MXPA99008384A - Information processing device, information processing method, and media de regis - Google Patents

Abstract

An IRD controller generates a provisional ID to uniquely identify an event within the unit. Then, an event inside the unit is read from a resource schema dashboard (RSB), and a record ID (event ID) is extracted. An interim ID is searched, which is different from the record IDS registered within the related unit. The searched temporary Id is established as the registration ID and is combined with a global unique ID (GUID) of the unit, thus generating an object ID. As a result, the object ID is quickly determined to uniquely identify the event within a transmission.

Description

INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to information processing apparatuses, information processing methods, and recording means. More particularly, the invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected to other information processing devices through a serial data bus according to IEEE-1394 and which reliably and individually controls integrated subunits. The invention also relates to an information processing method employed in the above type of information processing apparatus and to a registration means implementing said method. 2. Description of the Related Art Audio / visual machines (AV) that can transmit information between them through a network using a serial data bus according to IEEE-1394 are in the process of being developed. In this network, it is possible to control the AV machines connected to the network by using a predetermined command (AV / C command transaction set). For example, a video image received by an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) 71 to receive digital satellite broadcasts can be registered, as shown in Figure 1, on a DVCR 81 digital video recorder connected to the IRD 71 through a bus. of serial data of IEEE-1394 2 (hereinafter simply known as "bus 2"). In addition, what is known as "registration reservations" can be done by using the IRD 71 and the DVCR 81. According to the registration reservation processing, an IRD 71 controller 72 controls the IRD 71 and the DVRC 81. More specifically, registration reservation settings (channel, registration start time, etc.) are made in the IRD 71 and when the record start time is reached, the controller 72 of the IRD 71 controls a sub-unit 73 of tuner in order to select the reserved channel (set) and output a received video signal to the DVCR 81 through the bus 2. Simultaneously, the controller 72 transmits a start register command to a sub-unit of VCR 84 of the DVCR 81 over the bus 2. In response to the record start command transmitted from the controller 72, the DCR sub-unit 84 of the DVCR 81 records the video signal supplied from the tuner sub-unit 73 in a Cinca Magn ethics (not illustrated). As previously mentioned, it is possible to control the operation of the DVC 81 from another machine (in the example illustrated in figure 1, the IRD 71) connected to the DVCR 81 via bus 2. In this case, there may be a danger of what is known as "double reservation". For example, a reservation of records (reservation of registration A) of a digital satellite emission is recorded in IRD 71, registration information is stored in controller 72 of IRD 71. Then, if a reservation of registration (booking of record B) of a terrestrial analog broadcast, which must be output at the same time as the reservation of record A, is entered into DVCR 81, a controller 82 of DVCR 81 receives and stores a reservation of record B since the information as to the reservation of registration To entry in the IRD 71 nor has it been reported to the DVCR 81. Thus, when the time arrives when both the reservation of registration A as the reservation of registration B be the video images are supplied inconveniently both of the tuner sub-unit 73 of the IRD 71 and of an analog tuner block 83 of the DVCR 81 to the VCR sub-unit 84 of the DVCR 81. The aforementioned drawback orites of the fact that the reservation information handled by the AV machine is not available for another AV machine connected via the bus 2. In order to overcome the aforementioned inconvenience, a CS mode is conventionally provided for the DVCR 81. According to the CS mode the DVCR 81 is controlled only by the controller 72 of the IRD 71 and enters the registration wait position. After the introduction of the registration • reservation in IRD 71, the DVCR 81 is set to CS mode thus avoiding the occurrence of a double reservation. However, since DVCR 81 established in the CS mode goes to the standby reservation position, it can not perform any processing, such as the reproduction of video signals, thus decreasing the ease of operation. Furthermore, there is no method to uniquely specify events, such as, for example, registration reservations, transmitted to bus 2. Therefore, it is necessary to generate a command for each AV machine related to the event, thus reducing the ease of operation. An information (registration start time, etc.) handled by an AV machine is not reported to the other AV machines. Because of this, when the AV machines simultaneously transmit information to bus 2, the amount of information may exceed the bandwidth of bus 2, causing transmission errors. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Therefore, taking into account the above background, it is an object the present invention will improve the ease of operation of reservation registration and inhibit the occurrence of double reservation mutually seeking information handled by the individual AV machines connected to a bus . In order to achieve the aforementioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network is offered. The information processing apparatus includes a management unit for handling management information. A generation unit generates, based on a first identification information to identify the management unit and a second identification information to identify the management information within an area handled by the management unit, a third identification information to identify the management information within the network. The aforementioned information processing apparatus may further include a storage unit for storing the handling information in such a way that the handling information can be read by the external information processing apparatus through the network. The network can be formed through the use of a serial data bus of IEEE-1394 type. The first identification information to identify the management unit can be a global unique ID. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network. The external information processing device through a network. The information processing apparatus includes a management link for handling management information. The information processing method includes a generation step for the purpose of generating, based on the first identification information to identify the management unit and second identification information to identify the driving information within an area handled by the unit. of management, a third identification information to identify management information within the network. According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording means for recording an executable program by a computer is provided, the program for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network. The information processing apparatus includes a management unit for handling management information. The program includes the generation step to generate, based on the first identification information to identify the management unit and the second identification information to identify the management information within an area managed by the management unit, a third identification information to identify the handling information within of the network. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one sub-unit for executing the predetermined function. The information processing apparatus includes a generating unit for generating a provisional ID for an event that controls the sub-unit. An extraction unit extracts an event ID from an authenticated event. A comparison unit compares the provisional ID generated by the generation unit with the event ID extracted by the extraction unit. A means of authenticating provisional ID as the event ID in accordance with a comparison result obtained by the comparison unit. The event ID may uniquely correspond to the event in accordance with an authentication operation performed by the authentication unit. The network can be formed by a serial data bus of type IEEE-1394. The aforementioned information processing apparatus may further cover a combination unit for combining the event ID with a unique value for the information processing apparatus reserved for the sub-unit, thus generating a unique value for the network. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one sub-unit to execute a default function. The information processing method includes a generation step for generating a provisional Id for an event that controls the sub-unit, an extraction step for extracting an event ID from an authenticated event, a comparison step for comparing the provisional ID generated in the generation step with the event ID extracted in the extraction step, and an authentication step for authenticating the provisional ID as the event ID according to a comparison result obtained in the comparison step. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a recording means for recording an executable program by a computer is provided, the program for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing device through a network and includes at least one sub-unit to execute a predetermined function. The program includes a generation step for generating a provisional ID for an event that controls the sub-unit, an extraction step for extracting an event ID from an authenticated event, a comparison step for comparing the provisional ID generated in step of generation with the event ID extracted in the extraction step, and an authentication step for authenticating the provisional ID as the event ID in accordance with a comparison result obtained in the comparison step. