JP2001101125A - Method and device for automatically changing system configuration, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the method and device for automatically changing a system configuration by which any interruption of data communication is not caused during a reconstitution procedure and the quality of data communication is remarkably improved. SOLUTION: A control part 3 controls processing so as not to execute the reconstitution of a system during the temporary separation work of a device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration and a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the automatic changing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, serial buses have few signal lines, thin cables, small connectors,
It is in the limelight because it has features such as no need to set D (identifier) and terminator, hot-swappable, and isochronous data transfer.

[0003] In particular, the IEEE 1394 serial bus must be capable of transmitting large-capacity data such as moving images at a high speed, capable of accessing memory by a bus architecture, capable of hot plug-in and plug and play, In addition, there is a feature that a peer-to-peer connection is possible, and application to not only personal computers but also AV (Audio-Visual) devices in homes and other devices is being actively promoted. .

[0004] As a feature, first, the device ID
Is not fixed, and the device can be freely added or deleted at any position by inserting and removing the connector. Further, it has a function of detecting an increase or decrease in the number of devices in the system and automatically resetting the ID number. Furthermore, since the cable is thin and the connector is small, it is easy to run the cable and to attach and detach the connector, and the cost is low. Also, the signal transfer speed is faster than conventional serial transfer. Bus arbitration to prevent a specific device from monopolizing the serial bus
Have a function.

[0005] A packet transfer system is employed, and there are two types of transfer systems, asynchronous transfer and isochronous transfer. Here, the isochronous transfer has a higher priority, but the isochronous transfer cannot be retransmitted but has a guaranteed time. Asynchronous transfer has a low priority, so there is no time guarantee, but since there is a retransmission procedure, data is guaranteed.

Although one port can be used, the number of devices can be increased by increasing the number of ports by daisy chain connection or branch connection.

[0007] Further, a device such as a main device for controlling a bus is not required, and communication by peer-to-peer connection is enabled.

When a device is connected, it is automatically recognized that a new device has joined the bus,
The settings required for communication are also made automatically, and a hot plug function that enables communication is also possible.

[0009] In addition, by using only one type of connector to be connected, the device is devised so that the connection is not mistaken or lost, so that the interface is very easy for the operator to use.

Further, even when the cable is unplugged, the connection of the device is reconfigured and automatically disconnected, so that complicated procedures and the like are not required, which is very convenient.

[0011] In the future, new standards corresponding to higher speeds and longer distances are currently in progress.

Next, the operation of the IEEE 1394 serial bus interface will be described.

The port of the IEEE 1394 serial bus interface is composed of a total of six cables, two twisted pair cables (one twisted pair cable is described as A and the other twisted pair cable is described as B) and one power supply pair cable. And two sets of twisted pair cables A and B are cross-connected to each other by a cable. One cable of one twisted pair cable A is connected to the other cable of the other twisted pair cable B and one cable of the other twisted pair cable B. Are connected to the other cable of one twisted pair cable A, respectively.

The data signal is a half-duplex communication, and the data signal is transmitted through one cable of one twisted pair cable A.
A strobe signal is transmitted as a differential signal on one cable of the other twisted pair cable B, a strobe signal is transmitted on the other cable of one twisted pair cable A, and a data signal is transmitted on the other cable of the other twisted pair cable B. As received.

The arbitration signal is a full-duplex communication, in which the arbitration signal is transmitted from the driver side, and is simultaneously received by the receiver side using three-phase (0, 1, Z) logic defined by a certain voltage level. The arbitration signal is identified.

In order to determine the three-phase logic, "Arb A Rx" is used for one twisted pair cable A and "Arb B" is used for the other twisted pair cable B.
A comparator having a non-inverting input and an inverting input as one set is prepared as "Rx".

"0" is defined as low voltage at non-inverting input and high voltage at inverting input, "1" is defined as high voltage at non-inverting input and low voltage at inverting input, and "Z" Is defined as the low voltage at both non-inverting and inverting inputs.

In order to establish the bus configuration, initialization of the bus,
Three phases of tree identification and self identification are performed.

Here, the initialization of the bus occurs when the power supply is discontinuous, when it is generated by a soft command, or when the bus configuration is changed by newly connecting or disconnecting a device (referred to as a node in IEEE 1394). When a malfunction is detected, a bus reset occurs, and the process is completed when all nodes are in an idle state.

Specifically, first, a logic "1" is transmitted to both the twisted pair cable A and the other twisted pair cable B to generate a bus reset, and the node receiving this signal generates a bus reset. Recognize. When an arbitrary time has elapsed after the occurrence of the bus reset, a logic “Z” is transmitted to both the twisted pair cable A and the other twisted pair cable B to generate an idle signal,
It waits for the connected partner node to transmit an idle signal, and upon receiving the idle signal from the partner node, recognizes that the bus initialization has been completed.

When the bus initialization is completed, the process proceeds to tree identification.

Here, the nodes include a "Leaf" node having only one connection node, a "Branch" node having two or more connection nodes, and a "Leaf" node having no connection node. There are three types of "unconnected" nodes.

In the tree identification, first, a node whose parent (root) candidate is a Parent n
Send an modify signal. When the “Branch” node has a plurality of ports, it cannot recognize which port is a route candidate node. Therefore, the “Branch” node does not transmit a Parent notify signal first, and does not transmit a Parent noti signal from the “Leaf” node.
Wait for receiving the fy signal. However, "Branch"
Even if a node has a plurality of ports, if there is only one port to which the node is connected and all other ports are not connected, the node becomes a “Leaf” node.

Next, the "Branch" node is a Pare node.
The node that has received the nt notify signal transmits a Child notify signal that acknowledges that the node is a child node, and the “Leaf” node transmits the Child notify signal.
The fy signal is received, and it is recognized that the connection of the port has been completed.

