of data input / output There is. The 53 common class library stores basic common component groups (object groups) relating to user interfaces and controls such as buttons, slide volumes, and text display areas prepared in advance on the controller side.
[0033]
Conversely, the 55 unique class library stores a group of components (object group) related to panel display and control unique to the connected multimedia device. As described above, this unique library is sent from the device every time the multimedia device is connected to the system and increases. These specific procedures will be described later. There is also a C function 54 for performing timers and arithmetic operations. In the highest hierarchy, there are 56 application softwares that control the entire connected multimedia device, and communicate with the multimedia device and the user interface.
[0034]
A specific control flow and message exchange between the controller and the multimedia device will be described below.
[0035]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state before the multimedia device is connected to the multimedia controller. In FIG. 7, 4 is a LAN for communicating digital data, and 1 is a multimedia controller for controlling the operation of the entire system. 2 is a generalized structure of a multimedia device connected to the LAN 4. Reference numeral 205 denotes a system director object that is a software object (hereinafter referred to as an object) that resides in the multimedia controller 1 and manages the entire system.
[0036]
Reference numeral 1064 denotes a multimedia device object which is an object that functions as a multimedia device objected to other objects on the LAN 4. The multimedia device object 1064 is further composed of three objects 1065, 1066, 1067.
[0037]
1065 is a multimedia device controller object that controls hardware to realize most of the functions of the multimedia device 2, and 1066 is a multimedia device data input that handles input of digital data from other devices via the LAN 4 An object 1067 is a multimedia device data output object that handles output of digital data to other devices via the LAN 4.
[0038]
1061 is a multimedia device proxy object description file that describes the specifications of the multimedia device proxy object generated in the multimedia controller 1 when the multimedia device 2 is connected to the multimedia controller 1 via the LAN 4. The multimedia device proxy object description file 1061 is a multimedia device control panel object description unit 1062 that describes the specifications of the operation panel of the multimedia device 2 and a data input / output proxy object that performs data input / output proxy to the multimedia device 2. It consists of a data input / output proxy object description unit 1063 that describes the specification. In particular, the multimedia device control panel object description section implements the function of a GUI description language for describing a control panel for operating the multimedia device 2 using a GUI.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state when the multimedia device 2 is connected to the LAN 4. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1068 denotes an object generated in the multimedia controller 1, which is a multimedia device proxy object 1068 that functions as a proxy for the multimedia device 2 in the multimedia controller 1. The multimedia device proxy object 1068 is a multimedia device control panel object 1069 that functions as a control panel for the multimedia device 2, and a multimedia device data input proxy object 1070 that functions as a proxy for the multimedia device data input object 1066 when inputting data. Similarly, it is composed of a multimedia device data output proxy object 1071 that functions as a proxy for the multimedia device data output object 1067.
[0040]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a general class library. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1079 denotes a first class which is one of classes that define properties and functions common to objects having similar properties and function as templates for object generation. A collection of p classes from the first class 1079 to the p-th class 1085 as a library is called a class library 1086, and all objects belong to a specific class. Reference numeral 1080 denotes a data type and name of an internal variable of an object belonging to the class, a class definition unit that defines a data type and name of an internal function (generally referred to as a class method) representing data processing means, and reference numeral 1081 denotes access to the class method. A class method table in which pointers to the codes of the class methods are tabulated to enable the code, and a code portion for storing function codes of k class methods from the first function code 1083 to the k-th function code 1084 It is.
[0041]
FIG. 10 shows the structure of a general object. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 234 denotes an object, which includes a pointer storage unit 244 to a class method table, a message communication unit 245, a processing search unit 246, a method unit 239, and an internal data unit 235. The method part 239 is composed of m data processing means up to the m-th data processing means 242 including the first data processing means 240 and the second data processing means 241. Reference numeral 235 denotes an internal data portion, which is composed of n pieces of internal data up to the nth internal data 238 including the first internal data 236 and the second internal data 237.
[0042]
Each internal data constituting the internal data part 235 is unique to each object and therefore is held inside the object. However, the data processing means of the method part can be shared between objects if the class is the same, so the first data Data processing means from the processing means 240 to the m-th data processing means 242 are managed for each class by the class method table 243 and are shared by a plurality of objects belonging to the same class. The class method table 243 is referenced from each object by a pointer stored in the pointer storage unit 244 to the class method table.
[0043]
The message communication unit 245 receives a message from another object and sends it to the processing search unit 246. The process search means 246 analyzes the message, searches the method part 239 (actually from the class method table 243) for the data processing means corresponding to the message, and executes it. The data processing means executes predetermined processing on the data attached to the message, the internal data existing in the internal data portion 235, and the external data. Some processes send a message to another object. In that case, the message is sent to the other object via the message communication means 245.
[0044]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of the system director object 205. In the drawing, reference numeral 1072 denotes a pointer storage unit to the class method table, which indicates the system director class class method table 1073. Reference numeral 1047 denotes multimedia device proxy object generation means for generating a multimedia device proxy object 1068 based on the description of the multimedia device proxy object description file 1061. Reference numeral 343 denotes data input / output management means for managing data input / output between objects, and reference numeral 380 denotes application object generation means for generating application objects for various purposes. Reference numeral 1074 denotes message communication means, 342 denotes processing search means, and 1075 denotes a method part. Reference numeral 1076 denotes an internal data part, object ID 344, inter-device link information management data for performing a certain operation using a plurality of multimedia devices, 1078, connected multimedia devices, object registration relating to the generated object Information.
[0045]
The system director object 205 reads the multimedia device proxy object description file 1061 when the multimedia device 2 is connected to the LAN 4 using the multimedia device proxy object generation means 1047, and is described in the multimedia device proxy object description file 1061. A class to which an object to be generated belongs is selected from the information, and a multimedia device proxy object 1068 is generated based on the class definition unit 1080 of the corresponding class in the class library 1081.
[0046]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control panel description part of the proxy object description file. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 247 denotes a control panel object description part, which is composed of i pieces of object description information from the first object description information 248 to the i-th object description part 249. One piece of object description information includes object recognition information 250, object drawing information 254, and object link information 260.
[0047]
The object recognition information 250 includes a class name 251 indicating a class to which the object belongs, an object ID 252 which is an ID unique to the i-th object, and an belonging object ID 253 indicating the ID of the object to which the i-th object directly belongs.
[0048]
The object drawing information 254 is information for drawing an object such as a button constituting the control panel display screen 231. The object drawing information 254 includes j pieces of object drawing information from the first object drawing information 255 to the jth object drawing information 259. Composed. One object drawing information includes drawing position / size information 256, shape / color information 257, and object image 258.
[0049]
The object link information 261 is a description for providing link information with the object corresponding to the object constituting the control panel object such as the controller object 207, and k pieces of information from the first object link information 261 to the kth object link information 264 are provided. Consists of object link information. One object link information includes a corresponding object ID 262 and a send message 263 to the corresponding object.
