JP4222236B2 - Connection setting device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection setting device and a program for setting a music data communication path (logical connection) between devices in a music system including a plurality of devices connected via a network. In particular, in a logical music system configuration based on a setting data file (music system configuration logically handled in the connection setting device and program), a real music system configuration based on existing devices and a non-existing device The present invention relates to a connection setting device and a program that allow a user to easily recognize each of the virtual music system configurations based on the above. In the present specification, a system component related to a device (node) that is physically connected to the current music system and is actually present on the music system is referred to as an actual music system configuration, A system component part related to a device that is not connected in a physical manner and does not actually exist in the music system is called a virtual music system configuration to be distinguished.

In a network configured in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (IEEE 1394 standard) corresponding to multimedia, music data such as an audio signal and a MIDI signal is transmitted using the communication standard (trademark “mLAN”) developed by the applicant. It is known to configure a music system that can send and receive in real time. This music system physically connects a plurality of devices such as a control device such as a personal computer and various music devices (synthesizer, tone generator, recorder, mixer, etc.) via a network (that is, installed in the device). The IEEE 1394 connector is connected by a cable). Related to a connection setting device (software) (referred to as “patch bay”) for setting a communication path (logical connection) of arbitrary music data between devices (nodes) connected via such a network The invention is described in Patent Document 1 shown below. In the above music system, music data is transmitted between the devices according to the logical connection (connection) set by the patch bay.
JP 2001-203732 A

  The patch bay displays a list of music data communication terminals (logical terminals) of a plurality of nodes related to the music system, and communication selected by the user from the communication terminals. The source (communication terminal for outputting musical sound data) and the communication destination (communication terminal for inputting musical sound data) are logically connected (connected). Information representing the connection state can be stored as a setting data file. In one setting data file, connection states relating to all nodes constituting one logical music system are stored. This logical music system configuration includes a real music system configuration based on existing nodes and a virtual music system configuration based on non-existing nodes.

  When reading of the setting data file is instructed (“Open” instruction), the connection state stored in the setting data file is read as a logical music system configuration (the list displayed so far). Display a list instead of a display. At this time, the read connection state is not reflected on the existing nodes, but only the contents representing the logical music system configuration are displayed as a list. In order to reflect this logical music system configuration to an existing node, an “Apply” instruction must be performed. When “Apply” is instructed, the connection state displayed in the list is transmitted to each of the existing nodes, and the connection state is reflected on each of the existing nodes. At this time, the list display is not changed, and only the list display remains without being reflected on the connection of the nodes that are not present in the list display. Therefore, there is a difference between the logical music system configuration related to the list display and the actual music system configuration based on the actual connection state reflected in each existing node. Here, in order to display a list of actual music system configurations, it is necessary to give an “Update” instruction. When “Update” is instructed, the actual connection status of the own device held by each node is received from each existing node and displayed in a list. At this time, the display related to the nodes that were not actually present in the list display before the “Update” instruction is deleted from the list display. As a result, the logical music system configuration related to the list display after the deletion (after the “Update” instruction) and the actual music system configuration completely coincide with each other, and the original logical music system configuration is displayed. The actual music system configuration is displayed in the list display.

By the way, in the logical music system configuration related to the read setting data file, it is desired to recognize each of the real music system configuration based on the existing nodes and the virtual music system configuration based on the non-existing nodes. In this case, according to the conventional technique described above, for example, a logical music system configuration displayed in a list by an “Open” instruction and a real music system configuration displayed in a list by an “Update” instruction are compared. However, in the past, as described above, the logical music system configuration including the real music system configuration and the virtual music system configuration listed by the “Open” instruction is “Update”. "When the instruction is given, the user will be rewritten into a real music system configuration, Before the “Update” instruction, the virtual music system configuration location (or the actual music system configuration location) included in the logical music system configuration must be stored in some way. The comparison work was extremely complicated.
Also, in order to transfer the connection state of a nonexistent node in the logical music system configuration read from the setting data file by the “Open” instruction to the existing node, the connection of the nonexistent node The state is stored by some method, and after the actual music system configuration is displayed in a list by the “Update” instruction, the existing connection state stored while viewing the list display is transferred to the existing node 1 We had to do complicated work such as inputting manually one by one.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In the logical music system configuration related to the read setting data file, the present invention is based on a real music system configuration based on an existing node and a non-existing node. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection setting device and a program that can easily recognize each virtual music system configuration.
In addition, a connection setting device and program capable of easily and quickly handing over the configuration of a nonexistent node (connection state, etc.) in the logical music system configuration read from the setting data file to the actual actual node Is to provide.