As described above, the “Branch” node responds to the Parent notify signal with a Chil signal.
d notify signal, and after connection is completed, P
When the number of ports that have not received the arent notify signal becomes one, the parent
Notify signal is sent and the child notify
When the signal is received, the connection of the bus configuration of this port is completed.

Further, a Parent notify signal is transmitted from one “Branch” node and the other “Branch” signal is transmitted.
When a “Notify” signal is transmitted from the “rank” node, the “Root” node is determined, indicating that tree identification has been completed.

When tree identification is completed in this way,
Next, a node number is assigned to each node, and each node enters a self-identification for enabling data communication.

In the self-identification, all nodes other than the “Root” node request an ID (self-identification number) from the “Root” node, and in response to the request, the “Root” node is sequentially set.
The node assigns a unique ID to each node for notification, and the “Root” node is assigned last and thus assigned the largest number, so that each node can be identified.

Thereafter, control is performed by transmitting command data and status data by asynchronous transfer, and data such as images and audio is transmitted by asynchronous transfer and isochronous transfer.

[0030]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the interface is very easy to use as described above. However, if a certain device fails, the power is turned off or the cable is disconnected. When performing disconnection work, the device is automatically disconnected without any warning, and the reconfiguration procedure is started. If other devices are communicating, communication will be interrupted and restarting from the beginning or data will be lost. The problem of losing the camera occurs. In particular, in a printer or the like, when a printing failure occurs due to an obstacle at the time of paper conveyance at the time of printing, lack of ink or toner for forming an image, or corruption of data or interruption of printing from a PC (personal computer), a printer failure occurs. The printer is automatically disconnected from the connected configuration even temporarily, such as by opening and closing the cover, refilling ink, toner, or paper, or removing paper due to paper jam. This will adversely affect the device.

It is only necessary that the communication state can be maintained when a failure occurs in the above-mentioned apparatus. However, the apparatus itself changes the communication state by pressing a reset button or turning off (ON) the power supply. If the state cannot be maintained, the apparatus is forcibly disconnected, which has an adverse effect on other apparatuses in communication. In addition, when the system recovers from the failure, it is connected again and automatically reconfigured again, so that the other devices are interrupted and the communication is interrupted and reconfigured without any notice.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to prevent interruption of data communication during a reconfiguration procedure. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration in which the quality of data communication is dramatically improved.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the above-described automatic system configuration changing apparatus of the present invention.

[0034]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically changing a system configuration.
A method for automatically changing a system configuration configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface, and automatically changing the system configuration by adding or disconnecting a device.
A control step of controlling not to reconfigure the system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 2 is the method for automatically changing system configuration according to claim 1, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE1394 serial bus. It is an interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 3 is the method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system is an information communication system. There is a feature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration, comprising: connecting a plurality of devices via a serial bus interface to add or disconnect a device; An automatic change device having a system configuration that automatically changes the system configuration according to (1), characterized in that it has a control unit that controls so that the system is not reconfigured during the temporary disconnection operation of the device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to the fourth aspect, wherein the serial bus interface comprises an IEEE 1394 serial bus. It is an interface.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the system comprises an information communication system. There is a feature.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically changing a system configuration, comprising the steps of: adding a device to a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface; Is a method of automatically changing the system configuration, which is automatically changed by a device, wherein a device designated from an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection request notification step of notifying a disconnection request from the system to the device, and a disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. And an exclusion step in which a device other than the specified device temporarily excludes the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period; and a device physically connected to the specified device disconnects the specified device from the system and A control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even when a reconnection is detected, and a reconnection for notifying all the devices of the reconnection when the specified device is reconnected to the system A notification step, and a device other than the designated device is the designated device And having a return step for returning to the system configuration.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 8 is the method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 7, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE1394 serial bus. It is an interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 9 is the method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the system is an information communication system. There is a feature.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic system configuration changing apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration comprising a plurality of devices connected by an interface by adding or disconnecting devices. An automatic change device having a system configuration to be changed, wherein a disconnection request notification unit for notifying a disconnection request from a system to a specified device (designated device) from an arbitrary device, and before the designated device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the specified device is disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and exclusion for devices other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period Means and a device physically connected to the designated device. Control means for controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even when disconnection and reconnection of the device to the system are detected; and when the specified device is reconnected to the system, all of the reconnection is notified. A reconnection notifying unit for notifying the device and a return unit for causing a device other than the specified device to return the specified device to the system configuration are provided.

In order to achieve the first object, an automatic change device for system configuration according to claim 11 is provided.
0, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 12 is provided.
12. The apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to 0 or 11, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a method of automatically changing a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface. A method for automatically changing the system configuration automatically changed by
A disconnection request notification step of notifying a specified device (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system from an arbitrary device; and disconnecting the specified device from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the specified device is to be deleted, an exclusion step of temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration for a period other than the specified device, and a device physically connected to the specified device. A control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even when the device that has detected disconnection and reconnection of the specified device to the system, and when any device is reconnected to the system with the specified device To the devices other than the specified device And reconnection notification step of notifying the scan, the device other than the designated device and having a return step for returning the designated device to the system configuration.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 14 is provided.
3. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to item 3, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 15 is provided.
15. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 3 or 14, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 16 is a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface to add or disconnect devices. Automatic change device of a system configuration that automatically changes by
Disconnection request notification means for notifying a specified device (designated device) of a disconnection request from a system from an arbitrary device; and disconnecting the specified device from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the specified device is not connected, an exclusion means for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period for a device other than the specified device, and an exclusion unit physically connected to the specified device. Control means for controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if the device which has detected disconnection and reconnection of the specified device to the system, and if any device has the specified device reconnected to the system To notify a device other than the designated device of the reconnection. A connection notifying unit, a device other than the designated device and having a returning means for returning the designated device to the system configuration.