[0050]
FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the data input / output proxy object description part of the proxy object description file. In FIG. 13, 650 is a data input / output proxy object description section, 651 is first input proxy object information, and 655 is m-th input proxy object information. Each input proxy object information is composed of its own object ID 652, a link destination corresponding data input object ID 653 indicating the ID of the link destination data input object, and a consistent file type list 654 which is a list of file types that can be input. . 659 is first output proxy object information, and 663 is n-th output proxy object information. Each output proxy object is composed of its own object ID 660, a corresponding data output object ID indicating the ID of the corresponding data output object, and a consistent file type list 662 that is a list of file types that can be output.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the present invention will be described taking a digital VTR as an example of a specific control system of the multimedia device 2 based on the system control method described above.
[0052]
FIG. 14 shows a state before the objectized digital VTR is connected to the multimedia controller. In FIG. 14, 203 is a digital VTR, and 206 is a digital VTR object that resides in the digital VTR 203 and functions as a digital VTR that is made into an object as viewed from other devices on the LAN. The digital VTR object 206 is further composed of three objects. Reference numeral 207 denotes a digital VTR controller object that controls hardware of the digital VTR 203.
[0053]
Reference numeral 208 denotes a digital VTR data input object that handles input of digital data from other devices via the LAN 4. Reference numeral 209 denotes a digital VTR data output object that handles output of digital data to other devices via the LAN 4. A digital VTR proxy object description file 210 describes the specifications of the digital VTR proxy object generated in the multimedia controller 1 when the digital VTR 203 is connected to the multimedia controller 1 via the LAN 4.
[0054]
The digital VTR proxy object description file 210 describes the specifications of the digital VTR data input / output proxy object that performs the data input / output proxy to the digital VTR 203 and the digital VTR control panel object description section 211 that describes the specifications of the operation panel of the digital VTR 203. It consists of a digital VTR data input / output proxy object description unit 212.
[0055]
FIG. 15 shows the structure of the VTR controller object 207. In the figure, reference numeral 1009 denotes a pointer storage unit for the class method table, which stores a pointer to the class method table 1018. The class method table 1018 includes a number of data processing means such as a playback execution means 1019 for controlling the hardware of the digital VTR 203 and executing a playback operation, and a recording execution means 1020 for executing a recording operation. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a message communication unit, and reference numeral 1011 denotes a process search unit. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a method part, but the actual data processing means is indicated by a class method table 1018. Reference numeral 1015 denotes an internal data portion, which is composed of a number of variables and status information necessary for controlling the digital VTR 203 such as a tape running state 1016 and a tape current position 1017.
[0056]
First, an operation when the digital VTR 203 is connected to the LAN 4 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation flow when the digital VTR 203 is connected to the LAN 4. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen of the multimedia controller 1. In FIG. 17, 228 is a display of the multimedia controller 1, 229 is an icon display indicating that the digital VTR 203 is connected, and 230 is a cursor indicating a position indicated by a pointing device such as a mouse. Although the pointing device is not shown, the pointing device includes a button, and an operation of pressing and releasing the button by a user is generally referred to as clicking, and an operation of clicking twice at a predetermined interval is referred to as double-clicking. Other connected devices can be connected to various devices such as cameras (still image input), tuners, televisions, various databases, CDs, etc., and selection and control of these devices are also on the screen 228. This can be done with an icon display.
[0057]
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a state when the objectized digital VTR 203 which is an example of the multimedia device is connected to the LAN 4. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 220 denotes an object generated in the multimedia controller 1, which is a digital VTR proxy object 220 that functions as a proxy for the digital VTR 203 in the multimedia controller 1. The digital VTR proxy object 220 includes a digital VTR control panel object 221 that functions as a control panel of the digital VTR 203, a digital VTR data input proxy object 222 that functions as a proxy for the data input object 208 when inputting data, and similarly a data output object 209. It consists of a digital VTR data output proxy object 223 that functions as a proxy.
[0058]
The operation when the objectized digital VTR 203, which is an example of a multimedia device, is connected to the LAN 4 according to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. FIG. When the digital VTR 203 is connected to the LAN (636), the system director object 205 recognizes the connection of the digital VTR 203 (637). Next, the system director object 205 sends the device ID to the digital VTR 203 (638).
[0059]
Next, the system director object 205 loads the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 from the digital VTR 203 using the multimedia device proxy object generation means 1047 (639). Next, the system director object 205 generates a digital VTR proxy object 220 in the multimedia controller 1 based on the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 using the multimedia device proxy object generation means 1047 (640). As a result, the connection state shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. Next, the digital VTR proxy object 220 displays the icon display 229 of the digital VTR 203 on the display 228 of the multimedia controller 1 (641). Thereafter, it waits for an instruction from the user (642).
[0060]
Thereafter, the operator operates the digital VTR based on the operation screen displayed based on the digital VTR control panel object 221 of the multimedia controller, so that the operator operates the digital VTR proxy object 220 in the multimedia controller 1. The digital VTR can be controlled.
[0061]
Next, the relationship between the description of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 and the generated object will be described in more detail.
[0062]
FIG. 19 shows an icon of the digital VTR 203, and FIG. 20 shows an example of a control panel display screen. FIG. 19 shows an icon 229 displayed when the digital VTR 203 is connected to the LAN 4. FIG. 20 shows a default display screen drawn by the digital VTR control panel object 221. In FIG. 20, reference numeral 232 denotes a control panel display selection menu displayed on the display, and reference numeral 265 denotes a time counter display for displaying the elapsed time of the tape. Reference numeral 266 denotes a control mode selection unit 267 for selecting a control mode of the digital VTR 203. First switch button display for setting a default control mode. Reference numeral 268 denotes a second switch button for selecting a more detailed control mode. 269 is a rewind button display, 270 is a reverse play button display, 271 is a pause button display, 272 is a play button display, 273 is a fast forward button display, 274 is a stop button display, and 275 is a record button display.
[0063]
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the class to which the object belongs and the constituent elements of the digital VTR control panel object 221. The class to which each basic component belongs is defined in advance in the class library 1081 and held in the multimedia controller 1. As shown in FIG. 21, each component of the digital VTR control panel object 221 functions as an object constituting the digital VTR control panel object 221.
[0064]
In FIG. 21, the frame of the control panel display screen 231 corresponds to the VTR control panel object 284 (ID = 1) of the panel class. The display selection menu 232 of the control panel corresponds to the panel view setting menu object 285 (ID = 2) of the menu class. The time counter display 265 corresponds to the time counter object 286 (ID = 3) of the form class. The rewind button display 269 corresponds to the button class rewind button object 287 (ID = 4). The reverse playback button display 270 corresponds to the reverse playback button object 288 (ID = 5) of the button class. The pause button display 271 corresponds to the button class pause button object 289 (ID = 6). The play button display 272 corresponds to the play button object 290 (ID = 7) of the button class. The fast forward button display 273 corresponds to the fast forward button object 291 (ID = 8) of the button class. The stop button display 274 corresponds to the button class stop button object 292 (ID = 9), and the recording button display 275 corresponds to the button class recording button object 293 (ID = 10).
[0065]
The control mode selection unit 266 corresponds to the button group class control mode switching object 294 (ID = 11). The first switch button 267 corresponds to the default button object 295 (ID = 12) of the radio button class. The second switch button 268 corresponds to the advanced button object 296 (ID = 13) of the radio button class.
[0066]
Next, generation of the play button object play button object 290 will be described as an example among the objects constituting the digital VTR control panel object 221 shown in FIG.