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit. A supply unit reads the reservation information stored in the storage unit and supplies the reservation information to the external information processing apparatus in response to a request from the external information processing apparatus. An addition unit adds identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit to be stored in the storage unit, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that the sub-unit has reserved and a unique value for the reservation of the sub-unit established by the information processing apparatus. The unique value for the information processing apparatus may be a global unique ID, and the unique value for the reservation may be a registration ID. The aforementioned information processing apparatus may further include an input unit for entering a reservation information regarding the reservation of the sub-unit, a search unit for searching identification information corresponding to the reservation information stored in the storage unit, and an establishment unit for setting a value that is not stored in the storage unit as a single value for reservation information newly entered by the input unit and established by the compliance information processing apparatus with a search result obtained by the search unit. The aforementioned information processing apparatus may further include a reading unit for reading reservation information stored in a storage unit of the external information processing apparatus when a sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus is reserved, and a writing unit for adding identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by a reading unit and for writing reservation information in the storage unit of the external information processing apparatus, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus reserved for the subunit of the external information processing apparatus and a single value for the reservation of the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus established by the information processing apparatus. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one sub-unit to execute a default function. The information processing method includes a storage control step to control the storage of the reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit, a step of reading the reservation information stored by the processing of the passage. of storage control and supply of reservation information to the external information processing apparatus in response to a request from the external information processing apparatus, and an addition step to add identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit to be stored by the processing of the storage control step, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that the sub-unit has reserved and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit set by the information processing apparatus. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a recording means is provided for recording an information processing program executable by a computer, the information processing program for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an apparatus. external information processing through a network and that includes at least one sub-unit to execute a predetermined function. The program includes a storage control step of controlling the storage of reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit, a provisioning step of reading the reservation information stored by the processing of the storage control step and supplying the reservation information information to the external information processing apparatus in response to a request from the external information processing apparatus, and an addition step to add identification information to the reservation information of the sub. - unit to be stored by the processing of the storage control step, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus reserved for the sub-unit and a single value for the reservation of the sub-unit established by the information processing apparatus. In accordance with the additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected through a network to an external information processing apparatus that includes at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function. The information processing apparatus includes a reading unit for reading a reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit stored in a storage unit of the external information processing apparatus when the sub-unit of the external processing apparatus of information is reserved. A writing unit adds identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by the reading unit and writes the reservation information in the processing apparatus of external information, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus reserved for the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the sub-unit established by the information processing apparatus. . The value, unique to the information processing apparatus may be a global unique ID, and the unique value for the reservation may be a registration ID. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing information for use in an information processing apparatus connected through a network to an external information processing apparatus that includes at least one sub-network. joined to execute a predetermined function. The information processing method includes a read step for reading a reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit stored in a storage unit of the external information processing apparatus when the sub-unit of the external processing apparatus of information is reserved, and a writing step for adding identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by the processing of the reading step and writing the reservation information in the external information processing apparatus, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that has reserved the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by the aparat or information processing. In accordance with the additional aspect of the present invention, a recording means is provided for recording an information processing program executable by a computer, the information processing program for use in an information processing apparatus connected through a computer. a network to an external information processing apparatus that includes at least one subunit to execute a predetermined function. The program includes a read step for reading reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit stored in the storage unit of the external information processing device when the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus when the sub unit of the external information processing apparatus is reserved, and a writing step for adding identification information to the reservation information of the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by processing of the read and write step of the reservation information in the external information processing apparatus, the identification information includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that has reserved the sub-unit of the external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the sub -unit established by the information processing apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a related network system; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a network system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a Bulletin Board Sub-unit (BBS) 14 illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a BBS 34 illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 5 illustrates an example of the operation of the network system illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 6 illustrates an example of the operation of the network system illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the network system illustrated in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the network system illustrated in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the network system presented in Figure 5; Figure 10 illustrates the format of an OPEN command WRITING; Figure 11 illustrates the format of a READ command; Figure 12 illustrates the format of a CREATE command; Figure 13 illustrates the sub-function_l illustrated in the figure 12; Figure 14 illustrates the details of the sub-function_l illustrated in Figure 13; Figure 15 illustrates the values of the fields presented in Figure 14; Figure 16 illustrates the format of a WRITE command DESCRIPTOR; Figure 17 illustrates the format of a close command; Figure 18 illustrates another example of the operation of the network system presented in Figure 2; Figure 19 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a network system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 20 is a flow chart illustrating the processing for establishing the Object ID; Fig. 21 is a flow chart illustrating the processing to establish the 'SA Event ID; Fig. 22 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a network system incorporating another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 23 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the network system illustrated in Figure 22; Figure 24 illustrates the BBS format; Figure 25 illustrates the root_object_list_id shown in Figure 24; Figure 26 illustrates the RSB format; Figure 27 illustrates the allowed writing format of list_specific information presented in Figure 26; Figure 28 illustrates the format of the type of board shown in Figure 27; Fig. 29 illustrates the format of the ticket entry illustrated in Fig. 26; Figure 30 illustrates the format of the resource outline input entry illustrated in Figure 29; Figure 31 illustrates the format of the start_time shown in Figure 30; Figure 32 illustrates the format of the duration presented in Figure 30; Figure 33 illustrates the format of the repeat_type illustrated in Figure 34; Figure 34 illustrates the format of the_repetition information illustrated in Figure 30; Figure 35 illustrates the format of the_repetition information illustrated in Figure 30; Figure 36 illustrates the information block format shown in Figure 30; Figure 37 illustrates the format of the table_type_specific_supported information illustrated in Figure 24; and Figure 38 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The configuration of a network system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to Figure 2. In the specification, the term "system" refers to an entire apparatus consisting of several devices , means, etc. This network system consists of an IRD1 and a DVCR 3 connected to each other through a bus 2. In addition to IRD1 and DVCR 3, electronic machines equipped with an IEEE-1394 terminal, such as personal computers, units hard disk players, compact disc players (CD), monitors, digital video cameras, as well as minidisk (MD) players (commercial name), can connect to bus 2.

