JP2000322368A - System, device and method for connection information input and program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection information input system, device and method for allowing an information processing means which processes response information in a first format corresponding to a first transmission request outputted by a first transmission requesting means which outputs a first transmission request to process response information in a second format corresponding to a second transmission request outputted by a second transmission requesting means which outputs a second transmission request for outputting information related with connection different from that of the first transmission request. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a system service 5 which outputs a first transmission request for outputting information related with connection, and processes response information in a first format corresponding to the first transmission request, and a WDM driver 7 which outputs a second transmission request for outputting information related with connection, and inputs response information in a second format outputted by a WDM corresponding device 8 which outputs the response information in the second format in response to a second transmission request without responding to the first transmission request, and a second FSD 13 which can convert the response information in the second format inputted by the WDM driver 7 into the response information in the first format which can be processed by the system server 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a first device and a second device.
The present invention relates to a connection information input system, a connection information input device, a connection information input method, and a program recording medium for investigating a connection with another device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as P
As an external recording device for recording the data of C), there are a floppy disk drive (hereinafter, FDD) device, a CD-ROM device, and the like. These external recording devices include IDE and SCSI.
Is connected to a PC by an interface called a PC. Devices such as such an external recording device that is externally connected to the PC, and hardware in the PC are Windows 9
8. The operation is controlled by software called an operating system (hereinafter, OS) represented by MacOS and UNIX. This OS includes FDD machine, CD-R
The concept of a file system for collectively managing the file name, file recording date and time, file length, file recording position, and the like of data (file) recorded or recorded in each medium of an external recording device such as an OM machine is described. Has been introduced. For example, in an OS called Windows 98, the file system corresponding to the FDD machine is FA.
Called T (File Allocation Table), CD-ROM
The file system corresponding to the device is CDFS (CD File Sy
stem). The software that governs this file system is a file system driver (hereinafter FSD)
This FSD is included in a part of the OS. By using this FSD, it is possible to perform operations such as recording data (file) in a medium of an external recording device and reproducing recorded data (file).

In recent years, a digital interface based on a new standard such as the IEEE 1394 standard has been introduced into a PC, and digital multimedia information including video and audio data is recorded on a magnetic tape and reproduced with a device such as a DV. , And a PC. As described above, when connecting a PC and an external device using the IEEE1394 interface,
Unlike the existing architecture, the Windows 98 OS differs from the existing architecture in that a new driver conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is WDM (Windows Driver Mode).
A WDM driver according to the architecture of l) is required.

[0004] Next, referring to FIG.
PC, FDD machine and DV
The data transmission between and will be described. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a conventional connection information input device when Windows 98 is used. The connection information input device means the PC described above.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 50 denotes a conventional connection information input device, 3 denotes a display application for displaying a connection status, 5 denotes a system service, 6 denotes an I / O manager subset, 7 denotes a WDM driver, and 8 denotes a WDM compatible device. , 11 is the IFS manager, 12 is the first FSD, 14
Denotes an I / O subsystem, 15 denotes a WDM non-compatible device driver, 16 denotes a WDM non-compatible device, 40 denotes a system virtual machine, and 20 denotes a display screen (monitor).

[0006] As shown in FIG.
Are connected to the non-WDM-compatible device 16 via the non-WDM-compatible device driver 15, and are also connected to the WDM-compatible device 8 via the WDM driver 7. For convenience of the following description, the WDM-incompatible device 16 is an FDD device, which is a device that records digital video and audio moving image data on a floppy disk (FD) and reproduces the recorded moving image data. And On the other hand, it is assumed that the WDM-compatible device 8 is a DV device that records digital video and audio moving image data on a magnetic tape and reproduces the recorded moving image data.

When content such as document data and video data is transmitted from the connection information input device 50 to the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine), the content is transmitted to the system virtual machine 40, the IFS manager 11,
The data is transmitted to the WDM-incompatible device 16 (FDD machine) via the first FSD 12, the I / O subsystem 14, and the WDM-incompatible device driver 15. Conversely, when transmitting content from the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) to the connection information input device 50, the content is transmitted in the opposite direction along the same route. Here, a route through which content is transmitted between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) is defined as a route 1.
The WDM-incompatible device driver 15 includes a connection information input device 50 and a WDM-incompatible device 16 (FDD machine).
Interface with the I / O subsystem 14
Manages a file system called FAT corresponding to Windows 98.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit for using data used in a file system format with application software such as a reproduction application. FIG. 4 does not show a reproduction application. Further, the system service 5 plays a role of an interface between the IFS manager 11 and an application such as a reproduction application.