To achieve the first object, an apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 17 is provided.
7. The automatic configuration changing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 18 is provided.
18. The apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to 6 or 17, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to a nineteenth aspect is a method for automatically changing a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface. A method for automatically changing the system configuration automatically changed by
A disconnection request notification step of notifying a specified device (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system from an arbitrary device; and disconnecting the specified device from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the specified device is to be deleted, an exclusion step of temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration for a device other than the specified device, and a return of the specified device to the system. And deregistering the designated device from the system configuration by a device other than the designated device when the arbitrary period elapses.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 20 is provided.
10. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 9, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 21 is provided.
21. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 9 or 20, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention provides a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface to add or disconnect devices. Automatic change device of a system configuration that automatically changes by
Disconnection request notification means for notifying a specified device (designated device) of a disconnection request from a system from an arbitrary device; and disconnecting the specified device from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the specified device is to be deleted, exclusion means for devices other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration for an arbitrary period, and return of the specified device to the system. And the device other than the designated device has a registration canceling means for canceling the registration of the designated device from the system configuration when the arbitrary period has elapsed.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 23 is provided.
3. The automatic system configuration changing device according to claim 2, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 24 is provided.
24. The apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to 2 or 23, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method of automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 25 is characterized in that a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface is added or separated. A method for automatically changing the system configuration automatically changed by
A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that a specified device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period, and a device other than the specified device configuring the specified device for an arbitrary period An exclusion step to temporarily exclude from,
A control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system; and When the device is reconnected, the device has a reconnection notification step of notifying all devices of the reconnection, and a return step of causing a device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration. I do.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 26 is provided.
5. The method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 5, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method of automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 27 is provided.
27. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 5 or 26, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, an automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprises a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface to add or separate devices. Automatic change device of a system configuration that automatically changes by
Disconnection notifying means for notifying all devices that a specified device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period of time, and a device other than the specified device for configuring the specified device for an arbitrary period of time Exclusion means for temporarily excluding from the system, and controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system Control means; reconnection notifying means for notifying all devices that the specified device has been reconnected when the specified device is reconnected to the system; and devices other than the specified device returning the specified device to the system configuration And return means for causing the return.

Further, in order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 29 is provided.
9. The automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 30 is provided.
30. The automatic changing device for system configuration according to 8 or 29, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 31 is a method for automatically changing a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface. A method for automatically changing the system configuration automatically changed by
A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that a specified device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period, and a device other than the specified device configuring the specified device for an arbitrary period An exclusion step to temporarily exclude from,
A control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system; and A reconnection notification step of notifying the reconnection to all devices other than the designated device when the device is reconnected to the system; and causing the device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration. And a return step.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 32 is provided.
The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 1, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 33 is provided.
33. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 1 or 32, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, an automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to claim 34, further comprises a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface. Automatic change device of a system configuration that automatically changes by
Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that a device specified from an arbitrary device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period, and a device other than the specified device having the system configuration of the specified device for an arbitrary period Exclusion means for temporarily excluding from the system, and controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system Control means, an optional device, when the specified device is reconnected to the system, a reconnection notifying means for notifying all devices other than the specified device of the reconnection, and a device other than the specified device Has a return means for returning the designated device to the system configuration.

In order to achieve the first object, a system configuration automatic change apparatus according to claim 35 is provided.
5. The automatic system configuration changing device according to claim 4, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

Further, in order to achieve the first object, an automatic changing device for system configuration according to claim 36 is provided.
36. The apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to 4 or 35, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 37 is characterized in that a system configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus interface is added or separated. A method for automatically changing the system configuration automatically changed by
A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that a specified device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period, and a device other than the specified device configuring the specified device for an arbitrary period An exclusion step to temporarily exclude from,
A deregistration step of deregistering the specified device from the system configuration when the specified period has elapsed without the specified device returning to the system.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 38 is provided.
7. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claim 7, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, a method for automatically changing a system configuration according to claim 39 is provided.
39. The method for automatically changing the system configuration according to 7 or 38, wherein the system is an information communication system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic system configuration changing apparatus for connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface to add or disconnect a device. Automatic change device of a system configuration that automatically changes by
Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that a device specified from an arbitrary device (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period, and a device other than the specified device having the system configuration of the specified device for an arbitrary period Exclusion means for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration, and deregistration means for deregistering the specified device from the system configuration when the specified period has elapsed without returning the specified device to the system. .