Electronic machines, such as IRD1 and DVCR 3, connected to bus 2 are known as "units". Between the units, it is possible to read and write information from the individual units and in the individual units by using a descriptor (Descriptor) defined in the General Specification of Digital Interface Command Set AB / C of the Set of Transactions of AB / C commands (hereinafter referred to as "general AB / C"). Details of General AB / C can be found at http: /cxn02.net. arch. sony.co.jp. /Doc/ . The functions provided for the units are known as the "subunits". A controller 1 of the IRD 1 controls all of the IRD 1 by receiving a channel selection operation of a registration reservation operation carried out by the party. of a user. The controller 11 also controls the DVCR 3 by using a predetermined command (AB / C command transaction set). A CS 13 antenna receives digital signals from a digital satellite broadcast transmitted through a communication satellite (not shown) and sends the digital signals to a tuner subunit 12. The tuner subunit 12 extracts a predetermined channel signal from the digital signals recorded from the CS 13 antenna under the control of the controller 11., and sends the extracted signal to a VCR sub-unit 33 of the DVCR 3 via the bus 2. The controller 11 additionally searches for information stored in a Bulletin Board Sub-unit (BBS) 34 of the DVCR 3. A BBS 14, which serves as a subunit of the IRD 1, stores information regarding registration reservations received and determined by the controller 11 (details are discussed below with reference to figure 24). A controller 31 of the DVCR 3 controls the entire DVCR 3 receiving a reproduction-instruction operation or a registration-reservation operation performed by a user. An analog tuner block 32 extracts a predetermined channel signal from the analog signals recorded under the control of the controller 31 and outputs the extracted signal to the VCR subunit 33. The VCR subunit 33 is recorded on a magnetic tape (not illustrated) a video signal input from the analog tuner block 32 or a video signal input from the tuner subunit 12 of the IRD1 via bus 2. The BBS 34 handles registration reservation information in Regarding DVCR 3. Tuner subunit 12 and BBS 14 are subunits of IRD1 and subunit of VCR 33 and BBS 34 are subunits of DVCR 3. Analog tuner block 32 is not a subunit because it is not controlled by another unit through the bus 2 even when executing one of the functions of the DVCR 3. In this network system, when a registration reservation of a digital satellite broadcast is carried out al, a user enters the characteristics of the registration reservation (channel, registration start time, etc.) in • the IRD1. If the incoming reservation does not cause a double reservation, it is accepted, and the reservation information is written on BBS 14 of the IRD 1. The BBS 14 consists of, as shown in figure 3, a resource outline board ( RSB) 51 and a Programmed Action Board (SAB) 52. The SAB 52 stores all the information regarding the registration reservations entered from controller 11 of IRD 1 and from a controller of another unit (for example, the controller 31 of the DVCR 3). That is, the SAB 52 stores all the information to control a series of operations to cause the tuner subunit 12 of the IRD 1 to receive information at a predetermined time and to register it in the subunit of C? 33 of the DVCR 3. In contrast, the RSB 51 stores only information regarding reservations for the tuner subunit 12 of the IRD 1 among all the information regarding registration reservations (including reservations established by other units). Even if the operation of the VCR subunit 33 is related to the operation of the tuner subunit 12, the RSB 51 does not store reservation information of the i sub-unit of VCR 33. The RSB 51 makes the stored information public in response to a request not only from the controller 11 of the same unit, but also from the controller of another unit (for example, controller 31 of DVCR 3). Similarly, the BBS 34 of the DVCR 3 consists of, as shown in Figure 4, an RSB 61 and an SAP 62. The SAB 62 stores all the information regarding registration reservations entered from the controller 31 of the DVCR 3 and from another controller of another unit (for example, controller 11 of IRD 1). In contrast, the RSB 61 stores only information regarding reservations for the VCR subunit 33 of the DVCR 3 among all the information regarding registration reservations entered in the DVCR 3 controller 33 and the IRD 1 controller 11. Even if the operation of the tuner subunit 12 is related to the operation of the VCR sub-unit 33, the RSB 61 does not store reservation information of the tuner subunit 12. The RSB 61 makes the stored information public in response to a request not only of controller 31 of the same unit, but also in response to a request from the controller of another unit (for example, controller 11 of IRD 1).

Details of the information stored in the RSBs 51 and 61 and made public will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 26. The operation related to both the RSB 51 and the RSB 61 is discussed below with reference to Figure 5 For example, when a registration reservation (which causes the tuner subunit to receive channel 48 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm on October 16 and record the video signal received in the DVCR sub-unit 33 of the DVCR ) is entered into the controller 11 of the IRD 1, as shown in Figure 5, the controller 11 establishes an ID (Object ID BB) (in this mode, ID_X) unique to the reservation, and stores all the information as soon as possible. to the registration reservation in the SAP 52. The controller 11 also stores in the RSB 51 the established ID (ID_X), the time and date (from 20:00 to 21:00 on October 16), and information (Information of ID) to specify the related subunit (in this modalid ad, tuner subunit 12) of the IRD 1. The controller 11 additionally stores in the RSB 61 of the DVCR 3, the set ID (ID_X), the time and date (from 20:00 to 21:00 on October 16) , and the information (ID information) to specify the related subunit (in this mode, the VCR sub-unit 33) of the DVCR 3. Then, when a registration reservation is entered (which causes the analog tuner block 32 to receive the third channel from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 16 and record the video image received in the sub-unit of VCR 33) in controller 31 of the DVCR 3, as shown in Figure 6, the controller 31 refers to the RSB 61 and determines whether the information of the entered registration reservation splices the reservation information that has been accepted and made public to the RSB 61. In this case, since that the time of registration, that is to say, from 22:00 to 21:00 on October 16 of the entered reservation splices with the registration time of the accepted reservation, the registration reservation entered is not accepted. If it is determined that the information of a reservation does not match the information of the other reservation, the registration reservation entered is accepted. All the information is stored in the SAP 62, and the information regarding the sub-unit of VCR 33 is stored in the RSB 61. Next with reference to the flow diagrams of figures 7 to 9, details of the processing of reservation described above (search processing of containment unit). In step Sil, a user establishes a reservation in controller 11 of IRD 1. That is, in the example illustrated in figure 5, a reservation to cause tuner subunit 12 to receive channel 48 from 20:00 to 21:00 : 00 on October 16 and transfer the received video signal to the sub-unit of VCR 33 of DVCR 3 and register it. Simultaneously, in step S12, the controller 11 controls the RSBs of the units including the white subunits so that they are in the Open Write state. In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the white subunits are the subunits 12 of the tuner of the IRD 1 and the subunits 33 of the VCR of the DVCR 3. Accordingly, the controller 11 first selects the subunit of the synchronizer 11 and sends a command of Open Write such that the RSB 51 of the IRD 1 including the tuner subunit 12 reaches the Open Write state (the state in which writing is allowed). In practice, however, the RSB 51 and the controller 11 are in the same unit, that is, the RSB 51 and the controller 11 are not connected via the bus 2. Therefore, the controller 11 controls the RSB 51 as if an Open Write command was supplied to the RSB 51 via the bus 2. After the RSB 51 of the IRD 1 including the tuner subunit 12 is in the Open Write state, the controller 11 controls the RSB 61 of the DVCR 3 including the remaining white subunit, that is, the VCR subunit 33, so that it is in the Open Writing status. In this case, the controller 11 sends an Open Write command having the format illustrated in FIG. 10 to the RSB 61 (the controller 31) of the DVCR 3 via bus 2. The above command of Open Write is a type of Open Descriptor commands that are used to access a predetermined white address space. As shown in Figure 10, the value 08? 6, which represents the Open Descriptor, is set in the operation code. The value 10? 6, indicated by the Object List Descriptor Defined by the List ID, is set to operand 0 as the type_of_descriptor that represents the type of the descriptor. In it operating 1 and in operand 2, list IDs (in this mode, 001 and 01) of the RSBs to which they must have access are described (in contrast in the Open Write state). The value 03? 6, which indicates that the descriptors must be opened to be read or written, is established in operand 3 as a subfunction. The value 00 is set in operand 4 as a reserved value. Referring again to Figure 7, in Step S3, the controller 11 reads the descriptor length and the list_specific information field (Figure 26) of the RSB 51 within the BBS 14. The read operation is carried out by use, for example, of the Read command illustrated in Figure 11. In this case, since the controller 11 and the RSB 51 are not connected through the bus 2, as indicated above, the above data is read directly from controller 11 to -RSB 51. However, when controller 11 reads data from RSB 61 of DVCR 3, the Read command illustrated in FIG. 11 is sent to RSB 61 (controller 31) via bus 2. As illustrated in figure 11, the value 09? 6, which represents the reading descriptor, is set in the operation code, which is the command head of Reading. In the subsequent operand 0, the descriptor identifier is described to identify the descriptor to be read. In the read operation in step S13, the descriptor identifier is set by the list ID. More specifically, 00? 6 through OD? 6 of the address_shift are set in the RSB allowed script-specific information field of the RSB illustrated in FIG. 27. When the Read command is transmitted, FF is set in the reading_resolution_state. When the Read command is returned from the blank as a response, the read result is set. In the length_of_data, the number of bytes of data to be read from the blank is described. When the length_of_data is set to zero, all lists are read. The address in which it starts is established at the address. When 00 is set in the direction, the reading starts from the head.