A connection setting device according to the present invention comprises a display means for displaying a plurality of nodes constituting a logical music system and the state of a communication path according to the logical connection between them, and a logical music system. Storage means for storing, for each different music system configuration, one setting data file including at least attribute information and connection information for each node, and reading means for reading any of the stored setting data files; Comparing means for comparing each node included in the music system configuration of the read setting data file with a node included in the displayed music system configuration, and attribute information and connection information regarding the node for nodes matched based on the comparison Are read from the setting data file and related to the nodes displayed according to the read information. And changing means for changing the information about non-matching node based on the comparison, search means for searching a node similar from the unused nodes not logically connected to any other nodes in the music system configuration displayed, If there is a similar node based on the search , the attribute information and connection information regarding the mismatched node are read from the setting data file, and the information regarding the similar node is changed according to the read information, while the search is performed. If there is no similar node based on the above, the additional node is added to the displayed music system configuration as a virtual node that displays the node that does not match in a special manner.

According to the present invention, each node included in the music system configuration of the read setting data file is compared with a node included in the displayed music system configuration. For nodes that match based on the comparison, the attribute information and connection information regarding the node are read from the setting data file, and the displayed information regarding the node is changed in accordance with the read information. On the other hand, for nodes that do not match based on the comparison, similar nodes are searched from unused nodes that are not logically connected to any other nodes in the displayed music system configuration. If there is a similar node based on the search, the attribute information and connection information regarding the mismatched node are read from the setting data file, and the information regarding the similar node is changed according to the read information, while the search is performed. If there is no similar node, the node is added to the displayed music system configuration as a virtual node that is displayed in a special manner. As a result, the display means for displaying the plurality of nodes constituting one logical music system and the state of the communication path in accordance with the logical connection between them, and the virtual node that actually exists related to the read setting data file. Are displayed simultaneously, and the two configurations are displayed in different ways. Thus, the user can easily recognize each of the virtual music system configuration and the actual music system configuration included in the logical music system configuration.

  The present invention can be constructed and implemented not only as a device invention but also as a method invention. Further, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a program of a processor such as a computer or a DSP, or can be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing such a program.

According to the present invention, in the logical music system configuration related to the read setting data file, the real music system configuration based on the existing nodes, and the virtual music system configuration based on the non-existing nodes, Can be displayed at the same time, and the two configurations can be displayed so as to be visually distinguishable, so that the user can divide the virtual music system configuration included in the logical music system configuration and the actual music system configuration. There is an effect that each can be easily recognized.
In addition, when the setting data file is read, the node configuration (connection state, etc.) that does not exist in the logical music system configuration of the setting data file satisfies the predetermined condition among the existing nodes The configuration of the nonexistent node (connection state, etc.) in the logical music system configuration read from the setting data file can be easily and quickly transferred to the actual actual node. It has an excellent effect that it can be applied.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a music system configuration to which a connection setting device according to the present invention is applied. The music system configuration shown here is physically configured by connecting a plurality of various devices (nodes) via a network via communication cables conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. In FIG. 1, at least four physically existing nodes N equipped with at least an IEEE1394 port are network-connected in a state of being connected in series (chain connection) as a physical connection by an IEEE1394 cable L. Nodes N connected to the network include personal computers, electronic musical instruments such as music synthesizers, automatic performance devices such as sequencers, waveform recording devices such as recorders, signal processing devices such as mixers and effectors, sound source devices, etc. It corresponds to any control device or music device. The network connection is not limited to the chain connection as shown in the figure, but may be a multipoint connection in which each node is connected via a hub device or the like. Further, the connection may be made wirelessly without being limited to a wired connection.

