JP2003032311A - Control method, transmission system and transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to use remote control and detection of a state of device by using a device control command, such as an AV/C command over a wide range network. SOLUTION: A 1st device is connected to a 2nd device in a 1st network, such as a TCP/IP network capable of transmission of text data, the 2nd device is connected to a 3rd device in a 2nd network, capable of transmitting a prescribed command and a prescribed response, and when the 1st device transmits a command configured to be text data to the 3rd device through the 1st network, the 2nd device discriminates the command in the text data, converts the discriminated command into the command of a prescribed form, the device transmits the converted command to the 3rd device through the 2nd network, and the 3rd device executes an operation designated by the received command.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission method, a transmission system, and a transmission apparatus suitable for remote control of equipment by using equipment control protocol used in an IP network, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, video equipment and audio equipment such as video recorders, audio recorders, television receivers, tuners for receiving various broadcasts, audio amplifiers (hereinafter, these equipments are referred to as AV equipments or AV devices). ) Is connected to some kind of network, and video data and audio data are transmitted between the connected devices so that data can be transferred between the devices has been proposed and put into practical use.

For example, IEEE (The Institute of Ele)
ctrical and Electronics Engineers) A network via a 1394 serial data bus
A device that enables data transmission with V equipment has been developed. In this network, content data such as video data and audio data can be transmitted as stream data, and a predetermined command (AV / C
Command Transaction Set: hereinafter referred to as AV / C command), it is possible to remotely control AV equipment connected to the network. Also,
Similarly, the AV / C command can be used to detect the state of the AV device connected to the network.

[0004]

However, in principle, the AV / C command can be used in IEEE 1394.
It is only between the devices connected by the system bus line,
It is difficult to remotely control a device using an AV / C command from a device to which an EEE1394 bus line cannot be connected. Therefore, there has been a problem that the network of devices that can be controlled by the AV / C command is a network composed of relatively limited devices.

In view of the above points, the present invention enables remote control using a device control command such as an AV / C command and detection of a device state to be used in a wide range of networks where devices are not restricted. The purpose is to

[0006]

According to the present invention, a first device is connected to a second device through a first network capable of transmitting at least text data by Internet protocol, and further, the second device is A third network that can transmit commands and responses in a predetermined format.
When a command for the third device converted into text data is sent from the first device to the second device via the first network by connecting to the second device, the command contained in the text data in the second device. Command that is determined by the second device, is converted into a command of a predetermined format, and the command converted by the second device is sent to the third device by the second network, and the command received by the third device. The operation specified by is executed.

By doing so, the second device is relayed, the command is transmitted from the first device to the third device by the Internet protocol, and the process based on the command is executed by the third device. It becomes possible to execute it on the device.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a connection configuration between a device of this example and a network. In this example, the first computer device 100 is replaced by an IEEE (The Institute of E)
Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Network N1 (hereinafter IE)
It is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 via an EE1394 system network N1). Here, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that records and reproduces audio data on a medium by using a magneto-optical disc or an optical disc as a recording medium. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is
It is a device that can be controlled by AV / C commands.

Regarding the first computer device 100, an AV / C command can be transmitted to the recording / reproducing device 200 via the network 1394 of the IEEE 1394 system, and a response transmitted from the recording / reproducing device 200 is received. It can be configured. Further, the first computer device 100 is capable of bidirectionally communicating with the second computer device 300 via the network N2 capable of data transmission by the Internet protocol. As the network N2, TCP / IP (Transmission Co
It is a network that can transmit data using a protocol called "ntrol Protocol / Internet Protocol". In this case, the first computer device 100 uses the HTTP (Hy
It is designed to function as a web server with a per Text Transfer Protocol (Address)
2 from the terminal connected to the computer device 100
By sending the data by designating the HTTP address of, the data sent to the first computer device 100 arrives. In the following description, the second network N2 may be referred to as a TCP / IP network.

The TCP / IP protocol is the most general protocol for performing communication in the Internet environment. For example, a computer device capable of connecting to a provider via a communication means such as a telephone line to enable the Internet, and browsing the Web via the Internet. It is a protocol generally used in. By using the TCP / IP protocol, various data such as text data and image data can be transmitted. For network N2,
For example, in addition to the case of a general-purpose network that performs communication by connecting to an access point of an Internet provider via a public line such as a telephone line, an Ethernet (which connects a plurality of computer devices via a dedicated bus line) (Registered trademark) (Ethernet (registered trademark))
It may be a network consisting of In this example, the TCP / IP network N2 is an example in which a network connected to an access point via a telephone line is used, and a modem is used as an interface means on the device side. When connected to a different network, an interface for communicating with the bus line for that network is required.

A display 390 as a display means is connected to the second computer device 300. In the case of this example, the recording / reproducing device 200 is passed from the second computer device 300 via the first computer device 100.
In addition, a command for instructing the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 can be sent. In addition, the operation status of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is determined by the first computer apparatus 100
It can be sent to the second computer device 300 via the computer and displayed on the display 390 connected to the second computer device 300. In this case, the first computer device 100 uses TCP / IP
Network N2 that can transmit data by protocol, A
The V / C command functions as a protocol conversion device with the network N1 capable of transmitting commands and responses. Each network N
Details of the transmission status in 1 and N2 and the protocol conversion processing will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the first computer device 100 functioning as a protocol conversion device. To explain the configuration, the first computer device 100 includes a central control unit (CP) that executes arithmetic processing.
U: Central Processing Unit) 101, CPU
Reference numeral 101 denotes a ROM (Read Onl
y Memory) 102 or the program stored in the hard disk 104 is executed. The stored programs include, for example, a program related to a protocol (TCP / IP protocol, AV / C command protocol, etc.) necessary for data transmission in the networks N1 and N2, and a program necessary for protocol conversion. . RAM (Random Access)
The memory) 103 stores programs and data executed by the CPU 101 as appropriate. CPU101, ROM1
02, the RAM 103, and the hard disk 104, the bus line 105 is used for data transfer.

An input / output interface 106 is connected to the CPU 101 via a bus line 105. The input / output interface 106 is connected to a display 190 and a user operation means such as a keyboard and a mouse. Input unit 108 to which is connected, and a CD
-Disk drive 1 in which ROM disk etc. are installed
09 and a modem 11 for communicating with the telephone line 121.
0 and an interface unit 111 for communicating with the cable 122 which is an IEEE 1394 bus line.
And are connected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 of this example. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 of this example is an MD
This is a device which records and reproduces audio signals (audio signals) as digital data by using a magneto-optical disk or an optical disk housed in a resin package called a (mini disk) as a recording medium.

As a configuration of the recording system, analog 2-channel audio signals input from the outside are converted into digital audio data by the analog / digital converter 201. The converted digital audio data is sent to the ATRAC encoder 20.
2 to encode audio data compressed by the ATRAC method. When digital audio data is directly input from the outside, the input audio data is directly input to the ATRAC without passing through the analog / digital converter 201.
It is supplied to the encoder 202. The data encoded by the encoder 202 is supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 203 to be processed for recording, and the optical pickup 204 is driven based on the processed data to write the data to the disc (magneto-optical disc) 205. Record. It should be noted that the magnetic field modulation is performed by a magnetic head (not shown) during recording.