On the other hand, when content such as video data is transmitted from the connection information input device 50 to the WDM compatible device 8 (DV), the content is transmitted to the system virtual machine 40, the I / O manager subset 6, and the WDM driver 7. It is transmitted to the WDM-compatible device 8 via Conversely, when transmitting content from the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) to the connection information input device 50, the content is transmitted in the opposite direction along the same route. Here, a route through which the content is transmitted between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) is referred to as a route 2. The connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (D
V) is transmitted according to IEEE13.
This is realized by 94 Isochronous data transmission. However, the content passes through the above-described path 2, that is, since there is no file system for the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV), the data recorded on the FD in the WDM non-compatible device 16 (FDD machine) It is impossible to treat data (file) recorded on a magnetic tape in the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) in a file format like treating a (file) in a file format. Also, even if a file system for the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) is devised and the FSD for the DV file system is used, as described above, since the DV is a WDM compatible device, the path including the FSD is directly connected. Not available. Further, the connection information input device 50 and the WD
The path 1 is used for transmitting contents to and from the non-M-compatible device 16 (FDD machine).
0 is used for transmission of content between the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV). For example, the data is transmitted by connecting the WDM driver 7 and the first FSD 12 to each other. It is not possible to transmit data across the network. The WDM driver 7 is an interface between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV), and the I / O manager subset 6
Has a function of controlling the WDM driver 7, and the system service 5 includes an IFS manager 11,
In addition to an interface with an application such as a playback application, it is also an interface between the I / O manager subset 6 and an application such as a playback application.

Up to this point, data transmission between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) or WDM compatible device 8 (DV) has been described with reference to FIG. Then, using the same FIG.
Connection information input device 50 and WDM non-compatible device 16
(FDD machine) and connection with the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) will be described. As described above, the connection information input device 50, the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) and the WD
If the M compatible device 8 (DV) is connected, the connection information input device 50 and the W
Data transmission between the non-DM-compatible device 16 (FDD machine) and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is possible, but data cannot be transmitted unless connected. Therefore, the connection information input device 50 is configured to use the WDM non-compatible device 16 (FDD machine) or the WDM-compatible device 8 (D
Check if it is connected to V).

First, a case will be described in which it is checked whether or not the connection information input device 50 is connected to the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine). The system service 5 of the connection information input device 50 is a first service for outputting information about the connection in order to check whether the connection information input device 50 is connected to the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine). The transmission request is output to the IFS manager 11. The first transmission request is sent from the IFS manager 11 to the first FSD 1
2 and transmitted to the non-WDM-compatible device driver 15 through the I / O subsystem 14 and output from the non-WDM-compatible device driver 15. The first transmission request output from the WDM non-compliant device driver 15 is transmitted to the connection information input device 50 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine).
Is connected, the WDM-incompatible device 16 (F
DD device) and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FD
D) responds to the first transmission request, and outputs response information including information on the type of its own device called an FDD device. The response information is input to the system service 5 through the route 1. As described above, when the response information is input to the connection information input device 50, the connection information input device 50 and W
It is determined that the device is not connected to the DM-incompatible device 16 (FDD machine). On the other hand, the connection information input device 50 and the WD
If the M non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) is not connected, the first transmission request output from the WDM non-compliant device driver 15
No, the connection information input device 50 does not input the response information, since no response information is output to the connection information input device 50). That is, the system service 5 does not input the response information. As described above, the response information is transmitted to the connection information input device 5.
If it is not input to 0, it is determined that the connection information input device 50 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) are not connected. Such connection information input device 50 and WD
Information on the connection with the non-M-compatible device 16 (FDD machine) is input from the system service 5 to the display application 3 and displayed on the display screen 20 if the user gives an instruction. The user can check whether or not the connection information input device 50 is connected to the WDM-incompatible device 16 (FDD machine) by viewing the information on the connection displayed on the display screen 20. At present, as a specific example of the display application 3, "Microsoft
ft Explore ”is application software.

Next, a case will be described in which it is checked whether or not the connection information input device 50 is connected to the WDM compatible device 8 (DV). The WDM driver 7 of the connection information input device 50 includes the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8
In order to check whether or not (DV) is connected, a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection is output. The second transmission request output from the WDM driver 7 includes the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (D
V), the WDM compatible device 8 (D
V), the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) responds to the second transmission request and outputs response information including information on the type of the device itself, DV. The response information is input to the WDM driver 7. As described above, when the response information is input to the WDM driver 7, it is determined that the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are connected. On the other hand, if the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are not connected, the second transmission request output from the WDM driver 7 is W
Since it is not input to the DM compatible device 8 (DV) and therefore no response information is output, the WDM driver 7 does not input the response information. Thus, the response information is W
If not input to the DM driver 7, the connection information input device 5
0 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) are determined not to be connected.