  A predetermined patch bay program (not shown) is installed in any one of the nodes N composed of a personal computer. Based on the execution of the patch bay program, between the nodes N connected via the IEEE 1394 port, For music data for a plurality of channels handled by each node (communication via an IEEE 1394 port), from which channel of which node to which channel of which node the music data is transmitted (music data communication path) ) (Logical connection of channels between a plurality of nodes) can be set, so that each node N on the network that is not directly connected by a music data cable can also be connected via the logical connection. Audio and MIDI signals as appropriate Which music data will be able to send and receive in real-time. Each node N stores only attribute information and connection information (not shown) regarding its own device, and MIDI signals and audio signals generated at each node are in accordance with logical connections set in the patch bay program. Then, the data is transmitted to another node through a cable connected to the IEEE1394 port which is a physical connection.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the overall configuration of the connection setting apparatus according to the present invention. The hardware configuration example of the connection setting device is configured using a computer, and the computer sets the music data communication path by logical connection based on the setting data file (see FIG. 5 described later). This is implemented by executing predetermined software that realizes the processing (connection setting processing by reading). Although details will be described later (see FIG. 7 described later), in the connection setting process by reading, the virtual music system configuration included in the logical music system configuration can be visually distinguished from the actual music system configuration. Since the screen is displayed, the user can update the logical music system after recognizing each music system configuration based on the screen display. Of course, such "connection setting processing by reading" is not limited to the form of computer software, but can be implemented in the form of a microprogram processed by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and is not limited to this form of program. Instead, the present invention may be implemented in the form of a dedicated hardware device configured to include a discrete circuit, an integrated circuit, a large-scale integrated circuit, or the like.

  The connection setting apparatus shown in this embodiment is controlled by a microcomputer including a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, and a random access memory (RAM) 3. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire connection setting device. A ROM 2, RAM 3, display circuit 4, detection circuit 5, and communication interface (I / F) 6 are connected to the CPU 1 via a communication bus 1D (for example, a data and address bus). The ROM 2 stores various control programs executed by or referred to by the CPU 1, various data, and the like. The RAM 3 is used as a working memory for temporarily storing various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a current buffer for temporarily storing a currently executed program and related data. used. In this embodiment, the RAM 3 stores a plurality of setting data files. In one setting data file, attribute information and connection information of all nodes constituting the music system are stored as information representing the configuration of one logical music system (see FIG. 5). Separately from this, the current buffer of the RAM 3 stores attribute information and connection information of a plurality of nodes as information to be displayed on the screen when the “connection setting process by reading” (see FIG. 7) is activated (see FIG. 7). (See FIGS. 3 and 4 to be described later). Further, attribute information and connection information regarding the own device as one node in the music system are stored in an area different from the current buffer and setting data file area in the RAM 3.

  Here, attribute information and connection information stored in the current buffer of the RAM 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the data structure of attribute information. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the data structure of the connection information. The attribute information and connection information stored in the current buffer are physically connected to the current music system together with information about the existing node as well as information about the existing node on the music system physically connected to the current music system. It also includes information about nodes that are not present and do not exist on the music system. That is, information relating to the logical music system configuration is stored in the current buffer.

  The attribute information is data related to the attributes of each node (identifiers, performance, etc. other than connection) for a plurality of nodes (all nodes displayed as node blocks on the “music system configuration screen” (see FIG. 6) described later). Information indicating a setting state). The nodes included in this attribute information are not necessarily actual nodes that are physically connected to the music system, but also include non-existent nodes that are not physically connected. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the attribute information includes “GUID” (Global Unique Identifier), “Model ID”, “DISABLE”, “MIDI-IN”, “MIDI-OUT”, and other “others” (not shown). Z)). “GUID” is a unique identifier for each device corresponding to a node (for example, a product-specific serial number recorded in the product from the beginning), and the same “GUID” does not exist for each node. Different “GUIDs” are added. The “model ID” is an identifier unique to each model such as a product or model, and the same “model ID” is added to nodes of the same product name or model. In the “music system configuration screen” (see FIG. 6) described later, “DISABLE” is displayed in the DISABLE mode as a non-existent node that is not physically connected to the actual music system (for example, 1 is set). A flag indicating whether to display in an ABLE mode as an existing node physically connected to the actual music system (for example, when 0 is set). The above “GUID”, “model ID”, and “DISABLE” information cannot be appropriately changed by the user, but is changed only by reading from the read setting data file or each existing node. “MIDI-IN” is information indicating the number of input logical terminals corresponding to the number of input channels of MIDI signals that can be input by the node, and stores an appropriate number set by the user. “MIDI-OUT” is information indicating the number of output logical terminals corresponding to the number of output channels of the MIDI signal that can be output by the node, and stores an appropriate number set by the user. As other “other” information (not shown), for example, the number of input logical terminals “AUDIO-IN” and the number of output logical terminals “AUDIO-IN” related to audio signals are the same as “MIDI-IN” and “MIDI-OUT”. Store data such as “OUT”.

