JP2001127776A - Electronic device and method for setting connection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information output device that can configure an electronic device with excellent user-friendliness by flexibly forming a channel among electronic devices. SOLUTION: When a control section 20 receives a revision setting instruction entry for a connection system by a user through a remote commander 40 and a remote control signal light receiving section 31, the control section 20 controls an IEEE 1394 I/F circuit 12 sets an oPCR and an iPCR of electronic devices connected to a channel so that the objective channel among the electronic devices can be formed by the connection system instructed by the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to, for example, the IEEE
The present invention relates to an electronic device connected to a digital bus such as the E1394 standard or the like and a method of setting a connection method when a transmission path is formed in a period of an electronic device connected to the digital bus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital contents have been provided abundantly through communication media such as broadcast media and the Internet, or through recording media such as DVDs (digital video discs). Along with this, various types of digital broadcast receivers called IRDs (intelligent receiver devices) having digital interfaces, digital televisions, digital monitor devices, DVTRs (digital video tape recorders), and DVD playback devices have been developed. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital audio-visual equipment for home use (hereinafter referred to as digital AV equipment) has been provided.

In a home, various digital AV devices having a digital interface are connected to each other through a digital bus to form a network, thereby expanding the range of use of digital contents that have become abundantly provided. At the same time, it has become possible to prepare an environment for using digital contents that is convenient for users.

There are various digital interfaces. IEEE (American Electrical and Electronic Engineers Association) is capable of transmitting digital video signals, digital audio signals, and the like that require real-time characteristics at high speed.
IEEE 1394 standard digital serial interface standardized by
Attention has been paid to those to which the standardization standard of 83-1 is applied. Hereinafter, in this specification, IEC61883-
The IEEE 1394 standard digital serial interface to which the standardization standard of 1 is applied is simply referred to as IEEE 1 standard.
It will be referred to as a 394 standard digital interface.

In the IEEE 1394 standard digital interface, a channel (transmission path) for transmitting data between electronic devices connected to a digital bus.
Broadcast (Bro) when forming (connecting)
adcast) connection method and point-to-point connection method (hereinafter referred to as P
Abbreviated as toP connection method. ) Are prepared.

[0006] The broadcast connection system is composed of a broadcast-out connection that connects one output plug to one channel, and a broadcast-in connection that connects one input plug to one channel.

[0007] In the case of the broadcast connection, the electronic device that outputs data outputs (broadcasts out) data to all electronic devices connected to the digital bus as an output destination, and supplies data. The desired electronic device makes a broadcast-in connection to the channel on which data is transmitted,
A channel is formed between the electronic devices, and data can be transmitted and received through the channel.

[0008] In the case of this broadcast connection method, even if there is an electronic device that has already transmitted data through a broadcast-out connection, transmission of data from an electronic device that has been broadcast-out connected later is permitted. Is done. In this case, the transmission of data from the electronic device that has previously transmitted data through the broadcast-out connection is stopped, and the data from the electronic device that has been broadcast-out-connected is transmitted later through the digital bus. ing.

That is, for example, an IRD, a digital monitor, and a DV are connected to a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard.
When the DVTR is connected to the TR and the digital monitor device is receiving digital data from the IRD through a channel formed by a broadcast connection with the IRD, the DVTR is connected to the data monitor. Is connected to a channel by a broadcast-out connection to transmit data, transmission of data from the IDR is stopped, and data from the DVTR is supplied to the digital monitor device.

In this case, the user does not perform any operation on the digital monitor device.
By simply instructing the TR to reproduce the data recorded on the video tape, the data is changed from the IRD to the DRD.
Data from the VTR can be supplied to the digital monitor device.

For this reason, in the above-described example, when the broadcast connection method is used, the user needs to connect the IDR, the digital monitor device, and the DV monitor connected to the digital bus.
Data from a target electronic device can be supplied to a digital monitor device without performing a complicated operation on each of the TRs.

On the other hand, the PtoP connection system connects one input plug and one output plug to one channel. Therefore, data can be transmitted only by an electronic device in which a channel is formed by the PtoP connection, and even if an electronic device other than the electronic device connected by the PtoP transmits data later, the transmission of the data is not performed. Will not be accepted on that network.

For example, as in the case of the above-described example, the IRD
And the digital monitor device and the DVTR are connected via a digital bus, and the digital monitor device is receiving data transmitted from the IRD through a channel formed by a PtoP connection method. Sometimes, even if the DVTR connects the data to a channel by a broadcast-out connection and sends the data, the digital
Transmission of data to the bus is not accepted, and data transmission from the IRD to the digital monitor device is maintained.

Then, the broadcast connection method and Pt
The proper use of the oP connection method is determined in advance for each electronic device having a digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard. That is, in each electronic device, which of the broadcast connection method and the PtoP connection method is to be used is determined in advance according to a predetermined condition.

In this way, in an electronic device having an IEEE1394 standard digital interface, a digital AV device network that is easy for the user to use is constructed by selectively using the broadcast connection method and the PtoP connection method. Have been able to.

[0016]

As described above, whether to use the broadcast connection method or the PtoP connection method is determined in advance for each electronic device having a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard. For this reason, when a plurality of electronic devices having an IEEE1394 standard digital interface are connected to a digital bus to form a network, data cannot be transmitted as intended by the user of the network. There is.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a digital monitor 1, an IRD2, a DVTR3, and a digital monitor 1, all of which have an IEEE1394 standard digital interface.
The DVTR 4 may be connected to a digital bus to form an AV device network at home. 10B and 10C, reference numeral 1d denotes a digital monitor device 1.
Reference numeral 2d denotes a digital input / output terminal of the IRD 2, reference numeral 3d denotes a digital input / output terminal of the DVTR 3, and reference numeral 4d denotes a digital input / output terminal of the DVTR 4.

In this example, IRD2, DVTR3,
Each of the DVTRs 4 can transmit data by connecting to a channel of a digital bus by a broadcast-out connection, and in response to a request from a partner device, establishes a PtoP connection with the requesting partner device. , And data can be supplied only to the requesting electronic device.

Then, as shown in FIG.
If the DVTR 3 is erroneously set to the playback mode when data is being transmitted through a channel that is broadcast-connected to the digital monitor device 1, the transmission of the data from the IRD 2 is automatically stopped, and the DVTR 3 is stopped. From the digital monitor device 1
Will be supplied to

In this case, the digital TV broadcast program received by the IRD 2 cannot be viewed. Therefore, an operation such as restarting the power supply of the IRD is performed, and the data is transmitted from the IRD 2 to the digital bus by a broadcast connection. It is necessary to retransmit the message.

Further, the transmission of the data from the IRD 2 is automatically stopped, and the data from the DVTR 3 is supplied to the digital monitor 1, so that the scene desired to be viewed cannot be viewed or the desired information can be prevented. It is conceivable that inconveniences such as the inability to obtain the data may occur.

Also, as in the case of FIG. 10A, FIG.
As shown in (1), when devices having an IEEE1394 standard digital interface are connected to each other to form an AV device network, it is considered that inconvenience may occur due to PtoP connection.

For example, as shown in FIG.
3 from the DVTR 4 by requesting the DVTR 4.
A channel is formed by a PtoP connection between TR3 and DVTR4, and the data transmitted from DVTR4 is transmitted to DVTR4.
When recording in the TR3, it is time to broadcast a digital television broadcast program that the user intends to record, and when data from the IRD2 is to be recorded in the DVTR3, a device for outputting digital data is used. Switching takes time and it is not possible to immediately record data from the IRD2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, the DVTR3
When a channel is formed between the DVTR 4 and the DVTR 4 by the PtoP connection method, the user instructs the DVTR 3 to stop the recording processing, thereby causing the DVTR 3 to stop recording.
As shown in (1), the DVTR 3 releases a channel formed between itself and the DVTR 4 by the PtoP connection method (first step). Then, the user can use the DVTR3
Is set to receive the data transmitted from the IRD 2 (second step).

Next, the user turns on the power to the IRD 2 and sets the IRD 2 to receive the target digital broadcast (third step). Then, the user instructs the DVTR 3 to record the supplied data (fourth step). Through these first to fourth steps, as shown in FIG. 4D, data can be copied from the IRD2.

As described above, when changing the output device that is formed by the PtoP connection method and supplies digital data to another electronic device, the operations from the first step to the fourth step are performed as described above. This must be done and may take time and effort. Therefore, in the case of the above-described example, recording of the target digital television broadcast program from the IRD 2 cannot be started quickly, and it may not be possible to record the entire target digital broadcast program. it is conceivable that.

For this reason, by connecting a plurality of electronic devices having an IEEE 1394 standard digital interface via a digital bus, even if an AV device network is configured at home, the user is fully operable. It is considered that there is a case where a good AV device network cannot be formed.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a connection method setting method which can eliminate the above-mentioned problems and can form a more convenient electronic device network.

