FR2828357A1 - Audio-video domestic network remote control processing method having first signal specific nodes address predetermined function processing and second signal transparently node transported where target signal recognized otherwise ignored. - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote control processing method has a number of nodes allowing connection of a number of terminals. Two types of remote control signal are used the first specific to nodes, and the second specific to a terminal. When signals are received from the first remote control the predetermined function is processed at a local node. When signals are received from a second remote control, if it is a target node signal, the signal is transparently transported otherwise it is ignored.

Description

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 Method for processing remote control signals within a home audiovisual network, corresponding signal, devices and computer program.

 The field of the invention is that of home audiovisual networks, of the type making it possible to interconnect a plurality of audio and / or video terminals (also called devices), of analog and / or digital type, so that they exchange audiovisual signals .

 These terminals belong, for example, to the following list of equipment (which is not exhaustive): television receivers (by satellite, over the air, by cable, xDSL, etc.), televisions, video recorders, scanners, digital cameras , digital cameras, DVD players, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), printers, etc.

 The domestic audiovisual network is for example of the high-speed switched type, comprising a certain number of nodes and in particular allowing the real-time exchange of moving images, for distribution within the framework of a dwelling.

 A home audiovisual network according to the invention comprises a plurality of nodes, connected by a plurality of physical communication links. These links are for example of the type allowing bidirectional data transfers, according to the IEEE 1355 standard.

 As a reminder, the IEEE 1355 standard is defined by the reference IEEE Std 1355-1995 Standard for Heterogeneous InterConnect (HIC) (Low Cost Low Latency Scalable Serial Interconnect) (aka ISO / IEC 14575 DIS).

 The audio and / or video terminals communicate with each other via the nodes to which they are connected. The nodes, which form the backbone of the network, include in particular: first interface means, allowing the connection, via one or more links (for example according to the standard IEEE 1355), of one or more other nodes;

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 second interface means, allowing the connection of one or more analog terminals (that is to say capable of receiving audiovisual signals in analog form); third interface means, allowing the connection (for example via a digital bus according to the IEEE 1394 standard) of one or more digital terminals (that is to say capable of receiving audiovisual signals in digital form).

 The operation of such a home audiovisual network is as follows: a connection is established, via a plurality of nodes, between a first terminal (or "listener" in English), which wishes to receive audiovisual signals, and a second terminal (or "talker" in English), who can provide them.

 We now specify some elements of the terminology used in the following description.

 The first aforementioned terminal is called "destination terminal" and the node to which it is connected is called "destination node".

 Regarding the second aforementioned terminal, there are two cases.

 In a first case, the second terminal is integrated into a node, called "source node". Thus, it is assumed that the source node comprises means for receiving and / or reading source signals (of origin external to the network) and means for transmitting these source signals, in the form of the aforementioned audiovisual signals, to the node recipient. In other words, the source node receives and / or reads source signals and introduces them into the home audiovisual network in the form of audiovisual signals. The node (source) and the second terminal are, in this first case, combined.

 In a second ace, the second terminal, called "input terminal", is connected to a node, called "input node". Unlike the premiecas, the (input) node and the second terminal are not confused. The input node does not include means for receiving and / or reading source signals (of origin external to the network). The input node receives audiovisual signals

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 from the entry terminal and introduces them into the home audiovisual network.

 By input terminal is meant, for example, a digital camera, a digital camera, a DVD player with digital output, or any analog device seen through an analog / digital converter ...

 Note that a source node can also play the role of an input node if an input terminal is connected to it.

 Conventionally, the analog and / or digital terminals of such networks are associated with control devices, generally of the remote control type, allowing their remote control. Thus, a user can for example control the actions of reading, freezing the image, or rewinding a video recorder, by means of an infrared remote control, with a range of a few meters approximately.

 However, in the context of such a home audiovisual network, it is also necessary to provide the possibility for a user to control a remote terminal (typically, located in another room of the house or apartment).

 Furthermore, a problem which arises for the user is to be able to manage the remote control of the nodes of the network.

 The invention therefore relates more precisely to the management, within a home audiovisual network, of the control signals intended for the nodes of the network, or to the analog or digital terminals to which they are connected, as well as their transport within the network.

 To date, several types of domestic installations or networks are known, in which a transport of infrared control signals is implemented.

 Thus, the patent document US 6,192, 399 describes a network of UTP type (in English "Unshielded Twisted Pair") implementing a video server. According to the technique described in this document, when a user wishes to request the video server, infrared commands are conveyed to the latter. The

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 video server centralizes all the commands circulating on the network, and diffuses, in response, to all the equipments of the network, the requested information. On receipt of an information packet, each device or node on the network checks that the received packet is intended for it, and, if so, analyzes the content.

 A disadvantage of this technique of the prior art is that it requires the implementation of a centralized control device (in this case, the video server), intended to manage all of the control signals conveyed on the network, and broadcast network equipment in response to information packets destined for buses.

 The patent document US Pat. No. 6,026,150 presents a home telephone network, in which each of the items of equipment on the network is assigned an IP address (in English "Internet Protocol"). As before, infrared signal packets are broadcast to all the equipment on the network, and are filtered at each of the destination equipment, according to the IP address they contain, so that only the equipment for which it is intended packets analyze their content.

 A drawback of this technique of the prior art, which is also a drawback of the technique described in patent document US 6,192, 399, is that the control signals and the information packets are broadcast to all of the equipment. or of the nodes of the network, including the nodes which are not concerned by such a signal or such a packet.

 A significant drawback of this prior art technique is that such broadcasting of signals and packets leads to unnecessary traffic overload within the communication network, and furthermore requires each of the pieces of equipment in the network to carry out an analysis of the signals and packets received, with a view to selecting those intended for it.

 The invention particularly aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

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 More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a technique for processing control signals within a home audiovisual network, which does not require the implementation of a centralized control device.

 Another objective of the invention is to implement such a technique according to which the infrared control signals are not all broadcast to all of the network equipment.

 A substantial objective of the invention is to provide such a technique which does not require the implementation, in the nodes of the network, of means for filtering packets received from an indication of the node or of the terminal for which they are intended.

 Another object of the invention is to provide such a technique making it possible to control two identical terminals of the network differently.

 The invention also aims to implement such a technique allowing a user to remotely control equipment in the network (allowing for example a user to control, from a room in the house, a terminal located in a room neighbor).

 Another objective of the invention is to provide such a technique allowing the establishment of a connection between remote devices of the network, with a view to the exchange of audiovisual streams.

 These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved using a method of processing remote control signals within a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals.

 According to the invention, at least the following two types of remote control signals are used within the network: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and transmitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes;

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 second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; and, when it receives a remote control signal, each node of the network, called local node, performs the following steps: analysis of the type of the received remote control signal; if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals, the local node processes it and performs at least one predetermined function; if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, * and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has previously been determined, the local node transparently transmits said second remote control signal to the target node; * and if no target node has previously been determined, the local node ignores said second remote control signal.

