JP2011239418A - Information apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information apparatus having a function with which a user operating one connected apparatus is allowed to remotely control other apparatuses in the situation where a plurality of AV apparatuses, PC, and PC peripheral apparatuses are connected.SOLUTION: In an own information memory 313, model name data of own apparatus and function data with which a connected apparatus operates the own apparatus. When a request for the function data is received from another apparatus, data stored in the own information memory 313 is transmitted. When function instruction data is received, the instruction is executed. All connected apparatuses have the own information memory 313, a connection apparatus memory 308, and a communication pair memory 309 so that a user is allowed to operate an apparatus from any one of the connected apparatuses.

Description

  The present invention is an audio visual (hereinafter referred to as “AV”) device and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”), which can perform processing such as recording or reproduction of data such as images and sounds. In addition, it relates to devices that have the function of receiving or transmitting data such as images and sounds. Especially when connecting multiple devices, devices can be connected without being aware of the connection order. The present invention relates to a device having a function capable of remotely controlling another device by operating any one of the devices.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of AV equipment, it is not uncommon to have a single-person device such as a CD player, a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as “TV”), and a video player (hereinafter referred to as “VCR”). . There is also a growing demand for connecting these AV devices to each other to construct a so-called AV system. In that case, in order to operate the devices, each remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) must be used, so that the same number of remote controllers as the connected devices are arranged on the desk.

  Various ideas have been proposed to eliminate the hassle of having to use many remote controls. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-79847, a remote controller having a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) is prepared, and all connected devices are registered in advance in this remote controller and displayed on the liquid crystal display. There has been proposed a method of operating a device by touching the icon of the registered connection device registered with a finger. By using this remote control, all devices can be controlled with only one remote control.

JP-A-8-79847

  However, when using the remote controller proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-79847, devices must first be connected in accordance with the use. For example, when connecting three of the VTR, TV, and satellite broadcast receiver, or when recording the image of the satellite broadcast receiver on the VTR, the output terminal of the satellite broadcast receiver and the input terminal of the VTR are connected. In order to display the image of the satellite broadcast receiver on the TV, it is necessary to connect the output terminal of the satellite broadcast receiver and the input terminal of the TV. Further, when it is desired to display the video of the VTR on the TV, it is necessary to connect the output terminal of the VTR and the input terminal of the TV. In this way, the advantages of the remote control according to the prior art cannot be utilized unless the user considers the connection order and connects them.

  Also, if you add a new device, you may run out of connection terminals, or you may not know which one is connected, and you may end up reconnecting all the connections. That is, the operation of connecting to construct an information device system such as an AV system must be performed completely the same as before. Further, in the above-described conventional invention, the icon of the connected device must be registered in advance in the remote controller, and the function (for example, recording and playback) of the device must be supplied to the remote controller from an IC card or a telephone line and stored. There is also a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily and freely operate a connected device without considering a method for connecting the device and without having to install driver software or the like each time a connected device is added. Is to make it.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, each connected device stores its own model name memory for storing model name data indicating its own device name, and function data indicating what functions it has. Have self-functional memory. In addition, a connected device memory that stores all connected model name data in at least one of the connected devices, a communication pair function memory that stores functions of two devices that exchange data, A display means such as a liquid crystal or the like is provided on the remote controller or the casing of the device, or a display device connection terminal for connecting to some display device is provided.

  Under such a configuration, the model name data and function data received from other connected devices are displayed, and the selected function can be transmitted to the selected device so that other connected devices can be operated. Become.

  The memory means a storage device or storage means.

  When a plurality of devices according to the present invention are connected, the user need not be aware of the connection order and can control all other devices from one device among the connected devices. Also, there is no need to install driver software for each device, which is indispensable for connecting peripheral devices of a PC, and the user can use this system simply by connecting the devices with a cable.

It is an example figure of AV apparatus connection. It is an example figure of the external appearance of IRD. It is an example figure of the circuit structure of IRD. It is an example of the flowchart of a control apparatus. It is an example figure of a communication mode operation part. It is an example figure which showed the data storage method of the self-information memory. It is an example figure which showed the data storage method of connected apparatus memory. It is an example figure which showed the data storage method of the communication pair function memory. It is an example figure of the packet which transfers ID number and model name data. It is an example figure of communication mode display LCD. It is an example of the flowchart of apparatuses other than a control apparatus. It is an example figure of the packet which transfers ID number and a function flag. It is an example of the communication mode setting display screen of D-TV. It is an example of a display screen when a communication confirmation button is pressed. It is an example of the external view of D-TV. It is an example of the data storage example of a self-information memory. It is an example of the data storage example of a connection apparatus memory. It is an example of an IRD operation panel. It is an example of a D-VCR operation panel. It is an example of a communication start permission screen. It is an example of the data packet of model name data request | requirement transmission. It is an example of the data packet of function data request | requirement transmission. It is an example of the data packet of functional data transmission. It is an example of a data packet when transferring model name data and function data together. It is an example of the outline figure of IRD which does not have communication mode display LCD. It is an example of an IRD remote control.