[0029]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electronic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention always permits transmission of data newly transmitted to a digital bus, and transmits the newly transmitted data. A first connection method of forming a transmission path for transmitting data in a manner that can be received by any electronic device connected to the digital bus, and performing data transmission only between two predetermined electronic devices; An electronic device connected to a digital bus that can use a second connection method that forms a transmission path that prevents data from being sent to a digital bus from another electronic device. A connection method for receiving and holding an instruction input of which of the first connection method and the second connection method to form a transmission path between electronic devices that transmit and receive data. Setting means, and a connection control means for controlling to form a data transmission path between the electronic devices transmitting and receiving data by a connection method corresponding to the instruction input held by the connection method specifying means. It is characterized by having.

According to the electronic apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, based on the instruction from the user accepted and held by the connection method designating means, the connection control means transmits the already connected transmission. A connection method of a channel (channel) is changed, or a connection method for forming a transmission path is set.

Thus, a transmission path (channel) can be formed between electronic devices by a connection method according to an instruction from a user, and data transmission corresponding to the user's intention can be performed. It is made possible to form a network.

An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the first aspect, wherein each of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is inquired about. Connected device recognition means for recognizing, and when a connection method of a transmission path formed between the electronic devices recognized by the connected device recognition means is set, if necessary, the connection to the other party's electronic device is made. A connection method setting notifying unit for notifying that the method has been set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, what kind of electronic devices are connected to the digital bus by the connected device recognizing means, and those electronic devices are connected between the electronic devices. When the transmission path is formed, it is recognized which connection method is used to form the transmission path.

When a transmission path is formed between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus, the connection method is set by the user, and when it is necessary from the recognized information or the like, The connection method setting notifying means notifies the electronic device of the other party that the connection method has been set.

[0035] Thus, it is possible to prevent inconvenience caused by the destination electronic device not knowing that the connection method has been set, to form a transmission path between the target electronic devices by the target connection method, Can be properly transmitted and received.

An electronic device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the second aspect, wherein the electronic device is connected to the digital bus based on the electronic device recognized by the connected device recognition means. Connection status notifying means for notifying the connection status with all the connected electronic devices.

According to the electronic device of the third aspect of the present invention, the digital bus is connected to the digital bus by the connection status notifying means.
The user is notified of what kind of electronic device is connected. As a result, the user can confirm the notified information and can easily and accurately input (instruct) which connection method is to be used to form a transmission path between which electronic devices.

An electronic device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the second or third aspect, wherein each of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is inquired. An electronic device that is currently forming a transmission line, a connection method detection unit that detects a connection method of the transmission line, and a connection method notification unit that notifies a detection result from the connection method detection unit. And

According to the electronic device of the present invention, if there is an electronic device that actually forms a transmission line at that time, the connection method detecting means determines which electronic device A transmission path is formed between the electronic device and
It is detected whether the transmission path is formed by the first connection method or the second connection method. This detection result is notified to the user by the connection method notification means.

This allows the user to know the status of the transmission line that has already been formed and to change the connection method of the transmission line that has been formed as necessary. In other words, it is possible to prevent mistakes such as changing the connection method of the transmission line even though there is no need.

An electronic device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the electronic device is connected to the digital bus by the connected device recognizing means. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not all of the electronic devices are recognized, and when the discriminating means determines that all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are not recognized, Means for recognizing the electronic device by the connected device recognizing means and controlling to set a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus.

According to the electronic device of the fifth aspect,
For example, at a timing such as immediately after the power of the electronic device is turned on, it is determined whether or not all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus have been recognized. All the electronic devices connected to the bus are recognized, and the connection method can be set.

As a result, the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are automatically recognized, and the setting of the connection method can be performed for those electronic devices.
Therefore, the setting of the connection method can be performed reliably and accurately.

An electronic device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, wherein the setting of the connection method by a user is performed. A setting start instruction input receiving means for receiving a start instruction input; and, when the setting start instruction input from a user is received, through the setting start instruction input receiving means, an electronic device is recognized by the connected device recognition means. Means for controlling so as to set a connection method of a transmission line between electronic devices connected to the digital bus.

According to the electronic device of the sixth aspect,
In response to a request from the user received through the setting start instruction input receiving means, all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized, and the connection method can be set. This allows the user to know the latest state of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus at any time and set the transmission path formed between the electronic devices when the user deems it necessary.

An electronic device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the electronic device is connected to the digital bus. When a change occurs in the connection of the connected electronic device, the connection change detecting means for detecting the change, and the connection change detecting means detects a change in the connection of the electronic device connected through the digital bus. And a control unit for recognizing the electronic device by the connected device recognizing unit and setting a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus. It is characterized by the following.

According to the electronic device of the seventh aspect,
For example, when a new electronic device is connected to the digital bus or the electronic device is removed from the digital bus, the function of the digital interface detects this.

When a change in the network configuration is detected by the connection change detecting means,
All the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized, and the connection method can be set. As a result, the latest connection status can be known at any time, and the connection method of the transmission path formed between the electronic devices can be reset.

The electronic device according to the invention described in claim 8 is the electronic device according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7; In the case where a transmission path is formed between electronic devices, the electronic device has a memory for constant storage that stores information indicating a connection method to be used at all times, and a user instructs writing to the memory for constant storage. In this case, there is provided a means for writing information indicating a connection method according to an input of an instruction from a user in the memory for constant storage.

According to the electronic device of the eighth aspect,
Only at that time, if it is sufficient to be able to specify the connection method of the transmission line formed between the predetermined electronic devices, and if the transmission line is formed between the predetermined electronic devices, use the connection method that is always set instead of the normal connection method To cope with this, there is a case where it is desired to form it, and in order to cope with this, a memory for permanent storage is provided which permanently stores information instructing the connection method unless the setting or the like is reset.

When the user gives an instruction to permanently store the information, information indicating the connection method is always written in the memory for storage, and when a transmission path is formed between predetermined electronic devices, the information is always displayed. On the basis of the information indicating the connection method stored in the memory for storage, the transmission path is formed at any time by the connection method specified by the user. As a result, the user can more flexibly set the connection method and the like, and a user-friendly network can be configured.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic apparatus and a connection method setting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, an example will be described in which an electronic apparatus and a connection method setting method according to the present invention are applied to a digital monitor device having a digital interface (hereinafter, simply referred to as a monitor device). . In the following embodiments, description of the audio system of the monitor device will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a monitor device 1 of this embodiment to which an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 includes the monitor device 1,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a digital AV device network in a home configured by connecting an electronic device having a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard to a digital bus.

That is, in this embodiment, each of the monitor device 1, IRD2, DVTR3, and DVTR4 has a digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard (to which the standardization of IEC61883-1 is applied), and has a broadcast connection system. , PtoP
The transmission path (channel) between electronic devices connected to the same digital bus by one of the connection methods
Can be formed (connected) to send and receive data.

First, before describing the configuration and operation of the monitor device 1 of this embodiment, an example of a network of digital AV equipment formed in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The network of digital AV devices formed in this embodiment is also similar to the network of digital AV devices described above with reference to FIGS.
D2, DVTR3 and DVTR4 are formed by daisy chain type wiring (daisy chain wiring).

In this embodiment, FIG.
As described above, among the electronic devices forming a network of electronic devices, the monitor device 1 is a device to which the electronic device according to the present invention is applied as described above, and as described later, the digital input / output terminal 1d1 , 1d2, IR
In response to the supply of digital video signals from D2, DVTR3, and DVTR4, an image corresponding to the supplied digital video signals can be displayed on a screen of a display element (display) provided in the own device.

In this embodiment, the IRD2
Is a digital broadcast receiver, which in this embodiment can receive a digital television broadcast in which a plurality of MPEG-encoded television programs are multiplexed. The IRD 2 outputs the received and selected digital broadcast signal as it is via the digital input / output terminal 2d, for example, a DVTR and a camera-integrated VT.
It can be supplied to a recording device such as an R / DVD recording / reproducing device or an electronic device such as the monitor device 1 of the present embodiment.

The DVTR 3 has digital input / output terminals 3d1 and 3d2, and the DVTR 4 has digital input / output terminals 4d1 and 4d2. And DV
TR3 and DVTR4 are used to record digital data such as digital video signals and digital audio signals supplied through a digital input / output terminal provided in the own device on a video tape, and through an analog input terminal provided in the own device (not shown). The supplied analog signal is converted into a digital signal, and the data is compressed and recorded on a video tape.

The DVTRs 3 and 4 can read out digital data recorded on a video tape loaded in their own devices and output the digital data through digital input / output terminals. That is, DVTR3, D
Each of the VTRs 4 has a recording function of recording digital data supplied to its own device on a video tape and a reproduction function of reproducing digital data from the video tape.

In this embodiment, FIG.
A, the digital input / output terminal 2d of the IRD 2 is connected to the digital input / output terminal 1d1 of the monitor device 1, and the digital input / output terminal 1d2 of the monitor device 1 is connected to the DVT.
The digital input / output terminal 3d1 of R3 is connected. The digital input / output terminal 3d2 of the DVTR 3 is connected to the DVTR 3
4 digital input / output terminals 4d1. As described above, the electronic devices are connected to form a network of the digital AV device of the present embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment,
Each electronic device is connected in a daisy chain type, which is equivalent to a case where all the electronic devices are connected to one digital bus 5 as shown in FIG. 2B. IRD2 or DVTR directly connected to the machine
3, data can be supplied from the DVTR 4 as well.