Referring again to Figure 7, in step S14, the controller 11 extracts for the RSB51 the maximum length of the list (the maximum_size of_list of_objects in Figure 27), the maximum entry number of the list (the maximum_number of_inputs_of_objects illustrated in Figure 27), and the maximum length of bytes of each input (the maximum_in_entry_of_objects that is illustrated in Figure 27). The controller 11 then determines in step S15 whether data (reservation information) to be recorded in the RSB 51 cause an excess of the maximum length of the list extracted in step S14. If the result of step S15 is no, the process proceeds to step S16 where the controller 11 determines whether the value obtained by subtracting the current number of entries from the maximum number of entries in the list extracted in step S14 is greater than 0, that is, if there are pending entries for writing data. If the result of step S16 is yes, the process proceeds to step S17 where the controller 11 determines whether the value obtained by subtracting the length of the entry from the reservation information to be written from the maximum length of the entry extracted in step S14 is greater than zero, that is, if there is a free space for the entry in which data is written. If any of the conditions set forth in steps S15 to S17 are not met, the process proceeds to step S18 where the controller 11 indicates a warning, as per. i example, "full reservations" to the user. This allows the user to recognize that no more reservations can be made. If all the conditions set forth in steps S15 to S17 are met, the reservation information can be written to the RSB51, and a determination is further made in steps S19 to S25 of figure 8 if the reservation time recorded by the user It connects with the time that the reservation had already been accepted, that is, if a double reservation occurred. More specifically, in step S19, a variable i is initialized to zero. It is then determined in step S20 whether the value obtained by subtracting the variable i from the number of entries, ie the number_of_entries, recorded in the RSB 51 is greater than zero, that is, if all the entries recorded in the RSB 51 have been searched. If the result of step S20 is yes, the process proceeds to step S21 where controller 11 reads object_address (i) (figure 29), in this case, object_address (0)) illustrated in RSB 51. Even when the reading operation in step S21 is also carried out by using the Read command illustrated in figure 11, the descriptor identifier is established by the object position. At the object_include (i), the time information of the right reservation - (the_time ^ _start and the duration illustrated in FIG. 30) and the ID information of the white subunit (the_ID_and_type_of_subunity (0) illustrated in FIG. 36 ) are stored, which will be described later. Then, the controller 11 determines in step S22, whether the time information (the start_time and the Duration) entered by the user in step Sil splices the time information (start_time and duration) read in step S21. If the result of step S22 is yes, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the controller 11 determines whether the subunit in which the reservation was set in step Sil (in this case, the tuner subunit 12) matches the subunit read in step S21 (the subunit_type_ID_). If the results of step S23 is yes. The time and subunit read in step S21 correspond to those entered by the user. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S25 where the controller 11 indicates a warning, such as "reservations are spliced". As a result, the occurrence of a double reservation can be avoided. If it is found in step S22 that the time information entered by the user is not spliced with the time information read in step S21, or if it is in step S23 that the subunits determined in steps Sil and S21 do not match, between, them .. Q. Well, even if, the splice time has occurred in step S22, there is no possibility of - generate a double reservation. Accordingly, in step S24, the variable i is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S20. A processing similar to the processing described above is repeated until it is determined in step S20 that the value obtained by subtracting the variable i from the number_of_entries is not greater than zero. That is, all the object_inputs (i) stored in RSB 51 are searched in order to determine if there are reservations that are spliced. If it is found in step S20 that the value obtained by subtracting the variable i from the number_of_inputs is not greater than zero, ie, that all the object_inputs (i) have been searched, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the controller 11 sends a Create command to the RSB 51 and creates an object entry in the RSB 51. In this case, the create command is not sent in fact, and the processing is executed as if the Command of Create was sent, as stated above. When the object entry is created in RSB 61, the Create command is sent. The steps described above S15 to S18 may be executed later if it is determined in step S20 that all entries have not been fully searched.

The Create command described above is described in detail below with reference .a - Figures \ 2 to 1.5. Figure 12 illustrates the format of the Create AV / C command. Figure 13 illustrates the value that can be specified by the subfunction_l illustrated in Figure 12, and in this mode, 01 (create a new object and supply and its sublist) is used. Figure 14 illustrates the format of the subfunction_ specification_l for the subfunction_l = 01 illustrated in Figure 12. Figure 15 shows the values of the individual fields presented in Figure 14. If the values 20,22 and 11 are respectively set, in accordance with what is shown in figure 15, in the fields, that is, the identifier_of_descriptor_where, the identifier_of_descriptor_ that_l, and the identifier_of_descriptor_ that_2 of figure 14, the meaning is the creation of a new object as its sublist. Details of the Create AV / C Command are indicated in IEEE 1394 (see Internet page http: //www.1394 TA.org), and the formats used in this mode are extracted from the simplifications of the IEEE 1394 standards (improvement of General Specification AV / C 3.0 Version 1.0 FC2 and TA Document 1999005 General Specification of Bulletin Board Subunit AV / C 1.0, version 0.99: 149). The information descriptors that form the dashboard (Information List Descriptor) include descriptors in which it can be written and descriptors that can be read, and the type of list is used to differentiate the two types. To write new information in the AV / C descriptor (AV / C Descriptor) from an external source, the following method can be used, as a typical example. The controller sends the Create command described above to the target, and then the target forms a model for writing information, the controller again controls the writing of specific information. More specifically, when information is first written, the controller designates a desired list and sends the Create AV / C Descriptor command. Upon receiving this command, the target forms the object based on 1 model that has the data structure specified by the general AV / C. The model that has the data structure designated by general AV / C has a field of the object ID. In the list using the AV / C descriptor, the object ID is handled by the target, namely when the object is created, the target adds a unique ID to the object and has the function of handling the ID- The object ID is an ID number to specify only the object in the list, and it is required that the plan contains the function of avoiding multiple storage of Ids. The BBS simply provides information and the object IDs are handled by the controller.

When the Create command is sent to a subunit, inconsistencies may arise., -. When an object is created, the object ID, which must be handled by the controller, is under control of the target. After sending the Create command, the controller has to continue with the write control. In this way, the processing is divided into several steps. Therefore, if the controller is accidentally disconnected from the bus while writing information in the BBS, an imperfect object could be created. To overcome the situation described above, a system is required to specify the imperfect object and eliminate it correctly. In this modality, the writing of information in the BBS is limited with the object of specifying imperfect objects. When creating an object, the target (in this mode the DVCR 3) first assigns temporary handling numbers (eg, all zero) to a unique Global ID (GUID) of the object ID. The object ID consists of the GUID and the registration ID. The driver then writes information to the object, and if the write operation is carried out correctly, the controller overwrites the GUID. In accordance with the above procedure, if the write operation has been successfully completed, the presence of objects that have the GUID indicating all zero is impossible.