[0067]
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram relating to the generation of the play button object 290. In FIG. 22, 297, 298, 299, 300, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611 are described in the object control panel object description section 247 of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210. Indicates the element
[0068]
Reference numeral 297 denotes object recognition information, which includes a class name 298, an object ID 299, and a belonging object ID 300. Reference numeral 601 denotes first object drawing information, which includes drawing position / size information 602, shape / color information 603, and object image 604. Reference numeral 605 denotes second object drawing information, which includes drawing position / size information 606, shape / color information 607, and object image 608. Reference numeral 609 denotes object link information, which includes a link destination object ID 610 and a transmission message 611.
[0069]
Reference numeral 290 denotes a button object playback button object generated from the information of the class and the object control panel object description part 247 of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210. Reference numeral 613 denotes a pointer storage unit to the class method table, which stores a pointer pointing to the button class class method table 625. The button class class method table includes a button initialization unit 626 that initializes internal variables of a button object when a button class object is generated, a button drawing unit 627 that displays a display of the button object, and a user that draws the button object. When the position is indicated by the cursor 230 of a pointing device such as a mouse and a click operation is performed, the button object is clicked in response to the operation by temporarily changing the display of the button and other objects. Click response means for sending a message to
[0070]
The definition of each data processing means held by these button class method tables is described in the class and can be commonly referred to not only by the playback button object 290 but also by all objects belonging to other button classes. 614 is a message communication means, and 615 is a process search means. Reference numeral 616 denotes a method part, and reference numeral 620 denotes an internal data part. The internal data portion 620 includes an object ID 621, button state data 622, drawing parameters 623, and link data 624. The type of internal data that all button objects belonging to the button class, not just the playback button object 290 should have, is described in the class.
[0071]
The system director object 205 reads the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 and generates each object. In the example of FIG. 22, a button class object is generated based on the description of the class name 298 of the object recognition information 297. When the system director object 205 generates the play button object 290, the internal data portion 620 is initialized by the button initialization unit 626. According to the example of FIG. 22, the object ID is set to ID = 7 by the description of the object ID 299. From the description of the belonging object ID 300, the system director object 205 knows that the play button object 290 belongs to the digital VTR control panel object 221. Based on the belonging object information of each object, the system director object 205 knows the inclusion relationship between the objects, and generates an object composed of a plurality of objects as a composite object.
[0072]
The button drawing unit 627 draws the playback button object 290 based on the drawing parameter 623 and the button state data 622. The button drawing means 627 is automatically executed when the button object is generated and when the belonging object is moved.
[0073]
The first object drawing information 601 describes button drawing information 625 when the button is not pressed. The drawing position / size information 602 describes rectangular frame information indicating the drawing position and size of the digital VTR control panel object 221 when the playback button object 290 is drawn. The rectangular frame information is coordinate information that defines the rectangular information in the coordinate system of the digital VTR control panel object 221 as (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2) of the drawing information 625 of the button when not pressed. For example, it is expressed by the coordinates of the upper left and lower right. Drawing of the playback button object when not pressed is performed based on the shape / color information 603 or the object image 604. The shape / color information 603 is described in a language for drawing an object such as how to draw a line and how to paint a color. The object image 604 is expressed by bitmap data. In general, the former requires less data, but the latter has more freedom.
[0074]
The second object drawing information 605 describes drawing information 626 of a button when pressed in the same manner as the first object drawing information 601. A drawing parameter 623 is determined based on the first object drawing information 601 and the second object drawing information 605. The link data 624 is set based on the object link information 609, and “play” is set as the outgoing message, and the link destination object ID is set as the link destination object ID. For this purpose, the device ID assigned by the system director object 205 to the digital VTR when the digital VTR 203 is connected to the LAN 4 is added to the link destination object ID.
[0075]
For this reason, it is possible to correctly convey a message even if an ID in which objects overlap between devices is used. The button state data holds the state of whether or not the button is pressed.
[0076]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation when the user places the cursor 230 on the icon display 229 of the digital VTR 203 and double-clicks, and an operation flow chart when the user operates the control panel.
[0077]
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display screen of the multimedia controller 1 when the user double-clicks the icon display 229 of the digital VTR 203. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 231 denotes a default control panel display screen of the digital VTR 203, and reference numeral 272 denotes a playback button.
[0078]
FIG. 29 shows the relationship between the structure of the panel class digital VTR control panel object and the object description information.
[0079]
In FIG. 29, reference numeral 1401 denotes a pointer storage unit to the class method table, which indicates a panel class class method table 1402. The panel class class method table includes a panel initialization unit 1403 that initializes a panel object, a panel drawing unit 1404 that draws a panel, and a click reaction unit 1405 that indicates an operation when the panel is double-clicked. Reference numeral 1406 denotes a message communication unit, 1407 denotes a process search unit, 1410 denotes an internal data part, 1411 denotes an object ID, 1412 denotes panel state data, and 1413 denotes a drawing parameter. The internal data portion 1410 is initialized according to the description of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210, but the digital VTR control panel object description portion 211 of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 has object recognition information 1414 and an icon image 1426 of the digital VTR 203. The first object drawing information indicating the second object drawing information 1422 indicating the frame 1427 of the control panel of the digital VTR. The object recognition information 1414 includes a class name 1415 (panel class), an object ID 1416 (ID = 1), and a belonging object ID. The first object drawing information 1418 includes drawing position / size information 1419, shape / color information 1420, and object image 1421. The second object image 1422 includes drawing position / size information 1423, shape / color information 1424, and object image 1425.
[0080]
A method for instructing a control panel display operation and a reproduction operation of the digital VTR 203 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the operation described with reference to FIG. 16, when the system director object 205 generates the digital VTR proxy object 220, the digital VTR proxy object 220 displays the icon display 229 based on the icon image 1426, but the user displays the digital VTR icon 229. Is pointed with the cursor 230 and double-clicked (643), the control panel object 221 of the digital VTR proxy object 220 sends a message instructing drawing to all the objects constituting the control panel object 221. In accordance with the message, all the objects shown in FIG. 21 execute the drawing means, and the control panel object draws the frame of the control panel of the digital VTR based on the second object drawing information. As a result, a digital VTR control panel display 231 for operating the digital VTR 203 is displayed as shown in FIG. 24 (644), and an instruction from the user is awaited (645). In this state, when the user designates and clicks the reproduction button 272 of the control panel 231 with the cursor 230 (646), the control panel object 221 sends a message 'PLAY' to the controller object 214 of the digital VTR 203 (647). As a result, the controller object 214 of the digital VTR 203 activates the reproduction execution means in response to the message (648). The playback operation of the digital VTR 203 is started by starting the playback execution means.
[0081]
As described above, according to the present invention, the multimedia device proxy object necessary for the operation of the multimedia device is automatically generated in the multimedia controller simply by connecting the multimedia device to the multimedia controller via the LAN. In addition, the control panel required for the operation of the multimedia device is automatically displayed on the display of the multimedia controller. When the user operates the control panel, an appropriate message is sent to the controller object of the multimedia device. A desired operation can be performed. Since the information necessary to generate the multimedia device proxy object required for the operation of the multimedia device is obtained from the multimedia device proxy object description file read from the multimedia device, the basic class live in the multimedia controller. There is no need to have information about a particular multimedia device in advance.