 Thus, the invention is based on a completely new and inventive approach to the management of control signals within a home audiovisual network. Indeed, the invention is based in particular on the introduction, within the network, of two distinct types of signals (specific to the nodes for some, and specific to the terminals for the others), on the analysis, in a local node, of the type of control signal received, and on the implementation of processing adapted according to the type of signal.

 The processing of the control signals is thus done according to a distributed system, and no longer centralized as in the techniques of the prior art, each of the nodes of the network comprising means of analysis and processing of the received control signals.

 Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to control the functionalities specific to the nodes of the network by means of a first remote control unit, while allowing a user to continue to use a second control unit.

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 remote control, already existing, specific to a network terminal (for example the infrared remote control of a television set).

 Finally, the invention proposes an innovative approach to the management of control signals within a network, namely the transparent transport of control signals to a target node to which is connected a terminal for which the remote control signals received are intended. .

 In the context of the invention, advantage is therefore taken of the synergy existing between the network topology and the transport of infrared commands.

 In a particular embodiment of the invention, in the case where the remote control signal received is one of the first remote control signals, the local node waits for the reception and the processing of at least one other remote control signal to carry out said at minus a predetermined function.

 Advantageously, said at least one other remote control signal belongs to the group comprising said first and second remote control signals.

 In fact, in a particular embodiment of the invention, certain signals specific to the network knots convey commands, which must be supplemented by additional information, in order to be able to be processed by the local node. Thus, a first remote control signal conveying a command for selecting a terminal for example, can only be processed by the local node after receipt of an identifier of the terminal to be selected, conveyed for example by a remote control signal from the first type described above.

 Preferably, in the case where the local node transparently transmits the second remote control signal to the target node, said target node retransmits the second remote control signal that it received to said target terminal which is connected to it, via at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal.

 Indeed, the second remote control signal is specific to the target terminal, and is intended for it. It is therefore necessary that it be conveyed, by the target node, to the target terminal which is connected to it.

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 According to a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is a wireless link of the same type as that existing between said at least one second remote control unit and said target terminal, the target node emanates at least one function from said at least one second remote control unit, so as to be able to re-transmit said second remote control signal.

 For example, the target node comprises one or more infrared emitters, and converts the second digitized remote control signal received from the local node into a signal 1: infrared, which it transmits towards the target terminal. If the target node comprises several infrared transmitters, the transmitter which is oriented towards the target terminal will preferably be chosen to re-transmit the second remote control signal.

 According to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is supported by the medium for connecting the target terminal to the target node, in addition to the medium for attaching the target terminal to the network. home audiovisual (ie for example a coaxial cable for analog interface, or a cable for digital interface of IEEE 1394 type, etc.).

 Advantageously, said target terminal is of digital type, and said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is supported by a digital bus, preferably of IEEE 1394 type, as the medium for attaching the target terminal to the audiovisual network. domesticated.

 Thus, if the target terminal is digital, the second remote control signal can be transported from the target node to the target terminal via the IEEE 1394 link which unites them.

 For the implementation of this variant, it is possible to provide means for translating, in the target node or in the target terminal, the second remote control signal. These translation means allow for example the translation of the second remote control signal into AV-C control (AudioVideo-Command) according to the standard "Digital Interface Command Set-Version 1.0, September 13, 1996".

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 It is of course possible to envisage combining the two above embodiments within the same domestic audiovisual network, by deciding for example that the first embodiment will be implemented for all the analog terminals of the network (which are conventionally associated with a remote control unit, and therefore capable of receiving signals transported on a wireless link) and that the second embodiment will be implemented for all the digital terminals of the network.

 According to an advantageous technique of the invention, between the target node and the target terminal, the second remote control signal is conveyed in at least a first packet, comprising: a header, containing in particular information relating to the target terminal; a data field, containing in particular at least part of the second remote control signal.

 Thus, the packet header includes for example an identifier of the target terminal, or information for routing the packet to the target terminal, and the data field comprises the second remote control signal intended for it.

 Preferably, in the case where the local node transmits the second remote control signal transparently to the target node, the second remote control signal is conveyed, between the local node and the target node, in at least a second packet, comprising : a header, containing in particular information relating to the target node, and possibly to the target terminal; a data field, containing in particular at least part of the second remote control signal.

 According to a preferred variant of the invention, said at least a first and at least a second packet have the same structure, so that the same packets make it possible to convey the second remote control signal between the local node and the target node. then between the target node and the target terminal.

 Thus, the packets carried on the cable for digital interface of the IEEE 1355 type connecting the local node to the target node are also forwarded to the

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 target terminal, for example via a cable for digital interface of the IEEE 1394 type, without their structure being modified.

 According to a first advantageous characteristic of the invention, said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing a first remote control signal, and optionally at least one other remote control signal, is a function for selecting d 'an equipment of said network.

 In fact, it is particularly advantageous for a user to be able to remotely select, from a local node, a digital or analog terminal or another node of the network, located for example in another room of the dwelling, for example in view to establish a connection with this equipment, or to control it remotely.

 Advantageously, said selection function belongs to the group comprising: functions for selecting a source node; functions for selecting an input node; functions for selecting an input terminal; functions for selecting a destination node; functions for selecting a destination terminal.

 Thus, a user can select, from a local node located in his living room, his hi-fi system located in his living room, in order for example to increase the sound volume. He can also select, from this same local node, a source node consisting of a satellite reception device, for example so that it transmits audiovisual signals to the television set in his living room.

 According to a second advantageous characteristic of the invention, said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing a first remote control signal, and possibly at least one other remote control signal, is an identification function of a target node.

 Indeed, the user can send a first remote control signal indicating to the local node that he wishes to assign an identifier to a target node (which

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 is by default the local node itself), then transmit another remote control signal, also of the first type, conveying the corresponding alphanumeric number or character string.

 According to a third advantageous characteristic of the invention, said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing a first remote control signal, and at least one second remote control signal, is a learning function for said at least one second remote control signal.

 According to a fourth advantageous characteristic of the invention, said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing a first remote control signal, and possibly at least one other remote control signal, belongs to the group comprising: connection functions, allowing the establishment of a connection between two previously selected network devices; disconnection functions, allowing termination of a previously established connection.

 Preferably, said home audiovisual network is a switched type network.

 Preferably, said first and second remote control signals are signals belonging to the group comprising: the infrared remote control signals; high frequency remote control signals.

 These signals can also be of any other type suitable for the implementation of the invention, and in particular for example high frequency signals.

 According to an advantageous variant of the invention, said at least one first remote control unit emulates at least one function of said at least one second remote control unit so as to be able to transmit at least some of the second remote control signals.

 In the particular case where all the functions of the second remote control unit can be emulated by the first unit, only the latter is

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 necessary for the user to implement the network functionalities, thus making it easier to use.