Of course, the same applies to other electronic devices. Digital data from the IRD 2 is transferred to the DVTR 3 or DV
Supply to TR4, or DVTR3 and DVTR
4, so that digital data can be transmitted and received.

As described above, also in this embodiment, when a channel is formed between electronic devices, a channel is formed by a broadcast connection method or a channel is formed by a PtoP connection method. Whether to do so is determined according to a predetermined condition. In each electronic device of this embodiment, the broadcast connection method and the P
The toP connection method is used properly.

That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the monitor device 1 receives supply of digital data such as a digital video signal from another electronic device, and always uses a channel formed by the broadcast connection method. , And are supplied with digital data. That is, the monitor device 1 is configured to make a broadcast-in connection to a channel through which digital data is transmitted from a target electronic device.

As described above, the IRD 2 can output a digital broadcast signal received by itself, and usually sends digital data to a channel formed by a broadcast connection method. That is,
The IRD 2 normally sends out digital data through a broadcast-out connection to a channel for transmitting digital data.

However, in response to a request from a so-called recording device such as a recording device or a recording / reproducing device for a DVTR or a DVD, the IRD 2 is provided between the recording device and its own device.
By forming a channel by the toP connection method, digital data can be transmitted through the channel.

As described above, each of the DVTRs 3 and 4 has a recording function and a reproducing function. When the recording process is performed in the own device, Pto Pto between the electronic device of the digital data output source is performed.
A channel is formed by the P connection method, and digital supply can be received through the channel formed by the P to P connection method.

Each of the DVTRs 3 and 4 is a digital data output destination, for example, a DVTR.
In response to a request from a so-called recording device such as a DVD or DVD recording device or a recording / reproducing device, a channel is formed between the recording device and its own device by a PtoP connection method, and digital data is transmitted through the channel. You can do it.

Each of the DVTRs 3 and 4 is provided, for example, when a channel is not formed by a PtoP connection method in response to a request from a recording device.
The digital data is transmitted to the broadcast-connected channel. That is, when supplying digital data to the electronic device such as the monitor device 1, each of the DVTRs 3 and 4 transmits the digital data by performing a broadcast-out connection to a channel for transmitting the digital data. I do.

In this embodiment, data transmission / reception performed through a channel formed by a broadcast connection method or a PtoP connection method is as follows.
An output plug control register (hereinafter abbreviated as oPCR) provided in, for example, an IEEE 1394 I / F circuit portion of each electronic device, and an input
It is controlled by a plug control register (hereinafter abbreviated as iPCR).

That is, the monitor device 1, IRD2, DVT
Each of the R3 and the DVTR 4 includes an IEEE 1394 I / F circuit for transmitting and receiving control data and digital data such as a target digital video signal via an IEEE 1394 standard digital bus. Although described later, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit included in each electronic device has the same configuration as the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 included in the monitor device 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. IPCR, o
It has a PCR.

FIG. 3 shows the monitor device 1, IRD2, DVT
IEEE139 of an electronic device connected by an IEEE1394 standard digital bus such as R3 and DVTR4
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for describing oPCR and iPCR provided in a 4I / F circuit. IEEE 1394 of each electronic device
In the I / F circuit, as shown in FIG.
PCR and oPCR have been defined. In this embodiment, iPCR and oPCR for each channel are used.
Means that it is cleared (initialized) in the initial state.

Note that, in this embodiment, the IEEE
In the case of the 1394 standard digital interface, a total of 64 channels from channel 0 to channel 63 are prepared. Either of these channels is used between electronic devices, that is, used between electronic devices by broadcast connection, or used between electronic devices by PtoP connection. By doing so, a channel is formed (connected) between the electronic devices.

The digital data can be transmitted as packet data through the channel. For this reason, in this embodiment, iPCR and oPCR provided in the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit of each electronic device are prepared for 64 channels.

In this embodiment, when transmitting and receiving digital data by forming a channel between the electronic devices by a broadcast connection, the electronic device (output device) that is the output source of the digital data has its own I / O device.
In the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit, a channel for transmitting digital data is selected, and the value of oPCR corresponding to the channel is set to “0”. In this way, the output device makes a broadcast-out connection to the selected channel.

In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), when an electronic device (input device) of an output destination (supply destination) of digital data sent from an output device is broadcast-in connected to a channel for transmitting digital data from a target output device. Detects a channel for transmitting digital data from a target output device in the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit of the input device. Then, the value of the iPCR corresponding to the detected channel is set to “0” among the registers provided in the own device.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, a channel is formed between the output device and the input device by the broadcast connection method. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3A, the output device and the input device are broadcast-connected via the channel having the first channel No.
Data is transmitted from the output device to the input device through the channel.

In the case of the PtoP connection system, a channel is formed between the input device and the output device by making a request from the input device to the output device. In the case of the PtoP connection, similarly to the case of the broadcast connection method described with reference to FIG. 3A, the iPCR and oPCR defined for each channel in the register of the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit between the input device and the output device. The connection status is managed.

That is, in this embodiment, Pt
When a channel is formed using the oP connection method, FIG.
As shown in B, in the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit of the output device, the value of oPCR corresponding to the channel used for data transmission is set to “1”, and the IEEE
In the E1394 I / F circuit, the value of the iPCR corresponding to the channel used for data transmission is set to “1”.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B, a channel is formed between the output device and the input device by the PtoP connection method. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3B, the output device and the input device are PtoP-connected via the channel having the channel No. 2, and data is transmitted from the output device to the input device through the channel.

As described above, the oPC of the output device and the input device
Depending on the status of R and iPCR, which channel is used for data transmission, whether the channel is formed by the broadcast connection method, PtoP
It is possible to know whether it is formed by the connection method.

Next, the configuration and operation of the monitor device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, as described above, the monitor device 1 is always supplied with digital data through a channel formed by the broadcast connection method. For example, when digital data is supplied from the IRD 2, the following operation is performed.

First, the user of the monitor device 1 turns on the power of the monitor device 1 and operates the remote commander (remote operation device) 40 of the monitor device 1 so that the digital command from the IRD 2 is transmitted to the monitor device 1. Instruct to receive data. This instruction is transmitted from the remote commander 40 as, for example, an infrared remote control signal, received by the remote control signal receiving unit 31 of the monitor device 1, and supplied to the control 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control 20 is a microcomputer including a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23, and controls each part of the monitor device 1. Then, the control 20 sends an instruction to the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 in accordance with an instruction from the user input through the remote commander 40.
A control signal for making a broadcast-in connection to a channel through which digital data from the IRD 2 is transmitted is supplied.

The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 responds to a control signal from the control section 20 and, among digital data (packet data) supplied through the digital input / output terminal 1d1 or 1d2, receives the digital data from the IRD2. Is detected, and a broadcast-in connection is made to the channel on which the detected digital data has been transmitted.

At the time of this broadcast-in connection, as described above with reference to FIG. 3A, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor 1
In the register 12R provided in the 1394 I / F circuit 12, the value of the iPCR corresponding to the channel for transmitting the digital data from the IRD2 is set to “0”.

That is, in the case of the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, data is transmitted and received between electronic devices in a packet system. The header part of the packet includes a channel number on a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, a source ID indicating what electronic device is the destination, and the like.

The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1 determines the channel of the packet sent from the IRD 2 from the information of the header part of the packet supplied to the own device via the digital input / output terminal, and determines the channel. Broadcast-in connection to receive digital data from IRD2.

On the other hand, the user turns on the power and then inputs a channel selection instruction to select a digital broadcast signal of a target broadcast station. A desired digital broadcast signal is received and tuned, and this is not shown, but its own IEEE 1394 I / I
It is packetized in the F circuit. And IRD2 is
A broadcast out connection is made to a predetermined channel on a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, and packetized digital data is transmitted.

At the time of the broadcast-out connection, as described above with reference to FIG.
In the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit, the own IEEE
The value of the oPCR corresponding to the channel selected to transmit the data of the register included in the 94 I / F circuit is set to “0”.

Thus, the IRD 2 and the monitor 1
And a channel is formed by a broadcast connection method, and digital data such as a digital video signal is supplied from the IRD 2 to the monitor device 1 through the formed channel. Then, the digital data supplied to the monitor device 1 is, as shown in FIG.
The data is fetched by the I / F circuit 12 and supplied to the demultiplexer 13.

The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12
Extracts, for example, control information added to, for example, a header portion of the packet, information on the electronic device of the transmission source, etc. from a packet addressed to the own device, and extracts the information.
Can be supplied.

When the supplied digital data is a multiplex of a plurality of broadcast programs or EPGs (Electronic Program Guide), the demultiplexer 13 responds to a selection instruction input from the user. A broadcast program or an EPG corresponding to an instruction from a user is extracted based on a control signal from the control unit 20 and the MPEG program 1 is extracted.
4

The MPEG decoder 14 compresses and expands digital data such as a broadcast program supplied thereto (MP
The digital data before compression is restored by EG decoding, and the restored digital data is supplied to the D / A converter 15. The D / A converter 15 converts the supplied digital data, in this embodiment, a digital video signal into an analog signal, and supplies the analog signal to the superimposing circuit 16.