  On the other hand, the connection information is information storing the signal communication path between each node (connection state between logical terminals provided for each node), and all the attribute information is stored in the current buffer. The connection states of all the logic terminals (channels for communicating music data) relating to the node of the node are stored. As can be understood from FIG. 4, the connection information is roughly divided into two pieces of information, ie, a communication source (from column) on the music data sending side and a communication destination (to column) on the music data receiving side. In the (from column) and the communication destination (to column), the “GUID” of the node and the logic terminal are defined, respectively. All the logical output terminals included in each node constituting the music system are defined in the communication source (from column), and the logical input of the node to be assigned as the connection destination of the logical output terminal in the communication destination (to column) Terminals are appropriately defined (may not be defined). Based on this connection information, the connection status of the logical music system configuration is displayed on the screen. That is, in this embodiment, as a MIDI signal communication path, the GUID (0001) node output logic terminal (MIDI-OUT1) is connected to the GUID (0002) node input logic terminal (MIDI-IN1). ) Output logic terminal (MIDI-OUT2) is GUID (0002) input logic terminal (MIDI-IN2), GUID (0002) output logic terminal (MIDI-OUT1) is GUID (0003) input logic terminal (MIDI) -IN1) is connected to each other, and the GUID (0004) output logic terminal (MIDI-OUT16) is not connected to the input logic terminal of any node. become.

Although not shown, as the connection information, in addition to the OUT connection information in which connection destinations are assigned to all the logical output terminals included in each node as described above, the music system is configured as a communication destination (to column). All logical input terminals included in each node are defined, and logical output terminals of nodes to be assigned as destinations to which the logical input terminals are connected as communication sources (from column) are appropriately defined. The IN connection information in which the connection source is assigned to the logical input terminal is also stored. However, this IN connection information is not used when a logical music system configuration is displayed on the screen.
The above connection information stores a MIDI signal communication path as shown in the figure, and also stores an audio signal communication path (not shown) in the same storage method.

  Next, the setting data file will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the data structure of the setting data file. As can be understood from FIG. 5, the setting data file includes a current buffer that stores attribute information and connection information as information to be displayed on the screen when the above-described “connection setting process by reading” (see FIG. 7) is started. Are stored in a separate area in the RAM 3 for each music system configuration. One setting data file stores attribute information and connection information of all nodes constituting one logical music system. Further, in one setting data file, when the user does not directly specify whether to execute “full setting” or “template setting” in “connection setting processing by reading”, “full setting” or “ A setting flag is stored as information for automatically determining which process of “template setting” is to be executed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the display circuit 4 displays various screens such as a “music system configuration screen” (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 4 </ b> A configured by a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a CRT, etc. Displays the status. By referring to the “music system configuration screen”, the user can appropriately set the music data communication path while visually recognizing the virtual music system configuration and the actual music system configuration. . The operation unit (switch or the like) 5A is various operators for specifying a setting data file to be read and changing a communication path of music data displayed on the screen. The detection circuit 5 detects the operation state of the operation unit 5A. The communication interface 6 (I / F) is a music LAN interface according to the IEEE 1394 standard (mLAN standard which is a music data communication standard proposed by the present applicant). The communication interface 6 includes an IEEE 1394 standard interface as a lower layer and a music LAN driver (mLAN communication program) for controlling communication of music data as an upper layer according to the mLAN standard. The music LAN driver realizes transfer of music data based on logical connection according to the attribute information and connection information regarding the own device stored in the RAM 3 of each node. The IEEE 1394 standard interface is an interface configured by hardware and software that performs data communication in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard, and actually performs transmission / reception of music data via a communication cable connecting each node. .