In order to achieve the first object, an automatic system configuration changing device according to claim 41 is provided.
0, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the first object, an automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to claim 42 is provided.
42. The apparatus for automatically changing a system configuration according to 0 or 41, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 43 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium that stores a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration change device and that can read the control program by a computer, wherein the control program is configured to temporarily disconnect the device during the operation. It has a control module for controlling so as not to reconfigure the system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 44 is the storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 45 is the storage medium according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 46 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing apparatus and capable of reading the control program by a computer, wherein the control program is stored in a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device A disconnection request notification module for notifying a disconnection request from the system, and a disconnection notification module for notifying all devices that the specified device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. , Devices other than the specified device An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during a desired period; and a system configuration even if a device physically connected to the specified device detects disconnection and reconnection of the specified device to the system. A control module that controls not to perform an automatic change of, a reconnection notification module that notifies all devices of the reconnection when the specified device is reconnected to the system, and a reconnection notification module other than the specified device. A device having a return module for returning the designated device to a system configuration.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 47 is the storage medium according to claim 46, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 48 is the storage medium according to claim 46 or 47, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 49 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing apparatus and capable of reading the control program by a computer, wherein the control program is stored in a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device A disconnection request notification module for notifying a disconnection request from the system, and a disconnection notification module for notifying all devices that the specified device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. , Devices other than the specified device An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during a desired period; and a system configuration even if a device physically connected to the specified device detects disconnection and reconnection of the specified device to the system. A control module that controls not to perform automatic change of the device, and a reconnection notification module that notifies a device other than the specified device that any device has been reconnected when the specified device is reconnected to the system. And a return module that causes a device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 50 is the storage medium according to claim 49, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 51 is the storage medium according to claim 49 or 50, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 52 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing apparatus and capable of reading the control program by a computer, wherein the control program is stored in a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device A disconnection request notification module for notifying a disconnection request from the system, and a disconnection notification module for notifying all devices that the specified device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. , Devices other than the specified device An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during a desired period, and a device other than the specified device that removes the specified device when the arbitrary period elapses without returning the specified device to the system. A registration deletion module for deleting registration from the system configuration.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 53 is the storage medium according to claim 52, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 54 is the storage medium according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 55 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing device and capable of reading out the control program by a computer, wherein the control program stores a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device. A disconnection notification module for notifying all devices of disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, an exclusion module for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration for an arbitrary period, and the specified device The device physically connected to A control module that controls not to automatically change the system configuration even when the disconnection and reconnection of the device to the system are detected, and when the specified device is reconnected to the system, the fact that the reconnection has been performed A reconnection notification module for notifying a device and a return module for causing a device other than the specified device to return the specified device to the system configuration are provided.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 56 is the storage medium according to claim 55, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 57 is the storage medium according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 58 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing device and capable of reading out the control program by a computer, wherein the control program stores a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device. A disconnection notification module for notifying all devices of disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, an exclusion module for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration for an arbitrary period, and the specified device The device physically connected to A control module that controls not to automatically change the system configuration even when disconnection and reconnection of the device to the system are detected, and any device is reconnected when the designated device is reconnected to the system. A reconnection notification module that notifies all devices other than the designated device of the fact to the effect, and a return module that causes the device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 59 is the storage medium according to claim 58, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 60 is the storage medium according to claim 58 or 59, wherein the system is an information communication system.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 61 automatically changes the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an automatic system configuration changing device and capable of reading out the control program by a computer, wherein the control program stores a designated device (designated device) from an arbitrary device. A disconnection notification module for notifying all devices of disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, an exclusion module for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration for an arbitrary period, and the specified device Without any return to the system And having a said designated device from the system configuration when the deregistration module for deregistration.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 62 is the storage medium according to claim 61, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE standard.
It is an E1394 serial bus interface.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 63 is the storage medium according to claim 61 or 62, wherein the system is an information communication system.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 64 is provided according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a floppy disk.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 65 is provided according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a hard disk.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 66 is provided according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is an optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 67 is a storage medium according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a magneto-optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 68 is characterized in that:
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a CD-R.
OM (Compact Disk Read Only)
Memory).

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 69 is a storage medium according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a CD-R.
(Compact Disk Recordable)
It is characterized by being.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 70 is a storage medium according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a magnetic tape.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 71 is characterized in that:
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 72 is provided according to claims 43 to 62 or 6
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a ROM.
(Read Only Memory) chip.

[0106]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a device having an IEEE1394 serial bus interface in the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit of the device, and 2 denotes an input / output processing unit, which has various input / output units depending on the type of device.

For example, in the case of a device having a video input / output function, a video decode for decoding a digital video signal input from a serial bus interface or a D / A for D / A conversion of a video signal decoded by the video decode. A converter, an image processing unit that superimposes (superimposes) the analog video signal D / A converted by the D / A converter with a message signal or the like by a display controller, and image data processed by the image processing unit A display processing unit for further displaying on the display, a display unit for displaying the output of the display processing unit on the display, or C
A / D conversion of analog video signals captured by a CD camera, etc.
It is composed of an A / D converter for converting, and an encoder for encoding a digital video signal A / D converted by the A / D converter, and outputs the digital video signal encoded by the encoder from a serial bus interface, and performs other operations. To the device.

Further, if the device has an audio input / output function, an audio decoder for decoding a digital audio signal input from the serial bus interface or a D / A converter for converting the audio signal decoded by the audio decoder into a digital signal is provided.
/ A converter, an audio signal amplifier for amplifying an analog audio signal D / A converted by the D / A converter, a speaker for converting the audio signal amplified by the audio signal amplifier into sound, a microphone, etc. A / D conversion of analog audio signal input by
An A / D converter for converting the digital audio signal, and an encoder for encoding the digital audio signal A / D converted by the A / D converter. The encoder outputs the digital audio signal encoded by the encoder from the serial bus interface. To the device.

Further, if the device has a still image input / output function, an image output processing unit that converts image data input from the serial bus interface into print data that can be printed out, and an image processing unit that processes the image data. Prints the printed data on the paper with ink, toner, film, etc. at the print output unit, or scans the image on the paper with a CCD or the like and outputs the captured image data from the serial bus interface to other devices. To be transmitted.

In addition, it is obvious that the application is not limited, such as a device having a recording / reproducing function to a recording medium and a device having a communication function to a network.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire device, and 4 denotes a system configuration (tropo-positive) in which all devices connected to the serial bus interface are connected by the control unit 3, communication history, and setting conditions. Non-volatile RAM (random access memory) for storing information such as data, 5 is a ROM (read only memory) which is a read-only memory for storing a program executed by the control unit 3, and 6 is a program executed by the control unit 3 (Random access memory), which is a working memory when performing
Is a timer for the control unit 3 to measure time, and 8 is an IEEE
In the E1394 serial bus interface, the main functions of the serial bus interface 8 are the same as those described in the above-described conventional example, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system configuration in which all devices are connected by an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface in the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 07 denotes a device (node) connected by an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface (the serial bus interface 8 in FIG. 1). Blocking, such system configuration information is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4.

