JP2005157419A - Information processing system, information processor and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to more easily manage a system. <P>SOLUTION: When a user makes instructions for generating a virtual device with operation with a mouse or the like, a management information processing part reads management information at a step S271, and an image information processing part generates and displays a virtual device generating screen based on the device information of the management information at a step S272. A network management processing part starts to receive output from the user at a step S273. The image information processing part determines, at a step S279, whether a registration button 345 is operated. When determining that the user has operated the registration button, the image information processing pat proceeds to processing at a step S281 to set the virtual device based on the information of a control panel and then updates the management information. The above technology is applicable, for example, to a network system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly to an information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, and program that allow a user to manage the system more easily.

  In recent years, along with the improvement of information processing technology, the performance of home appliances such as television receivers and audio players has also improved. For example, multifunctional devices such as a multifunction device in which a television receiver and a video recorder are integrated. Has progressed. In addition, the personal computer also realizes various functions such as playing and outputting audio content data such as music and playing and displaying video content data including moving image data and audio data. Has come to be able to.

  Furthermore, with recent improvements in information processing technology, networks have become popular in homes, and home appliances that can be connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet® have begun to become popular. In this way, with the widespread use of LANs in the home, various types of home appliances that had previously operated only by exchanging data with other devices and operating in cooperation with other devices This process is executed (hereinafter referred to as cooperative operation), and more complicated functions have been realized.

  As the cooperative operation, for example, a recording / playback device such as a so-called video recorder plays back video data recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and supplies the video data to a television receiving device connected to the recording / playback device. A process in which the John receiver displays an image corresponding to the supplied video data, and an audio player reproduces the audio data recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and the recording device is connected to the audio player And the recording device records the supplied audio data on another recording medium such as a magnetic tape.

  In recent years, for example, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, or the like is connected to a LAN and can be operated using data downloaded from the Internet, or the operation of a video recorder, an air conditioner, or the like can be controlled from a mobile phone. It has become like this.

  Furthermore, the LAN itself is complicated, and multiple home appliances are connected to each other by connecting multiple networks to each other using a bridge technology or connecting to an external network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network). It has become possible to perform cooperative operations.

  Thus, the complexity of the network system composed of home appliances corresponding to the network makes it difficult for the user to determine which device is operating and how to perform appropriate control. It has become.

  On the other hand, for example, in a network system composed of information processing devices such as servers and personal computers, a management device is used to monitor packets and the like input / output by each device constituting the network system. In addition, there is a method for managing the network system by grasping the operation and state of each device and controlling the operation of each device based on a user instruction or the like.

  In addition, for example, when receiving a control instruction input to a device from a network outside the home to which a home appliance (home appliance) is connected, it is determined whether or not the input can be accepted in light of the gateway device information. When possible, a device control command generation means for generating a control command for the device based on the device panel information is provided, and the user can perform remote operation with the same feeling as when operating the front panel of an actual home appliance There is also a method for making it possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-44765 A

  However, in these methods, the user needs to grasp all the functions of each device in order to accurately control the device to be managed. In addition, when the management device collects information about each device and presents them to the user, the management device has many functions such as the function and current state of each device so that the user can accurately manage each device. Information needs to be presented to the user, but when the network is a home network as described above, many types of devices (home appliances) are subject to management. Thus, the above-described method has a problem that it is difficult to present all information to each user in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Further, when the user controls a device having a plurality of functions based on the information presented as such, it requires complicated work other than operation control such as selection of functions, and the user intuitively There was a problem that the device could not be managed. Usually, the user is a user who uses each home appliance, and does not have specialized knowledge about the network (and each device connected to the network). Therefore, it is desirable to be able to control each device with an intuitive operation so that the user can easily control each device.

  On the other hand, in the case of performing a cooperative operation using a plurality of devices, in the above method, the user needs to control each device individually, which not only requires complicated work. There was a problem that the operation became difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a user to manage a system more easily.

  An information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus that performs communication and a second information processing apparatus that controls the first information processing apparatus. First control information that is information related to control of the first information processing device is created, and the created first control information is supplied to the second information processing device. The second control information, which is information related to the control of the virtual device, is created using the first control information supplied from the information processing apparatus, and the control input from the user for the virtual device is received and created. Based on the second control information, a control process corresponding to the accepted control input is executed on the first information processing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first creating unit that creates second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device, using first control information that is information related to control of a controlled apparatus; Based on the first input accepting means for accepting control input from the user to the virtual device and the second control information created by the first creating means, the control input accepted by the first input accepting means Control processing execution means for executing a corresponding control process on the controlled device is provided.

  The first control information and the second control information may include a control command group for the controlled device.

  An acquisition means for acquiring first control information from the controlled device and a storage means for storing the first control information acquired by the acquisition means can be further provided.

  The first creation means may create a plurality of second control information by dividing the first control information.

  A second creation unit that creates a first icon that is a GUI image corresponding to the controlled device; and a display unit that displays the first icon created by the second creation unit. The creation means further creates a second icon, which is a GUI image corresponding to the virtual device, based on the second control information created by the first creation means, and the display means creates the second creation information The second icon created by the means is further displayed, and the first input accepting means receives the control input inputted by the user operating the first icon or the second icon displayed by the display means. Can be accepted.

  Display means for displaying a split button which is a GUI image for instructing division of the first control information by the user's operation, and the first input by operating the split button displayed by the display means And a second input receiving means for receiving an instruction input for dividing the control information, wherein the first creating means is based on the instruction for dividing the first control information received by the second input receiving means. A plurality of second control information can be created by dividing the first control information.

  Display means for displaying a virtual device creation image, which is a GUI image for setting the configuration of the second control information by the user's operation, and a second input based on the virtual device creation image displayed by the display means And a second input receiving means for receiving a setting input related to the configuration of the control information. The first creating means receives the second control information based on the setting input received by the second input receiving means. Can be created.

  The virtual device creation image displayed by the display means includes a control image that is a GUI image used when the user controls the virtual device, and the user performs the second control by editing the layout of the control image. The configuration of information can be set.

  The controlled device may be a home appliance having a communication function.

  Second creation means for creating third control information, which is information relating to control of the information processing apparatus, and other information for controlling the information processing apparatus using the third control information created by the second creation means Supply means for supplying to the processing apparatus can be further provided.

  The information processing apparatus may be a home appliance having a communication function.

  An information processing method of the present invention includes a creation step of creating second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device, using first control information that is information related to control of another information processing apparatus, An input receiving step for receiving a control input from the user for the device and a control process corresponding to the control input received by the process of the input receiving step based on the second control information created by the process of the creating step, And a control processing execution step executed for another information processing apparatus.

  The program of the present invention uses a first control information that is information related to control of another information processing apparatus to create second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device, and a virtual device An input receiving step for receiving a control input from the user and a control process corresponding to the control input received by the process of the input receiving step based on the second control information created by the process of the creating step, The computer is caused to execute a control processing execution step to be executed on the information processing apparatus.

  The information processing system of the present invention includes a first information processing apparatus that performs communication and a second information processing apparatus that controls the first information processing apparatus. The first control information, which is information related to the control of the information processing apparatus, is created, and the created first control information is supplied to the second information processing apparatus. In the second information processing apparatus, the first control information Using the first control information supplied from the information processing apparatus, the second control information, which is information related to the control of the virtual device, is created, and the control input from the user for the virtual device is received and created. Based on the second control information, a control process corresponding to the accepted control input is executed for the first information processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus, method, and program of the present invention, second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device is created using first control information that is information related to control of another information processing apparatus. Then, a control input from the user for the virtual device is received, and a control process corresponding to the received control input is executed for the other information processing apparatus based on the generated second control information. .

  According to the present invention, information can be processed. In particular, the user can manage the system more easily. In other words, the devices (PCs, HDD video recorders with router functions, compound printers, etc.) that were difficult for the users to understand because of their rich functions are separated as separate devices / objects specialized for a single function. It can be seen and can be directly accessed and used by a required function. Also, the control panel for controlling the device can be replaced with a simple one specialized in a single function from a complicated one having functions not related to each other. Also, the user can extract only the functions he needs from a plurality of devices connected to the network and combine them to create an original virtual device that is easy to use for him. As a result, for example, an act of watching a study video or a living room video over a network from a television in a bedroom can be performed as if a single television with a video function in the bedroom is handled.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even if there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

  In the present invention, the first information processing apparatus (for example, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1) that performs communication and the first information processing apparatus are controlled. An information processing system (for example, the network system 1 in FIG. 1) including the second information processing apparatus (for example, the management apparatus 11 in FIG. 1) is provided. The first information processing device creates first control information (for example, device information 240 in FIG. 12) that is information relating to control of the first information processing device (for example, step S12, step S22 in FIG. 11, Step S32 or Step S42), the generated first control information is supplied to the second information processing apparatus (for example, Step S13, Step S23, Step S33 or Step S43 in FIG. 11), and the second The information processing apparatus uses the first control information supplied from the first information processing apparatus, and uses the second control information (for example, the service information 301 and FIG. Service information 302 of FIG. 21 or service information 303 of FIG. 21) (for example, step S122 of FIG. 18), from the user for the virtual device The control process corresponding to the received control input is executed on the first information processing apparatus based on the generated second control information (for example, step S141 in FIG. 24, step S41). S143 or step S145).

  In the present invention, an information processing apparatus (for example, the management apparatus 11 in FIG. 1) that controls a controlled apparatus (for example, the television receiving apparatus 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1). Is provided. The information processing apparatus uses first control information (for example, apparatus information 240 in FIG. 12) that is information regarding control of the controlled apparatus, and second control information (for example, information regarding control of the virtual device). 19, service information 302 in FIG. 20, service information 302 in FIG. 20, or service information 303 in FIG. 21), for example, step S122 in FIG. 18) first creation means (for example, management information processing unit in FIG. 2) 42), first input receiving means (for example, the input unit 51 in FIG. 2) for receiving control input from the user for the virtual device, and second control information created by the first creating means. Then, control processing corresponding to the control input received by the first input receiving means is executed on the controlled device (for example, step S141 in FIG. Flop S143, or and a step S145) the control process execution means (for example, the control processing unit 44 of FIG. 2).

  The first control information and the second control information may include a control command (for example, control command 231C in FIG. 7) for the controlled device.

  An acquisition unit (for example, the communication unit 54 in FIG. 2) that acquires first control information from the controlled device, and a storage unit (for example, the storage in FIG. 2) that stores the first control information acquired by the acquisition unit. Part 53).

  The first creation means can create a plurality of second control information by dividing the first control information (for example, step S122 in FIG. 18).

  A first icon (for example, the icon 271 to the icon 274 in FIG. 13) corresponding to the controlled device is created (for example, step S8 in FIG. 11). An image information processing unit 43) and a display unit (for example, the image information processing unit 43 in FIG. 2) for displaying the first icon created by the second creation unit (for example, step S9 in FIG. 11). The second creating means includes a second icon (for example, a video recorder icon in FIG. 23) that is a GUI image corresponding to the virtual device based on the second control information created by the first creating means. 321 to photo album icon 323) are further created (for example, step S123 in FIG. 18), and the display means further displays the second icon created by the second creation means. (For example, step S124 in FIG. 18), the first input receiving means receives the control input input by the user operating the first icon or the second icon displayed by the display means. can do.

  Display means (for example, the image information processing unit 43 in FIG. 2) that displays a division button (for example, the division button 314 in FIG. 22) that is a GUI image that instructs the division of the first control information by the user's operation. And second input receiving means (for example, the input unit 51 in FIG. 2) for receiving an instruction input for dividing the first control information input by operating the division button displayed by the display means. The first creating means divides the first control information and creates a plurality of second control information based on the instruction to divide the first control information received by the second input receiving means. (For example, step S122 in FIG. 18).

  Display means (for example, image information of FIG. 2) that displays a virtual device creation image (for example, virtual device creation screen 340 of FIG. 28) that is a GUI image for setting the configuration of the second control information by the user's operation. The processing unit 43) and setting input relating to the configuration of the second control information input based on the virtual device creation image displayed by the display unit are received (for example, step S273 in FIG. 27). For example, the first creation unit creates the second control information based on the setting input received by the second input reception unit (for example, FIG. 27). Step S281).

  The virtual device creation image displayed by the display means includes a control image (for example, the control panel 341 in FIG. 28) that is a GUI image used when the user controls the virtual device. The configuration of the second control information can be set by editing the layout (for example, step S275 in FIG. 27).

  The controlled device may be a home appliance having a communication function (for example, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1).

