JP5183695B2 - Wireless transmission system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless transmission system, and more particularly to a wireless transmission system in which a plurality of sink devices can be grouped and the operation of the sink devices can be controlled in units of groups.

  Conventionally, a wireless network represented by a wireless local area network (LAN) is used for data transmission between devices such as a personal computer (PC). Such a wireless network can also be constructed to transmit data from the access point to each device by multicast transmission.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a wireless transmission device that performs wireless communication with other communication stations in a wireless network. The wireless transmission device sets a predetermined frame period received by the wireless processing unit based on management information from a wireless processing unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal and surrounding communication stations, and the setting A predetermined position in the frame period is set as a management information transmission area, a plurality of slots are defined in the management information transmission area, and each communication station transmits management information in one of the slots, and a part of the slot is previously set. Is defined as a new entry slot, and when a specific signal at a predetermined new entry slot position is determined, a control means is provided for performing a process of causing the transmission source of the specific signal to enter the wireless network.

  When transmitting AV (Audio Visual) content using radio, it is possible to simultaneously distribute AV content to a plurality of devices by multicast transmission as described above. A device that receives AV content distribution (referred to as a sink device) is not limited to a display device and a speaker that are integrated, such as a television device (TV), but also a TV and a plurality of speakers (for example, In combination with a 5.1 channel surround system). This type of usage by multicast transmission has been difficult in the conventional wired AV transmission system such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), and it is considered that AV systems using radio will become widespread in the future.

Japanese Patent No. 4192328

  Here, in a wireless transmission system in which a plurality of sink devices such as a television and a speaker are connected to each other wirelessly, when controlling volume or the like, the plurality of sink devices connected wirelessly are regarded as one set, and It is necessary to work in conjunction. For example, when the volume is increased or decreased with a remote control device attached to the television, it is necessary to simultaneously change the volumes of a plurality of speakers set in the television. For this reason, the television must wirelessly transmit a command for controlling the volume to each of a plurality of speakers as a set. In addition, even when a source device such as an STB (Set Top Box) or a recorder that can output video is wirelessly connected to a plurality of sink devices, the source device must wirelessly transmit a control command to each of the plurality of sink devices. Don't be.

  However, in the case of wireless transmission, since the transmission band is narrower than in the case of wired transmission, if the transmission amount of the control command increases, the transmission time becomes longer or each sink device (for example, a television and a plurality of speakers) ) Has a problem such as variations in control command arrival timing. For this reason, it is desirable to minimize the amount of control command transmission.

  In addition, it is conceivable to construct a system by mixing the existing wired transmission method such as HDMI and the above wireless transmission method, but in such a mixed system, when sending a control command such as volume control, Since the transmission band is different between wired and wireless, there is a possibility that even if the transmission amount has no problem with wired, the wireless transmission band is insufficient and a communication error or the like may occur. For this reason, it is necessary to minimize the control command even in a wired and wireless mixed system.

  To deal with such problems, in the conventional wireless transmission system, when operating a plurality of sink devices in conjunction with each other, as described above, a control command is individually sent to each sink device to be operated. The amount of control command transmission cannot be minimized. The same applies to the technique described in Patent Document 1, and the technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique for allowing a new communication station (receiver) to enter an existing wireless network. It does not solve such problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when performing wireless AV transmission, it is possible to operate a plurality of sink devices in association with each other in units of groups, thereby minimizing the amount of control command transmission. An object is to provide a wireless transmission system.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first technical means of the present invention includes a content transmission device that wirelessly transmits AV content including video and / or audio, and a plurality of sink devices that receive the wirelessly transmitted AV content. And at least one of the plurality of sink devices is a wireless transmission system configured with wireless sink devices, wherein the content transmission device identifies a group configured with the plurality of sink devices A group identification ID table for storing an ID, a group identification ID adding unit for adding a group identification ID extracted from the group identification ID table to a control command for controlling the plurality of sink devices, and the group identification ID. A wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the control command, wherein the wireless sink device includes the group identifier. An ID table, and when the group identification ID is added to the control command wirelessly transmitted from the content transmission device, the control command is received, and one of the wireless sink devices belonging to the group is A representative wireless sink device, the representative wireless sink device represents the group to which the representative wireless sink device belongs, and performs wireless communication with the content transmission device or a representative wireless sink device of another group, and the representative wireless sink device Other wireless sink devices other than the above hold only their own device ID, group identification ID, and device ID of the representative wireless sink device in the group identification ID table.