  FIG. 1 shows a digital satellite broadcast receiver (hereinafter referred to as “IRD”) 102, a digital video cassette recorder (hereinafter referred to as “D-VCR”) 103, and a digital television (hereinafter referred to as “D”) that can receive and display digital image signals. -TV ") 104 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as" PC ") 106 are connected by cables 100, 101 and 105.

  In this embodiment, the interfaces between the cables 100, 101, and 105 and the connected device are bus interfaces such as the international standard IEEE 1394, for example, having a protocol for grasping the connection status by an ID number, an address, or the like. Shall. However, the present invention is not limited to IEEE 1394, and the digital interface may be any one of USB, SSA, fiber channel, FC-EL, and SCSI.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the work of recording video received by the D-TV 104 on the D-VCR 103 is performed by operating the IRD 102. First, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the IRD 102. 201 is a reception channel display LCD for displaying a channel being received, 202 is a button group for selecting a channel, 203 is an operation button group and a display unit (hereinafter referred to as “communication mode operation unit” used when operating the IRD in the communication mode. ").

  204 is a power button for turning on / off the power, 205 and 207 are cursor movement buttons for moving a cursor displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209, 206 is a select button for switching an item displayed at the cursor position, and 208 is a start for starting communication. , 210 is a communication mode button for operating the IRD in the communication mode, 211 is a communication program button for confirming display of the setting items when setting a plurality of communications, 212 is a stop button for stopping communication, and 213 is a communication This is a communication confirmation button for confirming the status.

  FIG. 3 simply shows the internal circuit configuration of the IRD 102. Reference numeral 300 denotes a bus of the CPU 301 of the IRD 102, and main means such as a memory is connected to this bus. Data exchange described below is performed under the control of the CPU 301. 302 is a working memory used when the CPU 301 performs processing, 303 is an image processing unit that performs processing such as decoding of received image data and DA conversion, and 304 is processing for digital connection with other devices. This is an interface unit for digital connection according to a certain protocol (for example, IEEE 1394).

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a tuner unit that receives a signal sent by a satellite, 306 denotes a communication mode screen display control unit that controls characters displayed on a communication mode display LCD 209 provided on the front panel of the IRD 102, and 311 denotes a model of the IRD 102. A self-model name memory for storing name data, and a self-function memory 312 for storing function data of the IRD 102. Note that the model name here refers to the name of the device itself such as “IRD” or “D-VCR”.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes nonvolatile storage means (ROM) in which a program for controlling the entire IRD 102 is stored. 308 is a connected device memory for storing all model names and their ID numbers or addresses connected to the bus or network to which the IRD 102 is connected, and 309 is a function of a communication pair (sending side and receiving side). The communication pair function memory 310 temporarily stores the communication setting memory 310 for storing the started communication settings.

  As mentioned above, the operation used to record the video received by the D-TV 104 on the D-VCR 103 by operating the IRD 102, the flowchart FIG. 4 and the operation used when operating the IRD 102 in the communication mode. This will be described with reference to an enlarged view of the button group and the display unit 203. Since other devices are operated by the IRD 102, such devices are referred to as control devices. The connected D-VCR 103, D-TV 104, and PC 106 have at least the same functions as the self-function memory 312, the self-model name memory 311, and the connection interface 304 in the circuit configuration diagram of the IRD 102. And

  First, when a cable is connected to the IRD 102 or power is input (phase 401), initial settings are made according to the specifications of the digital interface possessed by this cable (phase 402). At this time, ID numbers of all connected devices are determined.

  At this time, as a method for determining the ID number, for example, in the international standard IEEE 1394, as described in detail in the IEEE 1394-1995 standard (IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus), the parent-child relationship of all devices is determined. The ID number (node number) is determined in order from the device in the leaf (the device to which no device other than the parent is connected), and is determined by notifying all other devices of the ID number.

  In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the IRD 102 is assigned the ID number 102, the D-VCR 103 is assigned the ID number 103, the D-TV 104 is assigned the ID number 104, and the PC 106 is assigned the ID number 106.

Next, the process proceeds to phase 403 where the model name of the user is communicated to other devices.
Here, there are two ways of telling other devices what model name they are.

  One is that immediately after the completion of the initial interface setting in phase 402, the assigned own ID number and the own model name stored in the own model name memory 311 are connected to all other connected devices via the connection interface 304. It is a method of transferring to In this method, all connected devices having the connected device memory 308 at this time receive the model name data of all the devices and store them in their connected device memory 308. Can be stored. For example, in this embodiment, all devices such as the IRD 102, the D-VCR 103, and the D-TV 104 transmit their model names to all the connected devices via the connection interface, and store all the connected model names. Will do.