  3rd control information (for example, device information 240 of Drawing 12) which is information about control of the information processor is created (for example, Step S12, Step S22, Step S32, or Step S42 of Drawing 11) The third control information created by the creation means (for example, the information creation processing unit 81 in FIG. 3) and the second creation means is supplied to another information processing apparatus that controls the information processing apparatus (for example, Step S13, step S23, step S33, or step S43 in FIG. 11 may further include supply means (for example, the information supply processing unit 82 in FIG. 3).

  The information processing apparatus may be a home appliance having a communication function (for example, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1).

  In the present invention, an information processing apparatus (for example, the management apparatus in FIG. 1) that controls another information processing apparatus (for example, the television receiving apparatus 13, hard disk recorder 14, audio player 15, or personal computer 16 in FIG. 1). 11) an information processing method is provided. This information processing method uses first control information (for example, apparatus information 240 in FIG. 12) that is information related to control of another information processing apparatus, and second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device. A creation step (for example, step S122 in FIG. 18) for creating (for example, the service information 301 in FIG. 19, the service information 302 in FIG. 20, or the service information 303 in FIG. 21), and control from the user for the virtual device A control process corresponding to the control input accepted by the process of the input acceptance step based on the input acceptance step of accepting the input (for example, step S65 in FIG. 15) and the second control information created by the process of the creation step. Is executed with respect to another information processing apparatus (for example, step S14 in FIG. 24). , Step S143, or, comprises S145) and.

  In the present invention, a process for controlling another information processing apparatus (for example, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1) is controlled by a computer (for example, the management apparatus in FIG. 1). A program to be executed in 11) is provided. This program uses the first control information (for example, the device information 240 in FIG. 12) that is information related to the control of another information processing apparatus, and uses the first control information (for example, the device information 240 in FIG. 19, a creation step (for example, step S122 in FIG. 18) for creating the service information 301 in FIG. 19, the service information 302 in FIG. 20, or the service information 303 in FIG. 21, and a control input from the user for the virtual device. Based on the input receiving step (for example, step S65 in FIG. 15) to be received and the second control information created by the process of the creating step, the control process corresponding to the control input accepted by the process of the input accepting step is Control processing execution step executed for other information processing apparatus (for example, step S141 in FIG. 24) Step S143 or comprises S145) and.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a network system 1 is a system that manages the operation of home appliances that perform a cooperative operation, and a management device 11 is a network that includes the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like. 12, and communicates with the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16, which are household appliances similarly connected to the network 12, and information on their operations and states is obtained. Acquire and display the information on a display or the like. Moreover, the management apparatus 11 controls the operation | movement of the household appliance of the management object mentioned above based on a user's instruction | indication.

  The television receiver 13 displays image data acquired through a built-in tuner or an image corresponding to image data acquired through the network 12 on a display, or outputs the acquired audio data from a built-in speaker. Or As will be described later, the hard disk recorder 14 has a built-in tuner, which records a broadcast program (image data, audio data, etc.) acquired via the tuner, or records data recorded on the hard disk, Or other devices via the network 12. The audio player 15 reproduces audio data recorded on a recording medium such as a removable medium, and outputs it from a speaker or supplies it to other devices via the network 12. For example, the personal computer 16 reproduces image data (moving image data and still image data) and audio data recorded on a recording medium, a built-in hard disk, and the like, and performs streaming distribution to other devices via the network 12. In addition, data supplied from other devices via the network 12 is recorded on a built-in hard disk or recorded on a recording medium such as a removable medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the management apparatus 11 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 of the management apparatus 11 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 33 appropriately stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 31 to execute various processes.

  The network management processing unit 34 is connected to the network 12 and is preliminarily set to be managed (for example, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16 in FIG. 1). The management process for controlling each device is performed based on the user's instruction. The network management processing unit 34 manages the management target based on information acquired by processing of the information request processing unit 41 and the information request processing unit 41 for requesting various types of information to the home appliances to be managed. Management information processing unit 42 that manages the management information, image information based on the management information managed by the management information processing unit 42, image information that is displayed on the display and notified to the user The processing unit 43 and a control processing unit 44 that performs processing for controlling the operation of each device to be managed are incorporated, and the network management processing unit 34 performs management processing of the network system 1 using these units. Do.

  The CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and network management processing unit 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35. An input / output interface 50 is also connected to the bus 35.

  The input / output interface 50 is connected to an input unit 51 including a keyboard and a mouse, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 51 to the CPU 31. The input / output interface 50 is also connected with an output unit 52 including a display and a speaker.

  Further, the input / output interface 50 includes other devices via a storage unit 53 including a hard disk, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or a flash memory, and a network 2 connected by wire or wirelessly. A communication unit 54 that communicates data is also connected. Management information 61 created by the management information processing unit 42 of the network management processing unit 34 is stored in the storage unit 53.

  Further, a drive 55 is appropriately connected to the input / output interface 50, and a program or execution of a program is performed from a removable medium 62 that is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory mounted on the drive 55. Necessary data is read out, or data or a program supplied from the CPU 31 or the like is written into the removable medium 62.

  The information request processing unit 41 of the network management processing unit 34 creates requests for various types of information that are requests for devices to be managed connected to the network 12, and the communication unit 54 via the bus 35 and the input / output interface 50. To supply. The communication unit 54 supplies the supplied request to the target device via the network 12. When the communication unit 54 acquires a response to the request, the communication unit 54 supplies the response to the network management processing unit 34 via the input / output interface 50 and the bus 35.

  The management information processing unit 42 of the network management processing unit 34 creates management information 61 for managing devices to be managed based on various information (responses to requests) supplied via the communication unit 54, and generates a bus 35. And it is supplied to the memory | storage part 53 via the input / output interface 50, and is memorize | stored. In addition, the management information processing unit 42 manages the management information 61 stored in the storage unit 53 as described above, and updates it as necessary.

  The image information processing unit 43 of the network management processing unit 34 creates image information for notifying the user of information related to the network system 1 based on management information stored in the storage unit 53 as necessary. Then, it is supplied to the output unit 52 via the bus 35 and the input / output interface 50. The output unit 52 displays an image corresponding to the supplied image information on a built-in display.

  When the control processing unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 receives an instruction from the user via the input unit 51, the control processing unit 44 creates control information based on the instruction and supplies the control information to the target device via the communication unit 54. .

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the television receiver 13 of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 71 of the television receiver 13 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 72. The RAM 73 appropriately stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 71 to execute various processes.

  In response to a request from the management device 11, the information providing unit 74 performs a process of providing information related to the television receiving device 13. The information providing unit 74 includes an information creation processing unit 81 that performs processing for creating information to be provided, and an information supply processing unit 82 that performs processing for supplying the information created by the information creation processing unit 81 to the management apparatus 11. Has been.

  The image processing unit 75 includes a display control processing unit 83, a tuner 84, and an antenna 85. The image processing unit 75 receives a program (television signal) broadcast from a broadcast station (not shown) and performs processing for displaying the image on a display. The display control processing unit 83 performs image processing or the like on the television signal received via the tuner 84, and performs processing for displaying a corresponding image on the display. The tuner 84 receives a television signal of a specific frequency (channel) via the antenna 85 based on the control of the CPU 71 and the like.

  The CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, information providing unit 74, and display control processing unit 83 of the image processing unit 75 are connected to each other via a bus 76. An input / output interface 90 is also connected to the bus 76.

  The input / output interface 90 is connected to an input unit 91 including various buttons and a remote controller, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 91 to the CPU 71. The input / output interface 90 is also connected with an output unit 92 including a display and a speaker.

  Further, the input / output interface 90 includes a storage unit 93 made up of a hard disk, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or flash memory, and other devices via the network 12 connected by wire or wirelessly. A communication unit 94 that performs data communication is also connected.

  Also, a drive 95 is appropriately connected to the input / output interface 90, and a program or program execution is performed from a removable medium 96 that is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, which is mounted on the drive 95. Necessary data is read out, or data or a program supplied from the CPU 71 or the like is written into the removable medium 96.

  Furthermore, a tuner 84 of the image processing unit 75 is connected to the input / output interface 90.

  The CPU 71 controls the tuner 84 of the image processing unit 75 based on a user instruction or the like input from the input unit 91, receives a television signal of a predetermined frequency via the antenna 85, and inputs it to the input / output interface. 90 and the bus 76 are supplied to the display control processing unit 83. The display control processing unit 83 extracts image data and audio data from the acquired television signal, performs predetermined image processing and audio processing, and supplies them to the output unit 92, from a broadcasting station (not shown). A broadcast program is output from a display or a speaker.

  Further, the CPU 71 causes the display control processing unit 83 to supply image data and audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like. The display control processing unit 83 performs predetermined processing on the supplied image data and audio data, and then supplies them to the output unit 92 for output from a display or a speaker. Note that the CPU 71 may cause the output unit 92 to supply image data and audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like.

  Further, the CPU 71 supplies various information requests such as device information supplied from the management device 11 to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like to the information providing unit 74 via the input / output interface 90 and the bus 76. Let The information creation processing unit 81 of the information providing unit 74 creates the requested information based on the supplied request and supplies the created information to the information supply processing unit 82. The information supply processing unit 82 supplies the acquired information to the communication unit 94 via the bus 76 and the input / output interface 90, and supplies the acquired information to the requesting management apparatus 11 via the network 12.

  When control information for controlling the operation of the television receiver 13 is supplied from the management device 11 to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like, the CPU 71 controls the image processing unit 75 based on the request. The process based on the control information is executed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the hard disk recorder 14 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 112. The RAM 113 appropriately stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 111 to execute various processes.

  The information providing unit 114 performs a process of providing information related to the hard disk recorder 14 in response to a request from the management device 11 as in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiving device 13. As in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiver 13, the information providing unit 114 receives the information creation processing unit 121 that performs processing for creating the information to be provided, and the information created by the information creation processing unit 121. An information supply processing unit 122 that performs processing to be supplied to the management apparatus 11 is incorporated.

  The recording / playback unit 115 includes a decoder unit 123, an encoder unit 124, a hard disk 125, a tuner 126, and an antenna 127, and performs recording processing (recording processing) and playback processing of image data and audio data.

  The decoder unit 123 decodes image data and sound data encoded by a predetermined method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method, and performs image processing and sound processing. The encoder unit 124 encodes the supplied image data and audio data by a predetermined method corresponding to the decoder unit 123, and performs image processing, audio processing, and the like. The hard disk 125 records the supplied image data, audio data, and the like. The tuner 126 receives a television signal or the like having a predetermined frequency via the antenna 127 under the control of the CPU 111 or the like.

  The CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, information providing unit 114, and the decoder unit 123 and encoder unit 124 of the recording / playback unit 115 are connected to each other via a bus 116. An input / output interface 130 is also connected to the bus 116.

  The input / output interface 130 is connected to an input unit 131 including various buttons and a remote controller, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 131 to the CPU 111. The input / output interface 130 is also connected to an output unit 132 that includes a display for displaying simple information such as character information.

  Further, the input / output interface 130 includes a storage unit 133 formed of a hard disk, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or a flash memory, and other devices via a wired or wireless network 12 or the like. A communication unit 134 that communicates data is also connected.

  Further, a drive 135 is appropriately connected to the input / output interface 130, and a program or execution of the program is performed from a removable medium 136 that is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory mounted on the drive 135. Necessary data is read out, and data and programs supplied from the CPU 111 or the like are written into the removable medium 136.

  Further, the input / output interface 130 is connected to the hard disk 125 and the tuner 126 of the recording / playback unit 115.

  The CPU 111 controls the tuner 126 of the recording / playback unit 115 based on a user instruction input from the input unit 131, reservation information input in advance and held in the RAM 113, and the like via the antenna 127. Is received, and image data and audio data are extracted and supplied to the encoder unit 124 via the input / output interface 130 and the bus 116. The encoder unit 124 performs predetermined image processing and sound processing on the acquired image data and sound data, encodes them, supplies them to the hard disk 125, and records (records) them.

  Further, the CPU 111 causes the encoder unit 124 to supply image data and audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 134 via the network 12 or the like. The encoder unit 124 performs predetermined image processing and sound processing on the supplied image data and sound data, encodes them, supplies them to the hard disk 125, and records (records) them. Note that the CPU 111 supplies image data and audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 134 via the network 12 or the like, and supplies them to the hard disk 125 without using the encoder unit 124. However, it may be recorded.

  Further, the CPU 111 reads a program (image data or audio data) recorded on the hard disk 125 based on a user instruction input from the input unit 131 and supplies the program to the decoder unit 123. The decoder unit 123 performs decoding processing, predetermined image processing, audio processing, and the like on the supplied image data and audio data, and outputs them via the communication unit 134, for example, the television receiver 13 or the like. To supply.