  According to the present invention, when performing wireless AV transmission, a plurality of sink devices can be operated in units of groups, and the amount of control command transmission can be minimized. It is possible to prevent variations in arrival timing.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the relay apparatus which comprises the wireless transmission system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the source device which comprises the wireless transmission system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the sink device which comprises the wireless transmission system of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a radio transmission system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the packet which transmits a radio | wireless control command. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence at the time of power-on in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the values in each table shown in FIG. 4 in association with the steps in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the communication procedure in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless transmission system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence at the time of power-on in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the communication procedure in the wireless transmission system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the wireless transmission system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) will be described as examples of the wired interface. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a wired interface such as IEEE 1394 is used. It can also be applied.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a relay device constituting the wireless transmission system of the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates a relay device (hereinafter referred to as a bridge device). The bridge device 1 includes a wired connection unit 11 for communication with a wired (HDMI) device, a control unit 12 for controlling the bridge device 1, and a wireless connection unit 13 for connection with a wireless device. An HDMI / CEC driver 14 that transmits and receives a CEC message, which is an example of a wired control command, a wireless device control driver 15 that transmits and receives a wireless control command, and device control that analyzes and converts the CEC message and wireless control command to each other The manager 16, the HDMI device ID table 17 that stores the logical address and physical address of the HDMI device in association with each other, the ID unique to the wireless device, and the group identification ID for identifying the group to which each wireless device belongs are associated with each other. And a wireless device ID / group identification ID table 18 to be stored.

  Note that the bridge device 1 corresponds to the configurations of both FIG. 4 and FIG. 10 described later, and in the case of the example of FIG. 4, the wired device 1 is connected to the wireless device so that AV content transmitted from the wired device is transmitted to the wireless device. In the case of the example in FIG. 10, the relay from wireless to wired is performed so that AV content transmitted from the wireless device is transmitted to the wired device.

  The bridge device 1 connects an HDMI device to the wired connection unit 11 by wire, and connects the wireless device to the wireless connection unit 13 wirelessly. A control command (CEC message and wireless control command) is transmitted between the HDMI device and the wireless device. Are mutually converted to enable communication. Note that the HDMI cable connecting the bridge device 1 and the HDMI device has a TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) line (digital signal line) for transmitting video / audio signals, which are digital signals, in a differential manner, and between the devices. And a CEC line which is a bidirectional bus for transmitting a common control signal (CEC message). In addition, the HDMI cable includes a DDC (Display Data Channel) line used for transmission of EDID (Extended Display Identification Data), HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection System) authentication, and the like.

  Here, the CEC message is a device control signal based on the CEC protocol of the HDMI standard. Various operation controls are realized between HDMI devices by exchanging the device control signals between the devices. In the case of CEC, since the logical address (device type) and physical address (device position) of each HDMI-connected device are acquired, a CEC message can be transmitted to a desired device by specifying this logical address. Can do.

Hereinafter, a logical address and a physical address in CEC will be briefly described.
First, in the HDMI CEC standard, a plurality of logical addresses can be handled according to the type of device, and is the only name in the HDMI network. This logical address differs depending on the type of HDMI device. For example, the logical address “0” indicates a display device such as a television, “4” indicates a playback device such as a BD player, and “5” indicates an audio device such as a speaker or an AV amplifier.

  In addition, the physical address is the only name in the HDMI network, but usually a physical address (0.0.0.0) is assigned to the display device. In addition, when an HDMI device is added to or disconnected from an HDMI network, the adjustment is automatically made. The physical address has a plurality of hierarchical addresses including the display device, is composed of a unique number n in the same hierarchical layer, and is expressed in the form (nnn nn). When the hierarchy of the HDMI device directly connected to the display device is the first hierarchy, the HDMI device connected to the device of the first hierarchy is the second hierarchy, and the hierarchy number is increased as the distance from the display device increases. Then, the layer number is expressed so as to increase from the leftmost n in the format (nnnnn) to the right.

  In the case of an HDMI device, since it has such a logical address and a physical address, even if a plurality of HDMI devices are connected to the HDMI network, it is possible to designate a specific one and transmit a CEC message. It becomes.

  In FIG. 1, a wired connection unit 11 and a wireless connection unit 13 are connected to a control unit 12, and an HDMI / CEC driver 14, a wireless device control driver 15, a device control manager 16, an HDMI device ID table 17, and a wireless device. It is assumed that the ID / group identification ID table 18 is under the control of the control unit 12. The device control manager 16 receives the CEC message received by the HDMI / CEC driver 12 or the wireless control command received by the wireless device control driver 15.

  The device control manager 16 converts the CEC message into a radio control command, and converts the radio control command into a CEC message. The device control manager 16 then specifies a destination (device ID, group identification ID) based on the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 18 for the converted wireless control command, and also converts the converted CEC message. In contrast, a destination (logical address) is designated based on the HDMI device ID table 17.

  The wireless connection unit 13 wirelessly transmits the converted wireless control command to the destination specified by the device control manager 16. The wired connection unit 11 wire-transmits the converted CEC message to the destination specified by the device manager 16. The wireless connection unit 13 and the wired connection unit 11 can also perform broadcast transmission without specifying a destination.

  The HDMI device ID table 17 and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 18 are generated by automatically exchanging predetermined commands when the power of each device is turned on and the wired connection and wireless connection are enabled. Is done. A sequence example after the power is turned on will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the source device constituting the wireless transmission system of the present invention. 2A shows a wired (HDMI) source device, and FIG. 2B shows a wireless source device. These source devices are video output devices capable of outputting AV content, and are not limited to the BD (Blu-ray Disc) player and BD recorder of this example. For example, STB, DVD recorder, DVD player, etc. There may be.