As a structure of a reproducing system, data recorded on a disk (magneto-optical disk or optical disk) 205 is read by an optical pickup 204, a reproducing process is carried out by a recording / reproducing section 203, and audio data compressed by an ATRAC system. To get The reproduced audio data is supplied to the ATRAC decoder 206 to be decoded into digital audio data of a predetermined system, and the decoded audio data is supplied to the digital / analog converter 207 to be a two-channel analog audio signal. Convert and output. When outputting digital audio data directly to the outside, ATRA
The audio data decoded by the C decoder 206 is directly output without going through the digital / analog converter 207. In the example of FIG. 3, the analog-converted output audio signal is supplied to the amplifier device 291, and audio output processing such as amplification is performed, and the connected speakers 292, 293-2 are connected.
It is configured to output the audio of the channel.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is based on the IEEE1 standard.
An interface unit 208 for connecting to a cable 209 that constitutes a 394-type bus line is provided.
The audio data obtained from the EE1394 bus side to the interface unit 208 can be supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 202 via the ATRAC encoder 202 and recorded on the disc 205. The audio data reproduced from the disk 205 is recorded and reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 2.
02 to the interface unit 208 via the ATRAC decoder 206 so that the data can be sent to the IEEE 1394 bus side.

Recording processing and reproducing processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 and transmission processing via the interface section 208 are executed under the control of a central control unit (CPU) 210. A memory 211, which is a work RAM, is connected to the CPU 210. In addition, the operation key 212
The operation information from is supplied to the CPU 210, and the operation control corresponding to the operation information is performed. Further, when the interface unit 208 receives control data such as an AV / C command to be described later via the IEEE 1394 bus, the data is supplied to the CPU 210 so that the CPU 210 can perform corresponding operation control. is there.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second computer device 300. Second computer device 300
Has basically the same configuration as the first computer device 100, but is different in the configuration for forming a network of other devices. That is, a central control unit (CPU) 301 that executes arithmetic processing is provided, and a program stored in the ROM 302 or the hard disk 304 is executed. The stored program includes, for example, TCP / I
There is a program for the P protocol. RAM30
In 3, the programs and data executed by the CPU 301 are stored as appropriate. CPU301, ROM302, RAM
The bus line 305 is used for data transfer between the hard disk 304 and the hard disk 304.

An input / output interface 306 is connected to the CPU 301 via a bus line 305. The input / output interface 306 includes a display processing unit 307 to which a display 390 is connected and a user operation means such as a keyboard 391. The input unit 308 to be connected and the CD-
A disk drive 30 in which a ROM disk or the like is mounted
9 and a modem 310 for communicating with the telephone line 311.
And are connected.

Next, each device 100, 2 described so far
00, 300, the second computer device 300 is used to control the recording / reproducing device 200, and the operation status of the recording / reproducing device 200 is connected to the second computer device 300. Display 39
The process of displaying 0 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data transmission configuration in the case of this example. Here, the second computer device 300 functions as a controller that controls the recording / reproducing device 200, and the first computer device 100 converts the protocol between the first network N1 and the second network N2. Functions as a protocol converter.

The second computer device 300 as a controller and the first computer device 100 as a protocol conversion device are connected to an access point of a provider via a telephone line, and then the T computer is connected.
The data transmission is performed by connecting to the CP / IP network N2. Therefore, the second computer device 300 and the first computer device 100 may be remote places. In this case, the first computer device 100, which is a protocol conversion device, functions as a web server.

The first computer device 100 and the recording / reproducing device 200 are connected to each other by a network N1 constructed by connecting with an IEEE1394 bus line. Therefore, the first computer device 100 and the recording / reproducing device 200 are arranged in relatively close positions.

With this system configuration, when operating the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 from the second computer apparatus 300 as a controller, first, the recording is performed by operating the keyboard or the like connected to the second computer apparatus 300. When there is an instruction to operate the playback device 200, an HTTP request specifying the IP address of the first computer device 100 and the HTTP port number is transmitted (step S1). In this HTTP request, a command instructing an operation is converted into text data and transmitted.

The first computer 100, which has received this HTTP request, discriminates the command from the received text data and sends the command to AV /
Protocol conversion is performed on the C command, and the converted AV /
C command to the IEEE 1394 network N
1, the data is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 (step S
2). According to the AV / C command standard, the device that receives the command sends back a response, and in the case of this example as well, the recording / playback apparatus 200 sends back a response (step S3).

Further, the first computer device 100 is
A status check command, which is a command for checking the state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, is executed by the AV / C command on the network N1 (step S).
4). The status check command is transmitted, for example, periodically.

Upon receipt of this status check command, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 sends a response to the command to the first computer apparatus 100 (step S5). When the first computer 100 receives the response to the status check command, the HT sent to the second computer 300 by the HTTP protocol based on the content of the response.
A TP response is generated and the generated HTTP response is sent to the second computer device 300 via the TCP / IP network N2 (step S6). In the case of this example, the recording / reproducing device 20 is used as an HTTP response.
HTM text data and image data showing the state of 0
It is generated and sent as L data. The second computer device 300 that receives this HTTP response displays the state of the recording / reproducing device 200 on the connected display based on the text data and image data included in the received HTML data. A specific display example will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing AV / C command conversion processing when an HTTP request is received in the first computer apparatus 100, which is a protocol conversion apparatus. The process will be described. First, when an HTTP request is received (step S11),
From the received text data of the HTTP request, a process of sequentially detecting a character string instructing the operation of the device connected via the network N1 is performed.

Here, in step S20, the reproduction / pause control process is executed, and when the corresponding character string is not detected from the received data in the reproduction / pause control process, the process moves to the control process in step S30. In step S30, the stop control process is executed, and when the corresponding character string is not detected from the received data in the stop control process, the process proceeds to step S40. Step S4
At 0, the recording control process is executed, and when the corresponding character string is not detected from the received data in the recording control process, the control process proceeds to step S50. Step S50
In the control process of, rewinding reproduction control process is executed,
When the corresponding character string is not detected from the received data in the control processing of the rewinding reproduction, the processing proceeds to the next control processing.

In this way, the processing for detecting the character string instructing all the operations of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is executed. Explaining the details of each control process, for example, the control process of reproduction / pause in step S20 is “Play P
The received text data is searched for a character string "ause" (step S21). In this search, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding character string (step S22). If there is no corresponding character string, the next control process ( Here, step S3
0 control processing). Then, when it is determined in step S22 that the corresponding character string is present, it is determined whether the current operating state of the recording / reproducing device 200 is reproducing a disc (MD) (step S23). If it is determined that the reproduction is currently being performed, an AV / C command for instructing a pause is generated, and the recording / reproduction device 200
To the first network N1 (step S2)
4). If it is determined in step S23 that reproduction is not currently being performed, an AV / C command instructing reproduction is generated and transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 via the first network N1 (step S25).