In the present invention, each device is connected to the other device when it is connected to or disconnected from the system.
This state is detected, the control unit 3 is informed of the state, a reconfigured system configuration (topology) is created, the system configuration information is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4, and a serial bus interface of the IEEE 1394 is temporarily stored. 8
A function to create a disconnection or reconnection notification message for disconnecting and reconnecting from and sending it to another device, and when receiving a disconnection notification message from any device, memorize the device Communication function with the system configuration removed from the existing system configuration, and the IEEE 139 to which the device is directly connected.
The function of disabling the port of the serial bus interface 8 or the function of ignoring the detection of disconnection or reconnection and the storage of the device when a reconnection notification message is received from the device. It has the function of communicating with the original system configuration restored to the system configuration.

The operation when the device 201 temporarily disconnects and reconnects will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. Step S
At the time of the initial system configuration at 301, a bus reset is performed to reset the bus states of all devices by generating a bus reset. Next, the tree state (ie, whether the device is a leaf (Leaf) or a branch (B
Tree identification is performed to clarify whether the data is a “root” or a “root”. Next, step S3
In 03, each node performs self-identification with a node number,
In the next step S304, a system configuration is created.

Here, in order to create the system configuration, first, all nodes issue ID requests to the device at the root determined by the tree identification in step S302. Designate and assign IDs.

Since the root is allocated last, the highest ID number is allocated, but the lowest ID number is the leaf connected to the lowest port number among the ports of the root. If it is a branch, it is a leaf connected to the lowest port number among the ports of that branch. Further, in the case of a branch, it is assigned to a leaf connected to the smallest port number among the ports of the branch. That is, after the assignment of all nodes connected to the port with the lowest number of the node that has become the root is completed, assignment is performed to the next port.

Similarly, when the ID is assigned from the root of the branch, the assignment of the next port is performed after the assignment of all the nodes connected to the port with the smallest number is completed.

When each node acquires the ID, it broadcasts the ID in a self-identification packet. Therefore, if each node receives the self-identification packets of all the nodes other than the self-node, all or a part of the system configuration is changed. Can be created. In addition, it is possible to simultaneously recognize which node the own node is connected to. If a bus manager exists, information on the system configuration (topology) can be obtained.

Next, in step S305, the above-described step S305 is executed.
The system configuration information created in 304 is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4, and data communication is performed in the next step S306. Next, in step S307, it is determined whether the specified device is to be temporarily disconnected. If it is determined that the specified device is not to be temporarily disconnected, the process proceeds to step S321 in FIG. 4 described later. If it is determined that the specified device is to be temporarily disconnected, the process proceeds to step S308 to return to the specified device. It is determined whether a temporary disconnection is requested. If it is determined that a temporary disconnection is requested to the designated device, the process proceeds to step S309 to notify the designated device of the disconnection command, and then proceeds to step S330 in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the designated device is not requested to be temporarily disconnected, the flow advances to step S310 to notify the device other than the designated device of the temporary disconnection of the designated device. The process proceeds to step S321 in FIG.

Here, the timing of detecting the disconnection may be a manual operation of the operator, or may be automatically generated when a failure that can be recovered after a temporary disconnection is detected by the device. Also, the temporary disconnection notification message may include a timer value during which other devices do not perform system reconfiguration as a temporary disconnection period, but all devices set the timer value by default. You can also.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIG. Step S
At 321 it is determined whether a disconnection command has been received. If it is determined that the disconnection command has been received, the process proceeds to step S324. If it is determined that the disconnection command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S32.
Proceed to 2 to determine whether or not the own device is temporarily disconnected. When it is determined that the own device is temporarily disconnected, the process proceeds to step S324, and when it is determined that the own device is not temporarily disconnected, the process proceeds to step S323.

In step S324, a disconnection notification message is transmitted to all devices, and the next step S32
After disconnecting from the system configuration in step 5, the process proceeds to step S330 in FIG. 5 described below.

In step S323, it is determined whether the operation of the apparatus is to be terminated. When it is determined that the operation of the apparatus is to be ended, the present processing operation is ended. When it is determined that the operation of the apparatus is not to be ended, the process proceeds to step S330 in FIG.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIG. Step S
At 330, it is determined whether the device that was in the temporarily disconnected state is in a state where it can be reconnected later. If it is determined that the reconnection is not possible, the process proceeds to step S334. If it is determined that the reconnection is possible, the process proceeds to step S331 to connect to the system. Next, in step S332, it is determined whether or not bus initialization has occurred. If it is determined that the bus has been initialized, the process returns to step S301 in FIG. 3. If it is determined that the bus has not been initialized, the process proceeds to step S333 to notify the reconnection. After notifying the message to all devices and returning to the normal state, the process proceeds to step S334.

In step S334, it is determined whether a temporary disconnection notification message has been received. When it is determined that the notification message of the temporary disconnection is not received, the process proceeds to step S351 of FIG. 6 described later, and when it is determined that the notification message of the temporary disconnection is received, the process proceeds to step S335. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a device designation. If it is determined that there is no device designation, the process proceeds to step S336 to change from the system configuration stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4 to the system configuration in which the device that has transmitted the disconnection notification message is removed, and the timer 7 is reset. to start. Next, in step S337, the system configuration changed in step S336 is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4.

By doing so, when the device is reconnected to the system, it is possible to immediately return to the system without performing processing such as initialization of the bus. In the case of a device that is currently communicating, if data communication is in progress, information necessary for continuing the state (data to be transmitted next, communication conditions, and the like) is also registered.