[0082]
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of the digital VTR data input proxy object and the object description information. In FIG. 25, 222 is a digital VTR data input proxy object, 668 is a pointer storage unit to a class method table, and shows a data input proxy class class method table 679. The data input proxy class class method table 679 includes a data input proxy object initialization unit 680, a link information update unit 681, and a consistent file type response unit 678.
[0083]
669 is a message communication unit, 670 is a process search unit, and 671 is a method part. Reference numeral 674 denotes an internal data portion, reference numeral 675 denotes an object ID, and reference numeral 676 denotes a corresponding data input object ID which is an ID of the corresponding data input object. Reference numeral 677 denotes a consistent file type indicating the file type of data that can be input, and reference numeral 1006 denotes link information with the data output object.
[0084]
A digital VTR data input / output proxy object description unit 212 of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210 generates a digital VTR data input proxy object, but 682 is an input proxy described in the digital VTR data input / output proxy object description unit 212. Object information, object ID (ID = 1 in this example) 683, corresponding data input object ID (ID = 1 in this example) 684, matching file type list 685 (in this example, the format is referred to as AV1, AV2) Consists of With these descriptions, the input proxy object initializing means 680 initializes the data in the internal data portion 674.
[0085]
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of the digital VTR data output proxy object and the object description information. In FIG. 26, 223 is a digital VTR data output proxy object, 690 is a pointer storage unit to a class method table, and shows a data output proxy class class method table 1048. The data output proxy class class method table 1048 includes data output proxy object initialization means 694, link information update means 695, and consistent file type response means 700.
[0086]
691 is a message communication unit, 692 is a process search unit, and 693 is a method part. Reference numeral 696 denotes an internal data portion, reference numeral 697 denotes an object ID, and reference numeral 698 denotes a corresponding data output object ID which is an ID of the corresponding data output object. Reference numeral 699 denotes a matching file type indicating the file type of data that can be output, and 688 denotes link information with the data output object.
[0087]
Although a digital VTR data output proxy object is generated based on the digital VTR data input / output proxy object description unit 212 of the digital VTR proxy object description file 210, 1001 is a data output described in the digital VTR data input / output proxy object description unit 212. It is proxy object information, and has an object ID (ID = 1 in this example) 1002, a corresponding data output object ID (ID = 1 in this example) 1003, and a matching file type list 1004 (in this example, a format called AV1, AV2). ). With these descriptions, the data output proxy object initialization unit 694 initializes the data in the internal data portion 696.
[0088]
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the structure of a digital VTR data input object. In FIG. 22, 208 is a digital VTR data input object, 1022 is a pointer storage unit to the class method table, and shows a data input class class method table 1031. The data input class class method table 1031 includes a file writing unit 1032, a data receiving unit 1033, and a link information updating unit 686. 1023 is a message communication means, 1024 is a process search means, and 1025 is a method part. Reference numeral 1028 denotes an internal data portion, 1029 denotes an object ID, and 1030 denotes link information.
[0089]
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the structure of a digital VTR data output object. In FIG. 28, reference numeral 209 denotes a digital VTR data output object, 1035 denotes a pointer storage unit to a class method table, and shows a data output class class method table 1044. The data output class class method table 1044 includes a file reading unit 1045, a data transmission unit 1046, and a link information update unit 687. Reference numeral 1036 denotes message communication means, 1037 denotes processing search means, and 1038 denotes a method part. Reference numeral 1041 denotes an internal data portion, 1042 denotes an object ID, and 1043 denotes link information.
[0090]
When the data input proxy object 222 and the data output proxy object 223 of the digital VTR 203 are generated in the multimedia controller, they function as if they were the digital VTR data input object 208 and the digital VTR data output object 209. For example, when copying a file of another multimedia device to the digital VTR, the system director object 205 queries the type of file that can be input to the digital VTR data input proxy object 222. In response to the inquiry from the system director object 205, the matching file type response means of the digital VTR data input proxy object 222 returns a file type that the digital VTR 203 can accept.
[0091]
If the file type of the file to be copied exists therein, a link is set from the output proxy object of the multimedia device having the file to be copied to the digital VTR data input proxy object 222. The link information update means 681 of the digital VTR data input proxy object 222 sends a message to the digital VTR data input object 208 to activate the link update means of the digital VTR data input object 208 and update the link information 688 of the digital VTR data input object 208. To do.
[0092]
The data output proxy object of the multimedia device having the file to be copied at the same time sends a message for updating the link information of the data output object, and the data of the multimedia device having the file to be copied by updating the link information A link between the output object and the digital VTR data input object 208 is set.
[0093]
Thereafter, the data transmission means of the data output object of the multimedia device having the file to be copied is activated, and the data output object of the multimedia device having the file to be copied sends a message to the digital VTR data input object, and the data By starting the receiving unit 1033 and the file writing unit 1032, the file is copied. That is, when a copy instruction or the like is instructed to the data input proxy object and the data output proxy object in the multimedia controller, the data input proxy object and the data output proxy object respectively send a message to the data input object and the data output object of the multimedia device body. There is no need for the multimedia controller to be directly involved in the actual data copying, etc., for sending out and setting up the data link between the multimedia devices.
[0094]
As described above, according to the present invention, when performing control of the entire system to which a plurality of multimedia devices are connected, the device driver, application software, etc. for performing control on the controller side in advance as in the past No need to install and prepare, just connect the multimedia device on the LAN, the control panel and device status will be automatically displayed on the controller screen, power on / off, main unit control, input / output There is a great effect such that it is easy to perform the switching on the screen.
[0095]
In addition, among the parts of the control panel sent by the multimedia device to the controller, it can be replaced with the same parts defined in advance on the controller. It is possible to unify different user interfaces.
In addition, control from remote controllers and access to multimedia devices can be performed transparently via a LAN.
[0096]
Next, a specific example will be described in which a plurality of multimedia devices are actually connected to the multimedia controller and controlled using the multimedia control system. FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0097]
As is apparent from the figure, the first embodiment of the present invention comprises each multimedia device 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 and a multimedia controller 1 for operating and managing these multimedia devices. Has been.
[0098]
In FIG. 30, 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 and three multimedia devices are shown. Of course, the number of multimedia devices is not limited as long as it is one or more. However, it is assumed that there is an optimum maximum number of connections based on the load of the entire system.
The multimedia controller includes a multimedia controller functional unit 103 for realizing the functions of the multimedia controller, an interface controller 107-0 for controlling communication at a physical or logical lower level, a main power supply circuit 108-0, and an auxiliary controller. It has a power supply circuit 109-0, a storage device 104 for storing a table for managing the connection status of the timer circuit 105 and each multimedia device, and a system controller 106-0 for controlling them. The main power supply circuit 108-0 supplies power to the interface controller 107-0, timer circuit 105, system controller 106-0, and storage device 104, and may be supplied with power from a battery, or a power line may be connected to a communication line. May also be provided and supplied from there. The sub power supply circuit 109-0 is configured such that a user operates a main switch of the multimedia controller 1 or is turned on / off by a request from the system controller 106-0, and the multimedia controller functional unit 103 To be supplied. The sub power circuit 109-0 is supplied from, for example, a household outlet, and the main power circuit 108-0 is supplied from a power source of another system.