When determining the device status in step S23, a status command for checking the operating status may be sent from the computer device 100 to the recording / reproducing device 200, if necessary.

After the AV / C command is transmitted in either control processing as in steps S24 and S25, the process proceeds to step S12 to check the state of the device to be controlled (here, the recording / reproducing device 200). The HTML data describing the state is sent to the second computer device 300 as an HTTP response. The process of step S12 is the same as steps S4, S5 and S6 in the data transmission example of FIG.
Corresponds to the processing of.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the operating state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is displayed on the display 390 connected to the computer apparatus 300 based on the HTML data received by the second computer apparatus 300. Is. Here, various buttons and the like indicating the operating state are displayed on the screen. Specifically, the power button 11, eject button 12, title display area 13, front track button 14, rear track button 15, play / pause button 16, stop button 17, record button 18, rewind playback button 19, fast forward. A reproduction button 20 and a counter display area 21 are prepared.

Further, U of the first computer device 100
The address display 22 indicating the RI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is on the outside, and it is shown that the data sent from this address is displayed. Here, as the address, the name "AU" which is the name given to the control data of this example is added after the numerical value indicating the absolute address.
"DIO CONTROL" is added. The addresses and names are tentatively set and do not represent actual ones.

On the display screen of the operation state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 7, in the title display area 13,
The track number and title name of the currently playing song (such as the title name of each song) are displayed. In the title display area 13, other data such as an album name may be displayed while the reproduction is stopped. The counter display in the counter display area 21 is such that the counter of the disc currently being reproduced is displayed in hours, minutes and seconds. Here, a display is made to update the count value every one second.

With respect to the display of each button, for example, the button corresponding to the currently operating state is changed in color or blinked to notify that it is the operating state indicated by the button. It may be done.
For example, the recording button 18 may be blinked in red during recording.

Then, in the state of being displayed on the display 390 of the second computer device 300 in this way, the display position of any of the display buttons is specified and clicked by the user operation using a pointing device such as a mouse. As a result, the command for executing the function of the button displayed at that position is the first HTTP request.
Is transmitted to the computer device 100 side.

In the display screen shown in FIG. 7, the count display for updating the count value every one second is performed. Therefore, the transmission of the status check command from the first computer device 100 to the recording / reproducing device 200 is performed at the count cycle of 1 second.
The response indicating the current operation status of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is obtained in the second cycle, and the HTTP response is also transmitted from the first computer apparatus 100 to the second computer apparatus 300 in the second cycle. . Therefore, the second computer device 300 receives the data transmitted as the HTTP response at a cycle of about 1 second and updates the display screen shown in FIG. 7 based on the received data. After all, the count value is 1
Since it is updated every second, it becomes possible to display a correct count value in a one-second cycle corresponding to the count cycle.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation example of the display update processing corresponding to this count cycle. First, the first computer device 100, which is a protocol conversion device, activates a timer (step S71), and checks the status every time the timer counts 1 second.
The / C command is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 (step S72). When this command is received by the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 (step S73), a response of the AV / C command storing the status information of the own device is generated,
The response is transmitted to the first computer device 100 (step S74). This response is the first
When received by the computer device 100 (step S7)
5) According to the reception result, an HTML document for displaying the image as shown in FIG. 7 is created, and the created HTML document is transmitted to the second computer device 300 side by the HTTP protocol (step S76). ).

By being processed in this way, the second computer device 300, which communicates with the first computer device 100 via the TCP / IP network, correctly counts in a one-second cycle corresponding to the count cycle. The value display will be linked to the playback and recording of the disc. It should be noted that such a process of updating the display at a cycle of 1 second is performed only when it is necessary to change the counter display, for example, when the reproduction / recording of the disc by the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is being performed, and other processing is performed. In this case, the timer in step S71 is not started (or the timer cycle is lengthened),
The display may not be updated in such a short cycle.

Here, the TCP / I connecting the first computer device 100 and the third computer device 300 is connected.
A communication method performed in the P network will be described.

When the first computer device 100 and the third computer device 300 are directly connected to the Ethernet network, data transmission is executed in the Ethernet frame format. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the Ethernet frame format is a type of data in which a destination MAC (Media Access Control) address of data and a source MAC address of data are arranged in 6 octets (1 octet is 8 bits), respectively. 2 octets are arranged to form a header. After that, data of 46 octets to 1500 octets is arranged, and finally FCS which is a check code is placed.
(Frame Check Seaquence) is placed in 4 octets.

In the data area, data to which an IP header necessary for transmission on the TCP / IP network is added is arranged. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an IP datagram format. FIG. 10 shows 32 bits (4
It is the figure which showed octet as a unit. Describing from the top in order, version number, header length, service type, packet length, identifier, flag, fragment offset, lifetime, protocol number, header checksum, source IP address, destination IP address, option, padding are arranged in order. To be done.

The 4-bit version number indicates an IP header. The 4-bit header length is IP
The size of the header itself is shown. The 8-bit service type represents the quality of service of the transmitting IP.
In this quality of service, data such as priority, minimum delay, maximum throughput, maximum reliability, minimum cost, maximum security, etc. is assigned to each bit position. Each value is specified by the application. The 16-bit packet length represents the octet length of the entire packet including the IP header and IP data. The 16-bit identifier is used as an identifier when restoring a fragment. This value is incremented by one each time an IP packet is transmitted.

The 3-bit flag indicates control regarding packet division. The 13-bit fragment offset indicates where the divided fragment was located in the original data. The 8-bit time-to-live indicates the time that this packet may live in the network, or the number of routers that can pass. The 8-bit protocol number indicates what the upper layer protocol is. The 16-bit header checksum is used as a check code for the header. Source I
Each of the P address and the destination IP address is composed of 32 bits, and the corresponding address is represented. The option has a variable length and is used when testing or debugging. For padding, make sure that the data length including options is 32 bits.
Data having an arbitrary number of bits of 0 is arranged. Data is arranged following this IP header. As the data here, for example, a header and data of a protocol used such as TCP, UDP, and ICMP are arranged.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the TCP segment format in units of 32 bits. In the case of this example, the TCP header shown in FIG. 11 and the data following it are the data section shown in FIG. Is located in.

The structure of the TCP header will be described in order from the beginning. Source port number, destination port number, sequence number, acknowledgment number, data offset, undefined section, code bit, window size, checksum, urgent pointer, option. ， Padding is arranged in order. After that, the data is arranged.

Corresponding port numbers are arranged in the source port number and the destination port number, each of which has 16 bits. The 32-bit sequence number indicates the position of the transmitted data. A sequence number of data to be received next is arranged in the 32-bit acknowledgment number. In the 4-bit data offset, data indicating where the data carried by TCP starts is arranged. 0 data is placed in the undefined section. A control flag or control bit is arranged in the 6-bit code bit. Receivable data size is notified to the 16-bit window size. The 16-bit checksum is used as an error detection code of the header. 1
The 6-bit urgent pointer is used as a pointer indicating the storage location of data that requires urgent operation. The options are
The maximum data size is 40 octets, and TC
It is used to improve the performance of communication by P. The padding is 0 data arranged to adjust the data length.