Consequently, three objects can be specified as imperfect objects that were created accidentally while the writing operation was being performed. Therefore, the objects that are being written can be uniquely identified. It is also possible to distinguish correctly written objects from imperfect objects and easily eliminate imperfect objects (invalid objects). This makes it possible to effectively use a finite memory provided for an electronic device. In accordance with the aforementioned method, the objects that are being written can be specified simply by assigning zero to the GUID. A program to eliminate imperfect objects can easily be created accordingly. In step S26 of Figure 9, the Insert command can be used in place of the Create command. Referring again to Figure 9, the process proceeds to step S27 where the controller 11 writes the reservation content in the input_specific information fields (Figures 30 to 36) of the RSB 51. That is, the start_time, the Duration, and the_request_info and the white subunit (ID_and_subunit_type) are written. Figure 16 illustrates the Write Descriptor command sent from controller 11 when step S27 is carried out. As previously stated since the controller 11 and the RSB 51 are not connected via the bus 2, the controller 11 directly writes information, in the RSB 51- without sending the Write Descriptor command. Conversely, when the controller 11 writes information to the RSB 61, the Write Descriptor command is sent. In the operation code, which is the head of the Write Descriptor command, the value 0Ai6 indicated by the Write Writer command is established. In operand 0, the descriptor identifier to identify the descriptor of the information to be written is established by the object position. Then, the value 50? 6, which represents the partial replacement, is established as the subfunction, thus executing a partial insertion or a partial removal. When an insert is made, a new descriptor is inserted immediately before the descriptor defined by the operand specified by the identifier_of_descriptor. When performing a removal operation, the descriptor defined by the identifier_of_descriptor is removed. The group_marker is used to update the data that can not be divided when written in the descriptor. In this mode, the OOie value (immediate), which indicates that the data is written immediately in the descriptor, are established. The length_of_data_replacement represents the number of bytes of the operand, that is, the length of the data to be written. The address indicates the position in which processing is executed. If the length_of_data_of Jt: empÍaz ~ o "indicates 0, áe" "" carries out a partial removal, in this case the operand and the replacement_data do not exist. In this case, the length_of_original_data is greater than 0, and this implies the number of bytes to be erased. If the length_of_original_data is 0, a partial insertion is executed, in which case the length_of_data_of replacement is greater than 0, and this indicates the number of bytes to be inserted. Referring again to Fig. 9, the process proceeds to step 28 where the controller 11 closes the list, i.e. the RSB 51. Simultaneously, the controller 11 sends the Close command illustrated in Fig. 11 to the RSB 51. As stated above, controller 11 directly closes RSB 51 without sending the Close command since controller 11 and RSB 51 are not connected through bus 2. The format of the Close command illustrated in figure 17 is basically similar to the command of Open Writing illustrated in Figure 10, except as to the following. The subfunction of the Open Write command indicates 03? 6 what represents Open Script, while the subfunction of the Close command indicates 00? 6, which indicates Close. The process then proceeds to step S29, where the controller 11 determines whether there are other resources related to the reservation, this case, even though processing has been completed to make a reservation on the tuner subunit 12. , another processing is required to make a reservation in the subunit of VCR 33 of the DVCR. Accordingly, the process returns to step S12 where a processing similar to the processing performed in the RSB 51 is performed, in the RSB 61 of the DVCR 3. If it is determined in step S29 that there is no other resource related to the reservation, the processing ends. As discussed above, a series of registration reservation operations have been performed to cause the tuner subunit 12 to receive a video signal and to register it on sub-unit 33 of the VCR. It is now considered that reservations are made separately, as shown in Figure 18, that is, a reception reservation is made in the IRD 1 and a registration reservation is made in the DVCR 3. A reservation is entered in the controller 11 of the IRD 1 pa ^ a causes the tuner subunit 12 to receive a predetermined channel (channel 48) for a predetermined period of 20_00 to 21_00 on October 16 and another reservation which is input to the controller 31 to cause the VCR subunit 33 begins registration for a predetermined period from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm on October 16. It seems to the user that the two reservations are the same reservation. However, it appears to the IRD and DVCR 3. that the two reservations have been made separately, and different IDs (ID_Y of object BB and ID_A of object BB) are respectively set in IRD 1 and in DVCR 3 and they are stored in the RSB 51 and the corresponding RSB 61. Even when reservations are made separately in the individual units, reservation processing can be performed in a manner similar to that indicated in the flow diagrams of Figures 7 through 9. However, if reservations are made separately even when the unit subunits Different are used in cooperation between them, the occurrence of a double reservation must be reviewed by the user. The present invention can be applied even when the BBS 14 is not provided for the IRD1, as shown in Figure 19. In this case, when a reservation is entered from the controller 11 to use the VCR subunit 33 of the DVCR 3 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 16, is written to the RSB 61 of the BBS 34 of the DVCR 3 via bus 2. The processing to establish the object ID is described below with reference to the diagram Figure 20. After having made a reservation of registration using the DVCR in the IRD 1 by the user and after its detection by the controller 11, the processing of the reservation is carried out. "Before- .. mentioned (containment unit search processing) illustrated in figures 7 to 9. When the registration reservation is accepted. The previous processing begins for the establishment of the object ID. In this embodiment, the object ID is used to identify the reservation (event) to begin at a predetermined time during a predetermined period. The object ID has 72 bits where the 64 most significant bits are used for the unique ID of the unit that processes all the information regarding the reservation, that is, for the GUID of the unit, for example, IEEE EUI- 64, and the least significant 8 bits are used for the unique value in the unit, that is, for the registration ID. In this way, the object ID to identify the event is formed by GUID and the registration ID. Thus, the processing to be performed easily and the information to specify who wrote the information can be effectively included. It is necessary to identify the object ID between the individual units connected via bus 2. The reason for this is as follows. The content of the RSD of a unit can be read by the other units, and the processing can be executed simultaneously by the subunits of the different units in cooperation between them. Therefore, it is necessary that the individual units review any. processing to be carried out in Jcooperation.- I entered them. The processing for establishing the aforementioned object ID is described below with reference to the flow chart of Figure 20. In step S41, the controller 11 issues a provisional ID to uniquely identify the reservation information within the IRD 1 as a registration ID of the object ID (consisting of the GUID and the registration ID). In step S42, the controller 11 extracts one of the events recorded in the RSB 51, and also extracts the registration ID of the object ID corresponding to the extracted event. The controller 11 then determines in step S43 whether the provisional ID issued in step S41 matches the record ID extracted in step S42. If the result of step S43 is yes, the process returns to step S41 where the provisional ID is changed. The processing of steps S41 to S43 is repeated until the provisional ID no longer corresponds to the registration ID. If it is found in step S43 that the provisional ID does not match the registration ID, the controller 11 determines in step S44 whether all the events in relation to the related subunit that have been made public in the RSB 51 have been extracted. If the result of step S44 is not the process returns to step S42 and the processing of steps S42 to S44 «e repeat ... until, determined in, step 'S44 that all Events have been" extracted " ! If "the" "" result t "of step S44 is yes, the process proceeds to step S45 In step S45, controller 11 adds to the provisional ID (record ID) generated in step S41 to the ID of S45. unit (GUID) of the IRD 1, thus generating the object ID.The object ID is then established in the RSB 51. As previously mentioned the object ID can be established by simply checking the RSB corresponding to the related subunit (without requiring check the RSBs of the units that include unrelated subunits.) The reason for this situation is as follows, since the object IDs of the RSBs of the other units include the unique GUIDs for the individual units, not it is possible that the object IDs set by the other units correspond to the object ID set by the corresponding unit.As a result, the object ID can be easily established.Instead of the object ID, a unique default ID can be used. mined (hereinafter referred to as the "SA Event ID") within the bus 2. After a registration reservation using the DVCR 3 