  Furthermore, the CPU 111 causes the information providing unit 114 to supply various information requests supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 114 via the network 12 or the like via the input / output interface 130 and the bus 116. The information creation processing unit 121 of the information providing unit 114 creates the requested information based on the supplied request, and supplies the created information to the information supply processing unit 122. The information supply processing unit 122 supplies the acquired information to the communication unit 134 via the bus 116 and the input / output interface 130, and supplies the acquired information to the request source management apparatus 11 via the network 12.

  When control information for controlling the operation of the hard disk recorder 14 is supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like, the CPU 111 controls the recording / playback unit 115 based on the request. Then, processing based on the control information is executed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the audio player 15 of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the CPU 151 of the audio player 15 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 152. The RAM 153 appropriately stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 151 to execute various processes.

  The information providing unit 154 performs a process of providing information related to the audio player 15 in response to a request from the management device 11 as in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiving device 13. As in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiver 13, the information providing unit 154 includes an information creation processing unit 161 that performs processing for creating information to be provided, and information created by the information creation processing unit 161. An information supply processing unit 162 that performs processing to be supplied to the management apparatus 11 is incorporated.

  The audio processing unit 155 includes a signal processing unit 163, an audio drive 164, a tuner 165, and an antenna 166, and performs audio data (audio data) recording processing and reproduction processing.

  The signal processing unit 163 performs audio processing or the like on the supplied audio data. The audio drive 164 is equipped with a removable medium (not shown) composed of a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads audio data recorded on the removable medium. A process of writing audio data to a recordable removable medium is performed. The tuner 165 receives an audio signal such as a radio broadcast program of a predetermined frequency via the antenna 166 under the control of the CPU 151 or the like.

  The CPU 151, ROM 152, RAM 153, information providing unit 154, and signal processing unit 163 of the audio processing unit 155 are connected to each other via a bus 156. An input / output interface 170 is also connected to the bus 156.

  The input / output interface 170 is connected to an input unit 171 including various buttons and a remote controller, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 171 to the CPU 151. The input / output interface 170 is also connected to an output unit 172 configured by a display, a speaker, or the like that displays simple information such as character information.

  Further, the input / output interface 170 includes a storage unit 173 including a hard disk, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or a flash memory, and other devices via the network 12 connected by wire or wirelessly. A communication unit 174 that communicates data is also connected.

  Further, a drive 175 is appropriately connected to the input / output interface 170, and a program or execution of the program is performed from a removable medium 176 that is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory mounted in the drive 175. Necessary data is read out, or data or a program supplied from the CPU 151 or the like is written into the removable medium 176.

  Further, an audio drive 164 and a tuner 165 of the audio processing unit 155 are connected to the input / output interface 170.

  The CPU 151 reads the audio data from the removable medium attached to the audio drive 164 based on the user instruction input from the input unit 171 or the reservation information input in advance and held in the RAM 153 or the like. Is supplied to the signal processing unit 163 via the input / output interface 170 and the bus 156, or the tuner 165 is controlled to receive a radio program (audio signal) of a predetermined frequency via the antenna 166, and the audio data is extracted. The signal processing unit 163 is supplied with it via the input / output interface 170 and the bus 156. The signal processing unit 163 performs predetermined audio signal processing on the acquired audio data, and supplies the audio data to the output unit 172 to output from the speaker, or supplies it to another device via the communication unit 174.

  Further, the CPU 151 causes the signal processing unit 163 to supply audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 134 via the network 12 or the like. The signal processing unit 163 performs predetermined audio signal processing on the supplied audio data, supplies the audio data to the audio drive 164, and records (records) it on a removable medium (not shown) attached to the audio drive 164. Let The CPU 171 supplies the audio data supplied from another device to the communication unit 134 via the network 12 or the like to the audio drive 164 without passing through the signal processing unit 163, and records it on the removable medium. Also good.

  Further, the CPU 151 causes the information providing unit 154 to supply various information requests supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 174 via the network 12 or the like via the input / output interface 170 and the bus 156. The information creation processing unit 161 of the information providing unit 154 creates the requested information based on the supplied request and supplies the created information to the information supply processing unit 162. The information supply processing unit 162 supplies the acquired information to the communication unit 174 via the bus 156 and the input / output interface 170, and supplies the acquired information to the requesting management apparatus 11 via the network 12.

  When control information for controlling the operation of the audio player 15 is supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like, the CPU 151 controls the audio processing unit 155 based on the request. Then, processing based on the control information is executed.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the personal computer 16 of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 192. The RAM 193 appropriately stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 191 to execute various processes.

  The information providing unit 194 performs processing for providing information related to the personal computer 16 in response to a request from the management device 11, as in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiving device 13. As in the case of the information providing unit 74 of the television receiver 13, the information providing unit 194 receives the information creation processing unit 201 that performs processing for creating information to be provided, and the information created by the information creation processing unit 201. An information supply processing unit 202 that performs processing to be supplied to the management apparatus 11 is incorporated.

  The CPU 191, ROM 192, RAM 193, and information providing unit 194 are connected to each other via a bus 195. An input / output interface 210 is also connected to the bus 195.

  The input / output interface 210 is connected to an input unit 211 including a keyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, and the like, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 211 to the CPU 191. The input / output interface 210 is also connected to an output unit 212 including a display and a speaker.

  Further, the input / output interface 210 includes a storage unit 213 formed of a hard disk, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and other devices via a network 12 connected by wire or wirelessly. A communication unit 214 that performs data communication is also connected.

  The storage unit 213 stores programs and data to be executed by the CPU 191. For example, the CPU 191 executes the program and data to realize a service for providing image data (including audio data). An audio service program 222 that realizes a service that provides audio data when executed, an electronic album service program 223 that realizes a service that provides still image data when executed by the CPU 191, and a video service Video data 224 including image data, audio data, and the like provided by executing the program 221, audio data 225 provided by executing the audio service program 222, and electronic Album service program 223 is provided by executing the electronic album data 226 or the like made of the still image data and the like are recorded.

  Further, a drive 215 is appropriately connected to the input / output interface 210, and a program or execution of a program is performed from a removable medium 216 made of a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory attached to the drive 215. Necessary data is read out, and data and programs supplied from the CPU 191 or the like are written into the removable medium 216.

  The CPU 191 reads out and executes the video service program 221 stored in the storage unit 213 based on a user instruction or the like input from the input unit 211, and transmits the video data 224 to another device via the communication unit 214. The audio service program 222 stored in the storage unit 213 is read out and executed based on the user service input from the input unit 211 or the like, and the audio data 225 is transmitted to the communication unit 214. The electronic album service program 223 stored in the storage unit 213 is read out and executed based on the user's instruction input from the input unit 211, etc. An electronic album that supplies the album data 226 to other devices via the communication unit 214 Or go free service.

  Further, the CPU 151 supplies the image data 223, the audio data 224, and the like acquired through the communication unit 214 or read from the removable medium 216 to the storage unit 213 and stores them.

  Further, the CPU 151 causes the information providing unit 194 to supply various information requests supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 214 via the network 12 or the like via the input / output interface 210 and the bus 195. The information creation processing unit 201 of the information providing unit 194 creates requested information based on the supplied request, and supplies the created information to the information supply processing unit 202. The information supply processing unit 202 supplies the acquired information to the communication unit 214 via the bus 195 and the input / output interface 210, and supplies the acquired information to the requesting management apparatus 11 via the network 12.

  When control information for controlling the operation of the audio player 15 is supplied from the management apparatus 11 to the communication unit 94 via the network 12 or the like, the CPU 191 executes the program based on the request, and the like. A process based on the control information is executed.

  The television receiver 13, hard disk recorder 14, audio player 15, and personal computer 16 in FIG. 1 have the above-described configuration and provide various services to the user. Alternatively, a plurality of functions (referred to as function blocks) are provided, and one or more control commands are assigned to each function block. That is, each device implements each function by executing a process corresponding to the supplied control command, and provides a service to the user. Information regarding such services is managed as service information in each apparatus as shown in FIGS.

  The service information 231 shown in FIG. 7 is information stored in the storage unit 93 or the like of the television receiver 13, and is information indicating services, functions, and control commands provided by the television receiver 13. That is, the service information 231 includes items of a service 231A, a function block 231B, and a control command 231C. As shown in FIG. 7, the service 231A shows the name of the service provided by the television receiver 13, and the function block 231B shows the name of the function constituting the service. In the command 231C, a prepared control command is shown for each functional block.

  That is, the television receiver 13 realizes a tuner function for selecting a program to be received, an electronic program guide function for displaying an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), and a video display function for displaying video on a display. Is provided to the user as a monitor service.

  As shown in the item of the control command 231C, a “channel switching” command is prepared as a control command in the tuner function, and the management apparatus 11 uses this control command to change the tuner function of the television receiver 13. It is possible to control (switch the receiving channel). In addition, an “EPG display” command is prepared as a control command in the electronic program guide function, and the management apparatus 11 controls the electronic program guide function of the television receiver 13 using this control command (EPG). Display). Further, as a control command in the video display function, an “input switching” command, a “volume adjustment” command, and an “image quality adjustment” command are prepared, and the management apparatus 11 uses these control commands to receive television reception. The video display function of the device 13 can be controlled (switching terminals for inputting data, adjusting the volume of output audio, adjusting the image quality of a display image).

  Also, the service information 232 shown in FIG. 8 is information related to the control command assigned to the hard disk recorder 14, and includes items of the service 232A, the function block 232B, and the control command 232C as in the case of FIG. . As shown in the service block 232A of FIG. 8, the hard disk recorder 14 provides a video service and, as shown in the item of the function block 232B, a tuner function for selecting a program to be received, EPG (Electronic Program Guide). ) Is displayed, and a video content data recording / playback function using the built-in hard disk 125 is realized.

  As shown in the item of the control command 232C in FIG. 8, a “channel switching” command is prepared as a control command in the tuner function, and the management device 11 uses this control command to adjust the tuner function of the hard disk recorder 14. Can be controlled (the channel to be received is switched). Further, an “EPG display” command is prepared as a control command in the electronic program guide function, and the management apparatus 11 controls the electronic program guide function of the hard disk recorder 14 using this control command (displays EPG). )be able to. In addition, the video content data recording / playback control commands include “video content data list display” command, “recording / playback / stop / pause / fast-forward / rewind” recording / playback operation main control commands, and “double speed” Playback operation assist control commands such as “playback / frame advance” are prepared, and the management apparatus 11 controls the video content data recording / playback function of the hard disk recorder 14 using these control commands (video content data list). , Display / playback / stop, etc., double-speed playback and frame advance).

  Furthermore, the service information 233 shown in FIG. 9 is information relating to the control command assigned to the audio player 15, and includes the items of the service 233A, the function block 233B, and the control command 233C as in the case of FIG. . As shown in the service block 233A of FIG. 9, the audio player 15 provides an audio service, and as shown in the item of the function block 233B, a tuner function for selecting a received program, and an audio drive The recording / reproducing function of the audio data reproduced from the removable media mounted on the H.164 is realized.

  As shown in the item of the control command 233C in FIG. 9, a “channel switching” command is prepared as a control command in the tuner function, and the management device 11 uses this control command to adjust the tuner function of the audio player 15. Can be controlled (the channel to be received is switched). In addition, as control commands in the audio content data recording / playback function, “audio content data list display” command, “input switching” command, “volume adjustment” command, “sound quality adjustment” command, and “recording / playback / stop / Recording / playback operation control commands such as “pause / fast forward / rewind” are prepared, and the management apparatus 11 controls the audio content data recording / playback function of the audio player 15 using these control commands (audio). List of content data, recording / playing / stopping, etc.).

  Also, the service information 234 shown in FIG. 10 is information related to the control command assigned to the personal computer 16, and includes items of the service 234A, the function block 234B, and the control command 234C, as in the case of FIG. . As shown in the service block 234A of FIG. 10, the personal computer 16 provides a video service, an audio service, and an electronic album service. As shown in the function block 234B, the video service realizes a tuner function, an electronic program guide function, and a video content data recording / playback function, and the audio service has a tuner function and an audio content data recording / playback function. The electronic album service realizes a still image content data output control function.

  Since the control commands assigned to each function of the video service and each function of the audio service are the same as those described above, description thereof will be omitted. As shown in the item of the control command 234C in FIG. 10, as a control command in the still image content data output control function, a “still image content data list display” command, an “image quality adjustment” command, and a displayed image are displayed in front. Command for returning to the next image or switching to the next image is prepared, and the management apparatus 11 uses these control commands to use the still image content of the personal computer. It is possible to control the data output control function (display a still image content data list, adjust the image quality of displayed images, and switch displayed images).