[0012]

As described above, the connection information input device 50 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD)
The information about the connection with the device is displayed on the display screen 20 by the display application 3. However, the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (D
Information about the connection with V) is not displayed on the display screen 20 by the display application 3. Because
The display application 3 is a means for displaying the “information about connection” processed by the system service 5, and the “information about connection between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV)” is Is not processed by the system service 5. It is different in the format of “information about connection” output from the WDM driver 7 and the format of “information about connection” that the system service 5 can process, and the I / O manager subset 6 This is because it does not have a function of converting the format of “information about connection” output from the WDM driver 7 into the format of “information about connection” that the system service 5 can process. Therefore, even if the WDM driver 7 has “information about the connection between the connection information input device 50 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV)”, the system service 5
Can not handle it.

Therefore, while the PC is running, the IEEE1
By using the 394 standard interface,
When a device (for example, DV) that can be connected to or separated from the PC can be connected to the PC or disconnected (separated) (hereinafter, connection / connection during PC startup). Even if the separation is referred to as HotPlugging), the information about the connection and the separation can be provided by the WDM driver 7 but is not displayed on the display screen 20 by the display application 3. Therefore, "Microsoft
Using "ft Explore", a list of information on the connection between the PC and the externally connected device is displayed on the monitor, and the HotPlugging information of each device, that is, the folder for the device if connected, is displayed on the monitor. If it is separated, the operation of not displaying the device folder cannot be performed.

Next, an existing storage device (a device corresponding to the WDM non-compliant device 16 in FIG. 4) is connected to a PC.
(Connection information input device 50), and connects to “Microsoft Explorer” as the display application 3.
Let us consider a case in which the connection status of a connected existing storage device is displayed on a monitor using “e”. The icon for the device displays the folder for the same FDD machine regardless of the manufacturer if it is an FDD machine, and the same icon for the CD-ROM machine regardless of the manufacturer.
The same folder for the CD-ROM device is displayed. Therefore, the user does not know the manufacturer of the connected device or the manufacture of the same device and the same manufacturer, that is, whether the device is a new type device or an old type device simply by looking at the monitor. This is because the WDM-incompatible device 16 in FIG. 4 does not include the manufacturer and the information at the time of manufacture in the response information, and the information such as the manufacturer and the time of manufacture is not input to the system service 5. By the way, "Microsoft Exp
If information such as a manufacturer and a manufacturing time is input and processed in the system service 5, the "lore" is used to display not only the type of device but also the manufacturer and the manufacturing time. An application that can. Therefore, if the information on the type of the device and the information on the manufacturer and the time of manufacture are input and processed in the system service 5, the type of the device, the manufacturer and the time of manufacture are displayed on the display screen 20. Where WD
Considering a DV as a specific example of the M-compatible device 8, the DV outputs information such as a device type, a manufacturer, and a manufacturing time when a second transmission request is input from the WDM driver 7. Information such as the device type, the manufacturer, and the time of manufacture from the WDM-compatible device 8 can be input to the WDM driver 7. If the information is input to the system service 5 and processed, “Microsoft” as the display application 3 is displayed. Expl
With “ore”, not only the type of device, but also information such as the manufacturer and the time of manufacture is displayed on the display screen 20.

[0015] Summarizing the above, heretofore, conventionally, the first format corresponding to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request means for outputting the first transmission request for outputting information about the connection has been provided. The information processing means for processing the response information of the second transmission request output from the second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection, which is different from the first transmission request means, There is a problem that the corresponding second format response information cannot be processed. In FIG. 4, the system service 5 corresponds to the first transmission request unit and the information processing unit. In FIG. 4, the WDM driver 7 corresponds to the second transmission request unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing means for processing a first type of response information corresponding to a first transmission request outputted by a first transmission request means for outputting a first transmission request for outputting information on connection. And processing second response information corresponding to the second transmission request output by the second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about a connection different from the first transmission request. It is an object to provide a connection information input system, a connection information input device, and a connection information input method.

