JP2005130168A - Device recognition method and host device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a portable device and to acquire device information in a short time when executing a function of the portable device connected to a host device, on the host device. <P>SOLUTION: When the portable device is connected to the host device and the function of the portable device is selected by the host device, a CPU of the host device sets a unique device ID to the connected portable device when the portable device has not been recognized hitherto, and acquires all required device information and holds it on a memory. When media in the portable device have been recognized hitherto, the CPU sets a unique medium ID and acquires all required medium information and holds it on the memory. When the function of the portable device will be executed again after execution of another function, device information and medium information held on the memory are read out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, when another device such as a portable device is connected as a sub device to a host device having a plurality of functions (applications), and the host device executes a function related to the sub device, the host device uses the sub device. And a host device constituting such a system.

  For example, a hard disk is built in, data can be written to it, data can be read from it, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be played, e-mail can be sent and received, and multiple applications (application programs) Consumer devices incorporating functions are becoming popular.

  In such a device, a portable device having functions such as writing data to and reading data from a medium such as a memory card, a CD (Compact Disc), and a mini disk (registered trademark) is used as a host device. (Universal Serial Bus) and other interfaces are used to capture data from the host device to the portable device and record it on the media in the portable device, and the data recorded on the media in the portable device from the portable device to the host device Functions such as sending can be executed.

  In this case, when a portable device is connected to the host device and the host device executes a function related to the portable device, the host device recognizes the portable device by a series of sequences between the host device and the portable device. Then, it is necessary to acquire device information (object) of the portable device.

  Furthermore, if another function is executed on the host device after executing the function related to the portable device, the device information of the acquired portable device is cleared on the host device. When the function related to the portable device is executed, the host device recognizes the portable device and acquires the device information of the portable device in the same manner as when the function related to the portable device is executed first.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-78537) discloses that when a network is configured by connecting video equipment and audio equipment by a serial bus of IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 system, Each time a node device is connected to the network, the device that manages communication (bus manager) executes network initialization processing, recognizes the connected node device, and assigns an address on the bus to the node device. Has been shown to do.

  Also, in this Patent Document 1, a command for inquiring the device type and data stream type of the other device is transmitted from one device to the other device, and one device is notified by the response from the other device. Recognize the device type and data stream type of the device.

The prior art documents listed above are as follows.
JP 2003-78537 A

  However, in the conventional device recognition method in the system in which the portable device is connected to the host device described above, the host device performs a series of sequences with the portable device each time a function related to the portable device is executed in the host device. Because it must recognize portable devices and acquire device information of portable devices, it takes a long time to recognize portable devices and acquire device information, and it takes time to activate functions related to portable devices .

  Therefore, the present invention can perform sub-device recognition and device information acquisition in a short time when a function related to a sub-device such as a portable device connected to the host device is executed. The time required for starting the function related to the device can be shortened.

The device recognition method of this invention is
A method of recognizing the sub device by the host device when another device is connected as a sub device to a host device having a plurality of functions and a function related to the sub device is selected by the host device. ,
A first step of determining whether or not the sub-device has been recognized so far;
When it is determined in the first step that the sub device has not been recognized so far, a unique device identifier is set for the sub device, device information of the sub device is acquired, A second step to hold on;
A third step of outputting device information held on the memory when it is determined in the first step that the sub-device has been recognized so far;
Is provided.

  In the device recognition method of the present invention configured as described above, when a sub device is first connected to the host device and the host device executes a function related to the sub device, the host device The unique device identifier is set, and the device information of the sub device is acquired and stored in the memory. Next, the host device is connected to the host device in the state where the same sub device is connected to the host device. When executing a related function, the host device uses the device identifier of the sub device previously set and stored in the memory as a tag, and the sub device has been recognized so far. Judgment is already obtained immediately without executing a series of sequences, such as when the function associated with that sub-device is first executed. It is held in the memory Te, device information of the sub-device is output.