The superimposing circuit 16 has an OSD (On Scr)
The display data (OSD data) generated by the “en display” generation circuit 17 is supplied. The OSD data forms various kinds of display information to be superimposed on an image corresponding to the digital image signal supplied to the monitor device 1 and displayed.

The OSD generation circuit 17 forms display information such as a channel number displayed at the time of a channel call, a volume bar indicating a volume level displayed at the time of volume adjustment, or various messages. O
The SD generation circuit 17 receives the provision of information for generating OSD information from the control unit 20, and generates OSD data.

The superimposition circuit 16 superimposes an OSD message (display information) based on the OSD data from the OSD generation circuit 17 on the video signal from the D / A conversion circuit 15,
The video signal on which the message is superimposed is supplied to the display circuit 18. The display circuit 18 forms a signal to be supplied to the display element from the video signal supplied thereto. The signal formed here is supplied to a display element such as a cathode ray tube of the monitor device 1, and an image corresponding to the digital image signal supplied from the IRD 2 is displayed on the display screen G thereof.

By the way, when a channel is formed by the broadcast connection method, even if data is transmitted / received through the channel, another electronic device transmits new data to the IEEE 1394 standard digital bus. Then, the transmission of the data from the electronic device that has previously transmitted the data is stopped, and the data from the electronic device that newly transmits the data is supplied to the input device. That is, the output device is automatically switched.

This is convenient because, as described above, the output device can be switched with respect to the input device without performing a complicated operation. However, there is a case where an inconvenience occurs that the user does not want to switch the output device (the electronic device from which the data is output) but does so. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a problem that may occur when a channel is formed by the broadcast connection method.

As described above with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, the monitor 1, the IRD 2, the DVTR 3, and the DVTR 4 are connected to a digital bus to form a network of digital electronic devices. In this network of digital electronic devices, when the user operates the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 are broadcast-connected as shown in FIG.
A digital video signal is supplied from the RD 2 to the monitor device 1.

As described above, when the digital video signal from the IRD 2 is supplied through the channel broadcast-connected to the monitor device 1, the user erroneously operates the reproduction function of the DVTR 3 as shown in FIG. 4C. Assume that the digital video signal recorded on the video tape loaded in the DVTR 3 is read and the process of outputting the digital video signal to the digital bus is started.

In this case, the DVTR 3 instructs the IRD 2 to stop outputting the digital video signal, and accordingly, the output of the digital video signal from the IRD 2 is stopped. In this case, the IRD2 IEEE
The oPCR of the register included in the E1394 I / F circuit is cleared, and the value of the iPCR of the monitor device 1 is cleared.

The DVTR 3 is provided with the IE provided in its own device.
Of the registers of the EE1394 I / F circuit, the value of the oPCR of the channel that outputs the digital video signal from itself is set to “0”. Further, the monitor device 1 is provided with the iOP of the register of the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 corresponding to the channel on which the digital video signal is transmitted from the DVTR 3.
The value of CR is set to “0”.

As a result, the broadcast connection is established between the DVTR 3 and the monitor device 1,
Although the user wants to display the digital video signal from the IRD 2 on the screen of the display device of the monitor device 1, the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 is supplied to the monitor device 1 and this is displayed on the screen of the display device of the monitor device 1. Would be.

Therefore, in order to supply the digital data from IRD2 to the monitor again, the user gives an instruction to IRD2 to output the intended digital television broadcast signal again. Such operations are required. In this case, until the supply of the digital video signal from the IRD 2 to the monitor device 1 is restarted, the video corresponding to the digital video signal from the IRD 2 cannot be viewed through the monitor device 1. For this reason, the user may miss the desired information.

Therefore, in the monitor device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4D, the broadcast connection is normally made between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 based on an instruction input from the user. It can be changed to PtoP connection. This change involves changing the iPCR of the register 12R of the own device, ie, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1, and the oPCR of the register of the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit of the partner device (IRD2 in this example). It is done by doing.

As described above, the Pto-to-Electronic devices normally connected to each other by the broadcast connection are transmitted according to the instruction from the user.
By changing to the P connection, other electronic devices cannot be interrupted, and the electronic device (output device) of the output source of the digital video signal is prevented from being changed against the intention of the user. I have.

As will be described below, the monitor device 1 of this embodiment detects information of other electronic devices on the network to which the monitor device 1 is connected by using a function provided in an IEEE1394 standard digital interface. In this way, the detected information is displayed on the screen of the display element of the monitor device 1 to notify the user. This allows the user to
It is possible to easily and accurately select a desired connection method between electronic devices.

The control unit 20 of the monitor device 1 of this embodiment controls the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 when, for example, the power is turned on and a connection status table described later is not created in the connection status management memory. Then, an inquiry is made to all electronic devices capable of forming a channel with the monitor device 1 through a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard to recognize those electronic devices.

In this embodiment, the monitor 1
For each electronic device, the SDD (S) defined in the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard.
By inquiring about elf Describing Devices information, the type of electronic device is specified. The SDD information includes various information related to the electronic device, such as a maker name (company name), a product category, and a model name.

When a channel is formed between each electronic device and itself, that is, the monitor device 1, the monitor device 1 uses a broadcast connection method.
By inquiring which of the PtoP connection methods should be used to form a channel, the connection method of the channel between each electronic device and the monitor device 1 is also recognized.

As described above, the information detected by making an inquiry through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 is supplied to the control unit 20 and managed by the control 20. In this embodiment, for example, product category information of the electronic device is extracted from the SDD information transmitted from each electronic device in response to the inquiry, and IEEE 139 is specified as information for specifying the electronic device.
The signal is supplied from the 4 I / F circuit 12 to the control unit 20.

As described above, the monitor device 1 is an electronic device that can be an output device that supplies digital data to the monitor device 1 based on information such as SDD information from each electronic device connected to the network. And a connection method for forming a channel with the electronic device.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 of the monitor device 1
/ F circuit 12 is controlled, and a register of the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit of each electronic device is provided to all electronic devices capable of forming a channel with the monitor device 1 through an IEEE 1394 standard digital bus. The values of iPCR and oPCR for each channel are inquired.

The IEEE 1394 of the monitor device 1
The I / F circuit 12 responds to the inquiry by IRD2, DV
IPCR and oPCR for each channel transmitted from TR3 and DVTR4 are detected, and the detected iPCR and oPCR are detected.
The PCR is supplied to the control unit 20. The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1 also supplies the control unit 20 with the values of iPCR and oPCR for each channel of its own register.

Thus, the monitor device 1 forms the channel with the monitor device 1 based on the iPCR and oPCR of each channel of each electronic device and the iPCR and oPCR of each channel of the monitor device 1 itself. When there is a certain channel, it is possible to determine to which electronic device a channel is formed and what the connection method of the formed channel is.

The control unit 2 of the monitor 1
In this embodiment, 0 is a connection status table formed in the connection status management memory 24 from the SDD information of each electronic device from the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 and information such as iPCR and oPCR. The connection status management memory 24 is a so-called non-volatile memory, and is configured so that recorded information is not lost even after the power of the monitor device 1 is turned off.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a connection status table formed in the connection status management memory 24 of the monitor device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the connection status management table includes information indicating an electronic device that can be an output device that forms a channel with the monitor device 1 and supplies a digital video signal to the monitor device 1. When a channel is formed with each electronic device, the information includes information indicating the connection method. In this embodiment, the information indicating the electronic device that can be the output device is, as described above, the product category information extracted from the SDD information transmitted from each electronic device via the IEEE1394 standard digital bus.

In the present embodiment, the information indicating the connection method with the own device, that is, the register 12R of the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1 is used in the present embodiment.
IPCR and oPCR for each channel of
This is a connection method determined based on iPCR and oPCR for each channel from each electronic device through a 394 standard digital bus.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, a channel is formed between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 by broadcast connection, and the digital video signal is transmitted from the IRD 2 to the monitor device 1 through this channel. Is to be supplied. In this case, the iPC of the channel n of the register of the monitor device 1
Since R and oPCR of channel n of the register of IRD2 are both "0", it can be determined that the connection is made by broadcast.

Therefore, in this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 5A, the connection connection with own device column in the IRD column indicates that the broadcast connection is established,
The own device, that is, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 are managed so that a channel is already formed by the broadcast connection.

As described above, the information indicating the connection method of the actually formed channels is not stored in the connection status table. A connection method for forming a channel with each electronic device based on information indicating what connection method is used to form a channel with each electronic device connected to the bus; May be updated.

If a channel is actually formed, the actual connection method is updated to the column of the connection method with the own device, and the other device is displayed in the column of the electronic device where no channel is formed. In the column of the connection method, the connection method based on the information provided in the monitor device 1 may be updated as described above.

[0124] Of the information in the connection status table, the information in the column of the connection method to the own device can be changed as shown in FIG. 5B, and when no channel is formed, it will be described later. However, when a new channel is formed, it can be set in advance so as to be used as information indicating a connection method.