 The invention also relates to an audiovisual signal exchanged between a local node and a target node of a home audiovisual network, said signal transparently conveying a remote control signal specific to at least one terminal of said network and transmitted by at least one remote control associated with said at least one terminal.

 Advantageously, such a signal is organized in successive packets, each comprising: a header, containing in particular information relating to the target node, and possibly to a target terminal connected to said target node; a data field, containing in particular at least part of said specific remote control signal.

 The invention also relates to an audiovisual signal exchanged between a target node and a target terminal of a home audiovisual network, said signal transparently conveying a remote control signal specific to said target terminal and transmitted by at least one remote control unit associated with said terminal. target.

 Such a signal is for example of identical structure to the corresponding signal exchanged between the local node and the target node.

 The invention also relates to a device included in a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals.

 According to the invention, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network, namely: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and transmitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and

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 second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; said device comprises: means for receiving a remote control signal; means for analyzing the type of the remote control signal received; means for processing and carrying out at least one predetermined function activated if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals; means for transparently transmitting said received remote control signal to said Me node activated if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has previously been determined, said transmission means not being activated if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if no target node has previously been determined.

 The invention also relates to a local node of a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect ua plurality of terminals, comprising a device as described above.

 The invention also relates to a device included in a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals.

 According to the invention, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network, namely: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and transmitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals;

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 said device comprises: means for receiving at least one of said second remote control signals transmitted transparently by a network node, said locat node means for retransmission of said second remote control signal which it received to a target terminal which it is connected to it, via at least one predetermined link between said device and the target terminal.

 The invention also relates to a target node of a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, comprising a device as described above.

 The invention also relates to a target terminal of the type connected, via at least one predetermined link, to a target node of a home audiovisual network, said target terminal being of digital type, said at least one predetermined link between said target node and said target terminal being supported by a digital bus, preferably of the IEEE 1394 type, as a medium for attaching the target terminal to the home audiovisual network, a node of said network, said local node, transmitting transparently, to said target node, a signal remote control specific to said target terminal and transmitted by a remote control unit associated with said target terminal, said target node retransmitting said specific remote control signal which it has received to said target terminal which is connected to it, via said at least one predetermined link.

 According to the invention, said target terminal comprises means for receiving and processing said specific remote control signal retransmitted by said target north.

 The invention also relates to a computer program product characterized in that said program comprises sequences of instructions suitable for implementing a method as described above when said program is executed on a computer.

 Finally, the invention relates to a computer program product for processing remote control signals within a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of

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 terminals, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network, namely: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and transmitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; said computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a medium usable in a computer comprising: computer-readable programming means for performing a step of analyzing the type of the remote control signal received by a network node, said local node of the computer-readable programming means for carrying out a step of processing and implementing at least one predetermined function if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals; computer-readable programming means for carrying out a step of transmitting said signal received to the target node transparently if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has been previously determined; computer-readable programming means for performing a step of rejecting said received remote control signal if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if no target node has previously been determined.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings, among which: FIG. 1 presents a block diagram of a home audiovisual network

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 according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an example node of the home audiovisual network of Figure 1; FIG. 3 describes the different steps implemented within the node of FIG. 2, on reception of a remote control signal; FIG. 4 illustrates a first example of a function that can be implemented by a node of the network of FIG. 1 at the end of the processing in FIG. 3, namely a function of identifying a node of the network. FIG. 5 presents a technique for the unique identification of a physical connector of a node of the network of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 presents a technique for identifying a logical connector of a node of the network of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 illustrates a second example of a function which can be implemented by a node of the network of FIG. 1 at the end of the processing of FIG. 3, namely a function of selecting a terminal of the network; FIG. 8 describes the structure of a packet used for the transfer of infrared signals through the home audiovisual network of the invention; FIG. 9 shows the structure for storing the data necessary for routing the packets of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 shows an example of a remote control implemented in a particular embodiment of the invention.

 The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation, within a home audiovisual network, of two distinct types of remote control signals, and on the analysis in a network node of the type of signal received, to decide of the treatment to be applied to it.

 Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a home audiovisual network according to the invention is presented.

 Such a network comprises a plurality of analog and / or digital audiovisual terminals, connected to each other by different types of interfaces provided in the context of the invention.

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 Thus, the network of FIG. 1 comprises three nodes referenced 1,2 and 3, connected to each other by a digital interface of the IEEE-1355 type.

 The node referenced 1 is connected, by a cable for analog interface allowing the transport of video signals and audio signals in stereo, to three analog terminals, namely: a multimedia decoder (in English "set top box", term which will be used in the rest of the document) analog referenced 4, which can be a tuner for reception of signals by satellite, or a pay-TV decoder for example; a VCR, or an analog video cassette player referenced 5: an analog television referenced 6.

 An infrared type wireless link (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1) can also be established between the node referenced 1 on the one hand, and the set top box 4 or the video recorder 5 on the other hand. Such a link is used to transfer remote control signals from node 1 to set top box 4 or video recorder 5.

 Although it is not shown in FIG. 1, such a link can of course also exist between each of the terminals in FIG. 1 and the node of the network to which it is connected.

 The node referenced 1 is also connected to a digital television set 7, by a cable for digital interface of the IEEE-1394 type. A digital camcorder 8 constitutes a source of audiovisual signals for the digital television 7, to which it is connected by a cable for digital interface of the IEEE-1394 type.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the node referenced 2 is connected to two analog terminals, namely a set top box 9 and a television 10, by a cable for analog interface allowing the transport of video signals and audio signals in stereo. A wireless link also makes it possible to connect the set top box 9 and the node referenced 2.

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 Finally, the node referenced 3 is connected on the one hand to an analog television set 11 by a cable for analog interface, and on the other hand to a computer 12 by a cable for digital interface of the IEEE-1394 type, the computer 12 being itself connected to a digital camcorder 13 by an IEEE-1394 type interface.

 All the audiovisual terminals connected to the same node of the network of FIG. 1 are considered as local terminals for this node, the other terminals being considered for this node as remote terminals.

 A first remote control 14 makes it possible to transmit specific control signals to each of the nodes referenced l, 2 and 3 of the network of FIG. 1. Such signals specific to the nodes trigger, for example, the implementation of identification functions of a target node, for selecting network equipment, or for connecting / disconnecting network equipment.

 A second remote control 15, specific to at least one analog terminal of the network, makes it possible to send control signals, for example of the infrared type, to the analog terminals of the network of FIG. 1 (for example to the analog video recorder 5 or to the set top box 9). These signals are for example read, freeze or pause commands for the video recorder 5.

 In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use only the first remote control 14, if the latter can emulate the behavior of the remote control 15, as is currently the case for universal remote controls. The user therefore only needs a remote control, which simplifies the use of the network.

 The nodes referenced 1,2 and 3 can return the remote control signals from the remote control 15, to the analog terminals to which they are connected, in the form of infrared signals for example, or via the cable for analog interface connecting them at the terminals. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the signals are conveyed in the form of packets of identical structures, between a local node and

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 a target node of the network on the one hand, and between the target node and the target terminal on the other hand.

 FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a switching device 90 of a node of the home audiovisual network of the invention, connected to two serial communication means conforming to the IEEE 1394 and IEEE1355 standards.

 The node shown in FIG. 2 is also connected to one or more other nodes of the switched audiovisual network to which it belongs.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it has been chosen to represent an analog audio / video interface device 92, which is associated with the switching device 90. Such an interface 92 is connected to an analog / digital conversion module 102, also presenting an isochronous protocol (in English "streaming") standard video 1394. The conversion module 102 further comprises compression means of MPEG-2 type (in English 'Moving Pictures Experts Group "for" Group of experts for the coding of moving pictures "according to the 1st standard ISO / IEC 13818-1, 13818-2,13818-3) and DV (in English'Digital Video" for "digital video" according to the DV standard IEC 61834, described in the document "Specifications of consumer-use digital VCRs using 6.3 mm Magnetic Tape" published in December 1994 by "HD digital VCR conference"), as well as processing means according to the IEC-61883 protocol (as defined in "International Standard Consumer Audio / Video Equipment - Di gital Interface, First edition 1998-02, IEC 61883-1 / 2/3/4/5 ")) for the transport of digital audio / video signals.

 The switching device 90 comprises: a microcontroller 93, which is for example of the MPC860 type, from Motorola (registered trademark). Such a type of microcontroller has input / output interfaces making it possible, for example, to connect an infrared transmitter / receiver; permanent storage means 94 of ROM type; a temporary storage means 95 of RAM type, associated with the microcontroller 93, and in which a software architecture is loaded.

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 initialization; and a permanent storage means 86 of the flash memory type (in English "flash memory"), used to permanently store certain data (for example data resulting from the unique identification of a node within the audiovisual network invention).

 The storage means 95 is able to store data packets of different types, in particular: asynchronous packets of the type conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard; packets constituting messages in unconnected mode (asynchronous), of the type conforming to the IEEE 1355 standard; IEEE 1355 standard type control packets; stream (isochronous) packets of the type conforming to the IEEE 1355 standard.

 The packets of the type conforming to the IEEE 1355 standard actually exist at the level of the component 104 but they are not stored in this form in the RAM 95 storage means. It will be noted that the storage means 95 contains the information necessary to generate IEEE 1355 packages.

 The microcontroller 93 is also connected to an infrared module 80, which comprises reception means 81 and transmission means 82 of infrared signals. Such a module 80 can also carry out an analog / digital conversion and a signal / analog conversion of the signals.

 These four elements 86, 93, 94 and 95 communicate by means of respective address and data buses denoted 87, 96, 97 and 98.

 They can in particular exchange data by means of a main bus 100 with at least one bus interface component 101. In the case where the bus 100 is a standard PCI bus (PCI meaning in English terminology "Peripheral Component Interconnect "), component 101 can be a component called AMCC 5933QC marketed by APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION (registered trademark).

 Bus 100 can also connect other elements to each other, not

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 shown in FIG. 2, themselves provided with a bus interface and capable of implementing, for example, data processing functions.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the node according to the invention also includes two interfacing means 103 and 104.

 The means 103 is intended to provide the interface between the node 90 and the serial communication bus intended to operate according to the IEEE 1394 standard to which the said node is attached. It conforms to the standard "IEEE Std 1394a2000, Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus (Supplement)".

Note that the IEEE 1394 standard is described in the following reference documents:
IEEE Std 1394-1995, Standard for High Performance Serial Bus;
IEEE Std 1394a-2000, Standard for High Performance Serial Bus.

 A third document "IEEE P1394. 1 Draft 0.17 Standard for High Performance Serial Bus Bridges" describes how to connect different IEEE 1394 type buses.

 The interfacing means 103 is a set of PHY / LINK 1394 components which for example consists of a PHY component TSB21LV03A and a LINK component TSB12LVOIA sold by the company TEXAS INSTRUMENT (Registered trademark) and of connectors 1394, for example marketed by the company MOLEX (registered trademark), for example under the reference 53462.

The interfacing means 103 comprises at least one external port intended to be connected to a digital terminal which is attached to the serial communication bus 1394.

The interface means 104 mentioned above is an IEEE 1355 interface component which has three ports. It notably includes a component C113 marketed by the company 4LINKS (Registered trademark) as well as three interface components LUC1141MK marketed by the company LUCENT (Registered trademark), themselves connected to IEEE 1355 connectors, for example marketed by the company HARTING (Trademark). The

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 component Cl 13 is itself produced on the basis of a programmable component of FPGA type ("Field Programmable Gate Array" in English terminology) Spartan XCS30XL, marketed by the company XILINX (registered trademark).

 The initials FPGA correspond approximately in French to "Matrix of Programmable Doors".

 The three external ports of the interfacing means 104 are intended to be connected to ports of the same type on another switching node of the switched network, thus allowing the device 90 to communicate with another node of this network.

 The device 90 also includes a data flow control means 105 which allows the transfer of data between the various interface components 101, 103 and 104. This means 105 is produced in programmable logic, executed by a component of FPGA type, for example of reference VIRTEX, marketed by the company XILINX.

 This means 105 implements in particular a dual port storage unit 106 which pers of storing data destined for or coming from the switched network 1355.

 The dual port storage unit has a storage capacity of less than 2 Mbits and is, for example, produced in the form of a DPRAM type memory with 32 bis access.

 The initials DPRAM mean in Anglo-Saxon terminology "Dual Port Random Access Memory" which can be translated into French by "volatile memory with double port".

 The storage unit 106 comprises a plurality of memory areas which are managed as individual memories of the FIFO type, initials of the English terms "First-in First-out" meaning in French "First in First out".

 Such a memory zone corresponds to a memory in which the data are read in the order in which they have been previously written.

 These memory areas each have a read pointer and a

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 associated write pointer.

 Each memory area being managed as a FIFO type memory, its filling and emptying can be carried out at the same time, and independently. This makes it possible to desynchronize the operations for reading and writing the data, carried out by a switching unit 108, for the operations for reading and writing the data, carried out by the control module 107.

 In fact, the occupancy rate of the memory area considered is managed in a circular manner and it is known at all times whether the data contained in a memory area has been read or not. When these data have been read, it is then possible to come and write new data in place of these.

 The dual port storage unit somehow forms a queue for packets, and the storage function is performed independently, depending on the port through which the packets arrive at the storage unit.

 In general, all the isochronous or asynchronous data originating from the switched network are stored in the storage unit 106.

 This storage is temporary for the asynchronous data packets (packets constituting a message transmitted in unconnected mode) and for the control packets, which are caused to be then transferred to the RAM storage means 95 or to the flash memory 86 for a longer storage.

 On the other hand, the isochronous data packets (“stream” type packets, that is to say transmitted in connected mode), are stored only in this storage unit 106 before their transmission on the communication bus to which the switching north 90 or on the switched network.