  In the connection setting device according to the present invention, the logical connection status between the nodes is displayed on the screen as the “music system configuration screen” on the display unit 4A, and by referring to this screen, the user can configure the virtual music system configuration. The logical music system can be updated while visually comparing the actual music system configuration. A screen display example of such a “music system configuration screen” is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a “music system configuration screen” that displays a logical music system configuration. This “music system configuration screen” is a screen that displays a logical music system configuration including all connection states regardless of the presence or absence of a node based on attribute information and connection information stored in the current buffer.

  The “music system configuration screen” is a connection status display screen that displays the node block and the connection status. The node and the connection represented by the attribute information and the connection information stored in the current buffer are respectively displayed in the node block. This is represented by (N1 to N4) and line display (L12, L14). In this screen, nodes that exist are displayed as node blocks in an ABLE mode (for example, solid lines and white), and nodes that do not exist are displayed in a note block in a DISABLE mode (for example, dotted lines and gray). The line display is a connection display indicating the connection status between the logic terminals between the nodes. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows a connection state when two types of nodes (N2, N4) are connected to the node (N1) of GUID (0001). In this case, for example, the logical output terminal (MIDI-OUT1) of the node (N1) is connected to the logical input terminal (MIDI-IN1) of the node (N2) of GUID (0002) via the line L12, and the node (N1) The logic output terminal (MIDI-OUT2) is connected to the logic input terminal (MIDI-IN2) of the GUID (0004) node (N4) via the line L14. Further, the node (N3) of GUID (0003) is an actual node, but is an independent node that is not connected to any other nodes (N1, N2, N4).

The “music system configuration screen” displayed on the display unit 4A includes a screen displaying the music system configuration only in the connection state for transmitting / receiving the MIDI signal as described above, and a connection for transmitting / receiving the audio signal. There is a screen displaying the music system configuration only in the state, and only one of the screens can be selectively displayed. In this case, only the node having the MIDI signal logic terminal (MIDI-IN / OUT) is displayed on the screen showing the connection state for the MIDI signal, and the audio signal logic terminal (AUDIO is shown on the screen showing the connection state for the audio signal. Displays music system configuration only for nodes with -IN / OUT).
In the above “music system configuration screen”, only one connection line connecting the node blocks is shown in the figure for convenience of explanation, but in the actual display, the connection is made by the number of connected logical terminals. Display the line.

  The initial display of the “music system configuration screen” as described above is displayed when a patch bay program (not shown) is activated. Therefore, the operation of the patch bay program will be briefly described. When the patch bay program is activated, an update instruction is automatically issued, and each attribute information and connection information is fetched from all connected nodes (existing nodes), and this is stored in an empty current buffer. Write. In this case, the attribute information and the connection information stored in the current buffer are only information relating to nodes that exist on the music system physically connected to the current music system. Accordingly, “0” is set in all “DISABLE” of the attribute information stored in the current buffer, and the “music system configuration screen” displayed based on the attribute information and the connection information stored in the current buffer. For example, all nodes and connections as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed in the ABLE mode. The patch bay program periodically issues an update instruction, and acquires attribute information and connection information regarding an actual node physically connected at that time. At this time, if there is a node that was connected at the time of initial display but has been removed at the time of a new update instruction, the “DISABLE” for the removed node of the attribute information stored in the current buffer is displayed. "1" is set, and the node is displayed in a DISABLE mode on the "music system configuration screen".