In FIG. 5, DVTR No. 1
Corresponds to DVTR3, and DVTRNo. 2 is DVT
This corresponds to R4. That is, since two DVTRs are connected to the network according to the present embodiment, in order to make it easy for a user to distinguish between them, in this embodiment No. 1, No. 2 is used.

In this embodiment, the user operates the remote commander 40 of the monitor 1 to
When an instruction to display a connection mode setting screen is input, the control 20 causes the connection status management memory 24
The setting screen of the connection method is displayed on the display screen of the display element of the monitor device 1 based on the information of the connection status table created in (1).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a connection mode setting screen displayed on the display screen of the display element of the monitor device 1 in this embodiment. The connection mode setting screen shown in FIG. 6 notifies the current connection status of the network using the monitor device 1 as an input device for receiving the supply of digital data, changes the connection mode of the already formed channel, and sets the future channel. This is used when setting the connection method when forming is performed.

When the control unit 20 receives a display instruction of a connection mode setting screen from the user via the remote commander 40 and the remote control signal light receiving unit 31, the control unit 20 obtains information of the connection status table formed in the connection status management memory 24, and Other necessary information is supplied to the OSD generation circuit 17. The OSD generation circuit 17 forms OSD information for displaying the connection change screen of the connection method shown in FIG. 6 based on the information from the control unit 20, and supplies the OSD information to the superimposition circuit 16. 6 is displayed on the display screen G of the display element of the monitor device 1.

The connection mode setting screen is used to select an electronic device that can be an output device for supplying a digital video signal to the monitor device 1 and to select and change the connection mode between the electronic device and the monitor device 1. As a possible item, an item "Broadcast" indicating a broadcast connection method
And a menu MNU displaying an item “PtoP” indicating a PtoP connection method.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the menu MNU is displayed in association with each electronic device name displayed on the connection mode setting screen. By operating the down arrow key, a menu MNU is displayed for each electronic device that may form a channel with the monitor device 1 and become an output device to set a connection method or to set a connection method. The connection method can be changed.

At this time, in this embodiment, if a channel has already been formed, the item “Bro
The “adcast” or the item “PtoP” is displayed in a mode different from the normal display, for example, in a reversed display. As described above, when the item “Broadcast” or the item “PtoP” is displayed in a manner different from a normal display such as, for example, being highlighted, the user is displayed in a manner different from the normal display. The user can know that a channel has already been formed by the connection method indicated by the item.

An indicator P is displayed on the menu MNU. When the indicator P is operated through the remote commander 40, the indicator P is moved in front of the display position of the item "Broadcast" as shown in FIGS. Alternatively, the user can move to the position before the display position of the item “PtoP” to select a target connection method. Then, when the user confirms the selected connection method by pressing, for example, a confirmation key of the remote commander 40, the decided selection method is determined by the user's own device in the column of the corresponding output device in the connection method table. Is written in the column of the connection method.

Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A,
In a state where the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 are broadcast-connected, as shown in FIG.
Select the connection method and change the broadcast connection method to Pt.
When an operation of changing the connection method to the oP connection method is performed, the connection method is changed as follows.

First, the control unit 20 converts the information recorded in the column of the connection method with the own device in the column of the IRD of the connection state table (FIG. 5A) formed in the connection state management memory 24 into the broadcast connection method. From the information shown, Pt
Rewrite with information indicating the oP connection method (FIG. 5B).

Next, the control unit 20 operates according to the IEEE1 standard.
The 394 I / F circuit 12 is controlled and its own register 12R
Is rewritten to “1”. At the same time, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1 also instructs the IRD 2 to rewrite the value of the oPCR to “1” by the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 and the IEEE 1
It is transmitted through a 394 standard digital bus. In response to this instruction, IRD2 also uses the IEEE of IRD2.
OPCR value of register of 1394 I / F circuit is "1"
Is rewritten as

As a result, the channel between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 is changed from the broadcast connection to the PtoP connection, and as shown in FIG.
Even if the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 4 make a broadcast-out connection later, the formation of the channel is not permitted, and the channel formed between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 is maintained.

For this reason, as described above, the monitoring device 1
When the digital video signal is supplied from the IRD 2, the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 or DVTR 4 is not supplied to the monitor device 1 even if the reproduction function of the DVTR 3 or DVTR 4 is operated by mistake. can do. That is, the IRD 2
Unless an operation of releasing the PtoP connection such as stopping the supply of data from the IRD is performed, the monitoring device 1
Supply of the digital video signal from the electronic device without being affected by other electronic devices.

Here, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2
The case where the iPCR of the monitor device 1 and the oPCR of the IRD 2 corresponding to the channel that is already broadcast-connected between the above and the iPCR 2 are changed has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to this.

For example, the control unit 2 of the monitor device 1
0 controls its own IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 and issues a request to the IRD 2 to form a channel with the monitor device 1 by the PtoP connection method. Then, the iPCR corresponding to the channel currently being broadcast-in connected is cleared in its own register 12R.

On the other hand, the IRD 2 clears the oPCR corresponding to the currently broadcast-out connected channel in response to the request for changing the connection method from the monitor device 1. Then, the vacant channel is detected, the value of the oPCR corresponding to the detected vacant channel is set to “1”, and the digital video signal is transmitted through the channel.

In the monitor device 1, the IRD
Detects the channel from which the data from 2 is transmitted,
The value of the iPCR of the channel is set to “1”. In this manner, the connection method of the channel between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 can be changed to the PtoP connection method through a channel different from the broadcast connection channel.

Further, the monitor device 1 may detect an empty channel, notify the IRD 2 of the channel, and form a channel between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 by a PtoP connection method. In short,
Control information and the like are transmitted and received between an electronic device (output device) that outputs a digital video signal and an electronic device (input device) that outputs a digital video signal through an IEEE 1394 standard digital interface. oP
What is necessary is just to make it possible to change the CR and the iPCR of the input device according to the connection method according to the instruction from the user.

Here, a case has been described as an example where the connection method of the channel already formed between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 is changed to a connection method according to the setting from the user. However, as described above, a connection method can be set in advance between electronic devices for which a channel has not yet been formed.

In this embodiment, the case where the digital video signal is supplied from the DVTR 3 to the monitor device 1 and the case where the digital video signal is supplied from the DVTR 4 to the monitor device 1 are as described above. Thus, a channel is formed by the broadcast connection method. That is, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2
This is similar to the case where a channel is formed between.

However, for example, when the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 is supplied to the monitor device 1 for viewing,
There may be a case where the output of the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 is not stopped by the output of the digital video signal from the IRD 2 or the DVTR 4.

In such a case, when a channel is formed between the monitor device 1 and the DVTR 3 in the connection status table created in the connection status management memory 24 of the monitor device 1, the channel is set by the PtoP connection method. Information for instructing formation is set in advance. This setting can be performed using the connection state setting screen described above with reference to FIG.

In this case as well, similarly to the case where the connection system between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 is changed, the connection command setting screen shown in FIG. By operating the down arrow key, a selection menu MNU is displayed in correspondence with the name of an electronic device that forms a channel with the monitor device 1, and a PtoP connection method is used as a connection method for forming a channel. Set that.

As a result, in the column of DVTR3 in the connection status table described above with reference to FIG. 5 formed in the connection status management memory 24 of the monitor device 1, the column of PtoP is displayed in the column of the connection method with the own device (monitor device 1). Information indicating that the connection method is used is set.

When the user operates the monitor device 1 so as to receive the digital video signal from the DVTR 3, the control unit 20 of the monitor device 1 operates.
Refers to the connection status table in the connection status management memory 24. Then, based on the information set in the connection status table, the control 20 determines in this case Pt
An instruction to connect channels by the oP connection method is issued by the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 and the IEEE 139.
The signal is supplied to the DVTR 3 through a digital bus of four standards.

Thus, the DVTR 3 forms a channel by the PtoP connection method and sends out a digital video signal, and the monitor device 1 also makes a PtoP connection to the channel through which the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 is transmitted, so that the DVTR 3 To be supplied with the digital video signal. In this case, corresponding to the channel for transmitting the digital video signal from the DVTR 3,
The value of the PCR and the value of the iPCR of the monitor device 1 are set to “1”.

Therefore, after the monitor device 1 and the DVTR 3 form a channel by the PtoP connection method, unless the monitor device 1 releases the channel formed between the monitor device 1 and the DVTR 3, digital video from other electronic devices is not released. Since the output of the signal is not accepted, the supply of the digital video signal from the DVTR 3 to the monitor device 1 is not disturbed. Such setting of the connection method between the electronic devices can be similarly performed between the monitor device 1 and the DVTR 4.

As described above, in this embodiment,
In addition to changing the connection method of a channel already formed between electronic devices, a connection method when a channel is formed between predetermined electronic devices can be set in advance.