  In FIG. 2A, an HDMI source device 2 is connected to be able to communicate with a BD unit 21 that drives an optical disc such as a BD, a control unit 22 that controls the HDMI source device 2, and a wired (HDMI) device. A wired connection unit 23, an HDMI / CEC driver 24 that transmits and receives CEC messages, a device control manager 25 that analyzes CEC messages, and an HDMI device ID table 26 that stores the logical address and physical address of the HDMI device in association with each other. A light receiving unit that receives an operation signal from a remote control device (not shown) and an operation unit 27 including a main body operation unit.

  In FIG. 2B, a wireless source device 3 includes a BD unit 31 that drives an optical disc such as a BD, a control unit 32 that controls the wireless source device 3, and a wireless connection unit that is communicably connected to the wireless device. 33, a wireless device control driver 34 for transmitting / receiving a wireless control command, a device control manager 35 for analyzing the wireless control command, an ID unique to the wireless device, and a group identification ID for identifying a group to which each wireless device belongs Are stored in association with each other, and an operation unit 37 including a light receiving unit and a main unit operation unit that receives an operation signal from a remote control device (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the sink device that constitutes the wireless transmission system of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a wired (HDMI) sink device, and FIG. 3B shows a wireless sink device. These sink devices are display devices that can output video and / or audio among the AV content transmitted from the source device, and are, for example, a television or a monitor. In addition, the sink device may be an audio device capable of outputting sound among AV contents transmitted from the source device, and may be an AV amplifier, a speaker, or the like, for example.

  In FIG. 3A, an HDMI sink device 4 includes a wired connection unit 41 for communicably connecting to a wired (HDMI) device, a control unit 42 for controlling the HDMI sink device 4, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). And the like, a HDMI / CEC driver 44 that transmits and receives CEC messages, a device control manager 45 that analyzes CEC messages, and an HDMI device ID table 46 that stores the logical addresses and physical addresses of HDMI devices in association with each other. And an operation unit 47 including a light receiving unit and a main body operation unit that receive an operation signal from a remote control device (not shown).

  In FIG. 3B, the wireless sink device 5 includes a wireless connection unit 51 for connecting to the wireless device so as to be communicable, a control unit 52 for controlling the wireless sink device 5, a display unit 53 such as an LCD, A wireless device control driver 54 that transmits and receives control commands, a device control manager 55 that analyzes wireless control commands, an ID unique to the wireless device, and a group identification ID for identifying the group to which each wireless device belongs are associated with each other. A wireless device ID / group identification ID table 56 to be stored, and an operation unit 57 including a light receiving unit and a main body operation unit for receiving an operation signal from a remote control device (not shown).

  2 and 3, each device holds ID information of other devices to be connected (wired connection or wireless connection) in the same manner as the bridge device 1 in a table. In the case of an HDMI device, it is held in an HDMI device ID table, and in the case of a wireless device, it is held in a wireless device ID / group identification ID table. Similar to the bridge device 1, the ID information held in these tables is automatically generated by exchanging predetermined control commands when each connection becomes valid when the power is turned on. The contents of each table are the same as those of the connection destination device.

  The main feature of the present invention is that, when performing wireless AV transmission, a plurality of sink devices are operated in a group unit to minimize the amount of control command transmission. As a configuration for this, the wireless transmission system includes a content transmission device that wirelessly transmits AV content including video and / or audio, and a plurality of sink devices that receive the wirelessly transmitted AV content, and a plurality of sink devices At least one of them is constituted by a wireless sink device. For example, when a plurality of sink devices are configured with a television and a plurality of speakers, out of AV contents multicast-transmitted from the content playback apparatus, the television extracts video from the AV contents, and the speaker extracts audio. Therefore, video and audio can be reproduced simultaneously by a plurality of sink devices.

  The content transmission apparatus has two main forms: first, a form constituted by the wired source device 2 and the bridge device 1, and second, a form constituted only by the wireless source device 3. . The first mode will be described as a representative example. The bridge device 1 (FIG. 1) constituting the content transmission device stores a group identification ID table for storing a group identification ID for identifying a group composed of a plurality of sink devices. Group identification ID addition for adding a group identification ID extracted from the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 18 to a control command for controlling a plurality of sink devices. A device control manager 16 corresponding to a unit, and a wireless connection unit 13 corresponding to a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a control command to which a group identification ID is added. The same applies to the case of the second embodiment in which the content transmission apparatus is the wireless source device 3 (FIG. 2B).

  That is, a group is formed in which a plurality of sink devices (for example, a television apparatus and one or more audio devices) connected by wireless AV transmission are collected. When it is necessary to operate in units of groups, a control command to which a group identification ID is added is transmitted by radio. If the wireless sink device is a control command addressed to its own group, the wireless sink device is configured to receive the control command and perform an operation according to the received control command. As a result, when performing wireless AV transmission, a plurality of sink devices can be operated in units of groups to minimize the amount of control command transmission, and the control command of each sink device It is possible to prevent variations in arrival timing.

  Further, any one of the wireless sink devices belonging to the group may be set as the representative wireless sink device. The representative wireless sink device can perform wireless communication with a content transmission apparatus (bridge device 1 or wireless source device 3) or a representative wireless sink device of another group on behalf of the group to which the representative wireless sink device belongs. it can. By providing this representative device, it is possible to obtain an effect that, for example, the devices in the group can be operated in an interlocked manner and the response to the source side can be unified.