  Further, in the patch bay program, the logical music system configuration (connection state and the like) is appropriately changed according to a predetermined user operation on the “music system configuration screen”. For example, when the user brings the cursor or the like to the desired output logic terminal and input logic terminal displayed on the screen and performs a click operation, the clicked output logic terminal and input logic terminal are communication sources or communication destinations, respectively. The path is written to the current buffer. The output logic terminal clicked on the screen and the input logic terminal are displayed in a line so as to be connected. Further, in addition to the above processing, the patch bay program executes “connection processing by reading” (see FIG. 7 described later) when the user performs a predetermined operation as described below. As will be described in detail later, in the “connection setting process by reading”, the logical connection between the nodes is automatically set based on the read setting data file. At this time, the “music system configuration screen” is automatically updated so that the user can distinguish between the virtual music system configuration and the actual actual music system configuration. As a specific example of the user operation for starting such “connection setting process by reading”, when “Open” on a menu screen (not shown) is selected and a setting data file to be read is selected ( This case is called full setting), and when “Open template” on the menu screen is selected and a setting data file to be read is selected (this case is called template setting), etc. When a method (“full setting” or “template setting”) is instructed, or when a setting data file is simply instructed without instructing a specific setting method as described above, for example, settings displayed in a list When you double-click one of the data files, click the iconized setting data file. Start when you drag-and-drop operation to move to a predetermined position on the "music system configuration screen", upon detecting a user operation, such as. As described above, the patch bay program including “connection setting process by reading” as a part of the function is a process of configuring a logical music system based on a user operation on the “music system configuration screen”.

  Therefore, the “connection setting process by reading” that is started only when the above-described predetermined operation is performed by the user will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of “connection setting process by reading”. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the “full setting process”. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the “template setting process”. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display mode of a “music system configuration screen” displayed in association with a screen update process (see step S6 described later) in the “connection setting process by reading”. 10A shows the screen display when “full setting processing” is performed, FIG. 10B shows the screen display when “template setting processing” is performed, and FIG. 10C shows the initial screen display and setting before reading the setting data file. Indicates the contents of the data file. However, in this case, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 10C, in the case of the music system configuration as shown in FIG. 6 already described as the initial screen display before reading the setting data file, FIG. ) A new setting data file having information as shown in the figure on the right is newly read out (here, for the sake of convenience, the contents are represented by displaying node blocks and lines as in the music system configuration diagram, but on the actual screen) In this example, “full setting process” or “template setting process” is performed using the setting data file. Hereinafter, the processing operation of the connection setting process by reading will be described with reference to FIG. 10 as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the “connection setting process by reading”, “full setting” or “template setting” is performed based on the setting data file that is selected or instructed to be read first (targeted). Is determined (step S1). That is, based on the user's operation state as described above, it is determined whether to perform the process of updating the music system configuration by the full setting or the music system configuration by the template setting. Here, of the above-described operation modes, when the setting data file is simply instructed without instructing a specific operation, one of the above settings included in the instructed operation setting data file is indicated. With reference to the information (setting flag), it is automatically determined whether to execute “full setting” or “template setting”. If it is determined that the setting data file is used as “full setting” (YES in step S2), if there is a node having the same GUID, the setting data file is changed to information (step S3). That is, a node having the same GUID as the node in the current buffer is searched from the setting data file. As a result of the search, if there is a node having the same GUID as the node in the current buffer in the setting data file, the attribute information and connection information of the node are read from the setting data file, and the corresponding node information in the current buffer is obtained. Overwrite. At this time, all the connection information is overwritten, and the attribute information is overwritten only on the data that can be changed by the user (such as the number of logical terminals to be used). This overwriting is performed for all the extracted nodes. In the case shown in FIG. 10C, the node N1 and the node N2 are extracted as nodes having the same GUID, and the connection information and the attribute information are overwritten on the contents of the setting data file only for these nodes N1 and N2. . For example, the connection information set to use two logic terminals for the node N1 as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 10C is changed to one logic terminal as shown in the right diagram of FIG. Overwritten to use. In addition, for the node N2, the connection information set to use one logic terminal is overwritten to use two logic terminals. As a result, the display of FIG. Here, since the attribute information “DISABLE” or the like is not overwritten, the display mode of the node remains the initial display. For example, when the node N1 is displayed in the ABLE mode in the initial display, even if “DISABLE” of the node N1 is set to “1” in the setting data file, the display of the node N1 is changed to the DISABLE mode. Without being displayed in ABLE mode.