  As described above, in each of the television receiver 13 to the personal computer 16, the control command is managed for each functional block, and further, the functional block is managed for each service.

  The management apparatus 11 in FIG. 1 first collects information (hereinafter referred to as apparatus information) regarding each apparatus set as a management target, including service information as described above. Device information collection processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 as necessary.

  First, the information request processing unit 41 of the management apparatus 11 requests apparatus information including service information from another apparatus via the network 12 in step S1. That is, the information request processing unit 41 of the network management processing unit 34 creates information for requesting service information, which is information related to the service of each managed device, and communicates the information via the bus 35 and the input / output interface 50. Is supplied to the unit 54 and supplied to other devices such as the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16 via the network 12.

  The communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the device information request supplied from the management device 11 in step S <b> 11 and supplies it to the information providing unit 74. In step S12, the information creation processing unit 81 of the information providing unit 74 to which the device information request is supplied creates device information of the television receiver 13 as shown in FIG. It is supplied to the information supply processing unit 82.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the device information. In FIG. 12, device information 240 is provided by a device ID 241, which is an ID (IDentification) for identifying the device, a device name 242 indicating the name of the device, a model name 243 indicating the model of the device, and the device. The service information 244 related to the service, service information 245, and the like. The device ID 241 is an ID assigned in advance at the time of factory shipment, for example, and may be a MAC address for identifying a network node, an IPv6 IP address, or the like. In the service information 244, for example, information such as a service name 251, a function block name 252, a control command 253, and the like are shown according to the table configuration described with reference to FIG. That is, in the service information 244, the function block name is indicated for each service name 251 as in the function block 252 and the function block 254, and the control command is indicated for each function block as in the control command 253 and the control command 255. Indicated. Since the service information 245 has the same configuration, the description thereof is omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the information supply processing unit 82 supplied with the device information as described above supplies the device information to the management device 11 that is the request source via the communication unit 94 in step S <b> 13. In step S <b> 2, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires device information supplied from the television reception device 13 and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34.

  Similarly, the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request for device information supplied from the management device 11 in step S21 and supplies it to the information providing unit 114. The information creation processing unit 121 of the information providing unit 114 supplied with the device information request creates device information related to the hard disk recorder 14 based on the request in step S22 and supplies the device information to the information supply processing unit 122. .

  In step S <b> 23, the information supply processing unit 122 supplies the acquired device information to the management device 11 that is the request source via the communication unit 134. In step S <b> 3, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the device information supplied from the hard disk recorder 14 and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34.

  Similarly, the communication unit 174 of the audio player 15 acquires the request for device information supplied from the management device 11 in step S31 and supplies it to the information providing unit 154. The information creation processing unit 161 of the information providing unit 154 to which the device information request is supplied creates device information related to the audio player 15 based on the request in step S32 and supplies the device information to the information supply processing unit 162. .

  In step S33, the information supply processing unit 162 supplies the acquired device information to the management device 11 that is the request source via the communication unit 174. In step S4, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the device information supplied from the audio player 15 and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34.

  Further, similarly, the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 acquires the request for the device information supplied from the management device 11 in step S41 and supplies it to the information providing unit 194. The information creation processing unit 201 of the information providing unit 194 to which the device information request is supplied creates device information related to the personal computer 16 based on the request and supplies it to the information supply processing unit 202 in step S42. .

  In step S43, the information supply processing unit 202 supplies the acquired device information to the management device 11 that is the request source via the communication unit 214. In step S5, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the device information supplied from the personal computer 16 and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34.

  In step S6, the management information processing unit 42 of the network management processing unit 34, based on the device information collected as described above, manages the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer to be managed. Management information 61, which is information for managing the computer 16, is created and supplied to the storage unit 53 and stored in step S7.

  In addition, the image information processing unit 43 of the network management processing unit 34 is a management that is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to be presented to the user based on the management information 61 created by the management information processing unit 42 in step S8. Image information is created, and in step S9, it is supplied to the output unit 52, and an image corresponding to the management image information is displayed on the display.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a virtual home viewer window which is an example of a GUI image corresponding to management image information displayed on the display.

  In the upper right portion of the virtual home viewer window 291, the virtual home viewer window 261 is pressed by the user when closing the virtual home viewer window 261 (the pressing operation is performed in the state instructed by the pointer on the screen by operating the mouse or the like by the user). “End” button 262 is pressed by the user when maximizing the size of the virtual home viewer window 261 or when returning the size of the virtual home viewer window 261 from the maximized state to the original size. A “maximize” button 263 and a “minimize” button 264 that is pressed when the virtual home viewer window 261 is minimized are provided.

  The virtual home viewer window 261 is a control for displaying information related to the icon selected by the user among the plurality of icons displayed on the main panel 265 and the main panel 265 on which the virtual home image is displayed. It is divided into a panel 266 and a communication panel 267 for displaying texts of chat and mail, current news, and the like.

  The virtual home displayed on the main panel 265 is a three-dimensional virtual space representing the network system 1 (or each device to be managed in the network system 1) shown in FIG. That is, in this virtual home, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16 are displayed as icons 271 to 274, respectively.

  The icons 271 to 274 are icons indicating each device, and the user can freely change the positions of these icons on the virtual home by operating the mouse of the management device 11, for example. Also good. In addition to the icons indicating these managed devices, the virtual home may be provided with other icons such as a sofa and a table for giving an atmosphere. Furthermore, you may make it provide a mascot which acts autonomously or operate | moves based on a user's instruction | indication in a virtual house. In FIG. 13, the virtual home is represented by one room. However, the number of rooms may be plural, or a virtual town or another three-dimensional virtual space outside the virtual home may be used. Of course, other virtual homes may be arranged.

  In FIG. 13, the network system 1 is represented by a three-dimensional virtual space. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the network system 1 may be represented by a two-dimensional image, or information such as characters and symbols. Of course, it may be expressed as follows. Below, the case where the network system 1 is represented by the three-dimensional virtual space shown by FIG. 13 is demonstrated.

  The network management processing unit 34 of the management apparatus 11 that displays the image corresponding to the management image information as shown in FIG. 13 ends the apparatus information collection process.

  As described above, the network management processing unit 34 of the management device 11 requests device information and acquires device information regarding each device to be managed. At that time, the management apparatus 11 supplies (broadcasts) a request for management information to an unspecified apparatus connected to the network 12, and the management target registered in advance from the apparatus information acquired by the request The management information may be created by selecting the device information of the selected device, or the device information request may be supplied (multicast) only to the management target device registered in advance. Good. In addition, based on the connection information supplied from the device newly connected to the network 12, a request for device information is supplied (unicast) only to the device newly connected to the network 12. Also good.

  In the above, the management apparatus 11 requests apparatus information from other apparatuses (the television receiving apparatus 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, the personal computer 16, etc.) that are managed, and based on the request. Thus, the case of the so-called pull-type information collection method in which each device supplies device information to the management device 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the device information is collected in the management device 11 by a so-called push-type method in which each device to be managed is supplied to the management device 11 as required even if the management device 11 does not require it. You may be made to do.

  That is, for example, device information may be supplied to the management device 11 at the timing when the device to be managed is connected to the network 12. In this way, the management apparatus 11 can collect information on the device earlier and can notify the user, so that the user can more accurately manage the current state of the system. it can.

  The management device 11, the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16 have specifications such as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), Jini, or HAVi (Home Audio / Video interoperability), for example. It is also possible to connect to the network 12 on the basis of the above and perform the above-described device information collection processing using a protocol based on these specifications. For example, in the case of UPnP, the management apparatus 11 collects information about the device using SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) that automatically detects the participation of the device in the network. In the case of Jini, the management apparatus 11 performs a discovery / lookup service or the like. To collect service information.

  When the management apparatus 11 displays a GUI image corresponding to the management image information on the display, the user inputs the input unit 51 (for example, a mouse or the like) based on the displayed GUI image (virtual home viewer window 261 in FIG. 13). ) To input instructions regarding control of each device. The network management processing unit 34 of the management device 11 performs processing for controlling the operation of each device to be managed based on the instruction input via the input unit 51. For example, in the image displayed on the main panel 265 of the virtual home viewer window 261 in FIG. 13, the user operates the mouse to move the cursor and click a predetermined button, etc., so as to correspond to the management target. When any one of the icons 271 to 274 is designated and an instruction is input to control, the network management processing unit 34 executes control processing based on the input and starts controlling the operation of the designated device. .

  A control process using the virtual home viewer window 261 by the network management processing unit 34 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15. Description will be made with reference to FIG. 16 as necessary.

  First, in step S51, the control processing unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 refers to the management information 61 stored in the storage unit 53 and acquires device information of the specified device. In step S52, the control processing unit 44 that has acquired the device information determines whether or not the designated device has a plurality of services as in the case of the personal computer 16 shown in FIG. . In FIG. 10, the personal computer 16 has three services of “video service”, “audio service”, and “electronic album service”.

  If it is determined that the designated device has a plurality of services, the control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S53 and controls the image information processing unit 43 to iconify each service of the device, For example, as shown in FIG. 16, all icons corresponding to services are displayed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the virtual home viewer window 261 when the user moves the cursor, specifies an icon 274 corresponding to the personal computer 16, and inputs to control.

  In FIG. 16, the user designates the icon 274 and inputs to control it, so that the icon 274 is highlighted by being surrounded by a thick frame. Further, a balloon 281 is displayed, and icons 281A to 281C corresponding to services provided by the personal computer 16 are displayed in the balloon 281. The icon 281A is, for example, an icon in the form of a video recorder, and is an icon corresponding to “video service”. The icon 281B is, for example, an icon in the form of an audio player, and is an icon corresponding to “audio service”. The icon 281C is, for example, an icon in the form of an album (book), and is an icon corresponding to “electronic album service”.

  Returning to FIG. 14, when each service is iconified and displayed in this way, the control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S <b> 54 and controls the input unit 51 to start accepting a service selection by the user. The user selects one of the icons corresponding to the services displayed as shown in FIG. 16 by operating the mouse as in the case of specifying the device.

  The control processing unit 44 that has started accepting selection of a service by the user proceeds to step S55, and determines whether or not a service has been selected by the user after a predetermined time has elapsed. When it is determined that information for selecting an icon corresponding to a service (in the case of FIG. 16, any of icons 281A to 281C) is not input via the input unit 51 and the user has not selected a service. The control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S56, and determines whether to end the control processing based on information from the input unit 51.

  If an instruction regarding service selection is not input via the input unit 51 and it is determined that the control process is not to be terminated, the control processing unit 44 returns the process to step S55 and repeats the subsequent processes. In this way, the control processing unit 44 waits until the user selects a service while determining whether to end the control processing.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the user has selected an icon corresponding to the service by operating the mouse or the like, the control processing unit 44 advances the process to step S57. Further, when it is determined in step S52 that the designated device has only one service based on the device information, for example, in the case of the service information of the audio player 15 described with reference to FIG. The control processing unit 44 proceeds with the process to step S57.

  In step S57, the control processing unit 44 determines whether the designated device (designated service) has a plurality of functional blocks based on the device information. For example, in the case of the service information of FIG. 9, the audio player 15 (audio service) has two functional blocks, a “tuner” function and an “audio content data recording / playback” function.

  As described above, when it is determined that a plurality of functional blocks are included, the control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S58 to control the image information processing unit 43 to create a functional block selection screen. In S59, it is displayed on the display of the output unit 52 (for example, the control panel 266 of the virtual home viewer window 261), and the process proceeds to Step S61 in FIG.

  In FIG.15 S61, the control process part 44 controls the input part 51, and starts reception of the selection of a functional block. And after predetermined time passes, the control process part 44 advances a process to step S62, and determines whether the functional block was selected. If it is determined that the user has selected a functional block by operating the mouse or the like, the control processing unit 44 advances the process to step S63. Further, when it is determined in step S57 of FIG. 14 that the specified device (specified service) does not have a plurality of functional blocks based on the management information 61 (device information included in the management information 61). The control processing unit 44 advances the processing to step S63 in FIG.

  In step S63, the control processing unit 44 controls the image information processing unit 43 to create a control image for controlling the apparatus. In step S64, the control processing unit 44 displays the control image on the display of the output unit 52 (for example, virtual In step S65, the control unit 266 controls the input unit 51 to start accepting selection of a control command.

  The control image is, for example, an image using a software button or the like to which a control command is assigned. The control image is displayed on the control panel 266 or the like, and the button is operated by operating the software button by the user operating the mouse. 5 is a GUI image that can be used to instruct execution of a control command corresponding to.