Another method is that after the interface initialization in phase 402 is completed, all devices are in an idling (waiting for request) state. This is a method of transferring the model name. For example, in this embodiment, the IRD 102 requests the model name from the D-VCR 103 or D-TV 104 and stores the model name data of all models transmitted in response to this request in its own connected device memory 308. Become.
At this time, the model name request data is transferred to all connected devices by pressing the communication mode button of the IRD 102.

  The former advantage is that the time for step-up to the next phase 404 after the user presses the communication mode button (selects as a control device) is shortened. Conversely, the latter advantage is that the memory capacity can be reduced because it is not necessary to receive the model name data unless it is selected as a control device.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of a transfer data structure when requesting model name data. Reference numeral 2101 denotes header data indicating that the model name data request flag 2103 follows, in accordance with the digital interface standard for connecting the device, and reference numeral 2102 denotes a transmission source ID number. The self-model name memory 311 stores display character data for displaying characters so as to be understood by the user as shown in FIG. The parentheses () mean to store a character code expressing the inside of the parentheses.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a transmission data structure when the ID number and model name are transferred to another device. Reference numeral 901 denotes header data indicating that the model name data follows the protocol of the digital interface, 902 is its own ID number, and 903 is the model name.

  In order to correctly display the display character data on the receiving side, means for converting the character data into characters on the receiving side is required. In the IRD 102, the communication mode screen display control unit 306 in FIG. 3 manages this work and displays it on the communication mode LCD 209.

  In phase 403, the own model name and ID number are transmitted, while the ID number and model name of other devices transmitted via the digital interface are stored in the connected device memory 308 (along with the own ID number and model name). To do. However, in the case of a method in which the control device requests model name data from another device (the latter method of the above-mentioned two model name data transfer methods), it is not necessary to transmit at least its own model name.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the connected device memory 308 stores an ID number 701 and a model name character display code 702 corresponding thereto. The parenthesis () 702 means a character code expressing the inside of the parenthesis. Up to this point, the preparation for determining the device that transmits data and the device that receives data is completed.

  6A shows an example of data storage in the self model name memory 311. As shown in FIG. 3, an area in one memory (self information memory 313) is defined as a self model name memory area, The remaining area may be used as a self-function memory area, and data may be stored in the self-model name memory area.

  An example of data storage in the self-information memory 313 is shown in FIG. Reference numeral 604 denotes a self-model name memory area, and the remaining areas 602 and 603 are self-function memory areas. Reference numeral 604 denotes self model name data, and reference numeral 602 denotes a function flag, which is a command number for executing a function corresponding to the data when the data is sent from the outside. Reference numeral 603 denotes a function name for displaying characters so that the user can understand what function the function flag 602 is. Similarly to 601, parentheses () of 603 and 604 mean that character codes expressing the inside of the parentheses are stored.

  Next, the process proceeds to phase 404 in which a source device and a target device that are a pair for exchanging data are determined. Here, the “source device” refers to a device that transmits information, and the “target device” refers to a device that receives information transmitted from the source device. Phases 404 to 407 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 in which the communication mode operation unit 203 in the IRD 102 is enlarged.

  The communication mode is turned on by pressing the communication mode button 210 in the previous phase. As a result, the cursor is displayed at the position 501 of the source side area 506 displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209. If the communication mode button 210 is not pressed, the communication mode is turned off and the IRD 102 is operated alone, and the channel is set by operating the button group 202 of FIG. 2 or the attached remote controller.

  When the select button 206 is pressed, the model name (702 in FIG. 7) stored in the connected device memory 308 is sequentially displayed at the position 501. When “D-TV” is displayed, the button 206 is stopped. Then, the cursor movement button 207 is pressed to move the cursor to the position 502. By moving the cursor from the position 501, it is considered that the D-TV 104 has been selected as the source device, and using the ID number (104 in FIG. 7) stored in the connected device memory 308, The D-TV 104 is requested for function data (a flag for executing a function of the D-TV by an external operation and a character code expressing the function). When the requested D-TV function data is sent, it is stored in the communication pair function memory 309 (phase 405).

  FIGS. 22 and 23 show a transmission data structure example and a functional data transmission data structure example at the time of function data request, respectively. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 2201 denotes a header that follows the standard of the digital interface to which the device is connected and the function data request flag follows, 2202 denotes the ID number of the data transfer source, and 2203 denotes the function data request flag. Further, in FIG. 23, reference numeral 2301 denotes a header indicating that the function data follows, according to the digital interface standard for connecting the device, 2302 denotes the ID number of the data transfer source, and 2303 denotes the function data.

  Since the D-TV 104 has a self-function memory similar to the IRD, when receiving the function request signal, the data (function data) stored in its own function memory is directed to the IRD 102 which is a request transmission device. Transfer via digital interface.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of data storage in the communication pair function memory 309. In the communication pair function memory 309, function flags 803 and 804 and character code data 805 and 806 expressing the function flags 803, a source device data area 801 (the upper half frame line in FIG. 8) and a target device area 802 (see FIG. 8 divided into the lower half of the frame). Note that separate memories may be prepared for the source device and the target device and used.