In this embodiment, the connection mode setting screen mainly includes information of the connection status table created in the connection status management memory 24 of the monitor device 1 as described above with reference to FIG. It is intended to be displayed. However, the setting screen of the connection method is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the connection mode setting screen. The setting screen of the connection method in the example shown in FIG.
4, which is formed based on the information of the connection status table created in step 4 and uses the monitor device 1 as an input device and an IR as an output device for supplying a digital video signal thereto.
The connection status with D2, DVTR3, and DVTR4 is rendered and displayed.

That is, based on the information of the connection status table created in the connection status management memory 24, a picture showing the electronic device forming the network is displayed on the display screen G of the display element of the monitor device 1. When there is a channel already formed between the monitor device 1 and the electronic device, the monitor device 1 determines which channel is formed between the monitor device 1 and the electronic device, and the connection method thereof. It is displayed on the display screen G of the first display element.

In this embodiment, as described above, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 are broadcast-connected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7A, the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 are connected by a line, and the letters "Broadcast" indicating the connection method are displayed beside the line.

In the case of this example as well, the monitor 1
By operating the up arrow key, down arrow key, etc. of the remote commander 40 of FIG.
By changing the character display indicating the connection method as shown in B, and pressing the enter key of the remote commander 40, the connection method of the channel already formed between the monitor device 1 and the IRD 2 can be changed. it can. In the case of this example, the channel formed by the broadcast connection can be changed to be formed by the PtoP connection method.

The connection method can also be set in advance between electronic devices for which a channel has not been formed, through the connection method setting screen in which the connection status shown in FIG. 7 is drawn and displayed. . In this embodiment, since the monitor device 1 is an input device, for example, by performing an operation of selecting an output device through the remote commander 40, the monitor device 1 is connected to the selected electronic device. Display lines.

Then, similarly to the above-described character display indicating the connection method, characters indicating the connection method whose display can be sequentially changed are displayed beside the displayed line. That is, "Broadcast" or "PtoP"
Is displayed and selectable. In addition, like this,
When setting the connection method when a channel is formed, the display of the line connecting the electronic devices and the display of the connection method are changed in a different manner, such as by changing the display color from that of the already formed channel. indicate.

In this way, the user can determine whether the operation he is performing is a change in the connection method for a channel that has already been formed, or whether the user is performing a connection method in advance when forming a new channel. By notifying the user of the setting, the user can perform the operation accurately without making a mistake in the operation or information input.

Further, by displaying the setting screen of the connection method as shown in FIG. 7, the user can be informed of the current connection status and the changed or set contents and can be notified.

As described above, the electronic device connected to the digital bus has a connection method for forming a channel according to predetermined conditions, and the information is stored and held. I have. Therefore, when changing the connection method, the input device
In some cases, a notification to change the connection method must be given.

For example, the monitor device 1, which is an input device,
Even if a request is made to the output device IRD2 to form a channel by the PtoP connection method, the information stored and held by the IRD2 is, for example, Pt
In some cases, it indicates that data transmission is not performed through the oP connection. Occasionally, processing such as temporarily rewriting this information must be performed.

As described above, the need to notify the output device that the connection method is to be changed is determined in advance by the monitor device 1 making an inquiry to each electronic device, as described above. It can be known by inquiring about the connection method with the monitoring device 1 that is being used. Thus, when it is necessary to notify the output device that the connection method is to be changed, the input device notifies the output device that the connection method is to be changed.

This notification is made using, for example, AV / C Command defined in the digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard. Of course, the notification may be made by another method.

Next, the connection mode setting processing performed in the monitor device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a connection mode setting process performed in the monitor device 1 according to this embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the control unit 20 when the monitor device 1 is connected to a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard through a digital input / output terminal and the power is turned on.

When the process shown in FIG. 8 is started, first, the control unit 20 sets the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12
To make an inquiry to all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus, and to what kind of electronic device each of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is, the monitor device 1 ( The “own device” recognizes which connection method is used to form a channel (step S101).

Next, the control unit 20 operates according to the IEEE1 standard.
The 394 I / F circuit 12 is controlled, and the
IPCR, oPC for all electronic devices connected to the bus
R is detected (step S102). This step S1
By the process of 02, if there is a channel already formed at that time, it is possible to detect which of the electronic devices the channel is formed by the broadcast connection method or the PtoP connection method. To be.

The control unit 20 proceeds to step S101.
Based on the information recognized in step S102 and the information detected in step S102, the connection mode setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display device of the monitor device 1 as described above with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 (step S103). .

Then, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a setting input from the user through the remote commander 40 has been received (step S104). When it is determined that the setting has been received, the control unit 20 changes the connection method for the set device. It is stored in the connection status table of the connection status management memory 24 (step S105).

Then, it is determined whether or not the connection method for the currently formed channel is changed between the electronic devices (step S106), and the user is instructed to change the connection method for the currently formed channel. When the control unit 20 determines that the
By controlling the 94 I / F circuit 12, the iPCR of the own device and the oPCR of the partner device are changed (step S1).
07).

In the determination process of step S106, when it is determined that the connection method is not to be changed for the currently formed channel, or after the connection method change process of step S107 is completed, the setting by the user is not performed. It is determined whether the process has been completed (step S10).
8).

In the determination processing of step S108, if the setting of the connection method has not been completed for all the electronic devices and there is no input of the setting instruction, step S1 is executed.
The process from step 04 is repeated to set the connection method corresponding to each electronic device. When it is determined in the determination processing in step S108 that the setting has been completed, the processing illustrated in FIG. 8 is completed.

As described above, in a network of electronic devices connected through an IEEE1394 standard digital interface, the user sets or changes the connection method between a predetermined input device and an output device forming a channel. Be able to be. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the output device from being changed against the user's will.

When a new channel is to be formed between the monitor device 1 and another electronic device, reference is made to the connection status table formed in step S105 of the process shown in FIG. By forming a channel with the target electronic device according to the connection method set in this connection status table, the connection method with the target electronic device can be established according to the user's instruction. A channel can be formed in the channel.

Further, if necessary, a connection mode setting screen is displayed based on the connection status table formed in the connection status management table of the monitor device 1, and the setting of the connection mode can be changed any number of times. .

In this embodiment, the SDD
Although the product category information of the information is used as information for specifying the electronic device, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as information for specifying the electronic device, not only the product category information but also a maker name, a model name, and other information may be used as information for specifying the electronic device.

[Regarding the Timing of Creating the Connection Status Table] In the above-described embodiment, when the monitor device 1 is connected to the IEEE1394 standard digital bus and the power is turned on, the monitor device 1 is connected to the digital bus. An inquiry was made to an electronic device, necessary information was obtained, a connection method setting screen was displayed, and the connection method was set. However, the timing for inquiring necessary information and setting the connection method is not limited to this.

For example, when the user disconnects the electronic device from the network or newly connects the electronic device to the network, the user receives a request for new setting of the connection state input through the remote commander 40, for example. When supplied to the monitor device 1, a series of processes for newly setting a connection method when a channel is formed between electronic devices can be started.

In addition, the monitor device 1 itself detects that an electronic device connected to the network has been disconnected or that a new electronic device has been connected to the network. Is detected, a series of processes for newly setting a connection method for forming a channel between electronic devices can be started.

That is, in a network formed by connecting electronic devices via an IEEE 1394 standard digital bus, when an electronic device is removed from the network or a new electronic device is digitally connected, Upon detecting this, the topology (connection form) is reconfigured.

Therefore, in a network formed through a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard,
When an electronic device is removed or a new electronic device is connected, this is notified to each electronic device. Therefore, when receiving this notification, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 of the monitor device 1 notifies the control unit 20 that a change has occurred in the network.

As described above, when the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 12 notifies the control unit 20 that a change has occurred in the digital network, the control unit 20 uses the control unit 20 to create a series of connection status tables described above. The processing may be started.

Also, as described above, the monitor device 1 uses the digital
Three timings when the power is turned on after being connected to the bus, when a request to start a new connection method setting is supplied from the user to the monitor device 1, and when a change in the network is detected. The monitor device 1 has its own connection status management memory 24
An accurate connection status table is created at any time, and a setting screen of an accurate connection method can be displayed at any time in response to a request from a user.

Therefore, as described above, when there is no change in the connection relation of the network, in order to change the setting of the connection method, based on the connection state table already created in the connection state management memory 24. Alternatively, a connection mode setting screen may be displayed to change the connection mode that has already been set.

[Another Example of Information for Identifying Electronic Device Connected to Network] In the above-described embodiment, an electronic device that can be an output device that supplies digital data to monitor device 1 through a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard. The information for specifying the device is based on an SDD (Self Descriptive Device) defined in a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard.
es) It is not limited to using information.

[0187] For example, an IEEE standard may be used between electronic devices.
It has been agreed that specific information conforming to the digital interface of the 1394 standard is embedded in a descriptor (descriptor) for transmission / reception.

In this embodiment, the monitor device 1 as an input device for receiving a signal input is
Referring to the Descriptor supplied from the output device through the digital input / output terminal, the Descriptor is referred to.
Or, the unique information included in or may be obtained as information for specifying the electronic device. In this case, in the connection status table shown in FIG. 5, the information indicating the product category is the unique information acquired from the descriptor.