 This is explained by the fact that this type of data must be transferred as quickly as possible from the switched network to the bus and therefore must be stored in an easily and quickly accessible storage medium.

 Likewise, isochronous data packets originating from the

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communication auquel est raccordé le noeud de commutation 90, et qui sont destinés au réseau c-Tmuté, sont stockés uniquement dans l'unité de mémorisation 106, et non dans le moyen de stockage 95, pour les mêmes raisons que celles invoquées précédemment.

communication to which the switching node 90 is connected, and which are intended for the c-Tmuted network, are stored only in the storage unit 106, and not in the storage means 95, for the same reasons as those mentioned above.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the data flow control means 105 includes several other elements including a control module 107 (already mentioned above), which provides a control function for the storage unit 106, a switch 108 (already mentioned above) in communication with the interfacing means 104, with the storage unit 106 and with the control module 107, as well as a data packet scheduling unit 109, which is related to the control module 107.

 It will also be noted that the control module 107 communicates with the interfacing means 103 and 104 as well as with the bus interface component denoted 101.

 The control module 107 has the function of multiplexing the read or write accesses to registers of other modules from the main bus noted 100.

 The module 107 also has control of the bus interface component 10 1 for the read and write operations on the main bus 100, including in particular the transfer in "burst mode" (known in English terminology under the term " burst mode ").

 The control module 107 is also responsible for triggering the interruptions on the main bus 100, as a function of specific communication events.

 This module exchanges data with the component 101, on an additional bus 110 (known in English terminology under the term "add-on bus"), according to the control signals denoted ctrll.

 As announced above, the module 107 is responsible for controlling the storage unit 106, as regards the read and write operations in FIFO mode, in the particular case where the bus interface component 101 is a

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AMCC, par l'intermédiaire d'un bus de données 111 et de signaux de contrôle ctr/2.

AMCC, via a data bus 111 and ctr / 2 control signals.

The interfacing means 103 contains memories of the FIFO type, which are used during the transfer of data packets of type conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. It includes two FIFO transmission memories called ATF ("Asynchronous Transfer FIFO" in English terminology) -saxonne) and ITF ("Isochronous Transfer FIFO" in English terminology) and a FIFO reception memory called GRF ("General Receive FIFO" in English terminology). These FIFO memories are more widely described in the documentation associated with the LINK component TSB12LV01A.

The control module 107 and the interfacing means 103 manage the transfer of data on a bus 112 according to control signals ctrl3.

Furthermore, the control module 107 controls the switching unit 108, by means of control signals carl4, in order to transfer data from the switch to the storage unit 106 via a data bus 113, and vice versa.

The switch 108 is connected to the interface means 104 via a data bus 114 and control signals ctrl5.

The data packet scheduling unit 109, also noted SAR (known in English terminology as "Segmentation And Reassembling"), informs the control module 107 of the next data packet (s) to be transmitted, by through c / control signals.

In addition, the scheduling unit 109 verifies the reception of the data packets, and manages the allocation and the release of memory areas (known in English terminology as "buffers") of the storage unit. 106.

The control signals ct77 exchanged between the interface means 104 and the control module 107 include in particular the clock signals regenerated from the reception of the 1355 packets on each of the three ports of the interface means 104.

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We now describe. in relation with FIG. 3, the different steps implemented in a network locaHu node, when the latter receives a remote control signal from one of the remote controls 14 and 15 of FIG. 1, via the infrared module 80 of Figure 2.

For the sake of simplification, it will be considered throughout the rest of the document that the remote control signals used in the context of the invention are of the infrared type. It will of course be obvious to those skilled in the art that these signals can be of any other nature, and in particular for example signals of the high frequency type.

The algorithm described in relation to FIG. 3 is stored in the ROM 94 associated with the switching device 90 of the local node. When the power is turned on, it is loaded into RAM 95 and the microcontroller 93 will execute the corresponding instructions.

During a step referenced 301, the local node (for example the node referenced 2 in FIG. 1) receives a remote control signal, coming from one of the remote controls 14 or 15 illustrated in FIG. 1, via of the infrared module 80 of FIG. 2.

The local node then implements an analysis 302 of the type of remote control signal received, to determine whether it is a remote control signal specific to the nodes of the network of the invention, or specific to at least one terminal of this same network.

If the remote control signal received is a signal of the type specific to the nodes of the home audiovisual network of the invention, the local node implements an analysis 304 of the infrared signal received. It deals with ensuring the function to be performed depending on the content of the infrared signal. The local node checks (305) whether the processing requires reception of one or more other infrared signals.

If so, the local node waits for reception (301) of another infrared signal.

If not, the received infrared command is complete, and the local node can perform (306) the actions required by the command.

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 If, on the other hand, the signal received during the step referenced 301 is not a signal specific to the nodes of the network of the invention, the local node checks (303) whether it was, due to the prior reception an infrared signal of a specific type to the nodes of the network, pending an infrared signal.

 In the affirmative, the received infrared signal is processed (304) as described above. For example, the local node first received a signal indicating that the user wanted to assign an identifier to a network node, then a remote control signal carrying the identifier chosen by the user, as illustrated in the continuation of the document in relation to FIG. 4. The local node can then store (306) the identification number of the node entered by the user.

 If not, the infrared signal is transported transparently to a target node of the network of the invention selected beforehand. In the case where no node of the invention is present in the network, or if no node of the network has been selected, the local node simply ignores the infrared signal received.

 For example, in the example of an audiovisual network illustrated in FIG. 1, a user physically located in front of the node referenced 2, can use the remote control referenced 14 to select the video recorder 5 connected to the node referenced 1. The node Icon then constitutes the target node for the remote control signals emitted by the remote control referenced 14, and the node referenced 2 is the local node.

 Thus, the user of the remote control 14 presses for example on a specific button on the remote control associated with a function for selecting an item of equipment (node or terminal). It then introduces by means of the remote control 14 the number of the node which it wishes to select, then the number of the connector of this node to which the video recorder 5 is connected. This function will be described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 7. The user can then control the analog video recorder 5, from the node referenced 2, using the remote control 15 which is specific to it.

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 As previously announced, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a function performed by a local node during the step referenced 306 in FIG. 3.

 The algorithm described in relation to FIG. 4 is stored in the ROM 94 associated with the switching device 90 of the local node. When the power is turned on, it is loaded into RAM 95 and the microcontroller 93 will execute the corresponding instructions.

 The node identification function presented in relation to FIG. 4 is a function specific to the nodes of the network of the area, which will be called for the sake of simplification the "IDENTIFY" function in the rest of the document.

The purpose of this function is to allocate a unique identifier to the local node which receives the infrared signal carrying the "IDENTIFY" command. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, such a function makes it possible to allocate such an identifier to a remote node.

 In the following description, we will limit ourselves to the particular embodiment in which the identifier of the node is an identification number. It will of course be easy for a person skilled in the art to extend this description to any other type of identifier, such as an alphanumeric character string for example.