[0099]
By supplying power from two systems as described above, power sources such as mechanical drive systems that consume a large amount of power are generally turned on only when necessary. Can be supplied.
[0100]
In addition, each of the multimedia devices A 1, B 2, and C has a multimedia device function unit 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, an interface controller 107-1 107-2, 107-3, 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, sub power supply circuits 109-1, 109-2, 109-3, and system controllers 106-1, 106-2, 106-3. Interface controllers 107-1, 107-2, 107-3, main power supply circuits 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, sub power supply circuits 109-1, 109-2, 109-3, and system controller 106-1, 106-2 and 106-3 are equivalent to the interface controller 107-0, main power circuit 108-0, sub power circuit 109-0 and system controller 106-0 of the multimedia controller 1 described above. .
[0101]
FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital VTR as a specific example of the multimedia devices A 1, B 2 and C 3. The digital VTR functional unit 111, which is a specific example of the multimedia equipment functional units 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, includes an analog output terminal 113, an analog input terminal 114, a D / A conversion circuit 115, and an A / D conversion. The circuit 116, the frame memory 117, the signal processing circuit 118, the encoding circuit 119, the decoding circuit 120, the tape deck unit 122, the tape interface controller 121, the high-speed data bus 123, and the control bus 124.
[0102]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing main event loop processing of the multimedia controller 1. First, it is determined whether there is an event in which the user operating the multimedia controller operates the multimedia controller or an event sent from each multimedia device by communication (s101). If there is an event, processing of the event is executed (s107). If there is no event, it is determined whether the counter gCheckTime = 0 is satisfied (s102).
[0103]
This counter gCheckTime is a counter for managing a cycle in which the multimedia controller performs a series of connection state check operations, and is counted by the timer circuit 105. If gCheckTime = 0 is satisfied as a result of the determination (s102), the connected device status is checked (s103), and the device ID is assigned to the multimedia device described in the created connection status management table (s104). The device ID is an IP address in the TCP / IP protocol, and is a so-called logical address of the device. By allocating this, it is possible to communicate between the multimedia controller and each multimedia device without being aware of the physical address.
[0104]
In addition, when a new device is connected to the system or when an already connected device is disconnected from the system, the device ID is automatically reassigned, so that transmission / reception addresses can be managed uniformly. The connected device status display is rewritten with reference to the connection status management table created as described above (s105), and a PreSet value is set in gCheckTime (s106). FIG. 33 shows the configuration of the connection state management table described above.
[0105]
The column “unique number” in FIG. 33 is a number unique to each multimedia device, and this is also used as a physical address. Also, this unique number includes attribute information of each multimedia device, for example, information such as a digital VTR or a CD player. If devices with the same attribute are connected based on this information, A name is distinguished and stored in the device name column of 33 management table. For example, in the case of FIG. 33, two digital VTRs are connected and stored as DigitalVTR1 and digital DigitalVTR2. In the column of the object information storage address in FIG. 33, the display of each multimedia device, a pointer to the area where the operation object is stored, and the like are stored. This will be described in detail later. Also, the device ID column in FIG. 33 stores the above-described device ID, and the power on / off column and connection confirmation column will be described later.
[0106]
Next, the processing of the connected device status check (s103) will be described in detail. FIG. 34 is a flowchart of this connection device status check. First, a variable WaitTimer for counting a communication timeout is initialized (s107), and a connected device status confirmation message is sent from the multimedia controller 1 to each multimedia device (s108). Then, the WaitTimer is incremented (s109), and it is determined whether the WaitTimer exceeds the timeout time Limit (s110). If the WaitTimer does not exceed Limit, it is checked whether a reply message from each multimedia device has arrived (s111), and if it has not yet arrived, the process returns to s109. If it has arrived, it is checked whether the multimedia device that sent the reply message is already stored in the connection state management table (s112) .If it is already stored, the connection state management table Confirmation is checked in the connection confirmation column (s115). If the device is not yet stored in the connection status management table, the multimedia device is registered in the connection status management table, and the confirmation is checked in the connection confirmation column (s114).
[0107]
Then, the WaitTimer is initialized (s116), and the process returns to S109 and waits for a reply from another multimedia device. If it is determined in the determination of s110 that the timeout value Limit has been exceeded, among the multimedia devices stored in the connection status management table, a device that is not checked for confirmation in the connection confirmation column of the connection status management table (S117), if not, the process is terminated.
[0108]
If it is determined that there is a device that has not been checked for confirmation in the connection confirmation column, the WaitTimer is initialized (s118), and a request for a connected device status is made again for a device that has not been checked for confirmation in the connection confirmation column. A message is transmitted (s119), the WaitTimer is incremented (s120), and it is determined whether the WaitTimer exceeds the timeout value Limit (s121).
[0109]
If WaitTimer exceeds the timeout value Limit as a result of the determination in s121, it is determined that the multimedia device is not connected and is deleted from the connection state management table (s125). If WaitTimer does not exceed the timeout value Limit as a result of the determination in s121, it is checked whether a reply message from the multimedia device has arrived (s122). Wait for a reply message from the multimedia device until WaitTimer determines that the timeout value Limit has been exceeded.
[0110]
If it is determined that the reply message has been received in s122, it is determined whether the reply matches the expected device (s123). If they match, the confirmation is checked in the connection confirmation column of the connection status management table. (s124). If they do not match, it is determined that something is wrong, the multimedia device is deleted from the connection state management table, and a warning operation is performed (s125). Then, the process returns to s117, and the above processing is repeated until there is no device that has not been checked for confirmation in the connection confirmation column. By periodically performing this series of processing (s107 to s125), the connection status management table is updated, and the multimedia devices connected to the system can be grasped.
[0111]
FIG. 35 shows a means for presenting each multimedia device whose connection has been confirmed to the user of the multimedia controller. FIG. 35 (A) is a diagram showing a connected device confirmation panel 126 displayed on the display device 125 of the multimedia controller 1 by the user executing a connected device confirmation display command. Reference numeral 127 in the figure denotes an application panel that is displayed before the user executes the connected device confirmation display command.
[0112]
On the connected device confirmation panel 126, icons (128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133) of each multimedia device whose connection has been confirmed are displayed. The icon of the multimedia device in which the sub power supply is turned on is displayed in reverse or bordered on the icon to clearly indicate to the user that the power is on. In the example of FIG. 35 (A), the icon 130 indicates that the sub power supply is off.
[0113]
When the icon of the multimedia device is clicked with a cursor 134 operated by a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown), an operation panel 135 of the multimedia device indicated by the icon is displayed as shown in FIG. .
The multimedia device can be operated by operating each switch displayed on the operation panel 135 using the cursor. In the example of FIG. 35B, it is shown that the power on / off button is clicked to turn on the sub power. FIG. 35C reflects this state on the connected device confirmation panel 126.