entered into the IRD 1 from the user and detected by the controller 11, a reservation processing (containment unit search) illustrated in figures 7 to 9. Then, processing begins. illustrated in figure 21 »-" .., .. In step S51, controller 11 generates a provisional ID to uniquely identify the reservation information on the bus 2. Then at step S52, the controller 11 reads an Event on the RSB 51 of a unit (or the unit related to the reservation processing) within the bus 2 and extracts the SA Event ID of the read Event. Subsequently, the controller 11 determines in step S53 whether the provisional ID generated in step S51 corresponds to the event ID SA extracted in step S52. The processing of step S51 to step S53 is repeated until it is in step S53 that the two IDs no longer match each other. If the result of step S53 is no, the controller 11 determines in step S54 whether all the SA events of the unit (or the related unit) inside the bus 2 have been extracted. The processing of step S52 to step S54 is repeated until the result of step S54 is no. If it is found in step S54 that all SA events have been extracted, the process proceeds to step S55 where the controller 11 registers the interim ID generated in step S51 in RSB 51 as the Event ID SA. In accordance with the processing illustrated in Figure 21 all the RSBs of all the units connected to bus 2 have been reviewed. In contrast, in accordance with the processing illustrated in Figure 20, it is necessary to review only the RBSs of the corresponding unit and the related units, thereby achieving rapid processing.The object ID may be stored not only in the RSB, but also in the SAP This makes it possible to detect the occurrence of double reservation.It is now considered that an IRD 91, as well as the IRD 1 and the DVCR 3, is connected to the bus 2, as illustrated in figure 22 The BBS 14 of the IRD 1 is equipped not only with the RSB51 and the SAB 52, but also with a Subunit Identifier Descriptor (SID) 100. The SID 100 stores information to identify which types of boards (in this case, the RSB 51 and SAP 52) are supported within the BBS 14 to which the SID 100 belongs. The BBS 54 of the DVCL 3 is equipped not only with the RSB 71 but also with a SID 81. The IRD 91 also possesses a controller 92 and a display unit 93. The or The operation performed by the system illustrated in Figure 22 is discussed in detail below. The user enters a reservation information in controller 11 of IRD 1. In the example illustrated in figure 22, a reservation is entered to select the X channel from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm on August 12 and the data of the selected program in the DVCR 3. The controller 11 writes the contents of the reservation in a built-in memory and writes the reservation "information" in it RSB ^ 51- and J the * SAP 52 of the BBS 14. The controller 11 he also writes the scheme for employing the DVCR 3 as a target in the RSB 61 of the BBS 34 of the DVCR 3. Simultaneously, the controller 11 establishes the object ID to be stored in the individual inputs of the RSB 51, the SAP 52 and the RSB 61 as the same value. According to the aforementioned system illustrated in Fig. 22, a description of the processing performed when the IRD 91 makes a reservation to use the DVCR 3 in the time period that connects the reservation time made by the IRD 1 is provided below. In step S61, the controller 92 of the IRD 91 checks the RSB 61 of the white DVCR 3 and determines whether there is a reservation made by another controller in the time period that splices the time of the reservation made by the IDR 1. If the The result of step S61 is no, the process proceeds to step S65 wherein the controller 92 executes a reservation processing similar to that described above. That is, the controller 92 writes the reservation time information on the RSB 61 of the DVCR 3. If it is found in step S61 that the VCR subunit 33 of the DVCR 3 has been reserved by another controller at the time of splice, the process continues until step S62. In step S62, the controller 92 reads the object ID of the entry related to the reservation, and determines the node ID of the unit that has written the entry from the upper 8-byte (64-bit) GUID of the ~ ID-3 object object '. As stated above, the GUID is inherent in each unit and does not vary each time the bus is reinitialized. Accordingly, the controller 92 checks the GUIDs and the node IDs of the units connected to the bus 2, and then creates a bus table with respect to the two IDs in correspondence between them in advance. Consequently, it is possible to determine the node ID from the GUID by reference to the search table. Subsequently, in step S63, the controller 92 designates the same Object ID as the input of the splice reservation from the SAB of the unit determined in step S62 (in this case, SAP 62 of IRD 1), and reads the content of the entry. In step S64, the controller 92 sends the contents of the splice reservation to the display unit 93 and displays said content. This allows the IRD 91 user to identify previously reserved content. The BBS is discussed in more detail below. Figure 24 illustrates the format of the Subunit Identifier Descriptor that forms the BBS. The length_of_describer represents the length of the Descriptor. The generation_ID indicates which AB / C descriptor format of the BBS is used, and is generally set to 00? 6. The size_of_identity_of_list designates .. e_l_ number. ^ E ^^ by-te ^ of the ID. The size_of_ID_of_object indicates the number of bytes of the object ID. The size of ___position_ob represents the number of bytes of the object's position in the list. The number_of_list_of_root_object indicates the number of root object lists to which the DBS does not directly relate. The ID_of_list_of_object_root_X (X = 0,1,2, ..., n-l) represents the ID of each of the root object lists to which the BBS relates. The subunit_dependent_information_length designates the length of the subunit_dependent_info, and the format and content information on which the BBS depends is set in the subunit_dependent_info. The información_dependiente_de_subunidad includes longitud_de_campos_de_bloques_de_no_información, the versión_de_subunidad_de_tablero_de_boletín, the número_de_tipo_de_tablero_soportado (n), the tipo_de_tablero_soportado_específico_de_longitud (0), the ecífico_de_info tipo_de_tablero_soportado_es (0) to tipo_de_tablero_soportado_específico_de_info (nl), and tipo_de_tablero_soportado_específico_de_longitud (0) to tipo_de_tablero_soportado_específico_de_longitud (nl), which represent the lengths from the type of supported_table_specific_ (0) to the type_of_table_supported_specific_of_info (nl). The BBS also includes the length_dependiente_de_f-abr-icant-e, >; what indicates the ~ length 'of the manufacturer_dependent_info, and the manufacturer_dependent_info, which represents the information dependent on the manufacturer. If the value of the root_object_list_id indicates the RSB, a predetermined value 10001? 6 is established, as shown in Figure 25. In this way, by fixing the ID representing the RSB (written as a Resource Scheme List in Fig. 25) at a predetermined value, processing can be facilitated to read the RSB. Figure 26 illustrates the format of the RSB. The length_of_descriptor indicates the length of the RSB. The type_of_list indicates whether the RSB is Read Only or Write. The Read Only list represents that only reading is allowed, and the allowed writing list indicates that both writing and reading are allowed. The list_specific_size_size indicates the length of the list_specific information, and the content of the list_specific information varies according to the type_of_list. The information illustrated in Figure 27 is set in the allowed_specific_of_list information. The length of no_info block fields represents the number of bytes of non-info block fields. If the type_of_table is the Resource Scheme Board, as shown in Figure 28, 01i6 is set. The maximum_size_of_list_of_object represents the maximum size of the object list. The maximum number of object entries indicates the maximum number of object entries in the list. The maximum_size_of_object_input indicates the maximum size of each object entry. If there is no imposed limit on the maximum size_of_list_of_object, the maximum_number_of_object_input, and the maximum_in_entry_of_object, 0000? 6 is set in each field. The three previous fields are significant for the controller to recognize the capability of the object list or object entry. The length_of_dependent_information_of_table_type designates length of table_type_dependent_information, and the unique information of table type is set in the table_type_dependent_information designates the length of table_type_dependent_information, and the unique information of table type is set in the table_type_dependent_information. The object entry is configured specifically as illustrated in Figure 29. The length_of_descriptor indicates the length of the descriptor. If the input_type is Table Entry Descriptor, the value 8O15 is set, which represents the Dashboard. The object_ID is formed from the GUID_of_register_device and the registration_ID. The registration device indicates to the controller who has written ~ _ / (registered) information in the BBS, and therefore, the GUID_of_register_device represents the GUID of the controller. The registration_ID designates an ID assigned to the event within the unit. The input_specific_size_size represents the size of the input_specific information. Figure 30 illustrates the format of the entry_specific information. The length_of_block_of_no info indicates the number of bytes of the non-info block fields before the_request_info. The start_time represents the second, minute, hour, day, month and year when the event starts, as illustrated in figure 31. The year has 16 bytes, the four numbers being each represented by a binary coded decimal of four bits (B C D) . The month has 8 bits, the two numbers each represented by a four-bit BCD. The day has 8 bits, the two numbers each indicated by a four-bit BCD.