  Therefore, when a function related to the sub device is executed by the host device, the sub device can be recognized and the device information can be acquired in a short time, and the time required for starting the function related to the sub device can be reduced. Can do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a host device executes a function related to a sub device such as a portable device connected thereto, the sub device is recognized and device information is acquired in a short time. It is possible to reduce the time required for starting the function related to the sub device.

  In addition, when the sub device has a medium such as a memory card or a disk medium, the same recognition method can be used for the medium, so that the medium can be recognized and the media information can be acquired in a short time. It is possible to reduce the time required for starting the function related to the media.

[Example of system: Fig. 1]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a system for executing the device recognition method of the present invention, in which a portable device 40 is connected to a host device 10.

  The host device 10 incorporates a plurality of functions (applications) including functions described later related to the portable device 40.

  Specifically, in this example, the host device 10 includes a CPU 11, and a main memory (main RAM) 13, a cache (cache memory) 14, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 16 that drives a built-in hard disk 15 on the bus 12. , A media drive 18 that drives a media 17 such as a DVD mounted on the host device 10, an operation input unit 19 that includes various keys, a network interface 21 that is connected to an external network such as the Internet 1, and video data is displayed as an external video An external output interface 22 for sending to the device 30 and a USB interface 23 for connection with the portable device 40 are connected.

  As a result, the host device 10 connects to the Internet 1 and downloads data such as music data to the hard disk 15 or uploads data recorded on the hard disk 15, sends and receives e-mails, and transmits data from the medium 17. Can be executed and functions such as recording data on the media 17 can be executed, and when the portable device 40 is connected, data is transmitted to the portable device 40 and data is received from the portable device 40. It is possible to execute functions such as.

  Video data obtained by the host device 10 is output to the video display device 30 through the external output interface 22, processed by the video processing unit 31 in the video display device 30, and displayed on the display 32. The below-mentioned presentation to the user is also displayed on the display 32 by OSD (On Screen Display). Although omitted in the figure, the host device 10 also has a function of reproducing and outputting sound such as music.

  The portable device 40 is capable of recording data such as music data on a medium such as a memory card, a mini disk (registered trademark), or a CD, and reproducing the data from the medium.

  Specifically, in this example, the portable device 40 includes a CPU 41, and a bus 43 has a memory 43, a USB interface 44 for connection to the host device 10, a media drive 46 that drives the media 45, and A decoder 47 that decodes the music data and converts it into an analog audio signal is connected.

  The left and right audio signals from the decoder 47 are amplified by the audio amplifying circuits 48L and 48R and supplied to the external output terminals 49L and 49R, and the user connects headphones or earphones to the external output terminals 49L and 49R. I can listen to music.

  Further, in this example, music data received by the host device 10 via the Internet 1 or music recorded on the hard disk 15 of the host device 10 by connecting the portable device 40 to the host device 10 as shown in the figure. Data can be transmitted from the host device 10 to the portable device 40 and recorded on the medium 45 in the portable device 40.

[Device recognition method and media recognition method: FIGS. 2 to 5]
(Example of device recognition method and media recognition method: FIG. 2)
In the system described above, when the user connects the portable device 40 to the host device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and selects a function related to the portable device 40 in the host device 10, the host device 10 uses the following method. Thus, the connected portable device 40 is recognized, and the medium 45 in the portable device 40 is recognized.

  That is, the CPU 11 of the host device 10 first determines whether or not the connected portable device 40 has been recognized so far.

  Specifically, in this case, device information such as manufacturer, product model name, and version information is acquired from the portable device 40 by a predetermined sequence with the CPU 41 of the portable device 40, and stored in the cache 14 as will be described later. It is determined whether or not a device ID associated with the acquired device information exists as an ID tag in the device ID (identifier).

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no device ID associated with the acquired device information, the CPU 11 determines that the connected portable device 40 has not been recognized so far, and the portable device 40 A unique device ID is set as an ID tag in association with the acquired device information.