  In step S4, a node having a GUID in the current buffer that is not in the setting data file is changed to unused. That is, all the connections of the connection information in the current buffer of the corresponding node are released (that is, rewritten without connection). In FIG. 10C, the node N3 and the node 4 correspond. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the node N3 and the node N4 are not connected by a line. In this case, no change is made to the attribute information. In step S5, a “full setting process” is executed. As shown in FIG. 8, in the “full setting process”, first, an additional node is searched from the setting data file (step S11). That is, a node (additional node) having a GUID that is in the setting data file but not in the current buffer is searched from the setting data file. In step S12, the additional node is added to the current buffer as a node to be displayed in the DISABLE mode. In other words, if an additional node is detected, the attribute information and connection information of all detected additional nodes are read from the setting data file, added to the current buffer (newly added), and the attribute information stored in the current buffer Set “1” to the DISABLE flag. In FIG. 10C, the node N10 in the right figure corresponds to the additional node. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the attribute information and the connection information regarding the node N10 are added to the current buffer, so that the node N10 and the node N2 are connected by the line L210. Further, since “1” is set in the DISABLE flag in the attribute information of the node N10, the node N10 is displayed as a non-existent node in a DISABLE mode (in this case, a dotted line and gray). In this case, the line L210 connected to the non-existent node N10 is also displayed in a DISABLE mode (in this case, a dotted line).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the setting data file is used as a template setting (NO in step S2), if there is a node with the same GUID, the setting data file is changed to information (step S8). In step S9, a node having a GUID in the current buffer that is not in the setting data file is changed to unused. The processing so far is not different from the case of the full setting (see step S3 and step S4). In step S10, a template setting process is executed. As shown in FIG. 9, in this “template setting process”, first, an additional node is searched from the setting data file (step S21). That is, a node (additional node) having a GUID that is in the setting data file but not in the current buffer is searched from the setting data file. That is, in the case of FIG. 10C, the node N10 corresponds to the additional node. In step S22, a node that can be taken over is searched from the current buffer. In other words, the DISABLE flag is set to “0” (actually connected to the music system) and an unused (no connection) node (referred to as a takeover node) is searched from the current buffer. . Step S23 determines whether there is a takeover node. If it is determined that there is no takeover node (NO in step S23), the process jumps to the process in step S29. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a takeover node (YES in step S23), processing for taking over additional node information (part of attribute information and connection information) as shown below to the takeover node is performed. Execute. Here, “takeover” is to overwrite the information of the additional node with the information of the additional node, and such “takeover” is executed for each detected additional node. In the case of FIG. 10C, the node N3 corresponds to the takeover node.

  In the “handover” process, first, attribute information and connection information of one additional node are read (step S24). That is, the additional nodes detected in a predetermined order such as the recorded order are taken out one by one as targets for takeover. In step S25, a takeover node that takes over the information of the target additional node is searched. That is, a takeover node having the same model ID as the model ID in the attribute information of the target (read) additional node is searched from the current buffer. In step S26, it is determined whether there is a corresponding takeover node. If there is a corresponding takeover node (YES in step S26), the information of the target additional node is taken over to the corresponding takeover node. At this time, all the connection information is overwritten, and only the portion of data that can be changed by the user (such as the number of logical terminals used) is overwritten as the attribute information. In step S28, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining in the additional node. If there is a remaining node (NO in step S28), the process returns to step S24 and the above processes are repeated. If there is no remaining additional node (YES in step S28), the additional node that has not been taken over is added to the current buffer as a node to be displayed in the DISABLE mode (step S29). In other words, the attribute information and the connection information of the additional node that has not been taken over (all detected additional nodes are applicable if no takeover node was found from the beginning) are read from the setting data file and added to the current buffer (newly And “1” is set in the DISABLE flag of the attribute information.

  In step S6, the screen is updated based on the new current buffer information. That is, the node block and the connection line in the “music system configuration screen” are displayed again based on the changed current buffer information. In step S7, the music system is updated based on the new current buffer information. That is, a part of the connection information and attribute information of the new current buffer are transmitted to the corresponding actual nodes (having the same GUID), and each node is updated with its own state (connection etc.). In this way, the logical music system configuration can be updated by full setting or template setting based on the read setting data file. When the updated logical music system configuration is displayed on the screen, a virtual music system configuration can be updated. The music system configuration and the real music system configuration are displayed at the same time, and the two configurations are displayed in different display modes so as to be visually distinguished, so that the user can see the virtual music system configuration and the real music system configuration. It becomes possible to easily recognize each of the music system configurations. Further, when the setting data file is read, the configuration of the nonexistent node (connection state, etc.) in the logical music system related to the setting data file satisfies a predetermined condition among the existing nodes. Since it can be automatically transferred to the node, the configuration of the nonexistent node (connection state, etc.) in the logical music system configuration read from the setting data file can be easily and quickly transferred to the actual actual node. You will be able to take over.