Following the TCP header configured in this way, data to be actually transmitted is arranged. In the case of the present example, this data corresponds to text data or image data including a request as a command or a response.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data in the case of this example. The data shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the first computer device 100 to the second computer device 30.
7 shows text data as an HTML document to be transmitted to 0, and the second computer device 300 that has received this data shows the device state as shown in FIG. 7 based on this data and the image data. The image is displayed. FIG. 13 shows an example of image data. The image data shown in FIG. 13 is image data for displaying the play / pause button 16 shown in FIG.
The position at which the image data is displayed is indicated by the text data shown in FIG. 12, and the meaning of the button display is also indicated by the text data. further,
Data such as the value of the counter and the title name displayed in the title display area are also specified.

When the user operation based on the image displayed on the display 390 of the second computer device 300 is performed by the transmission of such data, HTTP is used.
As the request, the data shown in FIG. 14 is transmitted from the second computer device 300 to the first computer device 100.
Be transmitted to. The example shown in FIG. 14 is an example when the play / pause button is operated. As shown by underlining in the figure, the characters "Play Pause" meaning the play / pause button are shown. The columns are transmitted. This FIG.
The data shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted as an HTTP request to the first computer apparatus 100, and the received data is used to transmit the character string “Play” in step S21 in the reproduction / pause control process (step S20) shown in FIG. P
When "ause" is detected, the control command corresponding to the corresponding operation is sent to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 side as an AV / C command.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first computer device 100 periodically checks the state of the recording / reproducing device 200, and the first computer device 100 to the second computer device 100
As an example in which the HTML document to be sent to the computer device 300 of FIG. 15 is changed, for example, when the image shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display 390 of the second computer device 300, the HTML document shown in FIG.
It is sent as a TP response.

The image of FIG. 15 is compared with the image of FIG.
The display form of the play / pause button display is different, and the title displayed in the title display area 13 and the count value in the counter display area 21 are changed. Therefore, the HTML document shown in FIG. 16 for displaying the image shown in FIG. 15 is the HT shown in FIG. 12 for displaying the image shown in FIG.
As compared with the ML document, as shown by adding an underline, the character string of the title display portion, the instruction regarding the image for displaying the play / pause button, and the numerical value of the count are changed.

Here, the process of transmitting the AV / C command in the IEEE1394 system network in which the first computer device 100 and the recording / reproducing device 200 are connected will be described.

First, a format in which data is transmitted on a bus line which constitutes an IEEE 1394 system network will be described. FIG. 17 shows the IEEE1394.
It is a figure which shows the cycle structure of the data transmission of the apparatus connected by. In IEEE 1394, data is divided into packets and transmitted in time division with a cycle having a length of 125 μS as a reference. This cycle is created by a cycle start signal supplied from a node (any device connected to the bus) having a cycle master function. The isochronous packet secures a band (which is a time unit but called a band) necessary for transmission from the beginning of all cycles. Therefore, in isochronous transmission, data transmission is guaranteed within a fixed time. However, confirmation from the receiving side (acknowledgement: ack)
If a transmission error occurs, data will be lost if there is no protection mechanism. As a result of arbitration, the node that secures the bus sends asynchronous packets during the time when it is not used for isochronous transmission in each cycle. In asynchronous transmission, acknowledge and retry are used to ensure reliable transmission. , The transmission timing is not constant.

In order for a given node to perform isochronous transmission, that node must support the isochronous function. Moreover, at least one of the nodes corresponding to the isochronous function must have the cycle master function. Further, at least one of the nodes connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus is
It must have the function of an isochronous resource manager. IEEE1394 is ISO / IEC
It conforms to the CSR (Control & Status Register) architecture having a 64-bit address space defined by 13213. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the address space of the CSR architecture. The upper 16 bits are a node ID indicating a node on each IEEE 1394
And the remaining 48 bits are used to specify the address space given to each node. These upper 16 bits are further 10 bits of bus ID and physical ID (node ID in a narrow sense)
It is divided into 6 bits. The value where all bits are 1 is
Used for special purposes, 1023 buses and 63
Individual nodes can be specified. The node ID is reassigned when the bus is reset. The bus reset occurs when the configuration of the device connected to the bus 1 changes. For example, when any one of the devices connected to the bus 1 is removed or it is recognized that a device is newly connected to the bus 1, the bus reset is executed.

Of the address space defined by the lower 48 bits, the space defined by the upper 20 bits is 204
An initialization register space (Initial Register Space), a private space (Private Space), and an initialization memory space (In) used for 8-byte CSR-specific registers and IEEE 1394-specific registers.
The space defined by the lower 28 bits is divided into an itial memory space), and the space defined by the upper 20 bits is an initialization register space, a configuration ROM (Configuration read only memor)
y), an initialization unit space used for a node-specific application, a plug control register (PCRs), and the like.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining offset addresses, names, and functions of main CSRs. The offset in FIG. 19 is the FF where the initialization register space starts.
FFF0000000h (The last number with h is 16
It indicates an offset address from the address. Bandwidth Available Register with offset 220h
ster) indicates the bandwidth that can be allocated to isochronous communication, and only the value of the node operating as an isochronous resource manager is valid. That is, although the CSR in FIG. 18 is included in each node, only the isochronous resource manager of the bandwidth available register is valid. In other words, the Bandwidth Available Registers are essentially owned by the isochronous resource manager only. The maximum value is stored in the bandwidth available register when the band is not allocated to the isochronous communication, and the value is decreased every time the band is allocated.

Channels Available Registers with offsets 224h to 228h
ter) indicates that each bit corresponds to each of channel numbers 0 to 63, and if the bit is 0, that channel is already assigned. Only the channel available register of the node operating as the isochronous resource manager is valid.

Returning to FIG. 18, the general ROM is assigned to the addresses 200h to 400h in the initialization register space.
A configuration ROM based on the (read only memory) format is arranged. A bus info block, a root directory, and a unit directory are arranged in the configuration ROM. The company ID (Company ID) in the bus info block stores an ID number indicating the manufacturer of the device. In the chip ID (Chip ID), a unique ID in the world that is unique to the device and does not overlap with other devices is stored.

Since the input / output of the device is controlled via the interface, the node is assigned an IEC address from 900h to 9FFh in the initial unit space of FIG.
1883 PCR (Plug Control Register)
) Has. This materializes the concept of a plug in order to form a signal path that is logically similar to an analog interface. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of PCR. PCR represents an output plug o
A PCR (output plug control register) and an iPCR (input plug control register) representing an input plug are included. In addition, the PCR is a register oMPR (output Mas
ter Plug Register) and iMPR (input Master Plug)
Register). Each device has oMPR and iMP
Although it is not possible to have a plurality of Rs, respectively, it is possible to have a plurality of oPCRs and iPCRs corresponding to individual plugs depending on the capabilities of the device. PCR shown in FIG.
Has 31 oPCRs and iPCRs, respectively. The flow of isochronous data is controlled by manipulating the registers corresponding to these plugs.