  In step S66, the control processing unit 44 that has started accepting selection of a control command controls the input unit 51 to determine whether or not a control command has been selected by the user. Then, the selected control command is supplied to the designated device via the communication unit 54. The control processing unit 44 that has supplied the control command proceeds to step S68. If it is determined in step S66 that the control command has not been selected, the control processing unit 44 skips step S67 and proceeds to step S68.

  In step S68, the control processing unit 44 controls the input unit 51 and is a button provided on the control image, and is a button for instructing the end of display of the control image when operated by the user. Is determined, and if it is determined that the user has not operated the “close” button, the process returns to step S66, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S68 that the user operates the “close” button by operating the mouse or the like and selects the “close” button, the control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S69, for example, After completing the end process such as controlling the image information processing unit 43 to end the display of the control image, the control process ends.

  If it is determined in step S62 that the user has not selected a functional block, the control processing unit 44 advances the process to step S70, and provides the same “function block selection screen” as that in the case of the control image. It is determined whether or not the “Close” button has been selected. If it is determined that the user has not operated the “close” button, the control processing unit 44 returns the process to step S62 and repeats the subsequent processes. If it is determined in step S70 that the user has operated the “close” button by operating the mouse or the like and has selected the “close” button, the control processing unit 44 proceeds to step S69, for example, After the image information processing unit 43 is controlled to perform an ending process such as ending the display of the function block selection screen, the control process is ended.

  For example, in FIG. 16, when it is determined in step S56 in FIG. 14 that the user designates a part of the main panel 265 other than the balloon 281 and the icon 274, the control processing unit 44 Advances the process to step S69 of FIG. 15 and performs an end process such as ending the display of the image such as the balloon 281 and then ends the control process.

  By performing the control process as described above, the user can control the operation of each managed device connected to the network 12 using the image of the virtual home viewer window 261 shown in FIG. For example, when instructing each service (video service, audio service, electronic album service) provided by the personal computer 16 to supply a control command, the user operates the icon 274 displayed in the virtual home viewer window 261. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the control command can be supplied to the personal computer 16 from the management apparatus 11.

  That is, when the user instructs supply of control commands for each service provided by the personal computer 16, the management apparatus 11 performs communication processing on the personal computer 16 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, when the user instructs the video service of the personal computer 16 to supply a control command, the control processing unit 44 of the management apparatus 11 sends the designated video service control command via the communication unit 54 in step S91. To the personal computer 16. When the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 acquires the video service control command in step S101, the communication unit 214 supplies it to the CPU 191. In step S102, the CPU 191 that has acquired the video service control command executes the video service program 221 based on the control command, and performs video service processing. Then, in step S103, the CPU 191 supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 via the communication unit 214. When the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 obtains the response in step S92, it supplies it to the control processing unit 44.

  Similarly, for example, when the user instructs the audio service of the personal computer 16 to supply a control command, similarly, the control processing unit 44 of the management device 11 is designated via the communication unit 54 in step S93. The audio service control command is supplied to the personal computer 16. In step S104, the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 acquires the audio service control command and supplies it to the CPU 191. In step S105, the CPU 191 that has acquired the audio service control command executes the audio service program 222 on the basis of the control command, and performs audio service processing. In step S106, the CPU 191 supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 via the communication unit 214. When the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the response in step S94, it supplies it to the control processing unit 44.

  Further, for example, when the user instructs the electronic album service of the personal computer 16 to supply a control command, similarly, the control processing unit 44 of the management apparatus 11 designates via the communication unit 54 in step S95. The supplied electronic album service control command is supplied to the personal computer 16. When the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 acquires the electronic album service control command in step S107, it supplies it to the CPU 191. In step S108, the CPU 191 that has acquired the electronic album service control command executes the electronic album service program 223 based on the control command and performs processing of the electronic album service. In step S109, the CPU 191 supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 via the communication unit 214. When the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 obtains the response in step S96, it supplies it to the control processing unit 44.

  As described above, the user operates and instructs the icon 274 corresponding to the personal computer 16 for any of these services, and the management apparatus 11 sends the control command to the personal computer 16. Supply. In this way, the user can accurately grasp to which device the instruction has been issued.

  However, as shown in FIG. 13, even when the icon 274 corresponding to the personal computer 16 is viewed, the user intuitively understands what service the personal computer 16 corresponding to the icon 274 provides. It is also possible that you cannot do it. That is, in order to grasp what service the personal computer 16 provides in such a case, the user must designate an icon 274 and display the service as shown in FIG. Don't be.

  The user is usually a user of the television receiver 13 to the personal computer 16, and the main purpose is to control the operation of these devices, and there are many cases where the purpose is not precisely controlling communication. In other words, what is important for the user is to obtain and output the desired content data under the control of each device, and to know which device is actually operating how. Often not. Therefore, as in the personal computer 16 described above, when one apparatus has a plurality of services, the management apparatus 11 can iconify each service as a virtual device, and the user can handle the service. The icon to be controlled may be controlled in the same manner as icons corresponding to other real devices.

  That is, when the user designates an icon having a plurality of services in the image displayed in the virtual home viewer window 261 as described with reference to FIG. 13, for example, on the control panel 266 or the like, as described later, A software button such as a “split button” may be prepared, and the user may divide the icon for each service by operating the split button.

  A division process executed when the user operates the division button to instruct icon division will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21 as necessary.

  When the user instructs to divide the icon, the control processing unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 refers to the device information of the device included in the management information 61 stored in the storage unit 53 in step S121. In step S122, the management information processing unit 42 sets a virtual device for each service based on the device information, creates virtual device information that is device information (service information) of the virtual device, and creates the virtual device information. The management information 61 is updated using the device information.

  For example, when the icon 274 of the personal computer 16 is divided, the management information processing unit 42 uses the device information (service information of the personal computer 16 as described with reference to FIG. 10) included in the management information, as shown in FIG. Virtual device information for each service as shown in FIG. 21 is created.

  That is, the management information processing unit 42 includes service information 301 obtained by converting a video service as illustrated in FIG. 19 into a virtual device, service information 302 obtained by converting an audio service as illustrated in FIG. 20 into a virtual device, and FIG. Service information 303 is created by virtualizing the electronic album service as shown.

  Returning to FIG. 18, when the virtual device information is created, the image information processing unit 43 creates an icon of the virtual device in step S123, and in step S124, the icon is displayed as an icon corresponding to another device. Similarly, it is displayed on the display of the output unit 52 (the main panel 265 of the virtual home viewer window 261), and the division process ends.

  When the network management processing unit 34 performs the division process as described above, for example, when the user designates the icon 274 corresponding to the personal computer 16 in the virtual home viewer window 261 as shown in FIG. 22, the control panel In addition to a video recorder button 311 for selecting a video service, an audio player button 312 for selecting an audio service, and a photo album button 313 for selecting an electronic album service, a split button 314 for dividing an icon into each service is also included in H.266. Is displayed.

  Then, when the user operates the mouse to operate the division button 314 as shown in FIG. 23, the video recorder icon 321 that is an icon of a virtual device corresponding to the video service and the virtual corresponding to the audio service are displayed. An audio player icon 322 that is a device icon and a photo album icon 323 that is a virtual device icon corresponding to the electronic album service are displayed on the main panel 265.

  By doing in this way, the user can grasp | ascertain intuitively the service corresponding to the icon by the shape of the icon of each virtual device. Further, by operating the icon, it is possible to control the service corresponding to the icon as in the case of the icons of other devices as described above, so that the user can manage the system more easily. can do.

  When the icons are divided in this way, the processing described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 17 is actually processed as in the flowchart in FIG. 17, but in the virtual space, it is as if the processing in the flowchart in FIG. Can be treated as if it were processed.

  For example, in FIG. 24, when the user operates the video recorder icon 321 of FIG. 23 to instruct supply of a control command (actually, when the user instructs the video service of the personal computer 16 to supply the control command), the management is performed. In step S141, the control processing unit 44 of the device 11 supplies the designated video service control command to the virtual video recorder (actually the personal computer 16) via the communication unit 54. When the virtual video recorder acquires the video service control command in step S151, the virtual video recorder performs video service processing based on the control command in step S152 (actually, the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 performs processing based on the control command). The video service program 221 is executed and the video service is processed). Then, the virtual video recorder (actually the personal computer 16) supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 in step S153. The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 will supply it to the control process part 44, if the response is acquired in step S142.

  Also, for example, in FIG. 24, when the user operates the audio player icon 322 of FIG. 23 to instruct supply of a control command (actually, when the user instructs the audio service of the personal computer 16 to supply the control command). In step S143, the control processing unit 44 of the management apparatus 11 supplies the designated audio service control command to the virtual audio player (actually the personal computer 16) via the communication unit 54. When the virtual audio player acquires the audio service control command in step S161, the virtual audio player performs an audio service process based on the control command in step S162 (actually, the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 uses the control command based on the control command). The audio service program 222 is executed and the audio service is processed). Then, the virtual audio player (actually, the personal computer 16) supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 in step S163. The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 will supply the control process part 44, if the response is acquired in step S144.

  Further, for example, in FIG. 24, when the user operates the photo album icon 323 in FIG. 23 to instruct supply of a control command (actually, instructing the electronic album service of the personal computer 16 to supply control command). In step S145, the control processing unit 44 of the management apparatus 11 supplies the designated electronic album service control command to the virtual electronic album (actually the personal computer 16) via the communication unit 54. . When the virtual electronic album acquires the electronic album service control command in step S171, the virtual album performs processing of the electronic album service based on the control command in step S172 (actually, the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 controls the control command). Based on this, the electronic album service program 223 is executed to perform processing of the electronic album service). Then, the virtual electronic album (actually, the personal computer 16) supplies a response to the management apparatus 11 in step S173. When the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the response in step S146, it supplies it to the control processing unit 44.

  In other words, in this virtual home viewer window 261, services can be converted into virtual devices and handled in the same way as devices. Therefore, the user can manage not only the network system 1 for each device but also for each service. Intuitive and easier to control the system.

  Of course, the icon corresponding to the original device may be deleted during the division.

  In addition, the user can operate a plurality of devices among the devices managed by the management device 11 by operating the GUI image of the virtual home viewer window 261 described above. For example, by operating an icon or the like, the user outputs video data (image data, audio data, etc.) recorded on the hard disk recorder 14 from the television receiver 13 or duplicates the video data for personal use. It can be recorded (dubbed) by the computer 16.

  Communication processing between the devices (the management device 11, the television receiving device 13, the hard disk recorder 14, and the personal computer 16) in such a case will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  A user operates an input unit 51 (for example, a mouse) of the management apparatus 11 to specify an icon 272 corresponding to the hard disk recorder 14, and a program (image) recorded (recorded) on the hard disk 125 of the hard disk recorder 14. When an input requesting a list (program list) of video data (data, audio data, etc.) is made, the information request processing unit 41 of the network management processing unit 34 requests the hard disk recorder 14 for a program list in step S181. The program list is generated and supplied to the hard disk recorder 14 via the communication unit 54 to request the hard disk recorder 14 for a program list.

  When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S201, the communication unit 134 supplies the request to the information providing unit 114. The information creation processing unit 121 of the information providing unit 114 that has acquired the request for the program list controls the storage unit 133 to acquire a list of programs (video data) stored in the storage unit 133 and create a program list. Then, it is supplied to the information supply processing unit 122. In step S <b> 202, the information supply processing unit 122 supplies the supplied program list to the management apparatus 11. In step S182, the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the program list and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34. The image information processing unit 43 of the network management processing unit 34 creates an image for displaying the acquired program list, controls the output unit 52 to display the image on the display, and presents the program list of the hard disk recorder 14 to the user. To do.

  The user refers to the program list displayed on the display, operates the input unit 51 to designate a desired program from the program list, further designates the television receiver 13, and designates the designated program. When the reproduction is instructed, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 creates a request for reproduction of the designated program (designated program) in step S183, and receives the television request via the communication unit 54. By supplying the data to the device 13, the television receiver 13 is requested to reproduce the designated program. The reproduction request for the designated program includes information indicating that the data of the designated program is recorded in the hard disk recorder 14.