  Here, as a control command of the wireless transmission method, for example, a command for a specific device issued to a specific device, a broadcast command issued to all groups without specifying a partner device, a group issued to a specific group There is a command to the address. In addition, a device that has received a command that requires a response (for example, an inquiry command) returns a response to the command transmission source.

  Examples of the control command (CEC message in HDMI) for the wired transmission method include a command for a specific device issued to a specific device, a broadcast command issued to all connected devices without specifying a partner device, and the like. . Similarly, a device that receives a command that requires a response (such as an inquiry command) returns a response to the command transmission source.

(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as described above, the content transmission device is configured by the HDMI source device 2 and the bridge device 1, and the plurality of sink devices are all wireless sink devices (a television device and one or more audio devices). It is composed. In this case, the bridge device 1 is wirelessly connected to all the wireless sink devices.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the HDMI source device 2 and the bridge device 1 are HDMI-connected, and the bridge device 1 and a plurality of wireless sink devices are wirelessly connected. In the figure, 5a and 5b indicate televisions, and 6a to 6c indicate audio. These televisions 5a and 5b and audios 6a to 6c are wireless sink devices, and the televisions 5a and 5b have the apparatus configuration shown in FIG. The audios 6a to 6c are audio output devices such as speakers and AV amplifiers, for example, a wireless connection unit, a control unit, a wireless device control driver, a device control manager, a wireless device ID / group identification ID table, and an audio output. It consists of parts.

  In this example, the HDMI source device 2 includes the HDMI device ID table 7a, the televisions 5a and 5b and the audios 6a to 6c include the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b, and the bridge device 1 includes the HDMI device ID table 7a and A wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b is provided. A method of generating these tables 7a and 7b will be described later with reference to FIG. The television 5a and the audios 6a and 6b are classified into the group A, and the television 5b and the audio 6c are classified into the group B.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the televisions 5a and 5b and the audios 6a to 6c, which are wireless sink devices, have their own group identification ID added to the control command wirelessly transmitted from the content transmission device (bridge device 1). The control command is received. Accordingly, the wireless sink device can operate in conjunction with other wireless sink devices belonging to the same group based on the received control command.

  Further, the audio 6a to 6c, which are wireless sink devices, are provided with the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b shown in FIG. 4, so that they are wirelessly transmitted from other wireless sink devices (TVs 5a and 5b) belonging to the same group. When the own group identification ID is added to the received control command, the control command can be received. Also in this case, similarly to the above, the wireless sink device can operate in conjunction with other wireless sink devices belonging to the same group based on the received control command.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a packet for transmitting a radio control command. In the figure, 8 indicates a transmission packet. The frame format of the transmission packet 8 includes fields such as frame identification information 81, reception group identification information 82, transmission source address 83, sequence number information 84, radio control command 85, and error detection code 86.

  The frame identification information 81 is information that specifies the type of data. For example, in the case of a wireless LAN, identification information is distinguished according to the purpose of control (data communication, management, bandwidth reservation, Acknowledgment, etc.). The reception group identification information 82 is information (group identification ID) that specifies a group to be received. Based on this, the wireless sink device receives the subsequent field of this transmission packet 8 when it matches its own group. When a control command is transmitted to a specific device, it is necessary to specify the device ID of the destination device. Therefore, a field for specifying this device ID is provided separately. Alternatively, the device ID field may also be used as the reception group identification information 82 field.

  The transmission source address 83 indicates an address of a wireless source device that is a transmission source. The sequence number information 84 is used to determine duplication in the case of communication with retransmission processing, and is used for the receiver (sink device) to detect number skipping even in the absence of retransmission processing. This sequence number information 84 may not be included in this frame format.

  The wireless control command 85 is various control data for controlling each sink device. Note that communication control data may be included when management such as network formation is performed. The error detection code 86 is data for determining whether or not there is an error in transmission data, such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence at power-on in the wireless transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This sequence example corresponds to the system configuration of FIG. 4, and the case where the bridge device 1 generates the HDMI device ID table 7a and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b shown in FIG. 4 will be described as an example. . In the figure, a single line indicates a radio control command, a double line indicates a CEC message, a broken line indicates a command other than device control, a circle indicates a command transmission source, and an arrow indicates a command destination. Also, the HDMI source device 2, the bridge device 1, the television 5a, the audio 6a, the audio 6b, the television 5b, and the audio 6c in FIG. 4 are respectively the HDMI source device, the bridge device, the television 1, the audio 1, and the audio 2 in FIG. , And TV 2 and audio 3.

  In FIG. 6, “HDMI CEC logical address” corresponds to the logical address of the HDMI device ID table 7a shown in FIG. 4, and “wireless device control address” is the wireless device ID / ID shown in FIG. It is assumed that it corresponds to the group identification ID (Gr) and device ID (Dev) in the group identification ID table 7b.