FIG. 21 shows oMPR, oPCR, and iMP.
It is a figure which shows the structure of R and iPCR. 21A shows the configuration of oMPR, FIG. 21B shows the configuration of oPCR, and FIG.
1C shows the structure of iMPR, and FIG. 21D shows the structure of iPCR. 2-bit data rate capability on the MSB side of the oMPR and iMPR (data rate capabili
ty) stores a code indicating the maximum transmission rate of isochronous data that can be transmitted or received by the device.
oMPR broadcast channel base
base) specifies the channel number used for broadcast output (broadcast output).

The number of output plugs of 5 bits on the LSB side of the oMPR stores the number of output plugs of the device, that is, the value indicating the number of oPCRs. The number of input plugs of 5 bits on the LSB side of the iMPR stores the number of input plugs of the device, that is, the value indicating the number of iPCRs. The main extension field and the auxiliary extension field are areas defined for future extension.

The on-line status of the MSB of the oPCR and iPCR indicates the usage status of the plug. That is, a value of 1 indicates that the plug is online, and a value of 0 indicates that it is offline. oPCR
And iPCR broadcast connection counter (broadcas
The value of t connection counter) indicates whether there is a broadcast connection (1) or not (0). oPCR and iP
Point-to-point connection counter with 6-bit width of CR
) Has a value indicating the number of point-to-point connections that the plug has. The point-to-point connection (so-called p-to-p connection) is a connection for performing transmission only between one specific node and another specific node.

The value of the channel number having a 6-bit width of oPCR and iPCR indicates the number of the isochronous channel to which the plug is connected. The value of the data rate having the 2-bit width of the oPCR indicates the actual transmission rate of the isochronous data packet output from the plug.
Overhead ID (ov of 4-bit width of oPCR)
The code stored in the erhead ID) indicates the over-bandwidth of the isochronous communication. The value of the payload having a 10-bit width of the oPCR represents the maximum value of the data contained in the isochronous packet that can be handled by the plug.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the relationship between the plug, the plug control register, and the isochronous channel. Here, the devices connected to the IEEE 1394 bus are shown as AV devices (AV-devices) 71 to 73. An oPCR in which the transmission rate and the number of oPCRs are defined by the oMPR of the AV device 73

[0] -o
Among PCR [2], the isochronous data whose channel is designated by oPCR [1] is IEEE139.
4 It is sent to channel # 1 of the serial bus. An iPCR in which the transmission rate and the number of iPCRs are defined by the iMPR of the AV device 71

Of [0] and iPCR [1], the input channel # 1 is the transmission rate and iPCR.

By [0],
The AV device 71 reads the isochronous data sent to channel # 1 of the IEEE1394 serial bus. Similarly, the AV device 72 uses the oPCR

[0]
The isochronous data is sent to the channel # 2 designated by the step # 1, and the AV device 71 reads the isochronous data from the channel # 2 designated by the iPRC [1].

In this way, data transmission is performed between the devices connected by the IEEE1394 serial bus. In the system of this example, this IEEE1394 is used.
The AV / C command set defined as a command for controlling a device connected via the serial bus is used to control each device and determine the status. Next, the AV / C command set will be described.

First, the AV / s used in the system of this example
Subunit Identifier Descriptor (Subunit Identifier Descr) in C command set
The data structure of (iptor) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 shows the data structure of the subunit identifier descriptor.
As shown in FIG. 23, it is formed by a list of hierarchical structure of subunit identifier descriptors. The list represents, for example, a channel that can be received in the case of a tuner and songs recorded in the case of a disc. The list of the highest layer of the hierarchical structure is called a route list, and, for example, list 0 is the route for the list below it. The other lists are route lists as well. There are as many root lists as there are objects. Here, the object is, for example, each channel in digital broadcasting when the AV equipment connected to the bus is a tuner. Further, all the lists in one layer share common information.

FIG. 24 shows the General Subunit Descriptor.
iptor) format is shown. Subunit
In the descriptor, the attribute information regarding the function is described as the content. Descriptor length (descriptor l
The ength) field does not contain the value of the field itself. Generation ID
Indicates the version of the AV / C command set, and its value is, for example, "00h" (h represents hexadecimal). Here, “00h” is, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, the data structure and the command are version 3.0 of the AV / C general standard (General Specification).
It means that. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, all values except "00h" are reserved and reserved for future specifications.

List ID Size (size of list ID)
Indicates the number of bytes of the list ID. The object ID size (size of object ID) is the object I
The number of bytes of D is shown. The object position size (size of object position) indicates a position (number of bytes) in the list used for reference during control. Root object list number (number of ro
ot object list) indicates the number of root object lists. Root object list ID (root obj
ect list id) indicates an ID for identifying the highest root object list in each independent hierarchy.

Data length belonging to subunit (subunit
The “dependent length” indicates the number of bytes of the data field (subunit dependent information) field belonging to the subsequent subunit. The data field belonging to the subunit is a field indicating information specific to the function. Data length specific to the manufacturer (manufacturer
Dependent length) indicates the number of bytes of the data (manufacturer dependent information) field specific to the subsequent manufacturer. The data unique to the manufacturer is a field indicating the specification information of the vendor (manufacturer). If there is no manufacturer-specific data in the descriptor, this field does not exist.

FIG. 26 shows the allocation range of the list ID shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, “00
00h to 0FFFh "and" 4000h to FFF "
"Fh" is reserved and reserved as an allocation range for future specifications. "1000h to 3FFFh" and "10000h to maximum value of list ID" are prepared for identifying dependent information of a function type. .

Next, AV / used in the system of this example
The C command set will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 32. FIG. 27 shows a stack model of the AV / C command set. As shown in FIG. 27, the physical layer 81, the link layer 82, the transaction layer 83, and the serial bus management 84 are IEs.
It conforms to EE1394. FCP (Function Contr
ol Protocol) 85 is based on IEC61883. The AV / C command set 86 complies with the 1394TA specifications.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining commands and responses of the FCP 85 of FIG. FCP is IE
This is a protocol for controlling devices (nodes) on the EE1394 bus. As shown in FIG. 28, the controlling side is the controller and the controlled side is the target. The FCP command transmission or response is I
It is performed between the nodes using the write transaction of the asynchronous communication of EEE1394. The target that receives the data returns an acknowledge to the controller for confirmation of reception.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the FCP command and response shown in FIG. 28 in more detail. The node A and the node B are connected via an IEEE1394 bus. Node A is the controller and node B is the target. In each of the node A and the node B, a command register and a response register are prepared by 512 bytes each. As shown in FIG. 29, the controller transmits an instruction by writing a command message in the target command register 93. Conversely, the target transmits a response by writing a response message in the response register 92 of the controller. Control information is exchanged for the above two messages. The type of command set sent by FCP is described in CTS in the data field of FIG. 30 described later.