  When the communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the request in step S191, it supplies it to the CPU 71. Based on the request, the CPU 71 that has acquired the designated program reproduction request requests the hard disk recorder 14 to reproduce the designated program in step S192. When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S203, the communication unit 134 supplies the request to the CPU 111. Based on the request, the CPU 111 controls the recording / playback unit 115 and the like to start playback processing in step S204. Further, the CPU 71 of the television receiver 13 that has requested the reproduction of the designated program controls the image processing unit 75 and the like in step S193 to display the program (image data and audio data) supplied from the hard disk recorder 14. Start. Thereby, supply of video data 331 (image data, audio data, etc.) from the hard disk recorder 14 to the television receiver 13 is started, and an image corresponding to the supplied video data 331 is displayed on the display of the television receiver 13. Is done. Here, it is assumed that the video data 331 is data for normal reproduction.

  The CPU 71 of the television receiving apparatus 13 that has started the display processing in this way notifies the management apparatus 11 of the display start via the communication unit 94. The communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the notification in step S184.

  Next, when the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct to end the display of the program started as described above, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 designates the designation in step S185. A request to end the display of the program (designated program) is generated and supplied to the television receiver 13 via the communication unit 54 to request the television receiver 13 to end the display of the program. To do.

  When the communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the request in step S195, it supplies it to the CPU 71. Based on the request, the CPU 71 that has acquired the program display end request requests the hard disk recorder 14 to end the program reproduction in step S196. When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S <b> 205, it supplies it to the CPU 111.

  Based on the request, the CPU 111 controls the recording / playback unit 115 and the like in step S206 to end the playback process. When the reproduction process ends, the CPU 111 notifies the television receiver 13 of the completion of the reproduction via the communication unit 134 in step S207. When the communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the notification in step S197, the communication unit 94 supplies the notification to the information supply processing unit 82 of the information providing unit 74. In step S198, the information supply processing unit 82 that has acquired the playback end notification notifies the management apparatus 11 that the display of the program has ended via the communication unit 94. In step S186, the communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the notification.

  When the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct the personal computer 16 to record a copy of the video data recorded on the hard disk 125 of the hard disk recorder 14 as described above, the network management processing unit 34 In step S211 of FIG. 26, the operation control unit 44 creates a copy processing request for the designated program (designated program), and supplies the request to the hard disk recorder 14 via the communication unit 54. 14 is requested to copy the program (video data).

  When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S231, it supplies it to the CPU 111. CPU111 which acquired the program duplication request | requirement requests | requires a video recording process with respect to the personal computer 16 in step S232 based on the request | requirement. When the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 obtains the request in step S251, it supplies it to the CPU 191.

  Based on the request, the CPU 191 executes the video-service program 221 to prepare for the recording process. When the process is completed, the CPU 191 notifies the hard disk recorder 14 that the recording preparation is completed in step S252. On the other hand, notification is made via the communication unit 214. When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the notification in step S233, the communication unit 134 supplies the notification to the CPU 111. The CPU 111 notified of the completion of recording preparation starts reproduction processing of the designated program in step S234. Thereby, the supply of video data 332 (image data, audio data, etc.) from the hard disk recorder 14 to the personal computer 16 is started. Here, it is assumed that the video data 331 is data for normal reproduction.

  When the supply of the video data 331 is started, the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 starts a recording process of the supplied video data in step S253. Further, the information supply processing unit 122 of the hard disk recorder 14 that has started supplying the video data 331 notifies the management apparatus 11 of the start of the duplication process via the communication unit 134 in step S235. The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 will supply it to CPU31, if the notification is acquired in step S212.

  Next, when the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct to stop the duplication processing of the video data started as described above, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 performs steps shown in FIG. In S <b> 213, a copy processing stop request is created and supplied to the hard disk recorder 14 via the communication unit 54.

  When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S236, it supplies it to the CPU 111. Based on the request, the CPU 111 controls the recording / playback unit 115 to stop the playback process based on the request, and stops the playback process via the communication unit 134 in step S238. Requests the end of the recording process.

  When the communication unit 214 of the personal computer 16 obtains the request in step S254, it supplies it to the CPU 191. Based on the request, the CPU 191 ends the recording process in step S255, and notifies the hard disk recorder 14 of the end of the recording process via the communication unit 214 in step S256. .

  When the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request in step S239, it supplies it to the CPU 111. Based on the request, the CPU 111 notifies the management apparatus 11 of the end of the recording process via the communication unit 134 in step S240. In step S214, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the notification. Each device of the network system 1 performs the cooperation process as described above.

  When instructing the management apparatus 11 to perform the above-described cooperation processing, the user collects services necessary for the cooperation processing to create a virtual device as one apparatus, for example, a virtual home viewer window 261. It is possible to display an icon corresponding to the virtual device in a virtual space (virtual home) displayed on the main panel 265, and to instruct cooperation processing by operating the icon.

  For example, when the user instructs creation of a virtual device by operating a mouse or the like, the network management processing unit 34 of the management apparatus 11 starts virtual device creation processing. The virtual device creation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. 28 as necessary.

  In step S271, the management information processing unit 42 of the network management processing unit 34 of the management device 11 instructed to create a virtual device reads the management information 61 stored in the storage unit 53, and the devices of each management target device. Get information. In step S272, the image information processing unit 43 creates a virtual device creation screen as shown in FIG. 28 based on the device information of the management information 61, and controls the output unit 52 to display the screen on the display. Display.

  In FIG. 28, a virtual device creation screen 340 is a GUI for a user to create a virtual device. A control panel 341 on which information related to control of the created virtual device is displayed, and each device managed by the management device 11 are displayed. A control command display field 342 for displaying a list of control commands, a control panel 341, a button box 343 for displaying a sample of buttons used for converting the control commands into buttons, and a control panel operated by a user. An initialization button 344 for initializing the settings of 341, a registration button 345 for registering information on the control panel 341 when operated by the user, and a cancel button 346 for canceling virtual device creation when operated by the user Composed.

  In the control command display field 342, a list of control commands is displayed. That is, the image information processing unit 43 creates a list of control commands for each device to be managed based on the device information of the management information 61 based on the configuration of the device information, and displays the control command list in the control command display field. 342 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 28, when all of the control command list cannot be displayed at once in the control command display field 342, a scroll bar 342A is provided, and when the user operates the scroll bar 342A, the control command display field 342 is displayed. May be scrolled.

  In the button box 343, buttons of various shapes arranged in a button arrangement field 353 described later are displayed as samples. This sample (button shape) is prepared in advance, and the size, aspect ratio, orientation, and the like can be changed after being arranged in the button arrangement field 353. As shown in FIG. 28, a scroll bar 343A or the like may be provided, and the display of the button box 343 may be scrolled when the user operates the scroll bar 343A.

  The control panel 341 is an image displayed on, for example, the control panel 266 of the virtual home viewer window 261 when the user operates the virtual device after the virtual device is created, and the name of the virtual device to be created A name input field 351 for the user to input, a status display field 352 for displaying the operation and status of the created virtual device, and various buttons (referred to as control command buttons) to which control commands are assigned are arranged. The button arrangement field 353 is configured.

  The name input column 351 is an input column for registering the name of the virtual device to be created, and is a column in which character information can be input by a user operation. The status display column 352 is a column in which the status of the virtual device is displayed. When a virtual device is set and the control panel 341 is displayed on the control panel 266, for example, information such as the state of the virtual device at that time is displayed in this column. The button arrangement column 353 is a column in which a button to which a control command is assigned is arranged. The user selects a button from the button box 343 and arranges it in the button arrangement column 353, and the control command display column 342 for the button. A control command button is created by assigning a more selected control command.

  That is, the user determines the name of the virtual device to be created by operating the name input field 351 on the virtual device creation screen 340. In addition, the user selects a button from the button box 343, arranges the button at an arbitrary position in the button arrangement column by, for example, a so-called drag and drop operation, and further displays the control displayed in the control command display column 342. A control command is created by selecting a control command from the command list and assigning the control command to a button arranged in the button arrangement column by an operation such as so-called drag and drop.

  When the operation as described above is performed to complete the control panel for the virtual device, the user operates the registration button 345 to set the virtual device corresponding to the control panel. If the user wants to start again from the beginning, the user operates the initialization button 344. If the user wants to cancel the virtual device creation process, the user operates the cancel button 346.

  When the virtual device creation screen 340 as described above is displayed on the display, the network management processing unit 34 controls the input unit 51 in step S273 to start accepting input from the user. The user proceeds with the setting of the virtual device by performing the operation as described above.

  In step S274, the network management processing unit 34 controls the input unit 51 to determine whether the user has operated the GUI (virtual device creation screen 340). If it is determined that the user has operated, the image information processing unit 43 proceeds to step S275, and controls the screen (virtual device creation screen 340) in accordance with the input operation. The image information processing unit 43 that has finished the process of step S275 advances the process to step S276. If it is determined in step S274 that the GUI is not operated, the network management processing unit 34 omits step S275 and proceeds to step S275.

  In step S276, the image information processing unit 43 determines whether or not the initialization button 344 of the virtual device creation screen 340 has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the image information processing unit 43 proceeds to step S277 and proceeds to step S277. The information is initialized, and the process proceeds to step S278. If it is determined in step S276 that the initialization button 344 has not been operated, the process of step S277 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S278.

  In step S278, the image information processing unit 43 determines whether or not the cancel button 345 of the virtual device creation screen 340 has been operated. If it is determined that the cancel button 345 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S279, and the registration button 345 is displayed. It is determined whether or not an operation has been performed. If it is determined that the registration button 345 has not been operated, the image information processing unit 43 returns the process to step S274 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  If it is determined in step S279 that the user has operated the registration button 345, the image information processing unit 43 proceeds to step S280, controls the storage unit 53, and stores information in the control panel 341. Further, the management information processing unit 42 advances the processing to step S281, sets a virtual device based on the information on the control panel 341, and updates the management information 61 (apparatus information). In step S282, the image information processing unit 43 creates an icon corresponding to the set virtual device, and causes the main panel 265 to display the icon in step S283. The network management processing unit 34 displaying the virtual device icon ends the virtual device creation process.

  If it is determined in step S278 that the user has operated the cancel button, the network management processing unit 34 omits steps S279 to S283 and ends the virtual device creation process.

  In other words, by executing the virtual device creation process as described above, the network management processing unit 34 uses the control commands (or function blocks, etc.) required from the service information (apparatus information) of a plurality of apparatuses as shown in FIG. ) And device information (service information) of a new device (virtual device) as shown in FIG. 30 is created.

  In FIG. 29, service information (device information) of a plurality of devices is shown. Here, information on the service name as described above is omitted.

  In FIG. 29, service information 361 is information including three items of a device name 361A, a function block 361B, and a control command 361C. The service information of the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, and the personal computer 16 is 1 It is a summary. In step S271 of FIG. 27, the network management processing unit 34 refers to the management information 61, creates the virtual device creation screen 340 based on the service information 361 shown in FIG. Display on the display.

  By operating the virtual device creation screen 340 as described above, the user selects a necessary functional block or control command from the functional blocks and control commands included in the service information 361 in FIG. 29, and creates a virtual device. . For example, when the user selects a shaded functional block or control command from the functional blocks or control commands included in the service information 361 in FIG. 29, the network management processing unit 34 selects the shaded functional block. Alternatively, service information 362 as shown in FIG. 30 in which control commands are collected as one device is created. As a result, a virtual device having one monitor service and two video services is created as shown in FIG.

  Using the virtual device (the icon corresponding to the virtual device) created as described above, the user performs the processing for a plurality of apparatuses as described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 25 and 26 in FIG. As shown in the flowchart, it can be executed as a process for one virtual device.

  The processing corresponding to FIGS. 25 and 26 when the virtual device is used will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  A user operates an input unit 51 (for example, a mouse) of the management apparatus 11 to designate an icon corresponding to the virtual device, and from a program (image data, audio data, etc.) recorded (recorded) on the virtual device. When a request for requesting a list (program list) of video data) is made, the information request processing unit 41 of the network management processing unit 34 generates a program list for the virtual device (actually, the hard disk recorder 14) in step S291. By creating a request and supplying it to the virtual device (actually, the program list is supplied to the hard disk recorder 14 via the communication unit 54), the program list for the virtual device (actually, the hard disk recorder 14) Request.

  When the virtual device (actually, the communication unit 134 of the hard disk recorder 14) obtains the request in step S311, it creates a program list and supplies it to the management apparatus 11 in step S312. (In practice, the information creation processing unit 121 of the information providing unit 114 obtains a list of programs stored in the storage unit 133, creates a program list, and supplies the program list to the information supply processing unit 122. In step S292, the communication unit 54 of the management device 11 acquires the program list and supplies it to the network management processing unit 34. The image information processing unit 43 of the network management processing unit 34 creates an image for displaying the acquired program list, controls the output unit 52 to display the image on the display, and presents the program list of the virtual device to the user. .