The time has 8 bits, the two numbers indicated by a BCD of four bits. The minute has 8 bits, the two numbers I indicated by a BCD of four bits. The second has 8 bits, the two numbers indicated by means of a BCD of four bits. The start_time is easily identified by its indication as the BCD. Time is represented by the / local time. The Duration, which indicates the length of the event, is represented by the hour, minute, and second, as shown in Figure 32. The time has a total of 12 bits, the three numbers represented by a BCD of four bits. The minute has a total of 8 bits, the two numbers indicated by means of a BCD of four bits. The second has a total of 8 bits, the two numbers represented by a BCD of four bits. By adding the Duration to the start_time, you can indicate the time of termination of the event. The lapse of the event is therefore represented by the Duration without directly indicating the time of completion. This eliminates the need to report the termination time even when the start_time of the event changes, which means the update processing. The length_of_repeat_information indicates the length of the_request_info. The information_of_repetition represents when and how the scheme is repeated. If the Programmed Action is not repeated, 'the length_of_repeat_information indicates 00? 6. The content of the repeat_formation varies according to the type of repetition selected. The type of repetition includes the Weekly scheme 00? 6 and the Interval scheme 1016, as shown in figure 33. If the scheme is repeated every week, the Registration Device indicates the days of the week and the number of events to repeat, as illustrated in Figure 34. The value 00? 6 shown in Figure 33 is set to the type_of_repetition. The number of events is established in the number_of_events. The Weekly markers from Sunday to Saturday indicate the days of the week in which the event begins to repeat. For example, if an event that starts at 1:00 PM for three hours is held every Monday and Friday, 1 is set in the Weekly markers for Monday and Wednesday, and 0 is set for the other Weekly markers. The events to be repeated weekly can be recorded, in accordance with what is described above. Therefore, only a lower storage capacity is required compared to what is required to store, for example, the absolute time and the date each Monday and Wednesday that corresponds to the days of issue.

When the Programmed Action is repeated at predetermined intervals, the Registration Device describes the event by using the format illustrated in FIG. 35. In this example, the value 10? 6 shown in FIG. 33 is set to the repeat_type. The number of events is established in the number_of_events. The interval represents the interval from the start_time of a current event to the start_time of the subsequent event. This interval is presented by the time, the minute, and the second. The time has a total of 12 bits, the three numbers are indicated by a four-bit BCD. The minute has a total of eight bits, the two numbers are each designated by a four-bit BCD. The second has a total of eight bits, the four numbers are indicated by a four-bit BCD. In this way, periodically repeated events can be stored. As a result, only a smaller capacity is required compared to what is required to store the absolute time (time and date) at which each event begins. The info blocks illustrated in Figure 30 are represented by the format illustrated in Figure 36. the composite_length indicates the byte length of the info block, except for the length field. The type_of_block_of_info is set to 8900? 6. The length_of_primary_fields indicates the number of subunits and the number of bytes of the type_and_ subunit_ID_field. The number_of_subunits represents the number of subunits 5 that are used by the registration device. The subunit_ID_type specifies the subunits to be used by the Registration Device. As mentioned before, the start_time and the Duration are ^ fe represented by the fixed lengths in the fixed direction. In contrast, the ID information to identify the subunit and the Registration Device employing the subunit is stored as Info blocks at a predetermined address subsequent to the address of start_time and Duration. Within this arrangement, can easily handle Registration Devices. The field_of_support_specific_info_field illustrated in Figure 24 is indicated by the format illustrated in Figure 37. The value 0116 indicated by the RSB, illustrated in Figure 28, is set to the type_of_tab_supported. The version of_type_of_supported_table represents the version number of the Type Specification of Bulletin Board. The ID_of_implementation_profile designates the profile ID version for this type of board. 25 The length_of_information-dependent_of_type_of_ supported table indicates the number of bytes of the_dependent_type_of_table_supported. The information inherent in each board type specification is described in the_dependent_type_of_table_ported. The above-described series of operations can be carried out by team. Alternatively, the programmatic can be used, in this case, a program that implements the aforementioned operations can be installed in a computer integrated in a controller specifically used as a computer. Alternatively, the aforementioned programmatic can be installed on a general-purpose personal computer that can perform the various functions by installing several programs. As shown in Figure 38, a general-purpose personal computer 101 has, for example, an integrated central processing unit (CPU) 111. An input / output interface 116 is connected to the central processing unit 11 through of a bus 115. In response to an instruction provided by a user from an input unit 118, such as keyboard, mouse, etc., through the input / output interface 116, the central processing unit 111 reads a program that implements the operations described above from a recording medium, such as a read-only memory (ROM) 112 or a hard disk 114, or a recording medium loaded in a unit 120, such as a magnetic disk 131, an optical disk 132, or a magneto-optical disk 133. the central processing unit 111 then installs the read program in a random access memory (RAM) 113 and execute it. The program installed on the hard disk 114 can be a program stored in a recording medium and / distributed to the user, or it can be a program transferred via satellite or network and received by a communication unit 119 and then installed on the hard disk 14. After the processing of the program, the central processing unit 111 sends a signal image to a display unit 117, such as for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT), through the input / output interface 116. As can be seen from of the above description, the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the recording medium of the present invention offer the following advantages. Based on a first identification information for identifying a management unit and a second identification information for identifying management information within an area managed by the management unit, a third identification information is generated within the network to identify the handling information. Thus, the third identification information can be generated easily and quickly. A provisional ID is generated for an event to control a subunit. The provisional ID is compared to an event ID of an extracted event. The provisional ID is then authenticated as the event ID according to the result of the comparison. Therefore, the occurrence of a double reservation in the network can be avoided. In response to a request from an external information processing apparatus, the stored reservation information is supplied to the external information processing apparatus. The identification information that includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by the information processing apparatus is added to the reservation information of the subunit. This allows the external information processing apparatus to reliably reserve the subunit of the information processing apparatus. The occurrence of double booking can also be avoided. When a subunit of an external information processing apparatus is reserved, the reservation information is read as to the reservation of the subunit stored in the external information processing apparatus. According to the result of the reading, the identification information that includes a unique value for the information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by the information processing apparatus is added to the reservation information of the subunit of the external information processing device. Then, the resulting reservation information is written to the external information processing apparatus. Thus, the occurrence of double reservation can be avoided, and the subunit of the external information processing apparatus can be reliably reserved.