FIG. 30 shows the data structure of a packet transmitted in the asynchronous transfer mode of the AV / C command. The AV / C command set is a command set for controlling AV equipment, and CTS (command set ID) = “0000”. The AV / C command frame and the response frame are exchanged between the nodes using the FCP. In order not to burden the bus and AV equipment, the response to the command is 1
It is supposed to be done within 00 ms. As shown in FIG. 30, the data of the asynchronous packet is 3 in the horizontal direction.
It is composed of 2 bits (= 1 quadlet). The upper part of the figure shows the header part of the packet, and the lower part of the figure shows the data block. Destination
ination ID) indicates the destination.

CTS indicates the ID of the command set, and CTS = "0000" in the AV / C command set.
Is. The C type / response field indicates the function classification of the command when the packet is a command, and the processing result of the command when the packet is a response. The commands are roughly divided into (1) a command (CONTROL) for externally controlling the function,
(2) Command to inquire status from outside (STAT
US), (3) Command for inquiring whether control command is supported from outside (GENERAL INQUI
RY (whether or not opcode is supported) and SPEC
IFIC INQUIRY (opcode and ope
(whether or not rands is supported)), (4) a command (NOTIFY) requesting to notify the state change to the outside.
4 types are defined.

The response is returned according to the type of command. The response to the control (CONTROL) command is "not implemented" (NOT I
MPLEMENTED, "Accept" (ACCEP
TED), "rejection" (REJECTED), and "provisional" (INTERIM). Status (STAT
The response to the US command includes “Not implemented” (NOT IMPLEMENTED), “Reject” (REJECTED), and “Transition” (INTRAN).
SITION), and "stable". Command to inquire whether command is supported from outside (GENERAL INQUIRY and SP
The response to ECIFIC INQUIRY is "Implemented" (IMPLEMENTED),
And "Not implemented" (NOT IMPLEME
NTED). The response to the command (NOTIFY) requesting to notify the state change to the outside is "not implemented" (NOT IMPLEMENT).
TED), "rejection" (REJECTED), "provisional"
(INTERIM) and "changed" (CHANGE)
There is D).

The subunit type is
It is provided to specify the function inside the device. For example, tape recorder / player (tape reccorder / playe)
r), tuner, etc. are assigned. In this subunit type, in addition to the function corresponding to the device, there is also assigned a BBS (bulletin board subunit) that is a subunit that discloses information to other devices. In order to make a determination when there are multiple subunits of the same type, the subunit ID (subu
nit id) for addressing. An operation code (opcode), which is an operation code, represents a command, and an operand (operand) represents a command parameter. Fields added as needed (ddit
ional operands) are also available. 0 data or the like is added after the operand as needed. Data C
RC (Cyclic Reduncy Check) is used for error checking during data transmission.

FIG. 31 shows a concrete example of the AV / C command. The left side of FIG. 31 shows a specific example of the command type / response. The upper part of the figure represents the command, and the lower part of the figure represents the response. "000
0 for control (CONTROL), "000"
"1" indicates status (STATUS), and "0010" indicates specific inquiry (SPECIFIC I).
NQUIRY), "0011" is Notify (NO
General Inquiry is assigned to TIFY) and “0100”. "0101 to 0111" are reserved and reserved for future specifications. Also, “1000” is not implemented (NOT INPLEMENTED), “1001” is accept (ACCEPTED), “1010” is reject (REJECTED), and “1011” is in transition (I
N TRANSITION), "1100" has implementation (IMPLEMENDED / STABLE), "11"
A state change (CHNGED) is assigned to 01 ”and a provisional response (INTERIM) is assigned to“ 1111 ”.
"1110" is reserved and reserved for future specifications.

The center of FIG. 31 shows a specific example of the subunit type. "000000" is a video monitor,
"00011" is a disc recorder / player, "0"
0100 "is a tape recorder / player," 0010 "
"1" is a tuner, "00111" is a video camera,
BBS (Bulletin Board Subunit) for "01010"
Subunit used as a bulletin board called "1"
1100 ”is a manufacturer-specific subunit type (Vender unique), and“ 11110 ”is a specific subunit type (Subunit type extended tonext byte).
Has been assigned. Although a unit is assigned to “11111”, this is used when it is sent to the device itself, and for example, turning on / off of the power supply can be mentioned.

The right side of FIG. 31 shows a specific example of the operation code (operation code: opcode). There is an opcode table for each subunit type, and here, an opcode in the case where the subunit type is a tape recorder / player is shown. In addition, an operand is defined for each opcode. Here, "00h"
Is a value specific to the manufacturer (Vender dependent), “50
"h" is search mode, "51h" is time code,
"52h" is ATN, "60h" is open memory, "61h" is memory read, "62h" is memory write, "C1h" is load, "C2h" is recording, "C3h" is Rewind is assigned to playback and "C4h".

FIG. 32 shows a concrete example of the AV / C command and the response. For example, when issuing a playback instruction to a playback device as a target (consumer), the controller sends a command as shown in FIG. 32A to the target. Since this command uses the AV / C command set, CTS = “0000”. ct
As the type (command type), a command (CONTROL) for controlling the device from the outside is used, so that c type = “0000” (see FIG. 31). Since the subunit type is the tape recorder / player, the subunit type = “00100” (see FIG. 31). id indicates the case of ID0, i
d = 000. The operation code is "C3h" which means reproduction (see FIG. 49). The operand is "75h" which means forward (FORWARD). Then, when reproduced, the target is shown in FIG. 32B.
Returns a response like this to the controller. here,
Since “accepted” is included in the response, the response is “1001” (FIG. 31).
reference). Except for the response part, the other parts are the same as those in FIG. 32A, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of this example, the transmission processing described above is executed between the first computer device 100 and the recording / reproducing device 200, and the first computer device 100 controls the recording / reproducing device 200. The detection of the state of the recording / reproducing device 200 is executed.

Then, the first computer device 10
The output of the AV / C command from 0 is executed based on the instruction from the second computer device 300 side connected by the TCP / IP network, and the first computer device 100 uses the AV / C command. The state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 detected by the second computer apparatus 3
The process transmitted to the 00 side is executed.

In the above description, the first computer apparatus 100 sends a command to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 to immediately execute the operation, or the first computer apparatus 100 determines the state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. Although the processing is performed by detecting the response, the first computer apparatus 100 or the second computer apparatus 300 is configured to notify when there is any state change in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 as the controlled device. You may make a reservation by instructions from.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a processing example in the case of notifying this state change. In this example, the second computer device 300, which is the controller, is TCP / IP.
First, which is a protocol conversion device via a network
An HTTP request for requesting a notification of a state change is transmitted to the computer device 100 (step S8).
1). This request is sent to the first computer device 100.
When received by the AV / AV device, a notify command (see FIG. 31) for notifying the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 when there is a change in the designated operation state of the recording / reproducing apparatus is received.
It is sent as a C command (step S82).