  When the select button 206 is pressed, the character data 805 of the function data after the model name (D-TV) stored in the source device area 801 is sequentially displayed in the cursor area 502 of FIG. 5, and the desired function is displayed. Stop pressing the select button 206. This completes the setting of the source device (phase 406).

  Next, returning to the phase 404, the target device is determined. By pressing the cursor movement button 205 or 207, the cursor is moved to a position 503 in the target device display area 507. In determining the target device and its function, the desired device and function are selected in exactly the same manner as the operation performed on the source device (phase 404, phase 405). However, the communication pair function memory 309 uses the target device area 802. In the example of FIG. 5, the channel 1 of the D-TV 104 is recorded on the D-VCR 103.

  When the source device, the target device, and their function selection are completed (phase 406), by finally pressing the start button 208 (phase 407), the D-TV 104 is selected as “Channel 1 is selected and ID 103 (D-VCR The command “send to” is transferred to the D-VCR 103 and the command “receive data recorded from the ID 104 (D-TV) and record (record)” is transferred via the digital interface. Is done.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the data transmitted by the IRD 102 also transfers the communication partner ID number 1202 together with the function flag 1203. That is, to the D-TV 104, the ID number of the D-VCR 103 is transmitted to the ID field 1202, and the command number 01 for receiving the channel 1 is transmitted to the function flag field 1203. For the D-VCR 103, the ID field 1202 has an ID number of the D-TV 104, and the function flag field 1203 has a command number 02 for recording (in this embodiment, the recording function corresponds to the recording function as indicated by 804 in FIG. 8). The command number to be transmitted is “02”).

  As a result, each device can recognize where the data should be transferred or where the data is transferred from. The field 1201 is header data indicating that the following data is a function flag in accordance with the protocol of the digital interface to be connected.

  When communication is started, the communication mode display LCD 209 may display a character 505 “communicating” indicating that communication is being performed. The control device (IRD 102 in this case) may be provided with a timer function so that the communication start time and end time can be set by pressing a timer button (not shown) before pressing the communication start button. However, in this case, when the set time is reached, the control device transfers the function flag with the packet of FIG.

  When the communication start button is pressed, the setting and ID number of each device at the time of starting are stored in the communication setting memory 310. Note that, regarding the communication pair setting, either the source device or the target device may be performed first.

  Of the two model name data transfer methods described above, in the case of the method described as the latter (the method of transferring the self model name in response to the model name request), the model name data request and response, and the function data request and response respectively. Although it was performed in another phase (phases 403 and 405), both model name data and function data may be obtained with one request. That is, the control device transfers a function data request including model name data to all other devices. The connected device that has received this request transmits its model name data and function data together. The control device separates the function data including the transmitted model name data into model name data and function data and stores them in the connected device memory 308 and the communication pair memory 309, respectively.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of the data configuration when the model name data and the function data are transmitted together. Reference numeral 2401 denotes a header that indicates that the model name data 2403 and function data 2404 are collectively followed in accordance with the digital interface standard, and 2402 is a transmission source ID number.

  Now, after setting communication for recording channel 1 of the D-TV 104 to the D-VCR and setting another communication, for example, when recording a certain program received by the IRD 102 to the D-VCR 103 is considered. However, it can be set by pressing the communication program button 211. When the button 211 is pressed, characters indicating the next communication setting are displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209 as shown in 1001 in FIG. 10, and a new setting screen is displayed. Just as when setting up the first communication, you can set the source and target devices and start the second communication. Furthermore, by repeating the same thing, it is possible to start a plurality of communications such as three, four ...

  After the communication is started, by pressing the communication confirmation button 213, the communication settings stored in the communication setting memory 310 are displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209 as shown in FIG. When the stop button 208 is pressed at this time, a signal “end communication” is transmitted to the D-TV and D-VCR IDs stored in the communication setting memory 310, and the communication is stopped. it can.

  Up to this point, the description has been given from the standpoint of the IRD 102, that is, the control device. Here, description will be given using the D-VCR 103.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing how the D-VCR 103 (controlled device) is controlled from the control device. Since phase 401, phase 402, and phase 403 are exactly the same as those of the control device, description thereof is omitted.

  In phase 1101, it continues to wait until function data is requested from another device (using polling, interrupt, timer, etc.). When there is a function data request, the function flag stored in the self-function memory and its display character data are transferred to the request source (phase 1102) and kept waiting until the function flag (function command) is transmitted (phase 1103). Since a command for a function is transmitted from the control device in the data structure as shown in FIG. 12, when this (function flag) is received, a function (for example, recording) to which the flag is assigned is executed (phase 1104).

  Since the ID number of the data transmission source (D-TV in this example) is also transmitted together with the function flag as shown in FIG. 12, the D-VCR 103 recognizes where the data is transmitted from. Can do. After executing the function, it waits for the function request signal again in phase 1101 in preparation for the next communication.