  The user refers to the program list displayed on the display, operates the input unit 51 to designate a desired program from the program list, further designates the television receiver 13, and designates the designated program. When the reproduction is instructed, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 creates a reproduction request for the designated program (designated program) in step S293, and supplies the request to the virtual device. Request the device to play the specified program. (In actuality, the operation control unit 44 requests the television receiver 13 to reproduce the designated program via the communication unit 54.)

  When the virtual device acquires the request in step S313, based on the request, the virtual device starts playback of the designated program in step S313 (actually, the communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the request). The request is supplied to the CPU 71, and the CPU 71 requests the hard disk recorder 14 to play the designated program. The CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 controls the recording / playback unit 115 and the like based on the request to perform the playback process. The CPU 71 of the television receiver 13 starts the display processing of the program (image data and audio data) supplied from the hard disk recorder 14 by controlling the image processing unit 75 and the like.

  When the reproduction process is started, the virtual device notifies the management apparatus 11 of the start of the reproduction process in step S314 (actually, the CPU 71 of the television receiving apparatus 13 manages it via the communication unit 94). The display start is notified to the device 11). The communication unit 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires this notification in step S295.

  As a result of this processing, the supply of video data 331 (image data, audio data, etc.) from the hard disk recorder 14 to the television receiver 13 is started and the supplied video data 331 is the same as in the flowcharts of FIGS. Is displayed on the display of the television receiver 13.

  Next, when the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct to end the display of the program started as described above, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34 designates the designation in step S185. An end request for display of the displayed program (designated program) is created and supplied to the virtual device (actually, the television receiver 13) via the communication unit 54.

  In step S315, the virtual device acquires the request (actually, the communication unit 94 of the television receiver 13 acquires the request). In step S316, the virtual device ends the reproduction process based on the request (actually In this case, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 controls the recording / playback unit 115 and the like to finish the playback process). When the reproduction process is finished, the virtual device notifies the management device 11 that the display of the program is finished in step S317 (actually, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 via the television receiving device 13). Notify the management device 11). The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the notification in step S296.

  With this process, the supply of video data from the hard disk recorder 14 to the television receiver 13 is terminated, as in the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct to copy (dubbing) the video data recorded in the virtual device, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34, in step S297, A request for duplication processing of the designated program (designated program) is created and supplied to the virtual device (actually, the hard disk recorder 14) via the communication unit 54.

  In step S318, the virtual device acquires the request (actually, the hard disk recorder 14 acquires the request). Based on the request, the virtual device starts duplicating the designated program in step S319. (Actually, the hard disk recorder 14 starts playing the designated program and supplies video data to the personal computer 16, and the personal computer 16 starts recording the video data).

  When the replication process is started, the virtual device (actually, the hard disk recorder 14) notifies the management apparatus 11 of the start of the replication process in step S320. The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 will supply it to CPU31, if the notification is acquired in step S298.

  Next, when the user operates the input unit 51 to instruct to stop the duplication processing of the video data started as described above, the operation control unit 44 of the network management processing unit 34, in step S299, A copy process stop request is created and supplied to the virtual device (in practice, supplied to the hard disk recorder 14 via the communication unit 54).

  When the virtual device acquires the request in step S321, based on the request, the virtual device ends the replication process being executed in step S322 (actually, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 uses the recording / playback unit 115). The reproduction process is stopped by controlling, and the CPU 191 of the personal computer 16 ends the recording process).

  When the virtual device ends the duplication process, in step S323, the virtual device notifies the management apparatus 11 of the end of the duplication process (in practice, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 14 notifies the management apparatus 11 via the communication unit 134). Notification of the end of the recording process). The communication part 54 of the management apparatus 11 acquires the notification in step S300.

  In this way, it is as if the user is processing the virtual device in the case of any of the program list request, the specified program display start request and end request, and the copy process start request and end request. Can be directed to. In this way, since devices (virtual devices) that do not actually exist can be set and converted into icons, the user can organize the icons so that the user can easily use the management apparatus 11. So you can manage the system more easily.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

  FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the management apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 32, a management apparatus 371 is an apparatus corresponding to the management apparatus 11 of FIG. 2, and is an apparatus when the functions related to network management processing realized by hardware in the management apparatus 11 are realized by software.

  That is, in the management device 371, in addition to the management information 61, the network management processing program 381 is stored in the storage unit 53 instead of the network management processing unit 34 provided in the management device 11 of FIG. . The network management processing program 381 is executed by the CPU 31 to realize the same function as the network management processing unit 34 of the management apparatus 11. The network management processing program 381 includes an information request processing program 391 that realizes the same function as the information request processing unit 41 of the management apparatus 11 by being executed by the CPU 31, and the management apparatus 11 by being executed by the CPU 31. A management information processing program 392 that implements the same function as the management information processing unit 42, and an image information processing program 393 that implements the same function as the image information processing unit 43 of the management apparatus 11 by being executed by the CPU 31. A control processing program 394 that implements the same function as that of the control processing unit 44 of the management apparatus 11 is executed.

  The network management processing program 381 is read by the CPU 31 as necessary, loaded into the RAM 33, etc., and executed by the CPU 31. The network management processing program 381 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 53 at the time of factory shipment, but is installed from the network 12 or the like via the communication unit 54 and stored in the storage unit 53. A magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), CD- RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disc-Random Access Memory), DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable), DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disc-ReWritable), DVD + R (including Digital Versatile Disc + Recordable), DVD + RW (including Digital Versatile Disc + ReWritable), magneto-optical disk (including MD (Mini-Disk)), or semiconductor memory (flash) Including memory ) Is installed program stored in the removable medium 56 is a recording medium including, for example, may be stored in the storage unit 53. The network management processing program 381 may be stored in the ROM 32 in advance at the time of factory shipment.

  The operation of each unit when the network management processing program 381 is executed by the CPU 31 is basically the same as that of the management apparatus 11 described above except that the CPU 31 performs processing instead of the network management processing unit 34. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the hard disk recorder to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 33, a hard disk recorder 404 is a device corresponding to the hard disk recorder 14 of FIG. 4, and is a device when the functions related to the information providing unit 114 realized by hardware in the hard disk recorder 14 are realized by software.

  That is, in the hard disk recorder 404, a communication protocol extended command set 411 is stored in the storage unit 133 instead of the information providing unit 114 provided in the hard disk recorder 14 of FIG. Although dedicated software for performing the information providing process as described above may be prepared, as described above, the network system 1 is connected based on existing specifications such as UPnP, Jini, or HAVi. When realized by each apparatus, communication between these devices is performed by a protocol based on these specifications. Therefore, in this case, the above-described processing related to providing information by each device to be managed can be realized by an extended command obtained by extending some protocols based on the above-described specifications without using dedicated software. That is, the communication protocol extended command set 411 stored in the storage unit 133 is an extended command group of protocols based on specifications used in the network system 1 to which the hard disk recorder 404 is connected. This communication protocol extended command set 411 includes extended commands necessary for realizing the above-described processing related to information provision.

  The CPU 111 (or communication unit 134) of the hard disk recorder 404 realizes the same function as the information providing unit 114 of the hard disk recorder 14 by using the extended command of the communication protocol extended command set 411 stored in the storage unit 133. .

  The communication protocol extended command set 411 may be stored in the storage unit 133 in advance at the time of factory shipment or the like, but is installed from the network 12 or the like via the communication unit 134 and stored in the storage unit 133. A magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, Command set stored in removable media 136, which is a recording medium such as DVD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW), magneto-optical disk (including MD), or semiconductor memory (including flash memory). May be installed and stored in the storage unit 133. Further, the communication protocol extended command set 411 may be stored in the ROM 112 in advance at the time of factory shipment.

  The operation of each unit of the hard disk recorder 404 when this communication protocol extended command set 411 is used is basically the same as that described above except that the CPU 111 using the communication protocol extended command set 411 performs processing instead of the information providing unit 114. Since this is the same as in the case of the hard disk recorder 14, the description thereof is omitted. In addition, for the other devices (the television receiver 13, the audio player 15, and the personal computer 16), as in the case of the hard disk recorder 14, the above-described processing related to providing information is realized by the communication protocol extended command set. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, unlike the network system 1, the management device 11 is not provided, and the television receiver 13, the hard disk recorder 14, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16 to be managed has the same function as the management device 11. Also good.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the network system to which the present invention is applied.

  34, the network system 421 includes a hard disk recorder 424, a television receiver 13, an audio player 15, and a personal computer 16 connected to the network 12 by wire or wirelessly.

  The hard disk recorder 424 basically has the same configuration as that of the hard disk recorder 14 in FIG. 1, but further includes the network management processing program 381 described with reference to FIG. 32 and is not only a management target. Also, it has a function as the management device 11. That is, in the case of the network system 421, unlike the network system 1 described with reference to FIG. 1, the management device 11 is not connected to the network 12. Instead, the hard disk recorder 424 is used as the management device 11. It manages the devices of the network system 421 and provides the information to the user.

  FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the hard disk recorder 424 of FIG.

  35, in the storage unit 133 of the hard disk recorder 424, as described with reference to FIG. 33, in addition to the communication protocol extended command set 411 that realizes processing related to information provision as a management target, refer to FIG. As described above, the network management processing program 381 that realizes the network management processing, and the management information 61 that is information of each device that is the management target of the network system 421 are stored.

  As described with reference to FIG. 32, the network management processing program 381 includes an information request processing program 391, a management information processing program 392, an image information processing program 393, and a control processing program 394.

  That is, the CPU 111 of the hard disk recorder 424 operates as the management device 11 by executing the network management processing program 381 stored in the storage unit 133, and the hard disk recorder 424, the television receiver 13, the audio player 15, and The personal computer 16 is managed, management information 61 is created and stored, and information about them is presented to the user as image information.

  At this time, the hard disk recorder 424 may have a display capable of displaying such information, or may be displayed using another device such as the television receiver 13. That is, the hard disk recorder 424 is for presentation for presenting to the user, such as information related to each device to be managed and information related to communication performed by each device, in the same manner as when the menu screen is displayed on the television receiver 13. You may make it produce information and supply it to other apparatuses, such as the television receiver 13 which has a display, and display it. In that case, the hard disk recorder 424 may create presentation information that summarizes the information to be presented to the user and supply it to a display device, or may create a display image and store the image data. Of course, it may be supplied to a display device. When the presentation information is supplied, a display image is created from the presentation information in the supplied display device (for example, the television receiver 13 or the like).

  Further, the CPU 111 (or the communication unit 134) of the hard disk recorder 424 operates as a management target by using the communication protocol extended command set 471. Although the hard disk recorder 424 has been described above, the same applies to the television receiver 13, the audio player 15, or the personal computer 16, which, like the hard disk recorder 424, has a network management processing program 381. You may make it operate | move as the management apparatus 11. FIG. That is, a plurality of devices that operate as the management device 11 may exist in the network system, and may be managed by other devices and manage other devices. In that case, the CPU of each device may be By using the communication protocol extended command set 411, it operates as a management target and provides information to other devices operating as the management device 11.

  In this case, the network management processing program 381 of each device may be operated independently of each other, the devices that are managed by each device may be different from each other, or the network management processing program 451 of each device. Of course, the management information 61 may be shared or provided to unify the devices to be managed by each device.

  Of course, each device may be provided with a network management processing unit, and the function of the management device 11 may be realized by hardware. Similarly, in FIG. 35, the case where the hard disk recorder 424 has the communication protocol extended command set 411 has been described. However, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the hard disk recorder 424 has the information providing unit 114. The function as the management target may be realized by hardware. Of course, the same applies to other devices.

  The configuration of the network system may be a configuration other than that shown in FIGS. 1 and 34. For example, in FIG. 1, a plurality of management devices 11 may exist, or a television receiver that is a management target. Of course, a plurality of hard disk recorders 14, audio players 15, or personal computers 16 may exist. Furthermore, the device to be managed may be a device of a type other than those described above. For example, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a telephone, a watch, a washing / drying machine, a video camera, a voice Various AV (Audio Visual) devices including recorders, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), or various servers including media servers and mail servers can be connected to the network 12 and operate in cooperation with other devices. Anything can be used. Of course, it is possible to manage data other than image data and audio data transmitted and received by these devices.