[0017]

In order to solve this problem, a first invention (corresponding to claim 1) is a first invention which outputs a first transmission request for outputting information about a connection.
Transmission requesting means, information processing means for processing response information in a first format corresponding to the first transmission request output by the first transmission requesting means, and a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection. Outputting the second transmission request, and not responding to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request, and inputting the second transmission request output by the second transmission request In this case, connection information output means for outputting response information in the second format in response to the second transmission request, information input means for inputting the response information in the second format output by the connection information output means, Conversion means for converting the response information in the second format input by the information input means into response information in the first format which can be processed by the information processing means, wherein the information processing means comprises: By means A connection information input system which comprises treating the response information of the first type after the response information of the second format is converted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 2), the first transmission request means for outputting a first transmission request for outputting information about the connection, and the first transmission request means for outputting the first transmission request means. Information processing means for processing a first type of response information corresponding to the first transmission request; second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection; and the first transmission request means A connection information output device that does not respond to the first transmission request output by the second transmission request unit and that outputs response information in a second format in response to the second transmission request output by the second transmission request unit Information input means for inputting the response information in the second format output by the information processing means, and the response in the first format in which the information processing means can process the response information in the second format input by the information input means. Conversion to convert to information The information processing means processes the response information in the first format after the response information in the second format is converted by the conversion means, and the connection information output device transmits the second transmission information. A connection information input device characterized in that, when the second transmission request output by the request means is input, response information in a second format is output in response to the second transmission request.

According to a third aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 12), there is provided a first transmission requesting step for outputting a first transmission request for outputting information about a connection, and the first transmission requesting step outputting the first transmission requesting step. The first corresponding to the first transmission request
An information processing step of processing response information in a format, a second transmission request step of outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection, and a step of responding to the first transmission request output in the first transmission request step. A response in the second format output by the connection information output device that outputs response information in a second format in response to the second transmission request output in the second transmission requesting step. An information input step of inputting information; and the response information in the second format input in the information input step,
And a conversion step of converting the response information in the first format that can be processed in the information processing step, wherein in the information processing step, the response information in the second format is converted in the conversion step When processing the response information in the first format, and the connection information output device inputs the second transmission request output in the second transmission requesting step, a response in the second format in response to the second transmission request This is a connection information input method characterized by outputting information.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) First, the configurations of a connection information input system and a connection information input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a connection information input system and a connection information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a connection information input device;
1 is a system virtual machine, 3 is a display application,
4 is a central processing application, 18 is a message transmitting means, 5 is a system service, 6 is an I / O manager subset, 7 is a WDM driver, 8 is a WDM compatible device, 11 is an IFS manager, 12 is a first FSD, 13
Is the second FSD, 14 is the I / O subsystem, 15 is the WD
An M-incompatible device driver, 16 is a WDM-incompatible device, 17 is a device checker, and 20 is a display screen.

The connection information input system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a connection information input device 10, a WDM compatible device 8, and a WDM non-compliant device 16. The connection information input device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
A system virtual machine 1, an I / O manager subset 6, a WDM driver 7, an IFS manager 11,
The first FSD 12, the second FSD 13, the I / O subsystem 14, the WDM-incompatible device driver 15, and the device checker 17 are provided. Further, the system virtual machine 1 includes a central processing application 4, a message transmission unit 18, and a system service 5. The display application 3 is a unit for displaying “information about connection” processed in the system service 5 on the display screen 20 and is an auxiliary unit of the connection information input device 10.

The system service 5, the I / O manager subset 6, the WDM driver 7, the IFS manager 11, the first FSD 12, the I / O subsystem 14, and the WDM-incompatible device driver 15 in FIG. It is the same as each component of the conventional connection information input device 50 described in "Prior Art". The display application 3 is also the same as that described with reference to FIG. Further, each of the WDM-compatible device 8 and the WDM non-compatible device 16 is also the WDM-compatible device 8 or the WDM-compatible device 8 described with reference to FIG.
It is the same as the non-compliant device 16. That is, WDM
The compatible device 8 is a DV, and the WDM non-compatible device 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an FDD machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the central processing application 4 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes an information interpreting unit, 31 denotes a message receiving unit, 32 denotes a model information transmitting unit, 33 denotes a model information acquiring unit, and 37 denotes a device checker information transmitting unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the second FSD 13 of FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 34 denotes an IFS information acquisition / transmission unit, 35 denotes an APP information acquisition / transmission unit, and 36 denotes an information interpretation unit.