  As described above, all the connected devices have the self model name memory 311 and the self function memory 312 (or the self information memory 313), and at least one of the devices has the connection device memory 308 and the communication pair function memory. By having 309, the user can operate all connected devices by operating only one device (including the connected device memory 308 and the communication pair function memory 309).

  Note that the connected device memory, the communication pair function memory, and the communication setting memory may be used by dividing an area of one memory (RAM 314 in FIG. 3) instead of providing separate memories. Similarly, since the contents stored in the self-function memory, self-model name memory, and program ROM are all information that cannot be rewritten, each memory area is divided and used instead of providing separate memories. May be.

Further, the communication mode display LCD can be configured as follows.
(1) The source and target device settings are set on the same screen (both the source device setting and the target device setting are displayed simultaneously), but the target device setting screen is displayed after the source device setting is completed.
(2) A separate LCD is provided for each of the source device setting and the target device setting so that the settings can be selected separately.
(3) The communication mode display LCD 209 is provided on the remote control instead of being provided on the device as shown in FIG.

  Examples of the IRD main body and the remote control in the case of (3) above are shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, respectively. Reference numeral 2501 denotes an IRD main body that does not have a communication mode display LCD, and 2502 denotes a light receiving unit that receives a signal from a remote controller. In the remote control 2601, 2602 is a communication mode display LCD (equivalent to 209), 2603 is a button for controlling the power supply of the IRD, 2604 is a button group for controlling the reception channel (202) of the IRD, and the other numbers are the same as those in FIG. What is indicated is the same as that in FIG. Ii, and performs the same operation.

  Further, when a device such as a D-TV 104 having a display for displaying images is used as a control device, the communication mode display LCD 209 is not provided separately from the display for displaying images, but as shown in FIGS. Various communication setting menu screens may be displayed on the same display.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an external view of the D-TV 104 that is such a device. A display 1301 displays a received video and a communication setting menu, 1302 is a power switch, and 1303 is a video button for displaying the received video. The other buttons have the same functions as those described in FIG. 2 (the same numbers are assigned).

  By pressing the communication mode button 210, the D-TV 104 becomes a control device, and a communication setting menu is displayed on the display 1301. By pressing the cursor movement buttons 205 and 207 and the select button 206, the source device and the target device are set, and the start button 208 starts communication. When the video button 1303 is pressed, the display 1301 changes from a communication mode display screen to a normal received video display screen. When another communication is set, the communication mode button 210 is pressed again. That is, the D-TV 104 has two screen display modes, that is, a received video display and a communication mode display, and can be switched by buttons 210 and 1303.

  In the embodiment described above, the data stored in the self model name memory 311, the self function memory 312, and the self information memory 313 are character data (as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8), and the connected device is The case where character data is converted into characters and displayed on a display device has been described as an example.

  This is, for example, a character conversion method A. Each device stores a character code according to the character conversion method A in its own model name memory, self-function memory, and self-information memory. Each device can also display the received character data on the screen according to the character conversion method A. However, a certain connected device stores a character code that does not conform to the character conversion method A, and if it is transmitted to another device, this character code is not displayed correctly. Let's change the viewpoint a little and consider using pictures and symbols instead of letters. That is, an embodiment in which all the connected devices in FIG. 1 adopt the graphic display method A instead of the character conversion method A will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the D-TV 104 is operated to record video received on the channel 2 of the IRD 102 on the D-VCR 103. Here, the IRD 102, the D-VCR 103, the D-TV 104, and the PC 106 all have a self-information memory 313, and all store model name data and function data in a data format according to the graphic display system A. To do. In addition, the D-TV 104 has a communication setting memory 310 and a connected device memory 308 in addition to this, and a communication mode screen display control capable of correctly displaying data in accordance with the graphic display method A and performing operations associated therewith. A portion 306 is assumed to be included. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the self-model name data and the self-function data are collectively stored in the self-information memory 313 as self-information data, and the self-information data (self-model name and self-name are stored in the connected device memory together with the ID number. It is assumed that the communication pair memory 309 for storing the self-function data is unnecessary.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of self-information data stored in the self-information memory of the D-TV 104. Reference numeral 1601 denotes self-information data in which model name data and function data of the D-TV are collectively converted by the graphic display method A. Here, the parenthesis [] indicates that the self-information data of the device in the parenthesis is converted by the graphic display method A.

  FIG. 15 shows a second external view of the D-TV 104. The numbers in the figure that do not start with 15 are the numbers already mentioned, and will not be described. The D-TV in FIG. 15 can select an item by directly touching the screen with a finger without using the cursor movement buttons 205 and 207 and the select button 206 unlike the D-TV in FIG. It is assumed that the same effect as that obtained by pressing the select button 206 is obtained by continuously hitting.