Next, it is determined by checking the system configuration whether the device that has transmitted the disconnection notification message in step S338 is directly connected to the own device. If it is determined that the device that has transmitted the disconnection notification message is directly connected to its own device, the process advances to step S339 to disconnect and reconnect from the device for a certain period after receiving the disconnection notification message. Then, the process proceeds to step S350 in FIG. 6 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S338 that the device that has transmitted the disconnection notification message is not directly connected to its own device, step S339 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S350 in FIG. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S335 that there is a device designation, step S340
Then, the device recognizes that the disconnection notification message has been transmitted on behalf of the device, and changes the system configuration stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4 to the system configuration in which the device specified by the disconnection notification message has been removed. And the timer 7 is started. Next, step S341
Then, the system configuration changed in step S340 is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4.

By doing so, another device transmits a disconnection notification message on behalf of a device that cannot transmit a disconnection notification message, so that when that device is reconnected to the system, the bus It is possible to immediately return to the system without performing processing such as initialization.

Next, in step S342, it is determined whether the device to be disconnected is directly connected to the own device by checking the system configuration. If it is determined that the device that has transmitted the disconnection notification message is directly connected to the own device, the process proceeds to step S343 to invalidate disconnection and reconnection from the device to be disconnected, and then returns to a diagram described later. Step S6
Proceed to 350.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S342 that the device to be disconnected is not directly connected to the own device, step S343 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S350 in FIG.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIG. Step S
At 350, it is determined whether or not there is a disconnection from a device having no disconnection notification message. If it is determined that there is a disconnection from a device having no disconnection notification message, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG.
01, and if it is determined that there is no disconnection from the device without the disconnection notification message,
Proceed to step S351.

At step S351, it is determined whether or not a reconnection notification message has been received. If it is determined that the reconnection notification message has not been received, the process proceeds to step S358. If it is determined that the reconnection notification message has been received, the process proceeds to step S352 to perform proxy from another terminal. It is determined whether or not the device is designated by the reconnection message by the device. If it is determined that the device has not been designated by the reconnection message by proxy from another terminal, the process proceeds to step S
Proceeding to 353, the device that has transmitted the reconnection notification message to the system configuration stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4 is changed to the restored system configuration, and the timer 7 is stopped, and then the process proceeds to step S355.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S352 that the device is designated by the reconnection message from another terminal on behalf of another terminal, step S35
The process proceeds to step S4 to change the system configuration in which the device designated for reconnection is restored and the timer 7 is stopped, and then proceeds to step S355.

In the step S355, the step S3
53 and the system configuration changed in step S354 are stored in the nonvolatile RAM 4. Next, step S3
At 56, the temporary disconnection state of the device stored in the non-volatile RAM 4 is checked to determine whether or not data transmission with the restored device is in progress. And if it is determined that the data transmission is in progress with the revived device,
After proceeding to step S357 to resume the data communication in this state, the process proceeds to step S358.

By doing so, when returning to the system and restarting communication, if the interrupted communication is to be restarted, the communication can be continuously started according to the stored contents held. If the interrupted communication is returned to a certain point and redone, the procedure can be started again from the point in time.

At step S358, it is determined whether or not the count value of timer 7 exceeds a predetermined value (time over). If it is determined that the time is over, the process proceeds to step S359, in which the device is disconnected, the registration is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S360.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S358 that the time is not over, step S359 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S360.

In step S360, it is determined whether or not bus initialization has occurred. If it is determined that the bus has been initialized, the process proceeds to step S301 in FIG.
If it is determined that the bus has not been initialized, the process proceeds to step S306 in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the system is automatically reconfigured by disconnecting or connecting the device.
Although the serial bus interface 8 of the IEEE 1394 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to the serial bus interface 8 of the IEEE 1394. Obviously, any system that automatically reconfigures can be used for general purposes. Also, the device type of the device is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that any device can be supported.

Further, the automatic change device of the system configuration according to the present embodiment realizes the above-described functions of the present embodiment by a computer reading and executing a control program stored in a storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the control program
It goes without saying that a part or all of actual processing such as (operating system) is performed, and the functions of the present embodiment described above are realized by the processing.

As a storage medium for storing the control program, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM)
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

[0147]

As described in detail above, claims 1 to 5 of the present invention are described below.
3, 7-9, 13-15, 19-21, 25-27, 3
Automatic change method of system configuration of 1-33, 37-39 and Claims 4-6, 10-12, 16-18, 22-2
According to the automatic change apparatus of the system configuration of 4, 28 to 30, 34 to 36, and 40 to 42, the system is not reconfigured during the temporary disconnection work of the device. Therefore, the data communication is not hindered by the reconfiguration of the system during the data communication, and the quality of the data communication is dramatically improved.

According to the method for automatically changing the system configuration according to the seventh to ninth aspects and the apparatus for automatically changing the system configuration according to the tenth to twelfth aspects, any device only needs to request disconnection from the designated device. Since the disconnection and reconnection procedures are performed by the designated device, an effect is obtained that the procedure for an arbitrary device is simple.

According to the automatic system configuration changing method of claims 13 to 15 and the automatic system configuration changing apparatus of claims 16 to 18, an arbitrary device issues a disconnection request to a designated device. The designated device performs the notification, and the reconnection notification is performed by an arbitrary device. In this case, any device can control the timing at which the designated device reconnects, and can reconnect even if the designated device cannot notify the reconnection. Also has the effect of being able to connect to the system.

According to the automatic system configuration changing method of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects and the automatic configuration changing apparatus of the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects, when the specified device cannot be reconnected, the system automatically changes. Since the designated device can be deleted from the system configuration, there is an effect that the reliability of the system is improved.