In the first embodiment, the system service 5 as an example of the first transmission request unit, the system service 5 as an example of the information processing unit, and the example of the second transmission request unit according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. And the WDM driver 7 as an example of information input means.
The information interpreting means 36 of the second FSD 13 is used as an example of the converting means. The WDM-compatible device 8 is used as an example of the connection information output unit according to the first aspect and as an example of the connection information output apparatus according to the second aspect. Also,
The WDM driver 7 is used as the determination means according to the third aspect. Further, the display application 3 is used as an example of the display means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the connection information input system and the connection information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the operation described below is not an operation related to content transmission, but “operation of connection information input device 10 and WDM compatible device 8.
(DV) and transmission of "information about connection with WDM-incompatible device 16 (FDD machine)". Therefore, description of the transmission of the content is omitted.

First, an operation for checking whether or not the connection information input device 10 is connected to the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) will be described. The system service 5 of the connection information input device 10 includes the connection information input device 10 and the WDM.
In order to check whether or not there is a connection with the non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine), a first transmission request for outputting information about the connection is output to the IFS manager 11.
The first transmission request is sent from the IFS manager 11 to the first F
W passes through the SD 12 and the I / O subsystem 14 in order.
It is transmitted to the non-DM compatible device driver 15 and output from the WDM non-compliant device driver 15. The first transmission request output from the WDM non-compliant device driver 15 is transmitted to the connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16.
(FDD machine) is connected to the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine), and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) responds to the first transmission request, and
It outputs response information including information about the type of its own device called a device. The response information is input to the WDM-incompatible device driver 15 and the I / O subsystem 1
4. Input to the system service 5 via the first FSD 12 and the IFS manager 11, and are interpreted. Thus, when the response information is input to the connection information input device 10,
The connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (F
DD machine) is determined to be connected. On the other hand, the connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FD
D), the first transmission request output from the WDM non-compliant device driver 15 is
The connection information input device 1 is not input to the non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine), and therefore does not output response information.
0 does not input response information. That is, the system service 5 does not input the response information. As described above, if the response information is not input to the connection information input device 10, the connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD)
Machine) is not connected. Such connection information input device 10 and WDM non-compliant device 16 (F
The information on the connection with the DD machine) is transmitted from the system service 5 to the display application 3 if there is an instruction from the user.
Is displayed on the display screen 20. The user can confirm whether or not the connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FDD machine) are connected by looking at the information on the connection displayed on the display screen 20.

As described above, the connection information input device 10 and the WDM non-compliant device 16 (FD
The operation when checking whether or not connection with
Same as before.

Next, the operation for checking whether or not the connection information input device 10 is connected to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) will be described when the connection information input device 10 starts to be activated and when the connection information input device 10 (DV) starts. The description will be made separately for the case where the device 10 is running.

First, the operation when the connection information input device 10 starts to be activated will be described.

When the connection information input device 10 is activated, the model information acquisition means 33 of the central processing application 4
The connection information input device 10 and the WD
In order to check whether or not the device is compatible with the M-compatible device 8 (DV), control is performed so as to output a second transmission request for outputting information on the connection. Is output.

The second transmission request is sent to the connection information input device 1
0 is connected to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV), the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is input to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV).
The corresponding device 8 (DV) responds to the second transmission request and
It outputs response information including information on the type of its own device V, information on the manufacturer, information on manufacturing, and information on the product name. The response information is input to the WDM driver 7. Then, the WDM driver 7 sends the response information to the model information acquisition unit 3 of the central processing application 4.
Output to 3. Upon receiving the response information from the WDM driver 7, the model information acquiring unit 33 outputs the information to the information interpreting unit 30, and the information interpreting unit 30 transmits information indicating that "DV is connected" to the device checker information. The data is sent to the device checker 17 via the means 37. The information to the effect that “DV is connected” is converted by the information interpreting means 30 into a format that can be interpreted by the IFS manager 11, and more particularly into a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5. It is sent to the device checker 17. Further, the information interpreting means 30 is configured to output the information based on manufacturer information, manufacturing time information, and product name information.
From among a plurality of preset folder information, folder information corresponding to the input manufacturer information, manufacturing information, and product name information is specified, and the specified folder information is transmitted to the 2FS
Output to D13. If there is no folder information corresponding to the response information among the folder information set in advance, the information interpreting means 30 transmits the arbitrarily determined folder information to the second folder via the model information transmitting means 32.
Send to SD13.

When the device checker 17 receives the information that "DV is connected", it outputs to the IFS manager 11 information indicating that the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) is connected.