As another method, the monitor device 1 as an input device uses a node ID (No.) defined in a digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard.
deID) is detected. Then, the control unit 20 of the monitor device 1 performs, based on information such as a node ID from each electronic device connected to the own device,
It is also possible to predict the topology (connection form) of a network formed by being connected by a digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard, and specify an electronic device that can be an output device for supplying digital data to the monitor device 1.

Of course, if it is possible to specify an electronic device that can be an output device with respect to an input device based on other information that can be detected through a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, the information is used as information for specifying the output device. Of course, it may be used.

[0191] Also, the digital standard of the IEEE1394 standard is used.
Not only information that can be detected through the interface,
The monitor device 10 inquires each electronic device digitally connected to the electronic device via a digital bus or an inquiry for information for specifying the electronic device by a different path from the digital bus, for example, another transmission line or wirelessly. The information may be provided to identify the electronic device.

That is, the information for specifying the electronic device that outputs the digital signal may be obtained by various methods so that the electronic device that outputs the digital signal can be obtained. Of course, in that case, the monitor device 1 and the i
If the PCR and the oPCR are detected, and the channel is already connected, it may be possible to associate the channel with the connection method.

In this embodiment, the monitor device 1 is an input device that receives supply of digital data.
Although the case where another electronic device is an output device that supplies digital data to the monitor device 1 has been described as an example, the input device is not limited to the monitor device 1. For example, in the case of the network of the electronic device according to the above-described embodiment, DV
The TR3 and the DVTR4 may be input devices that receive digital data.

That is, an LCD (liquid crystal display) capable of displaying various display information on the DVTR 3 or DVTR 4
In addition to the display device, a connection status management memory, a connection status table creation function, an information display function for changing a connection mode setting, and a connection mode setting are provided in the same manner as in the above-described monitor device 1. By providing a function for performing the change, the connection method of the channel formed between the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 4 can be changed or set in advance.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a case where the DVTR 3 is used as an input device. In the network of the electronic device of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, for example, FIG.
In some cases, digital data dubbing is performed between the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 4 as shown in FIG.

In this case, as described above, the input device (DVTR3) normally receives the request from the input device (DVTR3).
TR3) and the output device (DVTR4)
Channels are formed by the oP connection method.

However, DVTR3 and DVTR4 are connected to Pt
When the digital data from the IRD2 is to be recorded on a video tape by the DVTR3 in the case of the oP connection method, after the PtoP connection between the DVTR3 and the DVTR4 is released, the digital data from the IRD2 is received by the DVTR3. Set as follows. And I
It is necessary to instruct RD2 to output digital data and to instruct DVTR3 to start recording.

For this reason, it may not be possible to quickly supply digital data from the IRD 2 to the DVTR 3 for recording. Therefore, a connection status table using the DVTR 3 as an input device is also created in the DVTR 3. Then, the above-described monitor device 1 and I
As shown in FIG. 9C, in the same manner as when the connection method of the channel formed between
The connection method of the channel formed between the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 4 is changed to the broadcast connection method.

Of course, in the connection status table created in the connection status management memory of the DVTR 3, the DVTR 3
When a channel is formed with the DVTR 4 as an input device, a target connection method may be set in advance so that a broadcast connection is established.

[0200] In this manner, the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 3 whose channels are formed by the PtoP connection method are usually used.
It is also possible to change the connection method of the channel between them and to set them in advance. In the case of this example, the digital video signal from the DVTR 4 is
In the case of copying with R3, the user simply operates the IRD 2 to receive and output the digital television broadcast program, and as shown in FIG. 9D, the broadcast connection between the DVTR 3 and the DVTR 4 is established. Release and DVT
A channel can be newly formed between R3 and IRD2 by a broadcast connection method.

Therefore, in the case of this example, the DVTR
3 receives digital data from the DVTR 4, the digital data from the IRD 2 is immediately transmitted to the DVTR 3 when the digital data is transmitted from the IRD 2.
To be able to record.

As described above, the present invention can be applied to various information output devices that receive digital data and output it in various forms. And, from the broadcast connection method to the PtoP connection method,
The change from the PtoP connection method to the broadcast connection method and the setting of the connection method before the channel is formed can be realized.

In the above-described embodiment, a specific electronic device such as the monitor device 1 or the DVTR 3 is used as an input device, and the input device outputs an electronic device which may supply digital data to itself. As a device, the connection status is managed.

Therefore, when the monitor device 1 is used as an input device, connection status management when another electronic device is used as an input device is not performed in the input device 1 but in the other electronic device. Is to be managed as an input device. However, it is not necessary to manage the connection status for each input device.

[0205] For example, focusing on a predetermined electronic device connected to the network, the connection status of all the electronic devices connected to the network to which the electronic device is connected in the electronic device set as the central device. May be managed. For example, in the network according to the above-described embodiment, the monitor device 1
And the connection status when the DVTR 4 is used as an input device.

The connection status table, which is created in the connection status management memory 24 of the monitor device 1 and manages the connection status of all the electronic devices on the network, is stored in the IEEE 13
94 standard digital bus and IEEE 1394
Each electronic device can be referred to through the I / F circuit. In addition, the monitor device 1 is configured to be able to give instructions to change or set the connection method to each electronic device.

By doing so, it is possible to cope with a change or setting of the connection method between all devices in the network through the monitor device 1. As described above, in the case where a predetermined electronic device manages the connection status of all the electronic devices and changes the connection method, the connection between the electronic devices forming channels by the PtoP connection method is performed. When changing the system, a request to release the PtoP connection must be issued.

This is because when a channel is formed by the PtoP connection method, an electronic device that forms a channel by the PtoP connection method, that is, PtoP
This is because a PtoP connection can be released only from an input device that receives supply of digital data through a channel formed by the P connection method.

[0209] Therefore, if the electronic device to which the user intends to change the connection method is a device to which a PtoP connection is established, that is, an electronic device that outputs digital data through a channel formed by the PtoP connection method, , Finds the partner device and sends the partner device PtoP
Request to disconnect.

The other device can be detected based on iPCR and oPCR values for each channel detected from each electronic device. When a request to release the PtoP connection is made to an electronic device that has formed a channel by the PtoP connection, for example, AV / C defined in a digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard is used.
Using the command, a request to release a channel formed by the PtoP connection method (a request to release a PtoP connection) is transmitted. Of course, a PtoP connection release request may be transmitted by another method.

In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device connected to the digital bus is recognized and notified, and if there is an electronic device forming a channel at that time, Has also detected and notified the device and connection method. However, it is not always necessary to detect and report information about the electronic devices connected to the digital bus and the channels formed.

That is, when using the AV device network formed in the home formed as described above, the device forming the channel and the connection method of the channel at that time are set. This setting is performed from a predetermined electronic device connected to the network, for example, the monitor device 1. At this time, for example, similarly to the connection state table described above, the setting is held in the memory of the monitor device 1, and when the set channel is formed, the channel is formed by the connection method according to the setting. It may be.

Of course, the electronic devices connected to the network may be detected and notified, and the connection method between the electronic devices connected to the network may be set. That is, at that time, even if the user does not notify the information about the formed channel, the user may set the connection method of the channel between the predetermined electronic devices or change the connection method according to the purpose. Can be.

As described above, by notifying the electronic devices connected to the network, it is possible to easily and accurately select an electronic device for forming a channel and set a connection method. In this case, as described above, it is also known whether the partner device forming the channel, and in the above-described embodiment, the output device is a device that needs to be notified that the connection method has been changed. So you can
If necessary, a notification that the connection method has been changed can be sent, a channel can be appropriately formed between the electronic devices, and digital data can be transmitted and received.

[0215] Further, when information about the channel formed at that time is also reported, it is possible to report which channel is formed by which connection method between which electronic devices. This can be confirmed, and if necessary, the connection method can be changed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a monitor device having a display element or a DVTR is used as an input device. However, the present invention is not limited to these devices. The present invention can be applied to various types of electronic devices in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the connection status of the electronic device is notified to the user by displaying the setting change screen of the connection method on the display device of the monitor device or the DVTR. It is not limited to. For example, the connection status of the electronic device may be notified by voice, or may be printed on paper and notified via a printer device or the like connected to the input device. In this case, a remote commander or the like of the input device may be provided with a switch for switching a connection method, or the like. Also, the connection status can be switched in response to a connection mode switching request from the user without notifying the user.

In the above-described embodiment, the IE
The case where the digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard is used has been described as an example, but the digital interface is not limited to that of the IEEE1394 standard. In addition to digital data such as a video signal and an audio signal, various digital interfaces capable of transmitting control information and data such as a request to provide various information can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, a so-called digital A such as a monitor device, an IRD, and a DVTR is used.
Although the system is configured by V equipment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an information output device configuring a system to which a computer device is connected.

When the setting of the connection method is changed,
The connection method can be changed according to the function of the electronic device, or can be changed according to the combination of the electronic devices to be connected.

For example, if the input device is a DVTR or a DVD recording / reproducing device, for example,
When recording, a channel is formed by a PtoP connection even if a channel is formed by a broadcast connection, and when reproduction is performed, a channel is formed by a PtoP connection. Even in such a case, it can be changed so that a channel is formed by a broadcast connection.