[0114]
FIG. 36 to FIG. 40 are flowcharts showing the operation of the above power on / off operation. 36 shows the multimedia controller side, and FIG. 37 shows each multimedia device side. First, when the user performs the power-on operation, the multimedia controller sends a power-on message to the operation target device (s126), and resets the timer CmdWaitCounter that counts the timeout for waiting for a reply ( s127) Wait for reply. The target device receives the power-on message and executes the power-on operation (s134), determines whether or not it operates normally (s135), and if it is operating normally, the multimedia controller completes normally. A message is transmitted (s136), and if there is an abnormality, an abnormal end message is transmitted (s137). When the multimedia controller receives the reply message and determines that there is a reply in s128, it determines whether or not the operation has been completed normally (s131), and if normal, turns on the power on / off column of the connection state management table. (S133). If there is an abnormality, an error is notified (s132).
[0115]
It is also possible to automatically turn on / off the power. 38, 39 and 40 are flowcharts showing the processing in this case. FIG. 38 shows the multimedia controller side, and FIG. 39 shows the power-on operation associated with the operation on each multimedia device side. FIG. 40 shows an auto power-off operation on each multimedia device side.
[0116]
First, a message requesting an operation is issued from a multimedia controller to a multimedia device (s190), and in response, the corresponding multimedia device determines whether or not the sub power supply is turned on at that time. If it is off, the power is turned on (s500), and it is confirmed that the power is normally turned on (s501).
[0117]
If the power is on normally, or if it is determined in s199 that the power is already on, the operation requested by the multimedia controller is executed (s502), and the operation is completed normally. It is confirmed whether or not (s503). If the result is normal completion, a normal completion message is sent to the multimedia controller, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred or the power supply has not been turned on normally in step s501, the sub power supply Is turned off (s505), and an abnormal end message is transmitted to the multimedia controller (s506).
[0118]
On the other hand, the multimedia controller side waits for a reply after transmitting a message to the corresponding multimedia device in s190.
First, a counter CmdWaitCounter for measuring a reply timeout is cleared (s191), and it is checked whether there is a reply (s192). If there is no reply, it is determined whether the CmdWaitCounter exceeds the timeout value Limit (s193). As a result, if the timeout value Limit is not exceeded, the CmdWaitCounter is incremented (s194), and the process returns to s192 and waits for a reply.
[0119]
If it is determined that there is a reply message as a result of the determination in s192, it is checked whether the reply is a normal completion message (s195). If normal, the corresponding multimedia device in the connection state management table is turned on / off. The power-on check is performed in the off column (s197).
[0120]
If it is determined that the reply message is an abnormal termination message as a result of the determination in s195, and if it is determined that the CmdWaitCounter exceeds the timeout value Limit as a result of the determination in s193, an error message is sent to the user. (S197), and the power on / off column of the corresponding multimedia device in the connection state management table is turned off (s198).
[0121]
In the operation of turning off the auto power of each multimedia device, first, it is confirmed whether an event has occurred (s507). If there is an event, processing of the event is executed (s513). Then, a counter PowerDownCounter that measures the time for executing the auto power off operation is preset (s514), and a flag PowerDownCounterEnableFlg indicating whether the PowerDownCounter is valid is set to True (s515). The PowerDownCounter is a counter that is decremented by a software timer or a hard timer, and the PowerDownCounterEnableFlg indicates whether the PowerDownCounter is valid, and refers to the PowerDownCounter only when this flag is true. A flag that causes off to be executed.
[0122]
If there is no event as a result of the determination in s507, it is checked whether the PowerDownCounterEnableFlg is True (s508). If True, the value of the PowerDownCounter is further checked (s509), and the value is 0. If so, an operation to turn off the sub power is executed (s510), and a power off message is transmitted to the multimedia controller (s511). Then, the PowerDownCounterEnableFlg is set to False (s512) and the next event is awaited.
If the result of the determination in s508 and s509 is that the PowerDownCounterEnableFlg is False or the PowerDownCounter is not 0, the next event is awaited as it is. In response to the power-off message, the multimedia controller turns off the power on / off field of the corresponding multimedia device in the connection state management table.
[0123]
Thus, by automatically controlling on / off of the sub power supply, it is possible to supply power to the necessary multimedia device only when necessary, thereby reducing power consumption.
[0124]
In addition, instead of the user requesting the connected device confirmation panel 126 as shown in FIG. 35 (A), the icon of the multimedia device whose connection has been confirmed is continuously displayed on the display device 125 as shown in FIG. 35 (D). In addition, when a device is disconnected, the connected multimedia device can be displayed in real time by deleting the icon of the device.
[0125]
[Other Examples]
FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 41, the second embodiment of the present invention is basically the same in configuration as the first embodiment, but the timer circuit 1 (136-1, 136-2) is included in each multimedia device. , 136-3). The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the status of the multimedia device connected periodically is checked, but in the first embodiment, the periodic cycle is set in the multimedia controller. While the management is performed by a certain timer circuit, the second embodiment is different in that it is managed by the timer circuit 1 (136-1, 136-2, 136-3) provided in each multimedia device.
[0126]
The connection state management table used in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. The difference from the connection state management table used in the first embodiment is that a column for existence confirmation counter is added to the table, and this existence confirmation counter is stored in each multimedia device registered in the table. It is provided for each and counted by the timer circuit 2 in the multimedia controller. In the second embodiment of the present invention, each multimedia device periodically announces its presence by sending a device connection status notification message to the multimedia controller. When the status notification message is received, the existence confirmation counter is reset.
[0127]
As described above, each of the presence check counters is constantly counted by the timer circuit 2. Therefore, if a multimedia device does not transmit the device connection status notification message, the presence check counter is incremented. When a certain threshold value is exceeded, it is determined that the device is not connected or is in an abnormal state.
[0128]
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the event loop processing of the multimedia controller 1, and FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the event loop of each multimedia device. The connection confirmation operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0129]
First, each multimedia device determines whether there is an event that the user has operated the operation panel of each multimedia device or an event sent by communication from the multimedia controller (s149). Processing according to the event is executed (s149), and if there is no event, it is determined whether the counter fRefreshCounter = 0 is satisfied (s150). This counter fRefreshCounter is a counter that manages the period at which each multimedia device transmits a connection status notification message to the multimedia controller, and is counted by the timer circuits 136-1 and 136-2 136-3, respectively. If it is determined in s150 that fRefreshCounter = 0 is established, a connection status notification message is transmitted to the multimedia controller (s151), and fRefreshCounter is reset. Then, return to s148 and wait for the next event.
[0130]
On the other hand, the multimedia controller determines whether there is an event that the user has operated the operation panel of the multimedia controller or an event sent by communication from each multimedia device (s138). It is determined whether or not the event is the connection state notification message sent from each multimedia device (s141), and if it is another event, processing corresponding to the event is executed (143). If it is determined that the event is the connection status notification message, it is checked whether the multimedia device that sent the message is already stored in the connection status management table (s142). The multimedia device is newly stored in the connection state management table (s145), and the existence confirmation counter gRefreshCounter_X of the corresponding multimedia device is cleared to zero. If it is determined in s142 that the corresponding multimedia device is already stored in the connection state management table, the corresponding multimedia device existence confirmation counter gRefreshCounter_X is cleared to zero.