 A user of the network of the invention wishing to assign an identifier to a network node sends control signals to the local node, by means of the remote control 14.

 As described previously in connection with FIG. 3, this specific command "IDENTIFY" is filtered, and the local node performs (306) the processing described below.

 When the specific infrared signal "IDENTIFY" is received (401) by the local node, the latter is awaiting reception (402) of additional information, in the form of infrared signals.

 When such information has been received, the local node performs a test 403 to check whether it is still awaiting new information or whether all the necessary information has been received to assign a unique identifier to the node (which is by default the local node luneme).

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 If the local node is still awaiting additional information, it stores in the RAM 95 the information already received, and waits (405) for the next information.

 If no additional information is to be received, the local node processes (404) the information received to obtain the number of the local node (or of a remote node in an alternative embodiment of the invention).

 It then proceeds to a test 406, making it possible to verify the validity of the number (or of the alphanumeric character string) obtained during the step referenced 404. Indeed, such a number can be outside of an interval of values allowed, or already being used by another node on the network.

 If the number is valid, it is allocated to the local node, and memorized (4 (7) in the flash memory 86, so that it can be used, even after switching off the network of the invention (for example in case power outage or network topology update).

 If the number is not valid, an error notification is sent (408) to the user, for example in the form of an audible signal or an error message on a screen associated with the local node.

 After a node of the network of the invention has been assigned a unique identification number, it is still necessary to uniquely identify each of the terminals connected to it.

 FIGS. 5 and 6 present two approaches envisaged in the context of the invention: FIG. 5 proposes a technique for identifying analog terminals as a function of the physical connector to which they are connected; FIG. 6 proposes a logical numbering of the connectors of a node, and therefore of the analog terminals which are connected to it.

 FIG. 5 illustrates the different analog connection plugs 501 of a node in a particular embodiment of the invention.

 Thus, the node has a video output 502, a right audio output 503 and a left audio output 504, a video input 505, a right audio input 506 and

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 a left audio input 507. The plugs are physically grouped together to form audio video outputs (511,512, 513) or audio video inputs (514, 515). Each of the groups referenced 511 to 515 is used as a whole, and identified by a number: for example, the group referenced 511 is called connector nl, the group referenced 512 is called connector n 2, and so on. up to the grouping referenced 515, which is associated with connector No. 5.

 In this way, an analog terminal connected to a node of the network can be uniquely identified, from the unique identifier of the node, assigned according to the method of FIG. 4, and from a connector number (corresponding to a grouping of three connection plugs in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5) to which it is connected. Similarly, a digital terminal connected to a network node can be uniquely identified, from the unique identifier of the node, and from the number of the digital connector to which it is connected (for example, such a digital connector, not shown on Figure 5, could be called connector No. 6).

 FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which the analog connection plugs 601 of a network node are grouped differently compared to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

 The node of the network considered comprises for example a video output 602, a right audio output 603 and a left audio output 604, a video input 605, a right audio input 606 and a left audio input 607.

 In this embodiment, the connection plugs are grouped logically, according to a functionality with which they are associated.

The groupings of files also have a hierarchical organization, a given functionality, associated with a particular grouping of files, which can be based on the implementation of a sub-functionality, associated with a sub-grouping of files.

 Thus, for example, the following groupings of connection sheets are determined:

<Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 the audio output functionality referenced 611, which uses the right audio output plug 603 and the left audio output plug 604; the audio output functionality referenced 612; the audio output functionality referenced 613; the audio input functionality referenced 614, which uses the right audio input plug 606 and the left audio input plug 607; the audio input functionality referenced 615; the TV output functionality referenced 621, which uses the video output plug 602 and the audio output sub-functionality referenced 611; the TV output functionality referenced 622; the TV output functionality referenced 623; the audio-video input functionality referenced 624, which uses the video input plug 605 and the audio input sub-functionality referenced 614; the audio-video input functionality referenced 625; the VCR input / sordc functionality referenced 631, which implements the sub-functionalities of TV output referenced 621 and audio-video input referenced 624; the VCR input / output functionality referenced 632.

 Each of the file groupings by functionality described above is used as a whole,:. is logically identified with a unique number. Thus, the grouping corresponding to the audio output functionality referenced 611 is called connector function n01, the grouping corresponding to the audio output functionality referenced 612 is called connector function 2, and so on until the grouping corresponding to the VCR input / output functionality referenced 632, which is called connector No. 12 function.

 In this way, any analog terminal can be uniquely identified within the network, which in particular makes it possible to send separate commands to two identical terminals of the network, for example to two video recorders connected to two distinct nodes of the network.

<Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 An analog terminal is thus uniquely identified from the unique identifier of the node to which it is connected, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and from the logical grouping of connection plugs that it uses, as illustrated in FIG. 6. By way of example, the video recorder 5 connected to the node referenced 1 in FIG. 1 is uniquely identified within the audiovisual network of the invention, from the identification number of the node referenced 1, and from the connector function n ll, corresponding to the input / output functionality of a video recorder referenced 631. Likewise, a digital terminal is uniquely identified from the unique identifier of the node to which it is connected and from the digital connector number , not shown in Figure 6, to which it is connected.

 It is important to note that the variant embodiments described in relation to FIGS. 5 (physical numbering of the connectors) and 6 (logical numbering of the connectors) may be complementary. In this case, we will adopt a different numbering of connectors for physical identification and for logical identification. For example, the connectors in Figure 5 will be numbered from A to E, and the connector functions in Figure 6 will be numbered from 1 to 12.

 The unique identification of the terminals within the audiovisual network of the invention allows their selection by a user, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Such a terminal selection function can be implemented by a local node of the network, on reception of a specific infrared control signal, at the end of the processing presented in FIG. 3.

 The algorithm described in relation to FIG. 7 is stored in the ROM 94 associated with the switching device 90 of the local node. When powering up, it is loaded into RAM 95 and the microcontroller 93 will execute the corresponding instructions.

 The "peripheral selection" function is a command specific to the nodes of the network, which will be called subsequently the "SELECT" function. The aim is to uniquely select a terminal from the audiovisual network of

<Desc / Clms Page number 33>

 the invention, so that a user can control this terminal (for example by sending infrared signals of the second type), and establish a connection, for data transfer, between a source device and a destination terminal. For example, a user uniquely selects the television 10 connected to the node referenced 2 in FIG. 1, so that it constitutes a destination terminal for the audiovisual signals coming from the video recorder 5 connected to the node referenced 1 in FIG. 1.

 A user therefore sends infrared signals to the local node, by means of the remote control 14 indicating that he wishes to select a terminal of the network.

 As described previously in relation to FIG. 3, on reception of the infrared command "SELECT", the local node verifies the nature thereof, then implements the processing described below.

 After having received (701) the specific infrared signal "SELECT", the local node is awaiting the reception (702) of additional information, namely the number of the network node to which the terminal which the user is connected wish to select (i.e. the number of the target node, which can also be an alphanumeric character string or any other suitable type of identifier).