Upon receipt of this AV / C command, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 returns a response indicating that the notify command has been accepted to the first computer apparatus 100 (step S83), and monitors the designated state change. To do. For example, when the stop of the reproduction is designated, it is monitored until the stop of the reproduction.

When the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 changes the monitored operation, a response indicating the change is sent to the first computer apparatus 100 (step S84). When the first computer 100 receives this response, it notifies the second computer 300 connected by the TCP / IP network that the state change designated by the HTTP response has occurred (step S85). .

When the second computer device 300 receives the notification of the state change, for example, the display 390 connected to the second computer device 300 is informed that the corresponding state change has occurred, or the state shown in FIG. The display image as shown is changed. In this way, the notification of the status change can be designated from the device side connected by the TCP / IP network, and the remote monitoring of the device can be favorably performed from a distant place.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates with reference to FIG. In this example, FIG.
As shown in, the recording / reproducing apparatus which is the controlled device is a recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'which is directly connected to the TCP / IP network and functions as a web server. And
A command from a computer device (second computer device in the above-described configuration of FIG. 1) 300 functioning as a controller is directly sent to the recording / reproducing device 200 'via the TCP / IP network N2, and the recording / reproducing device is then transmitted. 20
The response from 0'is sent to the computer device 300 to be displayed on the display 390 connected to the computer device 300 and the like.

The structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'is shown in FIG. 35. This recording / reproducing apparatus 200' records and records an audio signal on the disk 205 as in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. It is a device that performs a process of reproducing an audio signal. However, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, the interface unit 208 for performing communication via the IEEE 1394 bus line was provided, but in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 ', a telephone line 214 or the like is used instead. Modem 21 for communicating via
3 is provided, and data such as a protocol for performing communication via the modem 213 is prepared in the central control unit 210 and the peripheral memory. Other configurations are the same as those of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 20 having the above structure
0'and the computer device 300 as a controller are connected via the TCP / IP network N2,
As shown in FIG. 36, the HTTP request is sent from the computer device 300 as in the case of the above-described embodiment (step S91). By directly designating the address given to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'which is a web server, the corresponding HTTP request reaches the recording / reproducing apparatus 200'. When the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'receives this HTTP request, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200' executes the processing for retrieving the character string instructing the operation of the apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. When the corresponding character string is detected in the processing, the central control unit 210 directly executes the operation instructed by the character string.

Also, an HTML showing the operation status at that time.
A recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'records a document and accompanying image data.
It is generated by the central control unit 210 or the like in FIG.
As shown in, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 'sends it as an HTTP response to the computer apparatus 300 (step S92). By doing so, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the computer device 300 is
On the display 390 connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 20.
An image showing the operation status of 0'can be displayed, and a corresponding operation instruction can be given by a user operation such as a button in the image.

In the embodiment described so far,
Although a general-purpose network such as Ethernet based on the IP protocol is used, it goes without saying that the processing of the present invention can be applied to the case of using another protocol or another network. Further, as the content transmission network used in combination with this general-purpose network, the network based on the IEEE 1394 standard bus is used, but other networks may be used. In this case, each network may use a wireless network such as Bluetooth (Bluetooth: trademark) standard in addition to a network using a wired transmission path.

Also, an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing an audio signal has been described as a controlled device connected by a network, but various controlled devices can be used as long as the device can be controlled by AV / C commands or the like. Control equipment is available.

[0098]

According to the present invention, the second device is relayed, the command is transmitted from the first device to the third device by the Internet protocol, and the process based on the command is executed by the third device. It becomes possible to execute it on the device.
Therefore, it becomes possible to control a device that can be controlled by an AV / C command or the like by a command from various devices that can transmit data by the Internet protocol.

In this case, the third device sends the result executed by the command sent from the second device to the second device as a response, and the second device receives the sent response. At this time, by generating text data or image data for displaying the state instructed by the response and sending the generated text data or image data to the first device, the first device side By displaying based on the sent text data or image data, it becomes possible to notify the user of the state of the third device.

Further, in this case, the command sent from the second device to the third device is a command for checking the state of the third device. Therefore, the state of the third device is checked to check the state of the first device. Can be displayed well.

By transmitting the command for checking the state of the device at a predetermined cycle, the state of the third device can be periodically displayed on the side of the first device.

Further, the cycle of transmitting this command is set to the cycle of changing the display of the counter included in the device state displayed by the first device, so that the counter display is changed to the information from the third device. Based on the counter display, the state of the device can be displayed accurately.

The command from the second device to the third device is a command for notifying a change in the state of the third device, and after the command is received by the third device,
By sending a response when there is a change in the corresponding status, it becomes possible to make a reservation to notify the first device of the change in the status of the third device, and to make a data transfer using the Internet protocol. The first device that can transmit,
The change in the state of the third device can be displayed.

Further, the second device determines the command by extracting a specific text which means an operation command of the third device from the text data transmitted from the first device, By transmitting the determined command to the third device through the second network, it becomes possible to satisfactorily send the command to the specific device with the data converted into text by the Internet protocol.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system configuration example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a device (first computer device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a device (recording / reproducing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a device (second computer device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of command conversion processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example in a protocol conversion device and a recording / reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an IP datagram format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a TCP segment format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of TCP / IP data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of TCP / IP data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of TCP / IP data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame structure defined by the IEEE1394 system.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a structure of an address space of the CRS architecture.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of positions, names, and functions of main CRSs.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a plug control register.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of oMPR, oPCR, iMPR, and iPCR.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship among a plug, a plug control register, and a transmission channel.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure according to a hierarchical structure of descriptors.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example data structure of a descriptor.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a generation ID in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list ID in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a stack model of an AV / C command.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between a command and a response of an AV / C command.

[Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing in more detail an example of the relationship between commands and responses of AV / C commands.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of an AV / C command.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an AV / C command.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a command and a response of an AV / C command.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of notification of a state change according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram showing a system configuration example according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a device (recording / reproducing device) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a data transmission configuration example according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 to 22 ... Display on screen, 100 ... First computer device, 101 ... Central control unit (CPU), 102
... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... Hard disk drive, 105 ... Internal bus line, 106 ... Input / output interface, 107 ... Display processing unit, 108 ... Input unit,
109 ... Disk drive, 110 ... Modem, 111 ...
Interface section for IEEE 1394 system, 121 ...
Telephone line, 122 ... IEEE1394 cable,
190 ... Display, 200, 200 '... Recording / reproducing apparatus, 201 ... Analog / digital converter, 202 ... AT
RAC encoder, 203 ... Recording / playback unit, 204 ... Optical pickup, 205 ... Disk, 206 ... ATRAC
Decoder, 207 ... Digital / analog converter, 208
... IEEE 1394 interface unit, 209
... IEEE1394 cable, 210 ... Central control unit (CPU), 211 ... RAM, 212 ... Operation keys, 213 ... Modem, 214 ... Telephone line, 291 ... Amplifier device, 292, 293 ... Speaker device, 300 ... Second
Computer device, 301 ... Central control unit (CP
U), 302 ... ROM, 303 ... RAM, 304 ... Hard disk drive, 305 ... Internal bus line, 306
Input / output interface 307 Display processing unit 30
8 ... Input unit, 309 ... Disk drive, 310 ... Modem, 311 ... Telephone line, 390 ... Display, 391
…keyboard