The folder information output from the information interpreting means 30 of the central processing application 4 via the model information transmitting means 32 is acquired by the APP information acquiring and transmitting means 35 of the second FSD 13, and the information interpreting means 36
The folder information is converted into folder information in a format that can be interpreted by the IFS
The data is transmitted to the S manager 11 and input to the IFS manager 11.

The IFS manager 11 outputs information indicating that “DV is connected” and folder information to the system service 5. Then, the system service 5 inputs and stores information indicating that “DV is connected” and folder information. by the way,
The information indicating that “DV is connected” and the folder information input by the system service 5 are information in a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5. Is transmitted from the system service 5 to the display application 3 and displayed on the display screen 20. The user sees the information on the connection displayed on the display screen 20, and thereby the connection information input device 1
0 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) can be confirmed. Further, when the connection is made, the manufacturer, the time of manufacture, and the product name can be known.

On the other hand, if the connection information input device 10 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are not connected, the WDM
Since the second transmission request output from the driver 7 is not input to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV), and thus no response information is output, the WDM driver 7 does not input the response information. As described above, if the response information is not input to the WDM driver 7, the WDM driver 7 sends the “DV
Is not connected ". further,
The information is sent to the information interpreting means 30 and the information interpreting means 3
0 indicates the information that “DV is not connected”
In a format that can be interpreted by the IFS manager 11,
More specifically, the data is converted into a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5 and sent to the device checker 17 via the device checker information transmitting unit 37. When the device checker 17 inputs the information “DV is not connected”, the device checker 17
Information indicating that the corresponding device 8 (DV) is not connected is sent. The IFS manager 11 does not send the information for the unconnected device to the system service 5. Therefore, when there is a user's instruction, the display application 3 displays information “DV is not connected” on the display screen 20.
The user sees the information about the connection displayed on the display screen 20 so that the connection information input device 10 and the WDM
It can be checked whether or not the device is connected to the corresponding device 8 (DV).

Next, while the connection information input device 10 is running, the connection information input device 10 and the WDM compatible device 8
An operation for checking whether or not (DV) is connected will be described.

While the connection information input device 10 is running,
Model information acquisition means 33 of central processing application 4
The above-mentioned second transmission for checking whether or not the connection information input device 10 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are connected to the WDM driver 7 periodically at intervals of, for example, every two seconds. Control to output the request.
Then, the WDM driver 7 periodically outputs the second transmission request according to the control.

Here, when the connection information input device 10 starts to be activated, the connection information input device 10 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) are connected. The operation when the information input device 10 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) are separated will be described.

If the connection information input device 10 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are separated, the second transmission request
Since the response information is not output to the corresponding device 8 (DV) and the response information is not output, the WDM driver 7 does not input the response information. As described above, the response information is stored in the WDM driver 7.
Is not input, the WDM driver 7 sends information indicating that “DV is not connected” to the model information acquisition unit 33 of the central processing application 4. Further, the information is sent to the information interpreting means 30 and the information interpreting means 30
Converts the information that "DV is not connected" into a format that can be interpreted by the IFS manager 11, that is, a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5, and transmits the information for device checker. Means 3
7 to the device checker 17. When the device checker 17 inputs information indicating that “DV is not connected”, the device checker 17 transmits “WV” to the IFS manager 11.
DM compatible device 8 (DV) is not connected ". The IFS manager 11 sends the “WDM compatible device 8 (DV)”
Is not connected "to the system service 5, and the system service 5 determines whether the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) has been separated or not connected at all. Then, when outputting information to the display application 3 based on an instruction from the user, the system service 5 reads “connection information input device 1
0, is the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) disconnected or not connected in the first place? ". As a result, when the connection information is displayed on the display screen 20 by the display application 3 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is separated while the connection information input device 10 is running, the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is displayed. The corresponding folder information is no longer displayed. When the system service 5 receives information indicating that “the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is not connected”, the system service 5 also sends the information to the message transmission unit 18 of the central processing application 4. As described above, the central processing application 4 confirms that the system service 5 has input the information indicating that “the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is not connected” by the feedback of the information to the message transmitting unit 18. can do.

Next, when the connection information input device 10 starts to be activated, the connection information input device 10 is not connected to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV). The operation when the connection information input device 10 is connected to the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) will be described.