 When this information has been received, the local node checks (703) if it is complete, or if other information is still missing. For example, the node lai verifies that the number of the target node has been fully entered by the user.

 At the end of the test 703, if the local node is still awaiting information, it stores (704) the information already received in the RAM 95, and returns to the state referenced 702 awaiting reception. information.

 If, on the other hand, at the end of the test 703, the local node considers that it has received all the necessary information, it determines (705) the identification number of the target node, according to the information received.

<Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 The local node then checks (706) the validity of the number determined during the step referenced 705. Indeed, the determined node number may not correspond to any of the network node numbers known to the local node and affected by the user during the process of Figure 4. In this case, if the number is not valid, the local node sends an error notification 707, so as to inform the user of a problem.

 If the determined number is considered to be valid, the local node is awaiting (708) the reception of the identification number of the connector (physical, as illustrated in relation to FIG. 5, or logical as illustrated in relation to FIG. 6) to which the terminal that the user wants to select is connected.

 After receiving additional data, the local node verifies (709) that these data are complete. If the local node is still awaiting data, it stores (710) the data already received in the RAM 95, and returns to the state referenced 708 awaiting reception of additional data.

Otherwise, the local node determines (711) the number of the connector to which the terminal to be selected is connected, according to the data received.

 The local node then tests (712) the validity of the connector number that it has determined. Indeed, the connector number determined during the step referenced 711 may not correspond to any of the connector numbers of the network of the invention. In this case, or if the number is not valid for any other reason, the local node sends (714) an error notification to the user, so as to notify him of this malfunction (by an audible signal, a message error on a screen, ...).

 If, on the other hand, the determined connector number is valid, the terminal that the user wishes to select is therefore uniquely identified within the network, from the number of the target node determined during the step referenced 705 and the number of connector determined during the step referenced 711. The local node then establishes (713) a control path between the selected terminal (also called target terminal) and the local node, so that all the infrared signals subsequently received can be routed, if necessary,

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 through the home audiovisual network of the invention, to the target terminal. The establishment of such a control path may consist, for example, of routing information, contained in the header of the audiovisual signal packets, and which is used to reach the target terminal, as described below in relationship to Figure 9.

 FIG. 8 describes more precisely the structure of the asynchronous packets, used for the transport of infrared signals between the equipment of the home audiovisual network of the invention.

 Such an 801 packet structure conforms to the standard "IEEE Std 1394-1995, Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus". In particular, it makes it possible to reach any node on the network, even if it is located behind a 1394.1 bridge.

 The infrared commands are transported in the data-payload field referenced 802.

 In a particular embodiment of the invention, when a user transmits remote control signals, said to be of the second type, that is to say specific to a target terminal, to the latter, these second remote control signals are transported from the local node to the target node in the form of 801 packets.

In particular, the identifier of the target node is conveyed in the Destination ID field 803, and the identifier of the connector to which the target terminal is connected is conveyed in the data-payload field 802.

 We now present, in relation to FIG. 9, the information which must be stored in the context of the invention, in order to allow the routing of a packet through the home audiovisual network.

 This information is stored, in each of the nodes of the network, in the form of a table 901, grouping together address and routing data specific to each of the nodes of the network.

 Thus, the unique identifiers assigned by the user to each of the nodes, during the process of FIG. 4, are stored in the field referenced 903, called "Unique logical Id". These "unique logical Id" 903 are stored, in connection

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 with the field referenced 904 described below, in the flash memory 86, so as to persist beyond any power-off of the network.

 In addition, each of these "unique logical Id" 903 is matched with a network identifier, which will be called hereinafter "unique network id" 904. This identifier 904 is determined during a mechanism for updating the network topology, which is not the subject of the present invention, and which will therefore not be described in more detail. For example, this identifier 904 can be based on the 64-bit value of the EUI-64 provided for by the IEEE 1394 standard.

 After a "unique logical Id" 903 has been assigned to a node of the network, this identifier must be communicated to all the other nodes of the network, using for example a message broadcasting mechanism, so that each of the nodes of the network can update its table 901.

 According to known techniques for broadcasting messages, acknowledgment messages are generally not used to positively or negatively acknowledge receipt of data. In a variant of the invention, it is therefore possible to envisage choosing a particular node of the network, called the leader node, during the mechanism for updating the network topology (which is not the subject of the present invention), who is in charge of allocating "Unique network Id" 904.

 As regards the node addressing method, each node of the network of the invention is seen as a 1394 type node, and is therefore assigned a corresponding "1394 address" 902. The node ~ id field of such an address 902, coded on 6 bits, can for example be the "unique logical Id" 903, or be determined from the "unique network Id" 904.

 The use of 1394 type packets advantageously makes it possible to extend the scope of the present invention to the nodes of the network located behind a 1394.1 bridge.

 The broadcast message mentioned above can thus be propagated through the home audiovisual network of the invention, and reach the node

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 leader, wherever it is located (in the particular variant of the invention implementing such a leader node).

 The table 901 further includes routing information 905, necessary for the routing of a packet through the home audiovisual network from a first to a second node. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention implementing a switched home audiovisual network, such routing information 905 is a source routing header (in English, "source routing").

 The network topology update mechanism makes it possible to update the table 901 after any change in the network topology.

 An asynchronous packet used to transport digital infrared signals between nodes is routed within the home network based on the appropriate source routing header from table 901.

 A remote control 1001, used in the context of the invention to allow a user to generate infrared commands specific to the nodes of the network, is now described in relation to FIG. 10.

 Such a remote control 1001 can also emulate at least some of the functions associated with a conventional remote control unit associated with an analog terminal (for example the infrared remote control of a television set or a video recorder).

 Such a housing 1001 comprises for example three sets of keys: a first set of keys referenced 1002, comprising specific control keys; a second set of alphanumeric keys referenced 1003; a key referenced 1004, allowing a user to access a menu, for example a menu of complementary functionalities which could be implemented within the audiovisual network of the invention, but which will not be described in more detail in as part of this application.

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 The set of control keys referenced 1002 comprises for example: a button referenced 1005 making it possible to control the standby or activity state of the audiovisual network node associated with the remote control unit 1001; two keys "Proven." referenced 1006 and "Destinat." referenced 1007, used to select a particular terminal of the audiovisual network. The "Proven." Key referenced 1006 allows the user to select a transmitting device (namely a node or an input terminal, also called "talker") of the audiovisual network of the invention, according to the "SELECi" function. previously described associated with transmitting equipment. The "Destination" key referenced 1007 allows a user to select a destination terminal of the audiovisual network of the invention, for example the television referenced 6 in FIG. 1, according to the "SELECT" function described above associated with a destination terminal; a connection key "CNX" referenced 1008, used to establish a connection between the sending equipment and the destination terminal selected using the keys referenced 1006 and 1007 described above; an "END" button referenced 1009, which can end any specific processing carried out by the local node controlled by the remote control unit 1001; up and down navigation buttons respectively referenced 1010a and 1010b, allowing the user to move up or down within a menu or a list; an "OK" button referenced 1011 allowing to validate the choice of an item from a list or a menu. The "OK" button 1011 can also be used for validation after entering an identification number for a node or a terminal.