  First, when the power source of the HDMI source device and the bridge device is turned on (S1), the bridge device virtually plays the role of the television 1 in the HDMI connection, so that the physical address of the television (0.0.0.0). ) As device information is transmitted to the HDMI source device (S2). As a result, the physical address of the bridge device is determined as (0.0.0.0), and the physical address of the HDMI source device is determined as (1.0.0.0). Then, the HDMI source device transmits the logical address “4” of the playback device by a CEC message <Polling Message> in order to declare that it is a playback device (S3). On the other hand, if there is no Ack, it is determined as it is. The bridge device group ID is set to “0” and the device ID is set to “0” by default.

  Next, when the TV 1 is turned on (S4), the TV 1 detects the presence of the HDMI source device via the bridge device (S5), and transmits the device information of the TV 1 to the bridge device (S6). ). Then, the television 1 transmits a radio control command requesting address assignment to the bridge device (S7), and the bridge device broadcasts a radio control command for notifying the address (S8). Thereby, the television 1 acquires the group identification ID “1” and the device ID “1” as addresses.

  Next, the television 1 transmits a request for returning from the standby state (power-on request) to the audio devices to be grouped (S9). In this case, the television 1 stores the MAC (Media Access Control) addresses of the audios 1 and 2 in advance, and recognizes that these audio devices are in the same group. When the power is turned on in response to a return request from the television 1 (S10), the audios 1 and 2 transmit the respective device information to the bridge device (S11).

  Next, the audio 1 transmits a radio control command requesting address assignment to the bridge device (S12), and the bridge device broadcasts a radio control command for notifying the address (S13). As a result, the audio 1 acquires the group identification ID “0” and the device ID “2” as addresses. This group identification ID “0” indicates a default. Similarly, the audio 2 transmits a radio control command requesting address assignment to the bridge device (S14), and the bridge device broadcasts a radio control command for notifying the address (S15). Thus, the audio 2 acquires the group identification ID “0 (default)” and the device ID “3” as addresses.

  Next, since there is an audio device on the wireless side, the bridge device transmits the logical address “5” of the audio device to the HDMI source device by a CEC message <Polling Message> (S16). On the other hand, if there is no Ack, it is determined as it is.

  Next, the television 1 transmits a radio control command requesting the setting of the group identification ID “1” to the audio 1 (S17). When the audio 1 sets the group identification ID “1” in response to this request, A group ID setting notification is broadcasted (S18). Similarly, the television 1 transmits a radio control command requesting the setting of the group identification ID “1” to the audio 2 (S19). When the audio 2 sets the group identification ID “1” in response to this request, A group ID setting notification is broadcasted (S20).

  That is, when the power of the television 1 is turned on, the bridge device assigns a group identification ID to the television 1 (S8), and the television 1 is based on device identification information (such as a MAC address) unique to the audio 1 and 2. Then, the audios 1 and 2 are grouped, and a group identification ID is assigned to the grouped audios 1 and 2 (S17, S19). By this process, the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b is generated. Tables are generated for other groups by the same processing.

  As described above, the tables 7a and 7b shown in FIG. 4 are generated by the sequence described in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the values in each table shown in FIG. 4 in association with the steps in FIG. In the case of the table 7a shown in FIG. 7A, the physical address and logical address of the bridge device and the HDMI source device are determined in step (1) in FIG. This step (1) is a step in which the HDMI device is turned on to configure the HDMI network, and corresponds to S1 to S3. The physical address and logical address of the bridge device (for audio) are determined in step (5) in FIG. This step (5) is a step of notifying the HDMI source device of the connection of the audio device and corresponds to S16.

  In the case of the table 7b shown in FIG. 7B, the group identification ID and device ID of the bridge device are determined in step (1) in FIG. Further, the group identification ID and device ID of the television 1 are determined in step (2) of FIG. This step (2) is a step in which the power of the television 1 of the wireless device is turned on and connected to the bridge device, and corresponds to S4 to S8. Further, the group identification ID and device ID of the audios 1 and 2 are determined in steps (4) and (6) of FIG. This step (4) is a step in which the power sources of the audios 1 and 2 are turned on and connected to the bridge device, and correspond to S10 to S15. Step (6) is a step of setting a group identification ID for the audios 1 and 2, and corresponds to S17 to S20. Note that the group identification ID and the device ID can be obtained for the television 2 and the audio 3 of the group B by the same method, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure in the wireless transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The procedure described below is executed based on the HDMI device ID table 7a and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b in the wireless transmission system shown in FIG. The procedure (11) is a procedure in the case of transmitting a radio control command (no response) to the radio device, and shows an example in which the television 1 performs a volume operation on the audio 2. The television 1 transmits a radio control command <User Control Pressed> [Volume Up] for controlling the volume, specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S21). The audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” performs volume control according to the wireless control command. Since there is no response here, the audio 2 does not return a response.

  The procedure (12) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with a response) to the radio device, and shows an example in which the television 1 makes a status inquiry to the audio 2. The television 1 transmits a radio control command <Give Audio Status> for inquiring about the status by specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as a destination (S22). The audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” responds to the wireless control command with a wireless control command <Report Audio Status> [Mute ON] indicating its own state as a response, and the device ID “1” ( Dev1) is designated and returned (S23). Since there is a response here, the audio 2 returns a response.