  Further, the CPU 11 of the host device 10 executes a series of sequences with the CPU 41 of the portable device 40, acquires all necessary device information from the portable device 40, and associates the device ID with the set device ID. And is stored in the cache 14 as a structure or aggregate of device information.

  However, even if the connected portable device 40 has never been recognized before, it is compatible with the system, such as a manufacturer different from the manufacturer assumed in the system or an older version. If not, the CPU 11 determines that the portable device 40 cannot be recognized, displays that fact on the display 32, and ends the recognition process.

  On the other hand, when determining that the device ID associated with the acquired device information exists, the CPU 11 determines that the connected portable device 40 has been recognized so far, and executes the subsequent sequence. Instead, as described above, the device information associated with the device ID and held in the cache 14 is read out as the device information of the connected portable device 40 and used to execute the function related to the portable device 40. .

  After executing the device recognition processing in this manner, the CPU 11 of the host device 10 first recognizes the medium 45 in the connected portable device 40 until now, as in the case of the device recognition processing. Judge whether or not.

  Also in this case, specifically, media information such as a media number is acquired from the portable device 40 by a predetermined sequence with the CPU 41 of the portable device 40, and a media ID held in the cache 14 as will be described later. In (identifier), it is determined whether there is a media ID associated with the acquired media information as an ID tag.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no media ID associated with the acquired media information, the CPU 11 determines that the media 45 in the connected portable device 40 has not been recognized so far. A media ID unique to the media 45 is set as an ID tag in association with the acquired media information.

  Specifically, as the media ID, for example, the media number X, the group number Y, and the track number Z of the media 45 are taken into consideration, and a combination of these is set. Also, the media ID can be set using ISRC (International Standard Recording Code).

  Furthermore, the CPU 11 of the host device 10 executes a series of sequences with the CPU 41 of the portable device 40, acquires all necessary media information from the portable device 40, and associates the media ID with the set media ID. And stored in the cache 14 as a structure or aggregate of media information.

  As media information in this case, information indicating whether or not the media 45 can be copied, the number of times of copying when copying is possible, a list of songs recorded on the media 45, etc. Content management information is also acquired and held in the cache 14, and the media 45 is managed by the host device 10.

  As a result, when the portable device 40 loaded with the same media 45 is next connected to the host device 10, media information other than the media information necessary for recognition is read from the cache 14 without being read from the media 45. Thus, the function related to the medium 45 can be activated immediately.

  However, if the medium 45 in the portable device 40 has not been recognized before, but is not compatible with the system, the CPU 11 determines that the medium 45 cannot be recognized. Is displayed on the display 32, and the recognition process is terminated.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the above recognition processing routine executed by the CPU 11 of the host device 10. In the recognition processing routine 50 of this example, the host device 10 and the portable device 40 are connected, and the function related to the portable device 40 is selected in the host device 10. It is determined whether or not it has been recognized so far.

  When the connected portable device 40 has not been recognized so far, the process proceeds from step 51 to step 52 so that the connected portable device 40 can be recognized (the connected portable device 40 is included in the system). If it can be recognized, the process proceeds to step 53, where a unique device ID is set for the connected portable device 40 as described above, and all necessary device information is obtained. After obtaining and holding, proceed to step 54.

  If it is determined in step 51 that the connected portable device 40 has been recognized, the process proceeds directly from step 51 to step 54.

  In step 54, it is determined whether or not the medium 45 in the connected portable device 40 has been recognized so far, and if it has not been recognized so far, the process proceeds to step 55, where the medium 45 is removed. It is determined whether or not the medium 45 can be recognized (if the medium 45 is compatible with the system). If the medium 45 can be recognized, the process proceeds to step 56 to set a unique medium ID for the medium 45 as described above. After obtaining all necessary media information and holding it, the recognition process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step 54 that the medium 45 in the connected portable device 40 has been recognized so far, the recognition process is terminated.