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 The alphanumeric keys of the set referenced 1003 allow a user to choose an item referenced using an alphanumeric character from a list or menu, or to enter a string of alphanumeric characters to using the remote control 1001, for example when assigning a unique identification number to a network node, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Claims (28)

CLAIMS 1. Method for processing remote control signals within a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, characterized in that at least both are used within the network Following types of remote control signals: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and emitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes; second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; and in that, when it receives a remote control signal, each node of the network, called local node, performs the following steps: analysis of the type of the received remote control signal; if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals, the local node turns it on and performs at least one predetermined function; if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, * and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has previously been determined, the local node transparently transmits said second remote control signal to the target node; * and if no target node has previously been determined, the local node ignores said second remote control signal. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in case b the remote control signal received is one of the first remote control signals, the local node waits for the reception and the processing of at least one other remote control signal to carry out said at least one predetermined function. <Desc / Clms Page number 41> 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one other remote control signal belongs to the group comprising said first and second remote control channels. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the case where the local node transmits transparently the second remote control signal to the target node, said target node retransmits the second remote control signal that 'it received to said target terminal which is connected to it, via at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal. 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is a wireless link of the same type as that existing between said at least one second remote control unit and said target terminal , the target node emulating at least one function of said at least one second remote control unit, so as to be able to re-transmit said second remote control signal. 6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is supported by the medium for connecting the target terminal to the target node, as a medium for attaching the target terminal to home audiovisual network. 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that said target terminal is of digital type, and in that said at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal is supported by a digital bus, preferably of IEEE 1394 type , as the medium of attachment of the target terminal to the home audiovisual network. 8. Method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that, between the target node and the target termina, the second remote control signal is conveyed in at least a first packet, comprising: a header, containing in particular a target terminal information; <Desc / Clms Page number 42>  a data field, containing in particular at least part of the second remote control signal. 9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in the case where the local node transparently transmits the second remote control signal to the target node, the second remote control signal is conveyed, between the local node and the target node, in at least a second packet, comprising: a header, containing in particular information relating to the target node, and possibly to the target terminal; a data field, containing in particular at least part of the second remote control signal. 10. Method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said at least one first packet and said at least one second packet have the same structure, so that the same packets make it possible to convey the second remote control signal between the local node and the target node, and then between the target node and the target terminal. 11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing of a first remote control signal, and possibly of at least one other signal remote control, is a function for selecting an item of equipment from said network. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that said selection function belongs to the group comprising: functions for selecting a source node; - functions for selecting an input node; functions for selecting an input terminal; functions for selecting a recipient node; functions for selecting a destination terminal. 13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing of a first remote control signal, and <Desc / Clms Page number 43>  optionally at least one other remote control signal, is a function of identifying a target node. 14. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing a first remote control signal, and at least a second remote control signal , is a learning function of said at least one second remote control signal. 15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one predetermined function, performed by the local node after processing of a first remote control signal, and possibly of at least one other signal remote control, belongs to the group comprising: connection functions, allowing the establishment of a connection between two network equipment previously selected; disconnection functions, allowing termination of a previously established connection. 16. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said home audiovisual network is a switched type network. 17. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said first and second remote control signals are signals belonging to the group comprising: infrared remote control signals; high frequency remote control signals. 18. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said at least one first remote control unit emulates at least one function of said at least one second remote control unit, so as to be able to transmit at least some of the second remote control signals. <Desc / Clms Page number 44> 19. Audiovisual signal exchanged between a local node and a target node of a home audiovisual network, said signal transparently conveying a remote control signal specific to at least one terminal of said network and transmitted by at least one remote control unit associated with said minus one terminal. 20. Signal according to claim 19, characterized in that it is organized in successive packets, each comprising: a header, containing in particular information relating to the target node, and possibly to a target terminal connected to said target node; a data field, containing in particular at least part of said specific remote control signal. 21. Audiovisual signal exchanged between a target node and a target terminal of a home audiovisual network, said signal transparently conveying a remote control signal specific to said target terminal and transmitted by at least one remote control unit associated with said target terminal. 22. Device included in a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, characterized in that, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network, namely: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and emitted by at least a first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; said device comprises: means for receiving a remote control signal; means for analyzing the type of the remote control signal received; <Desc / Clms Page number 45>  means for processing and carrying out at least one predetermined function activated if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals; means for transparently transmitting said received remote control signal to said target node activated if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has previously been determined, said transmission means not being activated if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if no target node has previously been determined. 23. Local node of a domestic audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, characterized in that it comprises a device according to claim 22. 24. Device included in a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, characterized in that, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network, namely: first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and emitted by at least a first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; said device comprises: means for receiving at least one of said second remote control signals transmitted transparently by a network node, called a locat node <Desc / Clms Page number 46>  means for retransmission of said second remote control signal which it has received to a target terminal which is connected to it, via at least one predetermined link between said device and the target terminal. 25. Target node of a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, characterized in that it comprises a device according to claim 24. 26. Target terminal of the type connected, via at least one predetermined link, to a target node of a home audiovisual network, said target terminal being of digital type, said at least one predetermined link between said target node and said target terminal being supported by a digital bus, preferably of the IEEE 1394 type, as a medium for attaching the target terminal to the home audiovisual network, a node of said network, said local node, transmitting transparently, to said target node, a remote control signal specific to said target terminal and transmitted by a remote control unit associated with said target terminal, said target node retransmitting said specific remote control signal which it has received to said target terminal which is connected to it, via said at least one predetermined link, characterized in that said target terminal includes means for receiving and processing said remote control signal specific retransmitted by said target node. 27. Computer program product characterized in that said program comprises sequences of instructions adapted to the implementation of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 when said program is executed on a computer. 28. Product computer program for processing remote control signals within a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes making it possible to interconnect a plurality of terminals, at least the following two types of remote control signals being used within said network network, namely: <Desc / Clms Page number 47>  first remote control signals, specific to the nodes and emitted by at least one first remote control unit associated with the nodes; and second remote control signals, specific to the terminals and transmitted by at least one second remote control unit associated with at least one of said terminals; said computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a medium usable in a computer comprising: computer-readable programming means for performing a step of analyzing the type of the remote control signal received by a network node, said local node of the computer-readable programming means for carrying out a step of processing and implementing at least one predetermined function if the received remote control signal is one of the first remote control signals; computer-readable programming means for carrying out a step of transmitting said signal received to the target node transparently if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if a target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has been previously determined; computer-readable programming means for performing a step of rejecting said received remote control signal if the received remote control signal is one of the second remote control signals, and if no eyelash node has previously been determined.