  First, the device D-TV 104 is selected as a control device by pressing the communication mode button 210 in FIG. The D-TV 104 requests self-information data from all connected devices. A response (ID number and self-information data) is received and stored in its own connected device memory 308.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of data storage in the connected device memory. 1701 and 1702 are the ID number and self-information data of the IRD 102, respectively, 1703 and 1704 are the ID number and self-information data of the D-VCR 103, respectively, and 1705 and 1706 are the ID number and self-information data of the D-TV 104, respectively. is there. As in FIG. 16, parentheses [] indicate that the self-information data of the device in the parentheses is converted by the graphic display method A.

  After storing ID numbers and self-information data of all connected devices in the connected device memory, the D-TV 104 reads the contents of the connected device memory 308, performs reverse conversion according to the graphic display method A, and displays the screen. A screen 1301 in FIG. 15 shows an example of the screen display at this time. Reference numeral 1501 is a display of model name data of the D-VCR 103 (hereinafter referred to as an icon), 1502 is an icon of the D-TV 104, 1503 is an icon of the IRD 102, and 1504 is an icon of the PC 106. At this time, in order to make the control device (self) easy to understand, it may be displayed using a color different from that of other connected devices.

  When the user first selects the IRD 102 (by tapping the IRD icon 1503 twice in succession), an IRD operation panel 1800 as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the screen. This data is based on the IRD self-information data 1702 in FIG. Reference numerals 1804, 1805, 1806, and 1807 are scroll buttons, and by touching these with a finger, characters displayed on the left side are scrolled. Reference numeral 1808 denotes an input source model name when inputting data to the IRD. In this case, nothing is input to the IRD, so “NONE” is selected. Reference numeral 1809 denotes an output destination model name for outputting data. In this case, D-VCR is selected. Reference numeral 182 denotes a receiving channel. In this case, two channels are selected. When the setting is completed, an OK button 1810 is selected. When it is desired to redo the setting, a cancel button 1811 is selected.

  Next, when a D-VCR icon 1501 is selected, a D-VCR operation panel 1900 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the screen. This data is based on the self-information data 1704 of the D-VCR in FIG. Reference numerals 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906 are scroll buttons. By touching these buttons with a finger, characters displayed on the left side are scrolled. Reference numeral 1901 denotes an input source model name for inputting data to the D-VCR, and “IRD” is selected. Reference numeral 1902 denotes an output destination model for outputting data. In this case, nothing is output, so “NONE” is selected. Reference numerals 1907, 1908, and 1909 are buttons for stopping, reproducing, and recording, respectively, and in this case, recording is selected. When the setting is completed, an OK button 1910 is selected. When it is desired to redo the setting, a cancel button 1911 is selected. This completes the “setting for recording the IRD channel 2 on the D-VCR”.

  After that, when the communication start button 208 is pressed, an instruction “Receive channel 2 and send to D-VCR (ID number 103)” is sent to D-VCR 103 for IRD 102 (ID number 102). On the other hand, an instruction “record data (video) sent from the IRD 102 (ID number 102)” is transmitted in a structure as shown in FIG. 12 to start communication. In addition, communication may be started by selecting the OK button in the setting of the second device, or the characters “Is it OK to start communication” are displayed as in 2000 of FIG. Communication may be started by selecting an OK button 2001.

  Thereafter, a plurality of communications can be set by the program button 211 and the confirmation button 213 and the stop button 212 can be set in the same manner as described in the example of recording the D-TV video on the D-VCR using the IRD as a control device. Communication that has already been started or reserved can be stopped.

  When a plurality of devices according to the present invention are connected, the user need not be aware of the connection order and can control all other devices from one device among the connected devices. Also, there is no need to install driver software for each device, which is indispensable for connecting peripheral devices of a PC, and the user can use this system simply by connecting the devices with a cable.