It should be noted that the logical music system configuration can be changed by deleting a node or changing the connection by applying a predetermined instruction operation to the node block and the connection line displayed on the “music system configuration screen”. When such a change is made, the information in the current buffer is rewritten in accordance with the change, and the new information in the current buffer is reflected on each node constituting the music system. For example, the user adds a line display on the “music system configuration screen”, moves to connect to an appropriate node, and displays node blocks (nodes that do not exist) displayed in DISABLE mode in ABLE mode. The logical music system configuration can be changed by performing a desired operation such as overlaying on the node block (existing node).
In the template setting process, if there are multiple nodes (takeover nodes) that can take over the information for one additional node, either one of them can be selected or a predetermined rule can be used. A method of automatically selecting any one of them can be considered. Further, it is conceivable to add a means for presenting each additional node so that it is not taken over even when there is a takeover node.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the music system structure to which the connection setting apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration showing an embodiment of an overall configuration of a connection setting device according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the data structure of attribute information. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the data structure of connection information. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the data structure of a setting data file. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the "music system structure screen" which displays a logical music system structure. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of the connection setting process by reading. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a full setting process. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a template setting process. FIGS. 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example of a display mode of a music system configuration screen, in which FIG. 10A is a screen display during full setting processing, FIG. 10B is a screen display during template setting processing, and FIG. ) Shows the initial screen display and setting data file contents before reading the setting data file.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Display circuit, 4A ... Display part, 5 ... Detection circuit, 5A ... Operation part, 6 ... Communication interface, 1D ... Communication bus (data and address bus), L ... Communication cable, N ... node

Claims (3)

Display means for displaying a plurality of nodes constituting a logical music system and the state of communication paths according to the logical connection between them;
Storage means for storing, for each different music system configuration, one setting data file including at least attribute information and connection information for all nodes constituting one logical music system;
Reading means for reading any of the stored setting data files;
Comparison means for comparing each node included in the music system configuration of the read setting data file with a node included in the displayed music system configuration;
Change means for reading attribute information and connection information regarding the node based on the comparison from the setting data file and changing the information regarding the node displayed in accordance with the read information;
Search means for searching for a similar node among unused nodes not logically connected to any other nodes in the displayed music system configuration for nodes that do not match based on the comparison;
If there is a similar node based on the search , the attribute information and connection information regarding the mismatched node are read from the setting data file, and the information regarding the similar node is changed according to the read information, while the search is performed. If there is no similar node based on the above, a connection setting device comprising an adding means for adding the mismatched node to the displayed music system configuration as a virtual node for displaying the node in a special manner. The connection setting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores instruction information for instructing whether or not to search for similar nodes by the search unit for each setting data file. On the computer,
A procedure for displaying a plurality of nodes constituting a logical music system and a state of a communication path according to the logical connection between them;
A procedure for storing, for each different music system configuration, one setting data file including at least attribute information and connection information for all nodes constituting one logical music system;
A procedure for reading one of the stored setting data files;
A procedure for comparing each node included in the music system configuration of the read setting data file with a node included in the displayed music system configuration;
A procedure for reading attribute information and connection information related to the node based on the comparison from the setting data file, and changing the information related to the node displayed in accordance with the read information;
A procedure for searching for a similar node among unused nodes not logically connected to any other nodes in the displayed music system configuration for nodes that do not match based on the comparison;
If there is a similar node based on the search , the attribute information and connection information regarding the mismatched node are read from the setting data file, and the information regarding the similar node is changed according to the read information, while the search is performed. A program for executing, when there is no similar node based on the above, a procedure for adding the node that does not match as a virtual node that displays the node in a special manner to the displayed music system configuration.

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