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 321E 321 H04L 13/00 305B (72) Inventor Takuya Nishimura Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Kita-Shinagawa 6-735 Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yukihiko Aoki 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-Term (Sony Corporation) 5B089 GA31 HA06 HA16 HB05 JA35 JB10 JB16 KA09 KB11 KC30 KF05 KH01 LB17 5K030 HA08 HB06 HC01 HC14 HD03 HD06 LB15 5K033 AA09 BA01 BA15 CB02 DA05 DB18 5K034 AA20 CC01 CC02 HH61 5K048 BA02 DA05 DC07 EA14 EB02 HA01 HA02

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A first device is connected to a second device via a first network capable of transmitting at least text data by an Internet protocol, and the second device is connected to a command and a command of a predetermined format. The second network, which is capable of transmitting a response, is connected to a third device, and the third device converted into text data from the first device.
When the command for the device is sent to the second device via the first network, the command in the text data is discriminated in the second device, and the discriminated command is converted into the command in the predetermined format. A control method of converting, transmitting the command converted by the second device to the third device through the second network, and executing the operation specified by the command received by the third device. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the third device executes the result of the command sent from the second device as a response, and the second device in the second network. When the second device receives the sent response, the second device generates text data or image data for displaying the state instructed by the response, and the generated text data or image data. , A control method for sending to the first device via the first network. 3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the command from the second device to the third device is a command for checking the state of the third device. 4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein a command for checking the state of the device is transmitted from the second device to the third device at a predetermined cycle. 5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the cycle of transmitting the command is a cycle of changing the display of a counter included in the device status displayed by the first device. 6. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the command from the second device to the third device is a command for notifying a change in the state of the third device, A control method for sending the response when the corresponding state changes after the reception by the third device. 7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the second device specifies, from the text data transmitted from the first device, a specific text meaning an operation command of the third device. Is extracted, and the command is discriminated, and the discriminated command is transmitted to the third device via the second network. 8. A first device is connected to a second device via a first network capable of transmitting at least text data by an internet protocol, and the second device is connected to a command and a command of a predetermined format. In a transmission system configured to connect to a third device in a second network capable of transmitting a response, the first device may communicate with the second device via the first network. A first communication means for performing the operation, and a first control means for generating a command converted into text data and transmitting the command from the first communication means are provided, and the first network is used as the second device. A second communication means for communicating with the first device via the third communication means for communicating with the third device via the second network; When the command is discriminated from the received text data, the discriminated command is converted into a command in a predetermined format, and the converted command is sent from the third communication means to the third device. Control means, and as the third equipment, a fourth communication means for communicating with the second equipment via the second network, and a command received by the fourth communication means. And a third control means for performing the above operation. 9. The transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the third control means of the third device transfers the result executed by the received command as a response from the fourth communication means to the second device. When the third communication means receives the response, the second control means of the second device generates text data or image data for displaying the state instructed by the response. And controlling the sending of the generated text data or image data from the second communication means to the first device, and the first control means of the first device is the first communication means. A transmission system that performs control to generate display data for displaying the state of the third device based on the text data or the image data received by. 10. The transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the second control means of the second device generates a command for checking the state of the third device and sends the command from the third communication means. Transmission system. 11. The transmission system according to claim 10, wherein the command for checking the state of the third device is generated by the second control means of the second device repeatedly at a predetermined cycle, and the command is generated. A transmission system in which the generation of text data or image data for displaying a state instructed by a response obtained on the basis of the above is repeatedly performed at the above-mentioned predetermined cycle. 12. The transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the cycle in which the second control means of the second device generates the command is the display data generated by the first control means of the first device. Transmission system with the counting cycle of the included counter. 13. The transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the second control means of the second device generates a command for notifying a state change in the third device, and the third control means The reception of the command sent from the communication means to notify the change of this state is referred to as the third
The transmission system configured to generate the response and send the response from the fourth communication unit when the corresponding state changes after the third control unit of the device determines. 14. The transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the second control means of the second device selects an operation command of the third device from the text data received by the second communication means. A transmission system in which a process for extracting a specific text that means is performed, a command is determined, the format of the determined command is converted, and the command is sent from the third communication unit. 15. A transmission device connectable to a first network capable of transmitting at least text data by an internet protocol, and further connectable to a second network capable of transmitting a command and a response of a predetermined format. A first communication means for communicating with a device connected to the first network, a second communication means for communicating with a device connected to the second network, and the first communication means. When a command is discriminated from the received text data, the discriminated command is converted into a command in a predetermined format, and the converted command is sent from the second communication means to the second network, and the second command is transmitted. When the communication means receives the response,
Control means for generating text data or image data for displaying the state instructed by the response, and for sending the generated text data or image data to the first network from the first communication means. Equipped transmission equipment. 16. The transmission device according to claim 15, wherein said control means controls the generation of a command for examining a state of a device connected by said second network, and the command is sent from said second communication means. Transmission equipment. 17. The transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control unit repeatedly generates a command for checking a state of a device connected to the second network at a predetermined cycle. 18. The transmission device according to claim 17, wherein the cycle in which the control unit generates a command is a count cycle of a counter included in text data or image data for displaying a state instructed by the response. apparatus. 19. The transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the control means generates a command for notifying a change in the state of a device connected by the second network,
A transmission device for transmitting from the second communication means to the second network. 20. The transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the control means means an operation command of a device connected to the second network from the text data received by the first communication means. A transmission device configured to perform a process of extracting a specific text, determine a command, convert the determined command format, and send the converted command from the second communication unit. 21. A transmission device connectable to a network capable of transmitting at least text data by Internet protocol, and communication means for communicating with a device connected via the first network, and a predetermined input or operation. And a control means for generating a command converted into text data based on the detection of and transmitting the command from the communication means. 22. The transmission device according to claim 21, wherein the control means displays the device status based on the text data or the image data received by the communication means after transmitting the command converted into text data. A transmission device that generates display data and performs display processing based on the display data. 23. The transmission device according to claim 22, wherein the data displayed by the display data includes a counter display, and the communication cycle receives text data or image data at a count cycle of the counter. Transmission equipment. 24. In a transmission device connectable to a network capable of transmitting at least text data by Internet protocol, communication means for communicating with a device connected to the network, and text data received by the communication means. When a command is discriminated from a specific text, the discriminated command is executed to generate text data or image data for displaying the operation status of the device, and the generated text data or image data is transmitted from the communication means. A transmission device comprising: control means for sending to the network. 25. The transmission device according to claim 24, wherein the control means repeatedly sends the text data or the image data for displaying the operation status of the device from the communication means at a predetermined cycle. apparatus. 26. The transmission device according to claim 25, wherein a cycle in which the control unit generates and sends a command is a count cycle of a counter displayed by the text data or image data.