  Further, the network 12 is not limited to the one using Ethernet®, but may be a network constituted by other standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 and USB (Universal Serial Bus). Of course, a wireless network such as infrared communication or IEEE802.11 may be used. It also includes analog and digital dedicated cables such as video cables and audio cables.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36, the management apparatus 11 can also manage apparatuses via a plurality of networks (network 12-1 and network 12-2). In other words, the management device 11 can manage other devices connected to a port on the side different from the management device 11 such as a router. For example, in FIG. 36, the network 12-1 can be a LAN (Local Area Network) and the network 12-2 can be a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

  Although illustration is omitted, as a matter of course, the management device 11 may be configured to manage other devices connected via more networks (connected via a plurality of routers). For example, even if the network to which the management apparatus 11 is connected and the network to which the management target apparatus is connected are different from each other and those networks are connected to the Internet, the management apparatus 11 You may enable it to manage the apparatus of management object. Furthermore, the management target device may be connected to a plurality of networks. For example, the network to which the television receiver 13 and the hard disk recorder 14 are connected is different from the network to which the audio player 15 and the personal computer 16 are connected, and these networks are connected to each other. Even in such a case, the management apparatus 11 may be configured so that all of these apparatuses can be managed.

  The same applies to the network system 421 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the network system to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 37, the network system 430 can be classified into a device on the user side and a device on the service provider side.

  First, the device on the user side will be described. For example, a portable user terminal 431 that includes a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like and is connected to an arbitrary server or the like via a base station 434 and the Internet 435 has a built-in CPU that has a virtual home viewer program. By executing, the following operations are realized.

  The portable user terminal 431 used by the user A connects to the virtual home DB server 451 on the service provider side via the base station 434 and the Internet 435, acquires the virtual home information of the user A, The image is displayed on the screen. In this virtual home image, a PC icon and a TV icon respectively corresponding to a PC 442 and a TV (TeleVision) 443 that exist in the actual home of the user A (hereinafter referred to as the user A home) are displayed.

  The portable user terminal 431 corresponds to the user's operation on the virtual home PC icon and TV icon displayed on the screen, and configures the home network 432 of the user A home via the base station 434 and the Internet 435. Connected to the home server 441, and transmits a control signal for controlling the PC 442 and the TV 443.

  In user A's home, a home network 432 centered on a home server 441 is provided. The home server 441 has a global IP (Internet Protocol) address (a function such as NAT (Network Address Translation) or NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) of the router may be used). Therefore, the portable user terminal 431 and the like can access the home server 441 via the Internet 435. The home server 441 receives a control signal for controlling the PC 442 and the TV 443 transmitted from the portable user terminal 431 via the Internet 435, and controls the PC 442 and the TV 443 by executing middleware such as UPnP. Are relayed to the PC 442 and the TV 443 via the data bus 444.

  Similarly to the portable user terminal 431, the user A's home PC 442 connects to the service provider's virtual home DB server 451 and the like via the Internet 435, and displays the user A's virtual home on the screen. In addition, the PC 442 transmits a control signal for controlling the TV 443 and the like connected to the home server 441 in response to a user operation on the PC icon or TV icon of the displayed virtual home.

  Similarly to the portable user terminal 431, the PC 433 used by the user B connects to the virtual home DB server 451 on the service provider side via the Internet 435 and displays the virtual home of the user B on the screen. . In addition, the PC 433 corresponds to a user operation on the PC icon and TV icon of the displayed virtual home, connects to the home server of the user B home via the Internet 435, and the PC connected to the home server (some (Not shown) and the like are transmitted.

  Note that there are portable user terminals and PCs operated by users other than the users A and B as user-side devices, and home servers are also arranged in user houses other than the users A and B, Their illustration is omitted.

  Next, a device on the service provider side will be described. The virtual home DB server 451 includes virtual home layout information arbitrarily set by each user (including information such as the appearance of the virtual home, the pattern of the walls in the virtual home, the material of the floor, the arrangement of various icons in the virtual home) And event information of each user (information indicating that a message has been delivered to the user, information indicating that there is a chat application from another user, etc.) and has been connected via the Internet 435 Virtual home information and event information are supplied to the portable user terminal 431 and the like.

  The authentication server 452 executes an authentication process for the portable user terminal 431 or the like connected to the device on the service provider side via the Internet 435. Specifically, the portable user terminal 431 is provided with an access right to the device on the service provider side, and transmitted to the virtual home DB server 451, the inter-user terminal communication relay server 453, or the user information holding server 454. Determine whether access right is valid / invalid.

  The inter-user terminal communication relay server 453 executes processing related to a plurality of users using the virtual space remote operation system. For example, the inter-user terminal communication relay server 453 stores a member list of a user group to which each user belongs, manages a chat performed between a plurality of users, or a conference generated when a virtual room is shared Management information (details will be described later).

  A user can belong to a plurality of user groups in duplicate.

  The user information holding server 454 includes individual data of each user, that is, event detailed information for event information (e-mail and message text data addressed to the user), various certificate data (described later) acquired by the user, and a notepad function. Is used to store text data written by the user and image data to be shared by other users.

  An EPG (Electronic Program Guide) server 455 supplies EPG information including a program table of a television broadcast program and information on each program in response to a request from a portable user terminal 431 or the like connected via the Internet 435. To do.

  The audio server 456 is a so-called Internet radio broadcast server, and supplies audio stream data in response to a request from the portable user terminal 431 or the like connected via the Internet 435.

  Note that the virtual home DB server 451 to the audio server 456 on the service provider side do not necessarily have to be provided separately as shown in the figure, and some of the virtual home DB server 451 to the audio server 456 may be provided. You may integrate suitably.

  In such a system, the portable user terminal 431 has the above-described network management processing program and the like, and by executing this, the home server 441, the PC 442, the TV 443, etc. Monitors and controls (manages) operations.

  At that time, the portable user terminal 431 uses the virtual home DB server 451 and the user information holding server 454 to acquire and display an image of the virtual home, an icon of each device, and a control command for each device. Or supply. That is, the portable user terminal 431 monitors and controls each device of the user A's home network 432 via the virtual home DB server 451 and the user information holding server 454, thereby performing the network management process described above. Realize. In other words, the virtual home DB server 451, the user information holding server 454, and the like monitor and control each device in the home network 432 of the user A home, and the portable user terminal 431 acquires information from those servers. Or, by supplying control information for each device of the home network 432 of the user A's home to those servers, each device of the home network 432 of the user A's home is indirectly managed. By doing in this way, the load regarding the communication processing by the portable user terminal 431 can be reduced. Moreover, it becomes possible to simplify the function which the portable user terminal 431 has.

  Further, as described above, a plurality of users can share a virtual space by using various servers such as the virtual home DB server 451 and the user information holding server 454. For example, more applied processes such as chatting with other users, sharing items in virtual space with other users, visiting other users' virtual homes, etc. Can also be performed. Thereby, not only information can be exchanged with other users, but also the devices managed by other users can be controlled.

  In the above, the recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the main body of the apparatus, and a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk) and an optical disk (including a CD-ROM and a DVD) on which the program is recorded. In addition to a magneto-optical disk (including MD) or a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a ROM that stores a program provided to a user in a state of being pre-installed in the apparatus body, It consists of a storage unit.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the management apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the television receiver of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the hard-disk recorder of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the audio player in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the personal computer of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the service information of the television receiver of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the service information of the hard disk recorder of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the service information of the audio player of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the service information of the personal computer of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a device information collection process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of apparatus information. It is a figure explaining the example of a display of a virtual home viewer window. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a control process. It is a flowchart following FIG. 14 explaining the example of a control process. It is a figure explaining the other example of a display of a virtual home viewer window. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a communication process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a division process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the service information of the virtual device after a division | segmentation. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the service information of the virtual device after a division | segmentation. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the service information of the virtual device after a division | segmentation. It is a figure explaining the example of further another display of a virtual home viewer window. It is a figure explaining the example of further another display of a virtual home viewer window. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of a communication process. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of a communication process. It is a flowchart following FIG. 25 explaining the further another example of a communication process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a virtual device creation process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a virtual device creation screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the service information of each apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the service information of a virtual device. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of a communication process. It is a block diagram explaining the other example of a management apparatus. It is a block diagram explaining the other structural example of a hard disk recorder. It is a figure explaining the other structural example of the network system to which this invention is applied. FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the hard disk recorder in FIG. 34. It is a figure explaining the example of further another structure of the network system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the example of further another structure of the network system to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network system, 11 Management apparatus 12 Network, 13 Television receiver, 14 Hard disk recorder, 15 Audio player, 16 Personal computer, 34 Network management processing part, 41 Information request processing part, 42 Management information processing part, 43 Image information processing Unit, 44 control processing unit, 61 management information, 74 information providing unit, 81 information creation processing unit, 82 information supply processing unit, 114 information providing unit, 121 information creation processing unit, 122 information supply processing unit, 154 information providing unit, 161 Information creation processing unit, 162 Information supply processing unit, 194 Information providing unit, 201 Information creation processing unit, 202 Information supply processing unit, 231 to 234 Service information, 240 Device information, 271 to 274 Icon, 281 balloon, 301 to 303 service information, 314 division button, 321 video recorder icon, 322 audio player icon, 323 photo album icon, 340 virtual device creation screen, 381 network management processing program, 391 information request processing program, 392 management information processing Program, 393 image information processing program, 394 control processing program, 404 hard disk recorder, 411 communication protocol extended command set, 421 network system, 424 hard disk recorder, 431 network system, 431 portable user terminal, 432 user A home network, 433 PC, 435 Internet, 441 Home Server, 44 2 PC, 443 TV, 451 Virtual home DB server, 454 User information holding server

Claims (14)

An information processing system comprising a first information processing apparatus that performs communication and a second information processing apparatus that controls the first information processing apparatus,
The first information processing apparatus creates first control information that is information related to control of the first information processing apparatus, and supplies the created first control information to the second information processing apparatus. ,
The second information processing apparatus uses the first control information supplied from the first information processing apparatus to create second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device, and Receiving a control input from a user for the device and executing a control process corresponding to the received control input on the first information processing apparatus based on the generated second control information. An information processing system characterized by An information processing apparatus for controlling a controlled apparatus,
First creation means for creating second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device, using first control information that is information related to control of the controlled device;
First input receiving means for receiving control input from a user for the virtual device;
Based on the second control information created by the first creation means, a control process corresponding to the control input accepted by the first input acceptance means is executed for the controlled device. An information processing apparatus comprising: control processing execution means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first control information and the second control information include a control command group for the controlled apparatus. Obtaining means for obtaining the first control information from the controlled device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a storage unit that stores the first control information acquired by the acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first creation unit creates the plurality of second control information by dividing the first control information. Second creation means for creating a first icon which is a GUI image corresponding to the controlled device;
Display means for displaying the first icon created by the second creation means; and
The second creation means further creates a second icon, which is a GUI image corresponding to the virtual device, based on the second control information created by the first creation means,
The display means further displays the second icon created by the second creation means,
The said 1st input reception means receives the control input input by the said user operating the said 1st icon or the said 2nd icon displayed by the said display means. The information processing apparatus described in 1. Display means for displaying a split button which is a GUI image for instructing splitting of the first control information by the operation of the user;
A second input receiving means for receiving an instruction input for dividing the first control information inputted by operating the division button displayed by the display means;
The first creating means divides the first control information based on an instruction to divide the first control information received by the second input receiving means, and a plurality of the second control information The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information is created. Display means for displaying a virtual device creation image which is a GUI image for setting the configuration of the second control information by the user operating;
A second input receiving means for receiving a setting input related to the configuration of the second control information input based on the virtual device creation image displayed by the display means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first creation unit creates the second control information based on the setting input received by the second input reception unit. The virtual device creation image displayed by the display means includes a control image that is a GUI image used when the user controls the virtual device, and the user edits a layout of the control image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the configuration of the second control information is set by: The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controlled apparatus is a home appliance having a communication function. Second creation means for creating third control information which is information relating to control of the information processing apparatus;
3. The supply unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a supply unit configured to supply the third control information generated by the second generation unit to another information processing apparatus that controls the information processing apparatus. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is a home appliance having a communication function. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus for controlling another information processing apparatus,
A creation step of creating second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device using first control information that is information related to control of the other information processing apparatus;
An input receiving step for receiving a control input from a user for the virtual device;
Control for executing, on the other information processing apparatus, a control process corresponding to the control input accepted by the process of the input accepting step based on the second control information created by the process of the creating step. An information processing method comprising: a process execution step. In a program for causing a computer to perform processing for controlling another information processing apparatus,
A creation step of creating second control information that is information related to control of a virtual device using first control information that is information related to control of the other information processing apparatus;
An input receiving step for receiving a control input from a user for the virtual device;
Control for executing, on the other information processing apparatus, a control process corresponding to the control input accepted by the process of the input accepting step based on the second control information created by the process of the creating step. A program for causing a computer to execute a process execution step.

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