[0131]
The connected device is displayed based on the connection state management table updated in this way (s147), and the process returns to s138 to prepare for the next event. If it is determined in s138 that there is no event, the existence check counter gRefreshCounter_X is checked (s139). If there is a multimedia device exceeding the limit value Limit, the device is added to the connection state management table. (S140), and the connected device is displayed based on the updated connection state management table (s147).
[0132]
In addition, the same means and effects as those of the first embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized for displaying the icons of multimedia devices whose operation and connection have been confirmed as the power is turned on / off.
[0133]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 45, the third embodiment of the present invention is basically the same in configuration as the first embodiment, but the timer circuit 105 in the multimedia controller 1 of the first embodiment is The relay 137 is provided between physical connections between the multimedia controller and each multimedia device. The repeater includes a network line connection terminal for connecting at least one or more multimedia devices and a line connection detection circuit (138-1, 138-2, 138 corresponding to each line connection terminal on a one-to-one basis. 3), an interface controller 107-4, a power supply circuit 108-4, and a control device 139 for controlling them, which are the same as those of the multimedia controller and each of the multimedia devices. The line connection detection circuit is a circuit that detects whether a communicable device is connected to the communication line by observing the state of the line, for example, the traffic volume of communication.
[0134]
Unlike the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment of the present invention does not investigate the status of multimedia devices connected to the system at a certain cycle, but newly adds multimedia to the system. When a device is connected, or when a multimedia device already connected to the system is disconnected, a message to that effect is sent from the repeater to which the corresponding multimedia device is connected to the multimedia controller. The multimedia controller recognizes multimedia devices connected to the system. Further, the connection state management table used in the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the table of FIG. 33 described in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0135]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing processing of a main event loop of the multimedia controller 1, and FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing processing in which the repeater sends a connection confirmation message of each multimedia device to the multimedia controller. FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing processing in which the repeater sends a message indicating that each multimedia device has been disconnected to the multimedia controller.
[0136]
First, the operation of the repeater will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The repeater checks the output of the line connection detection circuit corresponding to the number of ports on a one-to-one basis (s153), and detects whether a multimedia device is connected to each port (s154). If it is determined that the connection has been established, a message notifying the connection is transmitted to the multimedia controller (s155), and the counter AckCounter for waiting for a reply from the multimedia controller is cleared (s156). Then, it is determined whether or not an Ack is returned from the multimedia controller (s157). If there is no response yet, the AckCounter is incremented (s158) and it is determined whether or not the timeout time Limit is exceeded (s159). As a result, if the timeout time has not been exceeded, the process returns to s157 and waits for a reply from the multimedia controller. If the time-out period is exceeded in step s159, the user is informed that an error has occurred (s160). If it is confirmed in step s157 that the reply from the multimedia controller has returned normally, normal confirmation processing is performed (s161), and the connection confirmation processing is terminated.
[0137]
The operation of the repeater when each multimedia device is disconnected from the repeater will be described with reference to FIG.
[0138]
The repeater checks the output of the line connection detection circuit corresponding to the number of ports on a one-to-one basis (s188), and detects whether the multimedia equipment connected to each port has been disconnected (s189). If it is determined that it is connected, a message notifying disconnection is transmitted to the multimedia controller (s190), and the process is terminated.
On the other hand, the processing on the multimedia controller side will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether there is an event from the user or an event due to communication (s162), and if there is, it is determined whether the event is the device disconnection message (s163). As a result, if it is determined that the device disconnection message, the RetryCounter is cleared (s169), the AckCounter is cleared (s170), and a message equivalent to the connected device status message used in the first embodiment of the present invention. Is transmitted to the multimedia device that seems to have been disconnected (s171). The AckCounter is a timer for measuring a timeout when a reply of the connected device status message is sent from the corresponding multimedia device to the multimedia controller, and the RetryCounter indicates the number of times to retry when the reply does not return within the timeout time. It is a counter to count. Then, it waits for a reply to the connected device status message (s172). If a reply is received, it determines that the multimedia device is still connected and waits for the next event. If there is no reply, the AckCounter is incremented (s173), and it is determined whether or not the timeout time has been exceeded (s174). If not, the process returns to s172 and waits for a reply. If the time-out period has been exceeded, the RetryCounter is incremented (s175), and it is determined whether a predetermined number of retries has been exceeded (s176). If it is determined that the result does not exceed, the process returns to s170 and issues a connected device status message again.
[0139]
If the value of the RetryCounter exceeds the predetermined number of retries, it means that there is no reply from the multimedia device, that is, it is determined that the multimedia device has been disconnected, and information on the multimedia device is obtained. The device is deleted from the connected device management table (s177), and the connected device management table is updated.
[0140]
If it is determined in the determination of s163 that the message is not the device disconnection notification message, it is determined whether it is the device connection notification message (s164). If it is determined as a device connection notification message as a result, it is checked whether the corresponding multimedia device is a device already stored in the connection device management table (s165). If so, the connected device management table is not rewritten. If it is determined that the multimedia device is not yet stored, it is newly registered in the connected device management table and the table is updated.
[0141]
The device IDs are redistributed using the connection device management table updated as described above (s178), and the state of the connection device is displayed as an icon of each multimedia device (s179). In addition, the same means and effects as those of the first embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized with respect to the operation of the icon display of the multimedia device whose connection has been confirmed and the power on / off.
[0142]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 46, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, but the timer circuit 105 in the multimedia controller 1 of the first embodiment. Each multimedia device has at least two line connection terminals, and the line connection detection circuits (183-4, 183-5) corresponding to the line connection terminals on a one-to-one basis, (183-6, 183-7) and (183-8, 183-9), and each line is connected to the line connection terminal as shown in FIG. 46 in the form of a chain. . That is, the repeater portion of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 45 is included in each multimedia device. The operation will be described.
[0143]
As an example, consider a case where multimedia device C in FIG. 46 is newly connected to multimedia device B. In this case, the multimedia device B plays the role of the repeater described in the third embodiment of the present invention, and the multimedia device B line connection circuit 183-7 is connected to the multimedia device C. When this is detected, the device connection notification message is transmitted to the multimedia controller.
[0144]
Consider the case where the multimedia device C in FIG. 46 is disconnected from the multimedia device B. Also in this case, the multimedia device B plays the role of the repeater described in the third embodiment of the present invention, and the line connection circuit 183-7 of the multimedia device B is disconnected from the multimedia device C. When this is detected, the device disconnection notification message is transmitted to the multimedia controller.
[0145]
The processing flow for transmitting the device connection notification message of the multimedia device B is shown in FIG. 48, the processing flow for transmitting the device disconnection notification message is shown in FIG. 49, and the processing flow of the multimedia controller is shown in FIG. This is similar to the case of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0146]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 52, the fifth embodiment of the present invention is basically the same in configuration as the first embodiment, but the timer circuit 105 in the multimedia controller 1 of the first embodiment is Each of the multimedia devices is characterized by having a cable connector having a line connection detection circuit 138-10, 138-11, 138-12 and a cable lock release / cable pull-out detection combined use switch. . The line connection detection circuit is the same as that described in the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 53 shows a cable connector having a cable lock release / cable pull-out detection combined use switch. When a line cable is inserted into this connector, it is locked by a locking mechanism, and the cable cannot be removed as it is. To disconnect the cable, the cable lock release / cable extraction detection combined use switch is pressed to release the cable lock and then the cable is extracted. At this time, before the cable is pulled out, a cable pulling detection signal is transmitted to the line connection detecting circuit to notify that the line is about to be pulled out.