According to the automatic system configuration changing method of claims 25 to 27 and the automatic system configuration changing apparatus of claims 28 to 30, an arbitrary device issues a notification of disconnection of a specified device. Even in a state where the notification of disconnection cannot be made, the disconnection becomes possible, and there is an effect that the disconnection becomes easy.

Further, according to the automatic system configuration changing method of the present invention, an arbitrary device issues a disconnection notification and a reconnection notification of a designated device. In addition, even when the specified device cannot perform the disconnection notification or the reconnection notification, there is an effect that the disconnection and the reconnection can be easily performed.

According to the method for automatically changing the system configuration according to claims 37 to 39 and the apparatus for automatically changing the system configuration according to claims 40 to 42, when the specified device cannot be reconnected, the system automatically changes. Since the designated device can be deleted from the system configuration, there is an effect that the reliability of the system is improved.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, there is an effect that the above-described automatic changing device of the system configuration of the present invention can be smoothly controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a device having an IEEE1394 serial bus interface in an automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration in which all devices are connected by an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface in the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation of the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the automatic system configuration changing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the automatic system configuration changing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 power supply unit 2 input / output processing unit 3 control unit 4 nonvolatile RAM (nonvolatile random access memory) 5 ROM (read only memory) 6 RAM (random access memory) 7 timer 8 serial bus interface 201 device (Device 1) 202 device ( Device2) 203 device (Device3) 204 device (Device4) 205 device (Device5) 206 device (Device6) 207 device (Device7)

Claims (72)