  The procedure (13) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (no response) to a radio device in the group, and shows an example in which the television 1 makes a standby request to the audio 1 and 2 in the same group. is there. The television 1 transmits a radio control command <Standby> for requesting standby, specifying the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as a destination (S24). The audios 1 and 2 corresponding to the group identification ID “1” shift to the standby state in accordance with the radio control command. Since there is no response here, the audio 1 and 2 do not return a response.

  The procedure (14) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with a response) to radio devices in the group, and shows an example in which the TV 1 inquires about the power status of the audio 1 and 2 in the same group. Is. The television 1 transmits a radio control command <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power supply state by designating the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as a destination (S25). In response to this radio control command, the audio 2 corresponding to the group identification ID “1” responds with a radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] indicating its own power state as a response, and the device ID “1” as a destination. A reply is made by designating (Dev1) (S26). Similarly, the audio 1 corresponding to the group identification ID “1” responds to this radio control command with a radio control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, and a device ID as a destination. “1” (Dev1) is designated and returned (S27). Since there is a response here, the audio 1 and 2 return a response.

  The procedure (15) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (no response) to the radio devices in the group, and the bridge device is the TV 1, the audio 1, 2 of the group A (group identification ID “1”). Shows an example in which a standby request is made. The bridge device transmits a wireless control command <Standby> for requesting standby, specifying the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as the destination (S28). In this example, the radio control command from outside the group is received only by the television 1 that is the representative radio sink device. The television 1 transfers the wireless control command <Standby> received from the bridge device by designating the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as the destination (S29). The television 1 and the audios 1 and 2 corresponding to the group identification ID “1” shift to the standby state in accordance with this radio control command. Since there is no response here, the television 1 and the audios 1 and 2 belonging to the group A do not return a response.

  The procedure (16) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with a response) to the radio devices in the group, and the bridge device is the TV 1, the audio 1, 2 of the group A (group identification ID “1”). Shows an example of inquiring about the power state. The bridge device transmits a radio control command <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power supply state, specifying the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as the destination (S30). In this example, the radio control command from outside the group is received only by the television 1 that is the representative radio sink device. The television 1 transfers the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> received from the bridge device by designating the device ID “2” (Dev2) as the destination (S31). In response to this wireless control command, the audio 1 corresponding to the device ID “2” responds with a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, and the device ID “1” ( Specify Dev1) and send it back (S32).

  Similarly, the television 1 transfers the radio control command <Give Device Power Status> received from the bridge device by designating the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S33). In response to this wireless control command, the audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” responds with a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, and the device ID “1” ( Specify Dev1) and send it back (S34). The television 1 corresponding to the identification ID “1” collects a plurality of responses received from the audios 1 and 2 into one response based on a predetermined rule, and assigns the response to the device ID “0” (Dev0). Specify and reply (S35). The bridge device corresponding to the device ID “0” receives this response.

  As described in steps (15) and (16) of FIG. 8, any one of the wireless sink devices belonging to each group may be used as the representative wireless sink device. The representative wireless sink device performs wireless communication with a content transmission apparatus (bridge device) or a representative wireless sink device of another group on behalf of the group to which the representative wireless sink device belongs. The representative wireless sink device may perform wireless communication with other sink devices in the group. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, when all the groups are configured with wireless sink devices, the representative wireless sink devices are the TVs 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 10 described later, when a bridge device is included in a group and the television apparatus is HDMI-connected to the bridge device, the representative wireless sink device is set as the bridge device.

  In the above procedure (16), when the control command is broadcast from the bridge device, the television 1 that is the representative wireless sink device receives this control command, and in response to the control command, the television 1 in the group to which the television 1 belongs. A plurality of responses of other sink devices (audios 1 and 2) are grouped into one response based on a predetermined rule, and the responses are returned to the bridge device.

  There are two main cases for the response reply method. In the first case, the bridge device receives the response of the sink device (audio 1, 2, 3) from the representative wireless sink device (TV 1, 2) of each group in response to the inquiry command from the HDMI source device. In this case, this response is returned to the HDMI source device. In the second case, when the representative wireless sink device (TV 1) receives an inquiry command from outside the group, the inquiry command is transmitted to the wireless sink devices (audio 1, 2) in the group, and each sink In this case, a response from the device is received and this response is returned to the command issuer (corresponding to the procedure 16 above). In the second case, the representative wireless sink device may be a bridge device as shown in a second embodiment described later. In this case, an inquiry command to a wired device connected to the bridge device in the group is used. Send.

  At this time, it is necessary to define a rule for combining a plurality of responses into one in the bridge device or the representative wireless sink device (television or bridge device). By defining the following response reply rule as an example, even if different responses are received from a plurality of sink devices, one response can be returned in the same manner as when one sink device is connected. For this reason, device control is possible without being aware of multiple connections (multicast connections).

(Response reply rule)
1. In the case of an ON / OFF status inquiry control command (for example, an inquiry about the power supply status, video display status, audio playback status), if there is one or more “ON” devices in the connected sink device, the response is “ON ”And“ OFF ”otherwise.
2. In the case of a numerical inquiry control command (for example, a volume inquiry), the maximum value of the connected sink device is returned as a response.