The foregoing embodiments disclose at least the following.
(1) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising: a self-model name storage means for storing at least self-model name data; and a transmission means for transmitting at least the self-model name data to another connection information device.
(2) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit model name data indicating a model name of the other connection device to the other connection information device.
(3) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Means for transmitting the own model name data to the other connection information device when the other model information data is transmitted from another connection information device or when there is a request to transmit the own model name data. An information device characterized by comprising:
(4) The information device according to (1) or (2), further comprising a connected device storage unit that stores the model name data of another connected information device when the model name data is sent .
(5) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Self-function storage means for storing the function data of the own machine;
An information device comprising a transmission means for transmitting the converted function data to another connection information device.
(6) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit function data of the other connection information device.
(7) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising means for transmitting the function data to the other information device when there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the function data of itself.
(8) The device according to (5) or (6), further comprising a connected device function storage unit that stores the converted function data when the function data of the other connected information device is sent. Information equipment.
(9) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Information having self-information storage means for storing self-information data including at least model name data of the own machine and function data of the own machine, and transmission means for transmitting the self-information data to another connection information device machine.
(10) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit model name data and function data of the other connection information device.
(11) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
When the self-information data including model name data and function data is transmitted from another connection information device, the self-information data is transmitted to the other connection information device. machine.
(12) The information device according to (9) or (10), further comprising connected device information storage means for storing the function data when the self-information data of the other connected information device is sent. .
(13) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
First request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit the model name data of the other connection information device;
A connected device storage means for storing the converted model name data when the model name data is sent from the other connection information device;
Second request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit the function data of the other connection information device;
An information device comprising: a connected device function storage means for storing the conversion function data when the function data is sent from the other connection information device.
(14) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Request means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit self-information data including model name data and function data of the other connection information device;
An information device comprising: a connected device information storage means for storing the self information data when the self information data is sent from the other connection information device.
(15) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Own model name data storage means for storing own model name data;
Self-function storage means for storing self-function data;
An information device comprising: transmission means for transmitting at least the own model name data to all other connection information devices and transmitting the conversion function data to at least one information device among the other connection information devices .
(16) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Self-information storage means for storing self-information data including own model name data and function data;
An information device comprising means for transmitting the self-information data to another connection information device.
(17) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising: means for transmitting the converted model name data to the other information device when another connection information device requests to transmit its model name data.
(18) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising means for transmitting the function data to the other information device when another connection information device requests to transmit its own function data.
(19) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
When there was a request from another connected information device to send its own model name data, there was a request to send the converted model name data to the other information device and send its own function data An information device characterized by comprising means for transmitting the function data to the other information device.
(20) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
An information device comprising means for transmitting the self-information data when there is a request from the other connection information device to transmit self-information data including own model name data and function data .
(21) (4), (8) or (12) to (14) characterized by having display means for displaying the model name data of the other connection information device by characters, pictures, icons or the like.
An information device according to any one of the above.
(22) (4), (8), (12), characterized in that it has a display means for displaying the function data of the other connection information device by means of characters, pictures, icons, or a panel.
To (14) or the information device according to any one of (21).
(23) A connection having a display function other than its own device by using at least one of the model name data of the other connection information device and the converted function data, such as a character, a picture, an icon, or a panel The information device according to any one of (4), (8), or (12) to (14), which is displayed on a display unit of the information device.
(24) The operation of the other connection information device is performed by selecting the device and function displayed on the display unit or the display unit of the connection information device other than the own device (12),
The information device according to 13) or (14).
(25) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Connected device storage means for storing model name data of other connection information devices;
Connected device function storage means for storing function data of the other connection information device;
Display means for displaying the model name data and function data by characters, pictures, icons, panels, etc .;
First selection means for selecting at least one information device from the connection information devices displayed on the display means;
Second selection means for selecting at least one function of the connection information device displayed on the display means;
Request means for requesting the connection information device selected by the first selection means to transmit the function data;
A transmission means for transmitting function command data for causing the connection information device selected by the first selection means to execute the function selected by the second selection means, and the other connection selected An information device characterized by operating the information device.
(26) The information device according to (25), wherein before displaying the model name data on the display means, the other connected device is requested to transmit the model name data.
(27) An information device constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
Connected device information storage means for storing self-information data including model name data and function data of other connected information devices;
Display means capable of separately displaying the converted model name data and the function data separately by characters, pictures, icons or like panels;
First selection means for selecting at least one information device from the connection information devices;
Second selection means for selecting a function of the connection information device;
Request means for requesting the connection information device selected by the first selection means to transmit the self-information data;
Transmission means for transmitting function command data for causing the other connection information device selected by the first selection means to execute the function selected by the second selection means;
An information device, wherein the selected other connection information device is operated.
(28) It has a data separating means for separating model name data and function data in the self-information data, and the display means can display the model name data and the function data in different areas. (27) The information device described in
(29) (3), (7), (11) or (17) to (20), wherein the function data is received from the information device that has transmitted the function data, and the function based on the function data is executed.
). The information device according to any one of
(30) The communication setting storage means for storing the function data to be transmitted to the other connection information device and the model name data is provided. Any one of (25) to (29) Information equipment.
(31) The information device according to any one of (1) to (32), wherein the information device system is an information device system connected through a digital interface.
(32) The information device according to (31), wherein the digital interface is any one of IEEE 1394, USB, SSA, fiber channel, FC-EL, or SCSI.
(33) The information device according to any one of (21) to (32), wherein the conversion code when displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code.
(34) A method for controlling an information equipment system constituting an information equipment system in which at least two information equipments are connected,
Visually display the model name of the connection information device using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, etc.
Select at least one information device from the displayed connection information devices,
Requests the selected information device to send functional data that can be visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons or panels,
Display the received function data visually using characters, symbols, pictures, icons or panels,
Select one of the displayed connected device functions, and send function command data corresponding to the function to the selected information device,
The information device system control method, wherein the selected information device executes the function command.
(35) Requesting the other connection information device to transmit model name data that can be visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, etc.,
(33) The information device system control method according to (33), wherein the requested model name of the connection information device is visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, or the like.
(36) A method for controlling an information equipment system constituting an information equipment system in which at least two information equipments are connected,
When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the function data for executing the function of the own device, the function data is transmitted to the other connection information device,
An information equipment system control method comprising receiving function data of a function to be executed from the other connection information equipment and executing the function to be executed.
(37) A method for controlling an information equipment system constituting an information equipment system in which at least two information equipments are connected,
When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the model name model name data of the own device, the model name data is transmitted to the other connection information device,
When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the function data for executing the function of the own device, the function data is transmitted to the other connection information device,
An information equipment system control method comprising receiving function data of a function to be executed from the other connection information equipment and executing the function to be executed.
(38) The information device system control method according to any one of (34) to (37), wherein the information device system is an information device system connected through a digital interface.
(39) The information equipment system control method according to (38), wherein the digital interface is any one of IEEE 1394, USB, SSA, Fiber Channel, FC-EL, or SCSI.
(40) The information device system control method according to any one of (34) to (39), wherein the conversion code when displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code. .
(41) An information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
At least one of the model name data and the function data; connection device storage means for storing model name data of other connection information equipment; connection device function storage means for storing function data of the other connection information equipment; Display means for displaying characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc .; means for selecting the other connection information equipment and the function of the other connection information equipment; and the other connection selected by the selection means A first connection information device having transmission means for transmitting the function data of the selected function to the information device;
A second connection information device having own model name storage means for storing own model name data and self function storage means for storing own function data;
The display means visually displays the model name of the second connection information device with characters, symbols, pictures or icons, and the first connection information device is the selected second connection information device. Requesting the function data to be transmitted, the display means displays the received function data using characters, symbols, pictures, icons or panels, and the first connection information device is selected. An information device system, wherein the second connection information device executes the selected function command by transmitting the selected function command to the selected second connection information device.
(42) An information device system constituting an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected,
At least one of the model name data and the function data; connection device storage means for storing model name data of other connection information equipment; connection device function storage means for storing function data of the other connection information equipment; Display means for displaying characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc .; means for selecting the other connection information equipment and the function of the other connection information equipment; and the other connection selected by the selection means A first connection information device having transmission means for transmitting the function data of the selected function to the information device;
A second connection information device having own model name storage means for storing own model name data and self function storage means for storing own function data;
The first connection information device requests the selected second connection information device to transmit the model name data, and the display means displays the received model name data as characters, symbols, pictures or Displayed visually with an icon or the like, and the first connection information device requests the selected second connection information device to transmit the function data, and the display means receives the function data. Is displayed with characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc., and the selected function command is transmitted to the selected second connection information device so that the second connection information device can select the selected function command. An information equipment system characterized by executing
(43) The information equipment system according to (41) or (42), wherein the information equipment system is an information equipment system connected through a digital interface.
(44) The information equipment system according to (43), wherein the digital interface is any one of IEEE 1394, USB, SSA, fiber channel, FC-EL, or SCSI.
(45) The information equipment system according to any one of (41) to (44), wherein the conversion code when displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code.
(46) It has means for receiving data indicating the model name of another connected device from another connected device connected by a bus, and displaying that the other connected device is connected by a bus. Information equipment.