In the case of, for example, when a recording device and a reproducing device are connected like a DVTR and an IRD, a channel is formed by a PtoP connection even if a channel is formed by a broadcast connection. Or a device such as a DVTR and a monitor device in which one of the electronic devices mainly receives the supply of digital data and provides it to the user. For example, even if a channel is formed by a PtoP connection, a change can be made to form a channel by a broadcast connection.

In the above-described embodiment, the connection status management memory 24 is a non-volatile memory so that stored information is not lost even when the power of the monitor device 1 is turned off. It was explained as having been done.

However, for example, when the power of the input device is turned off, or when the digital
When an external factor such as resetting occurs on the interface, the value of the connection status table may be returned to an initial value (initial value). When an external factor occurs and the information in the connection status table is different, the content of the connection status table may be confirmed, recreated, or returned to the initial value. .

Also, in order to change the connection method only at the time of its use, a memory for temporarily storing information for specifying the partner device and the connection method of the channel, and always forming a channel by the connection method. Always provide a memory for always storing information for specifying a partner device to be connected and a channel connection method, and only when a channel is to be formed by the set connection method at all times. Information for identifying a partner device in a memory for storage,
The connection method of the channel may be stored.

In this case, when a channel is formed between the selected electronic devices at the time of setting the connection method, confirmation is made to the user as to whether or not the channel should be formed by the set connection method. Request, and the user requests that the channel is always formed with the set connection method,
What is necessary is just to store the information for specifying the partner device and the channel connection method in the memory for constant storage.

It is not necessary to prepare separate memories for the temporary storage memory and the permanent storage memory. A temporary storage area and a permanent storage area are provided in the same memory to store data to be stored. Of course, it may be different.

The function of changing or setting the connection method may be mounted on both an electronic device that can be an input device and an electronic device that can be an output device. In addition,
Of course, an electronic device that always has a channel formed need not have a function of changing or setting a connection method.

In the above embodiment, FIG.
The connection setting screen of the connection method described with reference to FIG. 7 is merely an example, and the connection setting screen of the connection method may be formed in various modes that are more easily understood by the user, and may be used. it can.

[0230]

As described above, according to the present invention, the connection method between electronic devices, which is determined according to predetermined conditions, can be changed to the connection method set by the user. As a result, the output device can be changed against the user's will, or conversely, the output device can be changed without performing a complicated operation.
In other words, it is possible to connect a large number of devices flexibly and to connect more electronic devices.

Further, since the connection status between the electronic devices can be notified to the user, the user can accurately recognize the connection status. Then, based on the notified information, it is possible to easily and accurately change or set the connection method.

Further, it is possible to provide an electronic device that meets the needs of the user and to form a user-friendly network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a monitor device to which an embodiment of an information output device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a network formed by connecting the monitor device shown in FIG. 1 and another electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an iPCR (input plug control register) and an oPCR (output plug control register).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a case where a channel formed by a broadcast connection method is changed to a PtoP connection method;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a connection status table formed in a connection status management memory of the monitor device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a connection method setting change screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of a connection method setting change screen.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a connection mode setting process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a case in which a channel formed by a broadcast connection method is changed to a PtoP connection method.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a broadcast connection method.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a PtoP connection method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1d1, 1d2: Digital input / output terminal, 12: IEEE
1394 I / F circuit, 13 ... demultiplex, 1
4 ... MPEG decoder, 15 ... D / A conversion circuit, 16 ...
Superimposition circuit, 17 OSD generation circuit, 18 display circuit, 2
0: control unit, 21: CPU, 22: ROM, 2
3 RAM, 24 connection status management memory, 25 CPU
Bus, 31 ... Remote control signal receiving unit, 40 ... Remote commander

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Fushi Kaibuki 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Utsunomiya 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yuji Kimura 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Suzuki 6-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sonny Inside (72) Inventor Kenji Matsuoka 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Masahiko Sato 6-35, 7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Makoto Sato 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term within Sony Corporation (reference) 5C064 BB05 BC06 BC25 BD03 BD05 BD08 BD09 BD13 5K032 CC01 CC10 EC02

Claims (16)

[Claims] 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of data newly transmitted to the digital bus is always permitted, and the data transmitted newly is transmitted to the digital bus.
A first method of forming a transmission path for transmitting data so that any electronic device connected to the digital bus can receive data;
And a second transmission line for forming a transmission path for transmitting data only between two predetermined electronic devices and not accepting data transmitted from another electronic device to a digital bus. An electronic device connected to a digital bus capable of using a connection method, wherein any one of the first connection method and the second connection method is provided between electronic devices that transmit and receive data. A connection method designation means for receiving and holding an instruction input for forming a transmission path by the connection method, and an electronic device for transmitting and receiving data, between the electronic device for transmitting and receiving data, in accordance with the instruction input held by the connection method designation means. In connection method,
An electronic device comprising: a connection control unit that controls so as to form a data transmission path. 2. An electronic device connected to the digital bus, inquired about each of the electronic devices, and formed between the connected device recognizing means for recognizing the electronic devices, and the electronic device recognized by the connected device recognizing means. 2. A connection method setting notifying means for notifying, as necessary, that the connection method has been set to a destination electronic device when a connection method of a transmission path is set. An electronic device according to claim 1. 3. A connection status notifying unit for notifying a connection status with all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus based on the electronic device recognized by the connected device recognition unit. The electronic device according to claim 2. 4. A connection method detecting means for inquiring each of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus to detect an electronic device currently forming a transmission path and a connection method of the transmission path, The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: a connection method notifying unit configured to notify a detection result from the connection method detecting unit. 5. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized by the connected device recognizing means, and a discriminator connected to the digital bus by the discriminating means. If it is determined that all of the electronic devices have not been recognized, the connection device recognition unit performs recognition of the electronic device, and sets a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for performing control so as to perform. 6. A setting start instruction input receiving means for receiving a connection method setting start instruction input from a user, and receiving the setting start instruction input from the user via the setting start instruction input receiving means. Means for recognizing an electronic device by the connected device recognizing means, and controlling to set a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus. The electronic device according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 5. 7. A connection change detecting means for detecting a change in the connection of the electronic devices connected through the digital bus when the connection is changed, and the electronic equipment connected through the digital bus by the connection change detecting means. When it is detected that a change has occurred in the connection of the electronic device, the connection device recognizing means recognizes the electronic device and sets a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus. And means for controlling so as to perform the following.
The electronic device according to claim 4, 5, or 6. 8. A constant storage memory for storing information for designating a connection method to be used at all times when a transmission path is formed between predetermined electronic devices. And a means for writing information indicating a connection method according to an instruction input from a user to the memory for constant storage when writing to the memory is instructed. The electronic device according to claim 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, or 7. 9. The transmission of data newly transmitted to a digital bus is always permitted, and the newly transmitted data is
A first method of forming a transmission path for transmitting data so that any electronic device connected to the digital bus can receive data;
And a second transmission line for forming a transmission path for transmitting data only between two predetermined electronic devices and not accepting data transmitted from another electronic device to a digital bus. A method for setting a connection method between electronic devices connected to a digital bus capable of using a connection method, wherein the first connection method and the second connection method are provided between electronic devices that transmit and receive data. In response to the instruction input held between electronic devices intended to transmit and receive data, the instruction input indicating which of the two connection methods is used to connect the transmission path is held. A method for setting a connection method, wherein a data transmission path is formed by a connection method. 10. When an electronic device connected to the digital bus is inquired, the electronic device is recognized, and a connection method of a transmission line formed between the recognized electronic devices is set. 10. The connection method setting method according to claim 9, wherein a notification that the connection method has been set is sent to the electronic device of the other party as necessary. 11. The connection method setting method according to claim 10, wherein a connection status with all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is notified based on the recognized electronic device. 12. Inquiring each of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus to detect an electronic device currently forming a transmission path and a connection method of the transmission path,
12. The connection method setting method according to claim 10, wherein the detection result is reported. And determining whether all of the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized. If not, determining whether all the electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein all electronic devices connected to the bus are recognized, and a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is set. The connection method setting method according to claim 11 or 12. 14. When receiving an input of an instruction to start setting a connection method from a user, all electronic devices connected to the digital bus are recognized and the digital bus is recognized.
14. The connection method setting method according to claim 10, wherein a connection method of a transmission path between electronic devices connected to the bus is set. 15. When a change occurs in the connection of an electronic device connected through the digital bus, the change is detected, and the change in the connection of the electronic device connected through the digital bus occurs. When is detected, perform recognition of all electronic devices connected to the digital bus,
15. The method according to claim 10, wherein a connection method of a transmission path between the electronic devices connected to the digital bus is set. Connection method setting method. 16. When a transmission path is formed between predetermined electronic devices, a constant storage memory for storing information indicating a connection method to be used at all times is provided. 11. When the writing to the memory is instructed, information indicating the connection method corresponding to the instruction input from the user is written to the memory for continuous storage. 12,
The connection method setting method according to claim 13, 14 or 15.