  In the above description, the attribute of the group identification ID is newly assigned to each wireless sink device in addition to the device ID. However, the group identification ID stored in the wireless device ID / group identification ID table is assigned to the representative wireless device. The device ID of the sink device may be used. Each group of sink devices holds the device ID of the representative wireless sink device of its own group. In this case, the “group identification ID” column of the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b shown in FIG. For example, in the table 7b, since the device ID of the television 1 that is the representative device is “1”, the audios 1 and 2 in the same group also hold the representative device ID “1”. Thus, each sink device does not have to have a separate attribute called group identification ID.

  Also, since the sink device (audio device) that is not the representative of the group exchanges control commands only with the representative device of the group, it is not necessary to hold all of the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b, and its own device ID. The same operation can be performed by holding only the group identification ID and the device ID of the representative device.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a communication procedure in the wireless transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The procedure described below is executed based on the HDMI device ID table 7a and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7b in the wireless transmission system shown in FIG.

  The procedure (17) is a procedure for transmitting a CEC message (no response) from the HDMI source device, and shows an example in which the HDMI source device makes a standby request to the devices in groups A and B. The HDMI source device transmits a CEC message <Standby> for requesting standby, specifying the logical address “0” (TV) as the destination (S41). The bridge device corresponding to this logical address converts this CEC message into a radio control command, and broadcasts the converted radio control command <Standby> without specifying a destination (S42). In this example, only the televisions 1 and 2 that are representative wireless sink devices receive the wireless control command <Standby> transmitted by broadcast.

  The television 1 transfers the wireless control command <Standby> received from the bridge device by designating the group identification ID “1” (Gr1) as the destination (S43). Similarly, the television 2 transfers the wireless control command <Standby> received from the bridge device by designating the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S44). The television 1 and audio 1 and 2 corresponding to the group identification ID “1” and the television 2 and audio 3 corresponding to the group identification ID “2” shift to the standby state in accordance with this radio control command. Since there is no response here, the devices belonging to groups A and B do not return a response.

  The procedure (18) is a procedure for transmitting a CEC message (with a response) from the HDMI source device, and shows an example in which the HDMI source device makes an inquiry about the power state to the devices in groups A and B. The HDMI source device transmits a CEC message <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power state, specifying the logical address “0” (TV) as the destination (S45). The bridge device corresponding to this logical address converts the CEC message into a radio control command, and broadcasts the converted radio control command <Give Device Power Status> without specifying the destination (S46). In this example, the broadcast control-transmitted radio control command <Give Device Power Status> is received only by the televisions 1 and 2 that are representative radio sink devices.

  The television 1 transfers the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> received from the bridge device by designating the device ID “2” (Dev2) as the destination (S47). The audio 1 corresponding to the device ID “2” transmits the wireless control command <Report Power Status> [ON] as a response and specifies the device ID “1” (Dev1) as the destination (S48). Similarly, the television 1 transfers the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> by specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S49). The audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” transmits the wireless control command <Report Power Status> [ON] as a response and specifies the device ID “1” (Dev1) as the destination (S50). The television 1 corresponding to the device ID “1” takes a response from the audio 1 and 2 as one response based on the response reply rule described above, and uses this radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] as a destination. The device ID “0” (Dev0) is designated and transmitted (S51).

  Also, the television 2 transfers the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> received from the bridge device, specifying the device ID “5” (Dev5) as the destination (S52). The audio 3 corresponding to the device ID “5” transmits the wireless control command <Report Power Status> [ON] as a response, specifying the device ID “4” (Dev4) as the destination (S53). The television 2 corresponding to the device ID “4” transmits the radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] as a response from the audio 3 and specifies the device ID “0” (Dev0) as the destination (see FIG. S54).

  The bridge device corresponding to the device ID “0” uses two responses from the television 1 and the television 2 as one response based on the response return rule, and this radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] is set to CEC. The message is converted into a message, and the converted CEC message <Report Power Status> [ON] is transmitted by designating the logical address “4” as the destination (S55). The HDMI source device corresponding to this logical address receives a response from the bridge device.

  The procedure (19) is a procedure for transmitting a wireless control command (no response) from the wireless sink device to the HDMI source device, and shows an example of transmitting a remote control signal from the television 1 to the HDMI source device. The television 1 transmits the radio control command <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] of the remote control signal by designating the device ID “0” (Dev0) as the destination (S56). The bridge device corresponding to the device ID “0” converts the radio control command <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] from the television 1 into a CEC message, and uses the converted CEC message <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] as the destination. The logical address “4” is designated and transmitted (S57). The HDMI source device corresponding to this logical address receives the CEC message from the bridge device.

  The procedure (20) is a procedure for transmitting a wireless control command (with a response) from the wireless sink device to the HDMI source device, and shows an example of transmitting a reproduction request from the television 1 to the HDMI source device. The television 1 transmits the reproduction request signal wireless control command <Play> [FORWARD], specifying the device ID “0” (Dev0) as the destination (S58). The bridge device corresponding to the device ID “0” converts the radio control command <Play> [FORWARD] from the television 1 into a CEC message, and uses the converted CEC message <Play> [FORWARD] as the logical address “4”. "" Is designated and transmitted (S59).