  When it is determined in step 52 that the connected portable device 40 cannot be recognized (the connected portable device 40 does not support the system), or in step 55, the media in the connected portable device 40 When it is determined that 45 cannot be recognized (the medium 45 is not compatible with the system), the process proceeds to step 57 to display on the display 32 that recognition is not possible, and the recognition process is terminated.

  After completion of the recognition process, the device information and the media information are read from the cache 14 and the functions related to the portable device 40 are executed as described above, except when the recognition failure is displayed in step 57.

  After the execution of the function, when the host device 10 selects and executes another function and then selects a function related to the portable device 40 again, the above-described recognition process is executed again.

(Write media ID to media: Fig. 3)
If the media 45 in the portable device 40 is writable, it is preferable to write the media ID set in step 56 of the recognition processing routine 50 in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the media ID writing process routine in this case. In the media ID writing processing routine 60 of this example, when the host device 10 or the portable device 40 is turned off, the portable device 40 is removed from the host device 10, or the medium 45 is removed from the portable device 40. In step 61, it is determined whether or not the medium ID has already been written in the medium 45. If the medium ID has been written, the writing process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the media ID is set in step 56 of the recognition processing routine 50 in FIG. 2 immediately before the power is turned off or EJECT, the media ID has not yet been written in the media 45, so the process proceeds from step 61 to step 62. The set media ID is written into the media 45, and the writing process is terminated.

  In this case, the media ID is written in the media 45 as a part of TOC (Table Of Contents).

  When the media ID is written in the media 45 as described above, in the step 54 of the recognition processing routine 50 in FIG. Whether or not 45 has been recognized can be determined.

(Other examples of device recognition method: FIGS. 4 and 5)
In the device recognition method described above, since the number of portable devices connected to the host device 10 can be confirmed by the set device ID, a system that limits the number of portable devices that can be connected to the host device 10 is constructed. You can also.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a device recognition processing routine in this case. In the device recognition processing routine 70 of this example, when the host device 10 and the portable device 40 are connected and the function related to the portable device 40 is selected in the host device 10, first in step 71, the recognition processing routine of FIG. Similarly to step 51 of 50, it is determined whether or not the connected portable device 40 has been recognized so far.

  When the connected portable device 40 has not been recognized so far, the process proceeds from step 71 to step 72, and the connected portable device 40 can be recognized as in step 52 of the recognition processing routine 50 of FIG. Determine whether or not.

  When the connected portable device 40 can be recognized, the process proceeds from step 72 to step 73, and the portable device including the portable device 40 and connected to the host device 10 so far can be connected to the maximum. Judge whether it is within the number.

  That is, assuming that the maximum connectable number preset in the host device 10 is Nmax and the number of portable devices that have been connected to the host device 10 including the portable device 40 so far is N, N ≦ N It is determined whether or not Nmax.

  When N ≦ Nmax, the process proceeds from step 73 to step 74, and a unique device ID is set for the portable device 40 as in step 53 of the recognition processing routine 50 of FIG. After all the device information has been acquired and retained, the device recognition process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 73 that N> Nmax, the process proceeds to step 75 to display on the display 32 that the maximum number of connectable devices is exceeded, and the device recognition process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step 72 that the connected portable device 40 cannot be recognized, the process proceeds to step 76, and the fact that it cannot be recognized is displayed on the display 32 as in step 57 of the recognition processing routine 50 of FIG. Then, the device recognition process ends.

  If it is determined in step 71 that the connected portable device 40 has been recognized, the device recognition process is terminated.

  After completion of the device recognition process, a media recognition process such as step 54 and subsequent steps in the recognition process routine 50 of FIG. 2 is executed except when the maximum number of connectable units is displayed or the recognition is impossible in step 75 or 76. To do.

  By limiting the number of portable devices that can be connected to the host device 10 in this way, the system provider or data distributor can set the price for the system or the price for data distribution according to the maximum connectable number. .