[0147]
In response, the line connection detection circuit transmits a device disconnection notification message to the multimedia controller as in the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention described above. When a new multimedia device is added to the system by inserting a cable, the line connection detection circuit detects the connection and transmits a device connection notification message to the multimedia controller.
[0148]
As an example, consider a case where the multimedia device C in FIG. 52 is newly connected to the multimedia device B. In this case, when the line connection circuit 183-12 of the multimedia device C detects that the multimedia device C is connected to the communication line, the device connection notification message is transmitted to the multimedia controller.
[0149]
Also, consider a case where the multimedia device C in FIG. 52 is disconnected from the multimedia device B. In this case, as described above, the cable lock release / cable pull-out detection combined switch of the multimedia device C is pushed to release the cable lock, and then the cable is pulled out. The line connection detection circuit 183-12 transmits a device disconnection notification message to the multimedia controller.
[0150]
As described above, the connected device is confirmed and the connection state management table is created to manage each multimedia device. The processing flow for transmitting the device disconnection notification message is the 49th processing flow for transmitting the device connection notification message. FIG. 48 shows the operation of the multimedia controller shown in FIG. 47, which is the same as the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the present invention.
[0151]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. A feature of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is that each multimedia device has an identification name display device 141 as shown in FIG. Any one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the present invention may be used, but the connection for managing each multimedia device connected to the system by any method Create a device management table. In the first embodiment of the present invention, when a newly connected device or a disconnected device is recognized, a unique identifier corresponding to each multimedia device is assigned one-to-one. As described above, the unique identification name is transmitted to each multimedia device and displayed on the identification name display device provided in each multimedia device.
[0152]
The operation of the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking the case of the configuration of FIG. 30 described in the first embodiment of the present invention as an example.
[0153]
FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the main event loop processing of the multimedia controller 1. First, it is determined whether there is an event in which the user operating the multimedia controller operates the multimedia controller or an event sent from each multimedia device by communication (s180). If there is an event, the event processing is executed (s182). If there is no event, it is determined whether the counter gCheckTime = 0 is satisfied (s181). This counter gCheckTime is a counter for managing a cycle in which the multimedia controller performs a series of connection state check operations, and is counted by the timer circuit 105. If gCheckTime = 0 is satisfied as a result of the determination (s181), the connected device status is checked (s183), and the device ID is assigned to the multimedia device described in the created connection status management table (s184).
[0154]
The connected device status display is rewritten with reference to the connection status management table created as described above (s185), and a PreSet value is set in gCheckTime (s186). Also, the identification name stored in the device name column of the connection state management table shown in FIG. 33 is transmitted to each corresponding multimedia device (s187). For example, the case of FIG. 33 is an example in which two digital VTRs are connected. DigitalVTR1 and DigitalVTR2 are stored in the device name column, so the name is transmitted to each device, and the identification name of each device is displayed. The identification name transmitted to the device is displayed.
[0155]
Although the above description has mainly described the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, the sixth embodiment is applicable to any of the second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the present invention. .
[0156]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the connection state of the controlled device can be easily grasped on the control device side, and is easily accepted by general users who do not have special knowledge or technology about the computer system. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a logical connection form between a multimedia controller and a multimedia device.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a physical connection form between a multimedia controller and a multimedia device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of an object multimedia device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal structure of an objected multimedia controller.
FIG. 5 is a system hierarchy diagram of the multimedia controller.
FIG. 6 is a system hierarchy diagram of a multimedia device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state before the multimedia device is connected to the multimedia controller.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state when a multimedia device is connected to a LAN.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a general class library.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of an object.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a structure of a system director object.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control panel description part of a proxy object description file.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data input / output object description portion of a proxy object description file.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state before an objectified digital VTR is connected to a multimedia controller.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a structure of a VTR controller object.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation when the digital VTR is connected to the LAN.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen of a multimedia controller.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state when a digital VTR made into an object as a multimedia device is connected to a LAN.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an icon of a digital VTR.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a control panel display screen.
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence between a class to which an object belongs and components of a digital VTR control panel object.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram regarding generation of a playback button object.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the operation when the cursor is placed on the icon display of the digital VTR and control is selected.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display screen of the multimedia controller when the operator selects control from the icon display of the digital VTR.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of a digital VTR data input proxy object and the object description information.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of the digital VTR data output proxy object and the object description information.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the structure of a digital VTR data input object.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the structure of a digital VTR data output object.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of a panel class digital VTR control panel object and the object description information.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital VTR as a specific example of multimedia equipment appearing in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an event loop of the multimedia controller according to the first and sixth embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram of a connection status management table according to the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a status check process of the connection device according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram expressing means for presenting each multimedia device whose connection has been confirmed according to an embodiment of the present invention to a user of the multimedia controller.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the operation on the controller side of the power on / off operation of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the operation on the connected device side of the power on / off operation of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an operation on the controller side when an operation command is generated.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the operation on the connected device side when an operation command is generated.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing control of an event loop for each connected device in relation to a power on / off operation.
FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 42 is a conceptual diagram of a connection state management table according to the second embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing an event loop of the multimedia controller according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing an event loop of each multimedia device of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing processing of third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention.
48 is a flowchart showing processing when connection is confirmed in the flowchart of FIG. 47. FIG.
FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing processing when separation is confirmed in the flow chart of FIG. 47;
FIG. 50 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the appearance of a multimedia device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing an event loop of a multimedia controller according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 52 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 53 is a conceptual diagram showing the appearance of a cable connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Multimedia controller
102, 103, 104 Multimedia equipment
104 Connection state management table storage memory
105 Timer circuit of multimedia controller
106 System controller
107 Interface controller
108 Main power circuit
109 Sub power circuit
110 Network interface unit
111 Functional units of multimedia equipment
112 Network line cable
113 Analog output terminal
114 Analog input terminal
115 D / A converter
116 A / D converter
117 Image storage memory
118 Signal Processing Circuit
119 Coding circuit
120 Decoding circuit
121 Tape interface controller
122 Tape deck unit
123 High-speed data bus
124 Control bus
125 Multimedia controller display device
126 Device check panel
127 Operation panel of other applications
128 Database equipment icons
129 CD player icon
130 Digital VTR icon
131 Digital camera icon

Claims (3)

A control device for controlling a controlled device connected to a network,
In a case where a message transmitted by the controlled device according to a predetermined period is received before a predetermined period elapses, it is determined that the controlled device is connected to the network, and the message is transmitted to the predetermined device. Means for determining that the controlled device is not connected to the network in a case where reception is not possible before the period elapses;
Means for displaying In no event where the controlled device is determined to be connected to the network, the icon indicating the controlled device on the display means,
Means for generating a control panel for controlling the controlled device based on control information from the controlled device;
Means for notifying the controlled device of an operation on the control panel;
Controller and displaying on said display means the control panel in response to an operation on the icon.   The control device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the controlled device of an operation on the control panel.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of operation buttons corresponding to functions executable by the controlled device.

Images