102 ... IRD,
103 ... a digital video recorder player,
104: Digital television receiver,
106: Personal computer,
206 ... select button,
208 ... Start button,
209 ... Communication mode display LCD,
210 ... Communication mode button,
211 ... Communication program button,
212 ... Stop button,
213 ... Communication confirmation button,
304 ... connection interface,
311: Self model name memory,
312: Self-function memory,
308 ... connected device memory,
309: Communication pair function memory,
1800 ... IRD operation panel,
1900: D-VCR operation panel.

Claims (8)

An information device that can be both a controller and a controlled machine,
Device identification information storage means for storing the device identification information of the device itself;
Communication that transmits the device identification information stored in the device identification information storage means to all the other information devices when two or more other information devices are connected via a network Processing means;
Display means for displaying the other device identification information stored in the connected device storage means in a selectable manner when two or more other information devices are connected via a network;
Request transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for the data used to control the other information device to the other information device corresponding to the selected other device identification information;
By transmitting control information for controlling the other information device, based on the data for controlling the other information device transmitted from the other information device in response to the transmission request, Other information equipment control means for controlling the other information equipment,
An information device characterized by comprising: The information device according to claim 1,
The information device characterized in that the self device identification information and the other device identification information are names for identifying the information device. The information device according to claim 1 or 2,
The information device, wherein the display means displays the other device identification information by at least one of a character, a picture, a symbol, and an icon. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information device is characterized in that the display means displays that communication with the other information device is in progress. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means accepts a selection by touching a position to be selected on a display. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means accepts a selection by touching a position desired to be selected on the display twice in succession. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The information device has a plurality of displays. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 2,
The information device has a plurality of displays, and displays on the at least one display that communication with the other information device is in progress.

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