If the connection information input device 10 and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) are connected, the second transmission request from the WDM driver 7 is input to the WDM compatible device 8 (DV), and the WDM compatible device 8 (DV) ) Outputs response information including information on the type of the device itself called DV, information on the manufacturer, information on manufacturing, and information on the product name. The response information is input to the WDM driver 7 and further input to the model information acquisition unit 33 of the central processing application 4. Model information acquisition means 33
When the response information is input, the response information is output to the information interpreting means 30, and the information interpreting means 30 outputs the information that "DV is connected" to the device via the device checker information transmitting means 37. Send to checker 17.
The information indicating that "DV is connected" is converted by the information interpreting means 30 into a format that can be interpreted by the IFS manager 11, that is, a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5, and the device checker It is sent to 17. In addition, the information interpreting means 30 is configured to output the information based on the manufacturer information, the manufacturing information, and the product name information.
From among a plurality of preset folder information, folder information corresponding to the input manufacturer information, manufacturing information, and product name information is specified, and the specified folder information is transmitted to the 2FS
Output to D13. If there is no corresponding folder information, the information interpreting means 30 transmits the arbitrarily determined folder information via the model information transmitting means 32 to the second FSD 1.
Output to 3.

When the device checker 17 receives the information indicating that “DV is connected”, the information indicating that the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is connected is transmitted to the device checker 17.
Output to the FS manager 11.

Further, the folder information output from the information interpreting means 30 of the central processing application 4 via the model information transmitting means 32 is acquired by the APP information acquiring and transmitting means 35 of the second FSD 13, and the information interpreting means 36
The folder information is converted into folder information in a format that can be interpreted by the IFS
The data is transmitted to the S manager 11 and input to the IFS manager 11.

The IFS manager 11 outputs information indicating that “DV is connected” and folder information to the system service 5. By the way, since the information output to the system service 5 is information in a format that can be interpreted by the system service 5, the system service 5
The information from the IFS manager 11 is input and stored, and it is determined that "the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) has been connected while the connection information input device 10 is running".

Then, if there is an instruction from the user, the system service 5 executes “While the connection information input device 10 is running,
DM compatible device 8 (DV) is connected "and folder information to display application 3. The information is displayed on the display screen 20 by the display application 3. That is, folder information corresponding to the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) is displayed. As described above, the user can confirm whether or not the connection information input device 10 and the WDM-compatible device 8 (DV) are connected by seeing the information on the connection displayed on the display screen 20. . When the system service 5 inputs information indicating that “DV is connected” from the IFS manager 11, the system service 5 transmits the information to the message transmission unit 18 of the central processing application 4.
Also send. By feeding back the information to the message transmitting means 18 in this way, the central processing application 4 can confirm that the system service 5 has input the information indicating that "DV is connected".

With the above operation, the connection information input device 10
During startup of WDM compatible device 8 represented by DV
Is connected to the connection information input device 10 or separated even when HotPlug is performed.
The state of connection and disconnection of the DM compatible device 8 is indicated by Windows.
Display application 3 such as ws Explore
To display on the display screen 20. Also, P
When a WDM-compatible device 8 such as a DV is connected to C, the folder displayed by the manufacturer information and product name information is changed.

It should be noted that the method of changing the folder by reflecting the manufacturer information and the product name information is arbitrary. For example, the folder may be changed only by the manufacturer information without reflecting the product name information. Alternatively, the information of the manufacturer and the product name of only a specific manufacturer may be reflected, and a fixed folder may be used for devices of other manufacturers. That depends on what function is used as the display application 3 that assists the connection information input device 10.

In the first embodiment, the model information acquisition unit 33 of the central processing application 4 periodically sends the connection information input device 10 and the WDM driver to the WDM driver 7 at intervals of, for example, every two seconds. Supported devices 8
(DV) is controlled to output a second transmission request for checking whether or not the connection is established. However, control is performed so that the second transmission request is output not periodically but irregularly. Is also good. Also, instead of controlling the model information obtaining means 33 to output the second transmission request to the WDM driver 7, the WDM driver 7 activates the second transmission request on its own, periodically or irregularly. May be output.

In FIG. 1, which is used for describing the first embodiment, the second FSD 13 is connected to the I / O subsystem 14, but the second FSD 13 is connected to the conventional first FSD 12 described with reference to FIG. It is connected in the same way as the I / O subsystem 14 is connected. It connects the second FSD 13 to treat it in the same way as the first FSD 12, and
It is not connected to transmit data to and from the subsystem 14.

Further, all or some of the components of the connection information input device 10 according to the first embodiment may be hardware, or software having the same functions as the corresponding functions of the hardware. It may be wear.