  However, since the user may want to increase the maximum connectable number, it is desirable that the maximum connectable number can be increased according to the user's request.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the maximum connectable number change processing routine executed by the CPU 11 of the host device 10 when the maximum connectable number is increased in this way.

  In the maximum connectable number change processing routine 80 of this example, the user starts the process by performing a predetermined operation with the operation input unit 19 of the host device 10. First, in step 81, the currently set maximum connection is set. The number of possible connections is displayed on the display 32, and then the process proceeds to step 82 to determine whether or not to increase the maximum number of connectable units based on the presence / absence of the operation and the content (increase number) by the user. to decide.

  Then, when the user does not perform an operation for increasing the maximum connectable number, the maximum connectable number changing process is ended without increasing the maximum connectable number.

  On the other hand, when the user performs an operation to increase the maximum connectable number, the process proceeds from step 82 to step 83 to increase the maximum connectable number by the number specified by the user.

  In this case, in order to increase the maximum connectable number, the host device 10 is connected to the server of the system provider or data distributor via the Internet 1 to obtain permission, and the system provider or data distributor In the server, necessary billing processing is performed.

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment described above is a case where the portable device 40 records and reproduces music data. However, the portable device is not limited to this, and the portable device 40 has a photographing function such as a device that records and reproduces video data, and a video camera or digital camera. It may be provided. Further, another device connected to the host device is not necessarily a portable device.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system which performs the apparatus recognition method of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the recognition process routine which a host apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows an example of a media ID writing process routine. It is a figure which shows the other example of an apparatus recognition process routine. It is a figure which shows an example of the maximum connectable number change processing routine.

Explanation of symbols

  Since all the main parts are described in the figure, they are omitted here.

Claims (6)

A method of recognizing the sub device by the host device when another device is connected as a sub device to a host device having a plurality of functions and a function related to the sub device is selected by the host device. ,
A first step of determining whether or not the sub-device has been recognized so far;
When it is determined in the first step that the sub device has not been recognized so far, a unique device identifier is set for the sub device, device information of the sub device is acquired, A second step to hold on;
A third step of outputting device information held on the memory when it is determined in the first step that the sub-device has been recognized so far;
A device recognition method comprising: In the apparatus recognition method of Claim 1,
In the second step, only when the number of sub-devices for which the device identifier has been set so far, including the sub-device, does not exceed the set maximum connectable number of devices, Device recognition method for setting an identifier. In the apparatus recognition method of Claim 1,
The sub-equipment includes media,
In addition to the first step, the second step, and the third step, the device recognition method includes
A fourth step of determining whether the medium has been recognized before;
In this fourth step, when it is determined that the medium has not been recognized so far, a unique medium identifier is set for the medium, information about the medium is acquired, and stored in the memory And a fifth step to
A device recognition method comprising: a sixth step of outputting media information held on the memory when it is determined in the fourth step that the medium has been recognized so far. In the apparatus recognition method of Claim 3,
A device recognition method in which the medium is writable and the medium identifier set in the fifth step is written to the medium. Another device is connected as a sub device, and is a host device having a plurality of functions including functions related to the sub device,
Recognizing means for recognizing the sub device, this recognizing means,
A first step of determining whether or not the sub-device has been recognized so far;
When it is determined in the first step that the sub device has not been recognized so far, a unique device identifier is set for the sub device, device information of the sub device is acquired, A second step to hold on;
A host device that executes a third step of outputting device information held in the memory when it is determined in the first step that the sub device has been recognized so far. The host device according to claim 5.
The sub-equipment includes media,
In addition to the first step, the second step, and the third step, the recognition means
A fourth step of determining whether the medium has been recognized before;
In this fourth step, when it is determined that the medium has not been recognized so far, a unique medium identifier is set for the medium, information about the medium is acquired, and stored in the memory And a fifth step to
A host device that executes a sixth step of outputting media information held on the memory when it is determined in the fourth step that the medium has been recognized so far.

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