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS An information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing device through a network, said information processing apparatus comprising: a handling device for handling management information; and / a generation device for generating, based on a first identification information to identify said handling device and based on a second identification information to identify the handling information within an area handled by said operating device, a third identification information to identify the management information within said network.
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage device for storing the handling information in such a way that the handling information can be read by said external information processing device through said network. .
3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said network is formed by the use of an IEEE-139 serial data bus.
4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information for identifying said handling device is a global unique ID.
5. A method of processing information for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a handling device for handling management information, said method information processing comprises a generation step to generate, based on a first identification information to identify said handling device and a second identification information to identify the driving information within an area handled by said operating device, a third identification information to identify the management information within said network.
6. A registration means for recording an executable program by a computer, said program for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing device through a network, said information processing apparatus comprises a handling device for manage driving information, said program comprises the step of generating, based on a first , identification information to identify said handling device and a second identification information to identify the handling information 5 within an area operated by said operating device, a third identification information to identify the management information within said network. /
7. 7. An information processing device connected to an external information processing device to 10 'through a network and including at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function, said information processing apparatus comprises: a generating device for generating a provisional ID for an event controlling the sub-unit; 15 an extraction device for extracting an event ID from an authenticated event; a comparison device for comparing the provisional ID generated by said generation device with the event ID extracted by said device 20 extraction; and an authentication device for authenticating the provisional ID as the event ID in accordance with a comparison result obtained by said comparison device.
8. 8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the event ID uniquely corresponds to the event in accordance with an authentication operation performed by said authentication device.
9. 9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said network is formed by a serial data bus according to IEEE-1394. ()
10. 10. An information processing apparatus of 10 according to claim 7, further comprising a combining device for combining the event ID with a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit, thus generating a unique value for said network.
11. 11. An information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one subunit to execute a predetermined function, said method of Information processing comprises: a generation step to generate a provisional ID for an event that controls the subunit; an extraction step to extract an event ID from an authenticated event; 25 a comparison step for comparing the provisional ID generated in said generation step with the event ID extracted in said extraction step; and an authentication step for authenticating the provisional ID as the event ID in accordance with a comparison result obtained in said comparison step.
12. A registration means for registering an executable program by a computer, said program for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing device through a network and including at least one subunit to execute a predetermined function, said program comprises: a generation step to generate a provisional ID for an event that controls the subunit; an extraction step to extract an event ID from an authenticated event; a comparison step for comparing the provisional ID generated by said generation device with the event ID extracted in said extraction step; and an authentication step for authenticating the provisional ID as the event ID in accordance with a comparison result obtained in said comparison step.
13. An information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function, said information processing apparatus comprising: a storage device for storing reservation information as for a reservation of the subunit; a supply means for reading the reservation information stored in said storage device and supplying the reservation information to said external information processing apparatus in response to a request from said external information processing device; and an addition device for adding identification information to the reservation information of the subunit to be stored in said storage device, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information processing apparatus.
14. 14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the unique value for said information processing apparatus is a global unique ID, and the unique value for the reservation is a registration ID.
15. 15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: I an input device for entering reservation information regarding the reservation of the subunit; a search device for searching the identification information corresponding to the reservation information stored in said storage device; and an establishment device for establishing a value that is not stored in said storage device as a single value for reservation information newly entered by said input device and established by said information processing apparatus in accordance with a result of search obtained by said search device.
16. An information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a reading device for reading a reservation information stored in a storage device of said external information processing apparatus when a subunit of said external device is reserved. information processing; and a writing device for adding identification information to the reservation information of the subunit of said external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by said reading device and for writing the reservation information in said device. storage of said external information processing apparatus, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit of said external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit of said information. external information processing apparatus established by said information processing apparatus.
17. An information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing apparatus through a network and including at least one subunit to execute a predetermined function, said method of information processing comprises : a storage control step for controlling the storage of reservation information regarding a reservation of the sub-unit; a supply step for reading the stored reservation information by processing said storage control step and supplying reservation information to said external information processing apparatus in response to a request from said external information processing apparatus; and an addition step for adding identification information to the reservation information of the subunit to be stored by processing said storage control step, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information processing apparatus.
18. A registration means for recording an executable information processing program by a computer, said information processing program for use in an information processing apparatus connected to an external information processing device through a network and including at least one subunit for executing a predetermined function, said program comprising: a storage control step for controlling the storage of reservation information regarding a reservation of the subunit; a supply step for reading the reservation information stored by the processing of said storage control step and for supplying reservation information to said external information processing apparatus in response to a request from said external information processing device; and an addition step for adding an identification information to the reservation information of the subunit to be stored by means of the processing of said storage control step, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus which has reserved the subunit and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information processing apparatus.
19. 19. An information processing apparatus connected through a network to an external information processing apparatus, including at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function, said information processing apparatus comprising: a reading device for reading a reservation information regarding a reservation of the subunit stored in a storage device of said external information processing apparatus when the subunit of said external information processing apparatus is reserved; and a writing device for adding identification information to the reservation information of the subunit of said external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by said reading device and for writing the reservation information in said external device. information processing, said identification / information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit of said external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the unique value for said information processing apparatus is a global unique ID, and the unique value for the reservation is a registration ID. An information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus connected through a network to an external information processing apparatus, which includes at least one subunit to execute a predetermined function, said method of information processing comprises : a reading step for reading a reservation information regarding a reservation of the subunit stored in a storage device of said external information processing device when the subunit of said external information processing device is reserved; and a writing step to add identifying information to the reservation information of the / subunit of said external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by processing said reading step and to write reservation information in said external information processing apparatus, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit of said external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information processing apparatus. A registration means for recording an information processing program executable by a computer, said information processing program for use in an information processing apparatus connected through a network to an external information processing apparatus that includes the minus a subunit for executing a predetermined function, said program comprises: a read step for reading a reservation information regarding a reservation of the subunit stored in the storage device of said external information processing device when said subunit external information processing apparatus is reserved; and a writing step for adding identification information to the reservation information of the subunit of said external information processing apparatus in accordance with a reading result obtained by processing said step of reading and writing the reservation information in said external information processing apparatus, said identification information includes a unique value for said information processing apparatus that has reserved the subunit of said external information processing apparatus and a unique value for the reservation of the subunit established by said information. information processing apparatus.