Further, as set forth in claim 13, a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the functions of each component of the connection information input device according to any one of claims 2 to 11 is stored. The present invention also includes a program recording medium characterized by the above.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention corresponds to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request means for outputting the first transmission request for outputting the information on the connection. The second transmission request output by the second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for causing the information processing means for processing the response information of the first format to output information about a connection different from the first transmission request Connection information input system for processing response information in a second format corresponding to
A connection information input device and a connection information input method can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection information input system and a connection information input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a central processing application 4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a second FSD 13 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a conventional connection information input device when an OS called Windows 98 is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 system virtual machine 3 display application 4 central processing application 5 system service 6 I / O manager subset 7 WDM driver 8 WDM compatible device 10 connection information input device 11 IFS manager 12 first FSD 13 second FSD 14 I / O subsystem 15 WDM non Supported device driver 16 WDM non-compliant device 17 Device checker 18 Message transmitting means 20 Display screen 30 Information interpreting means 31 Message receiving means 32 Model information transmitting means 33 Model information obtaining means 34 IFS information obtaining and transmitting means 35 APP information obtaining and transmitting means 36 Information Interpreting means 37 Device checker information transmitting means 40 System virtual machine 50 Conventional connection information input device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masazumi Yamada 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor ▲ Yoshi ▼ Junji Ta 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B014 FB04 FB05

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A first transmission request unit for outputting a first transmission request for outputting information about a connection, and a first format response corresponding to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request unit Information processing means for processing information; second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection; and the first transmission request output by the first transmission request means. If no response is received and the second transmission request output by the second transmission request means is input, the second
Connection information output means for outputting response information in a second format in response to a transmission request; information input means for inputting the response information in the second format output by the connection information output means; The information processing means can process the response information in the second format,
Converting means for converting the response information in the first format after the response information in the second format is converted by the converting means. Connection information input system. 2. A first transmission request unit for outputting a first transmission request for outputting information about a connection, and a first format response corresponding to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request unit. Information processing means for processing information; second transmission request means for outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection; and the first transmission request output by the first transmission request means. Receiving the second format response information output by the connection information output device, which does not respond and outputs the second format response information in response to the second transmission request output by the second transmission request means; Information input means, and the first information processing means capable of processing the response information in the second format input by the information input means.
Conversion means for converting the response information in the first format after the response information in the second format is converted by the conversion means; The connection information input device, wherein, when the second transmission request output by the second transmission request means is input, the output device outputs response information in a second format in response to the second transmission request. . 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the information input unit has input the response information in the second format, wherein the information processing unit also processes a determination result performed by the determination unit. 3. The connection information input device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The second transmission request means periodically outputs the second transmission request, and the information input means responds to the second transmission request periodically output by the second transmission request means. 4. The connection information input device according to claim 2, wherein the response information in the second format is input. 5. The second transmission request means outputs the second transmission request irregularly, and the information input means outputs the second transmission request irregularly outputted by the second transmission request means. 4. The response information of the second format corresponding to the second information is input.
Described connection information input device. 6. The connection information output device according to claim 2, wherein the response information in the second format output by the connection information output device includes an identifier of the connection information output device. Connection information input device. 7. The connection information input device according to claim 6, wherein the identifier includes type identification information for identifying a type of the connection information output device. 8. The connection information input device according to claim 6, wherein the identifier includes manufacturer information of a manufacturer that manufactured the connection information output device. 9. The connection information input device according to claim 6, wherein the identifier includes manufacturing time information indicating a time when the connection information output device was manufactured. . 10. The result of the determination made by the determination means and all or a part of the response information converted into the first format correspond to the first transmission request output by the first transmission request means. The connection information input device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the response information is input to a display means for displaying the response information in the first format, and is used and displayed. 11. The connection information output device identifier is used when the response information converted into the first format by the conversion means is displayed by the display means. Described connection information input device. 12. A first transmission requesting step of outputting a first transmission request for outputting information about a connection, and a first format response corresponding to the first transmission request output in the first transmission requesting step. An information processing step of processing information; a second transmission request step of outputting a second transmission request for outputting information about the connection; and a first transmission request output in the first transmission request step. Receiving the second format response information output by the connection information output device which does not respond and outputs the second format response information in response to the second transmission request output in the second transmission request step Information input step, and the second format response information input in the information input step can be processed in the information processing step. And a conversion step of converting into the first type response information, in the information processing step, the first after the response information of the second format is converted in said converting step
When processing the response information in the format, the connection information output device, when the second transmission request output in the second transmission request step is input, the response information in the second format in response to the second transmission request A connection information input method characterized by outputting. 13. A program recording for storing a program for causing a computer to execute all or a part of each function of each component of the connection information input device according to any one of claims 2 to 11. Medium.