[Claims] 1. A method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, comprising the steps of temporarily disconnecting the device. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a control step of controlling not to reconfigure the system. 2. The serial bus interface according to claim 1,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system is an information communication system. 4. An apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the device is temporarily disconnected. An automatic system configuration changing device comprising: a control unit for controlling not to reconfigure the system. 5. The serial bus interface according to claim 1,
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the system is an information communication system. 7. An automatic system configuration change method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection request notification step of notifying the (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system, and notifying all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. Disconnecting notification step, a device other than the specified device temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period, and a device physically connected to the specified device Detect disconnection and reconnection to the system A control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration, and, when the specified device is reconnected to the system, a reconnection notification step of notifying all devices of the reconnection, Resetting the specified device to a system configuration by a device other than the device. 8. The serial bus interface,
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the system is an information communication system. 10. A system configuration automatic change apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by an interface by adding or disconnecting a device. Disconnection request notifying means for notifying the device) of a disconnection request from the system, and disconnection notifying all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. A notifying unit, an exclusion unit for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration by a device other than the specified device for an arbitrary period, and a device physically connected to the specified device for the system of the specified device. Automatic change of system configuration even when disconnection and reconnection are detected. Control means for controlling not to perform the change, when the specified device is reconnected to the system, reconnection notification means for notifying all devices of the reconnection, and devices other than the specified device, A system for automatically changing the system configuration, comprising: a return unit for returning the designated device to the system configuration. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the system is an information communication system. 13. An automatic system configuration change method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection request notification step of notifying the (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system, and notifying all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. Disconnecting notification step, a device other than the specified device temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period, and a device physically connected to the specified device Detect disconnection and reconnection to the system A control step for controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if the specified device is reconnected to the system, and notifies the device other than the specified device that the specified device has been reconnected. A method for automatically changing the system configuration, comprising: a reconnection notification step; and a return step of causing a device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the system is an information communication system. 16. An automatic system configuration changing apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system constituted by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the device is designated by an arbitrary device. Disconnection request notifying means for notifying the (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system, and notifying all devices that the specified device will be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notifying means, a device other than the designated device, an exclusion means for temporarily excluding the designated device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period, and a device physically connected to the designated device is a designated device. Even if disconnection and reconnection to the system are detected, the system Control means for controlling not to automatically change the configuration, and a reconnection notification for notifying a device other than the specified device that an arbitrary device has been reconnected when the specified device is reconnected to the system. Means for changing the specified device to a system configuration by a device other than the specified device. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the system is an information communication system. 19. An automatic system configuration changing method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection request notification step of notifying the (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system, and notifying all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notification step to perform, an exclusion step in which a device other than the specified device temporarily excludes the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period, and the arbitrary period elapses without returning the specified device to the system. Device other than the specified device An unregistering step of unregistering a device from the system configuration. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the system is an information communication system. 22. An automatic system configuration changing apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the device is designated by an arbitrary device. Disconnection request notifying means for notifying the (designated device) of a disconnection request from the system, and notifying all devices that the specified device will be disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the specified device is disconnected from the system. Disconnection notifying means, an exclusion means for a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period, and the arbitrary period has elapsed without returning the specified device to the system Device other than the specified device An automatic system configuration changing device, comprising: a registration deleting means for deleting registration from a system configuration. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the system is an information communication system. 25. An automatic system configuration change method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion step of temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period by a device other than the specified device A control step of controlling a device that is physically connected to the designated device to not automatically change the system configuration even when detecting disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system; and If it is reconnected to the system, the A method of automatically changing a system configuration, comprising: a reconnection notification step of notifying a device; and a return step of causing a device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the system is an information communication system. 28. An apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein a device designated by an arbitrary device Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and exclusion means for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period Control means for controlling such that a device physically connected to the designated device does not automatically change the system configuration even when disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system are detected; and When the system is reconnected, the fact that the connection has been established is sent to all devices. An automatic system configuration changing device, comprising: a reconnection notification unit for notifying the user and a return unit for causing a device other than the specified device to return the specified device to the system configuration. 29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 30. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the system is an information communication system. 31. A method for automatically changing a system configuration constituted by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the system configuration automatically changes by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion step of temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period by a device other than the specified device And a control step of controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system; and If the specified device is reconnected to the system, the reconnection A reconnection notification step of notifying all devices other than the specified device that the operation has been performed, and a return step of causing the device other than the specified device to return the specified device to the system configuration. Automatic change method. 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the system is an information communication system. 34. An automatic system configuration changing apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the device is designated by an arbitrary device. Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and exclusion means for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period Control means for controlling such that a device physically connected to the designated device does not automatically change the system configuration even if the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection to the system; and If the designated device is reconnected to the system, An automatic system configuration changing apparatus, comprising: a reconnection notifying unit that notifies all devices other than the designated device; and a returning unit that causes a device other than the designated device to return the designated device to the system configuration. 35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 36. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the system is an information communication system. 37. An automatic system configuration changing method for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. A disconnection notification step of notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion step of temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period by a device other than the specified device And a deregistration step of deregistering the specified device from the system configuration when the specified period has elapsed without returning the specified device to the system. 38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the system is an information communication system. 40. An automatic system configuration changing apparatus for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device, wherein the device is designated by an arbitrary device. Disconnection notification means for notifying all devices that the (designated device) is to be disconnected from the system during an arbitrary period, and exclusion means for allowing a device other than the specified device to temporarily exclude the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period And an unregistering means for unregistering the specified device from the system configuration when the specified period has elapsed without returning the specified device to the system. 41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 42. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the system is an information communication system. 43. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. A storage medium from which the control program can be read, wherein the control program has a control module that controls so as not to reconfigure the system during the temporary disconnection operation of the device. Storage medium. 44. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 45. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the system is an information communication system. 46. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system constituted by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection request notification module that notifies a disconnection request from the system to the device, and a disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration by a device other than the specified device for an arbitrary period; and disconnecting the device physically connected to the specified device from the system of the specified device. A control module for controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even when a reconnection is detected, and a reconnection for notifying all devices of the reconnection when the specified device is reconnected to the system A notification module and a device other than the designated device Storage medium characterized by having a return module to return the device to the system configuration. 47. The storage medium according to claim 46, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 48. The storage medium according to claim 46, wherein said system is an information communication system. 49. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection request notification module that notifies a disconnection request from the system to the device, and a disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration by a device other than the specified device for an arbitrary period; and disconnecting the device physically connected to the specified device from the system of the specified device. A control module that controls not to automatically change the system configuration even when a reconnection is detected, and a device other than the specified device indicating that the specified device has been reconnected when the specified device is reconnected to the system. A reconnection notification module for notifying a device of the Storage media device other than the device and having a return module for returning the designated device to the system configuration. 50. The storage medium according to claim 49, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 51. The storage medium according to claim 49, wherein said system is an information communication system. 52. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system constituted by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection request notification module that notifies a disconnection request from the system to the device, and a disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that the designated device is disconnected from the system for an arbitrary period before the designated device is disconnected from the system. An exclusion module for temporarily excluding the specified device from the system configuration for an arbitrary period by a device other than the specified device, and the specification when the arbitrary period has elapsed without returning the specified device to the system. A storage medium, characterized in that a device other than the device has a deregistration module for deregistering the specified device from the system configuration. 53. The storage medium according to claim 52, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 54. The storage medium according to claim 52, wherein said system is an information communication system. 55. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing apparatus of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion module that temporarily excludes the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period for devices other than the specified device,
A control module for controlling such that a device physically connected to the designated device does not automatically change the system configuration even if the device designated for disconnection and reconnection to the system is detected; and When the device is reconnected, a reconnection notification module that notifies all devices of the reconnection, and a return module that causes a device other than the specified device to return the specified device to the system configuration, Storage media. 56. The storage medium according to claim 55, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 57. The storage medium according to claim 55, wherein said system is an information communication system. 58. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system constituted by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting devices. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion module that temporarily excludes the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period for devices other than the specified device,
A control module for controlling not to automatically change the system configuration even if a device physically connected to the designated device detects disconnection and reconnection of the designated device to the system; and When a device is reconnected to the system, a reconnection notification module that notifies all the devices other than the specified device of the reconnection, and the device other than the specified device returns the specified device to the system configuration. A storage medium comprising: a return module. 59. The storage medium according to claim 58, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 60. The storage medium according to claim 58, wherein said system is an information communication system. 61. A computer storing a control program for controlling an automatic changing device of a system configuration for automatically changing the configuration of a system configured by connecting a plurality of devices by a serial bus interface by adding or disconnecting a device. Is a storage medium from which the control program can be read by a device, wherein the control program is a device designated by an arbitrary device (designated device)
A disconnection notification module that notifies all devices that disconnection from the system during an arbitrary period, and an exclusion module that temporarily excludes the specified device from the system configuration during an arbitrary period for devices other than the specified device,
A storage medium comprising: a deregistration module for deregistering the specified device from the system configuration when the specified period has elapsed without the specified device returning to the system. 62. The storage medium according to claim 61, wherein said serial bus interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus interface. 63. The storage medium according to claim 61, wherein the system is an information communication system. 64. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the storage medium is a floppy disk.
The storage medium according to the above. 65. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein said storage medium is a hard disk. 66. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein said storage medium is an optical disk. 67. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein said storage medium is a magneto-optical disk. 68. The storage medium is a CD-ROM (Co-ROM)
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the storage medium is ry). 69. A storage medium, comprising: a CD-R (Comp
64. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the storage medium is an act disk recordable. 70. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein said storage medium is a magnetic tape. 71. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 72. The storage medium is a ROM (Read)
64. The storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the storage medium is an Only Memory (chip) chip.