  The HDMI source device corresponding to this logical address transmits the CEC message <Deck Status> [PLAY] as a response to the CEC message from the bridge device and the logical address “0” (TV) as the destination. (S60). The bridge device corresponding to this logical address converts this CEC message into a radio control command, and transfers the converted radio control command <Deck Status> [PLAY] by specifying the device ID “1” (Dev1) as the destination. (S61). The television 1 corresponding to the device ID “1” receives this response.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The bridge devices 1a and 1b have the device configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the televisions 4a and 4b have the device configuration shown in FIG. The audios 6d and 6e are audio output devices such as speakers and AV amplifiers, for example, a wireless connection unit, a control unit, a wireless device control driver, a device control manager, a wireless device ID / group identification ID table, and an audio output. It consists of parts.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the content transmission apparatus is configured by the wireless source device 3, and the group A includes the bridge device 1a that is the wireless sink device, the audio 6d that is HDMI-connected to the bridge device 1a, and the television set. 4a. The group B includes a bridge device 1b that is a wireless sink device, a television 4b that is HDMI-connected to the bridge device 1b, and an audio 6e that is a wireless sink device. In this case, the wireless source device 3 is wirelessly connected to the bridge devices 1a and 1b and the audio 6e.

  Groups A and B in this example both include wireless sink devices and wired sink devices. In group A, the bridge device 1a, the audio 6d, and the television 4a are HDMI-connected, and the bridge device 1a is a wireless sink device, and the audio 6d and the television 4a are wired sink devices. Similarly, in the group B, the television 4b is HDMI-connected to the bridge device 1b, the bridge device 1b and the audio 6e are wireless sink devices, and the television 4b is a wired sink device. Note that the audio 6d in the group A is defined as a repeater device having functions of both a source device and a sink device in the HDMI standard.

  The wireless source device 3 includes a wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c, the bridge device 1a includes a wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c and an HDMI device ID table 7e, and the bridge device 1b includes a wireless device ID / group. The audio 6e includes a wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c, the television 4a and the audio 6d include an HDMI device ID table 7e, and the television 4b includes an HDMI device ID table 7d. Is provided. A method for generating these tables 7c to 7e will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the case of this second mode, the bridge devices 1a and 1b and the audio 6e, which are wireless sink devices, have their own group identification ID added to the control command wirelessly transmitted from the content transmission device (wireless source device 3). If so, the control command is received. When a television or audio wired sink device is HDMI-connected to the bridge device, the bridge device transmits this control command as a CEC message to each wired sink device. Thereby, based on the control command received by the wireless sink devices 1a and 1b and the audio 6e, the sink devices belonging to the same group can be operated in conjunction with each other.

  The audio 6e, which is a wireless sink device, includes the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c shown in FIG. 10, and therefore, control transmitted wirelessly from another wireless sink device (bridge device 1b) belonging to the same group. When the group identification ID is added to the command, the control command can be received. Further, since the bridge device 1b transmits the control command as a CEC message to the television 4b, the sink devices belonging to the same group can be operated in an interlocked manner even in a wired and wireless mixed system.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence when the power is turned on in the wireless transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This sequence example corresponds to the system configuration of FIG. 10, and the case where the bridge device 1 generates the HDMI device ID tables 7d and 7e and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c shown in FIG. 10 will be described as an example. . The wireless source device 3, the bridge device 1a, the audio 6d, the television 4a, the bridge device 1b, the television 4b, and the audio 6e of FIG. 10 are respectively the wireless source device, the bridge device 1, the audio 1, the television 1, and the bridge device of FIG. 2, TV 2 and audio 2 are supported.

  First, when the power of the bridge device 1, the audio 1, and the television 1 is turned on (S71), the television 1 uses the physical address (0.0.0.0) as device information to the bridge device 1 in the HDMI connection. Transmit (S72). Also, the audio 1 transmits the physical address (1.0.0.0) as device information to the bridge device 1 in the HDMI connection (S73). Thereby, the physical address of the bridge device 1 is (1.1.0.0), the physical address of the television 1 is (0.0.0.0), and the physical address of the audio 1 is (1.0.0.0). ). Then, the audio 1 transmits the logical address “5” of the audio device by the CEC message <Polling Message> in order to declare that it is an audio device (S74). On the other hand, if there is no Ack, it is determined as it is.

  Next, when the wireless source device is powered on (S75), the group identification ID of the wireless source device is set to “0” and the device ID is set to “0” by default. The bridge device 1 detects the presence of the wireless source device (S76), and transmits the device information of the bridge device 1 to the wireless source device (S77). The bridge device 1 transmits a wireless control command for requesting address assignment to the wireless source device (S78), and the wireless source device broadcasts a wireless control command for notifying the address (S79). As a result, the bridge device 1 acquires the group identification ID “1” and the device ID “1” as addresses.

  Next, the bridge device 1 declares that the wireless source device (reproducing device) is wirelessly connected to the audio 1 and the television 1 that are HDMI-connected, and the logical address “4” of the reproducing device. Is transmitted by the CEC message <Polling Message> (S80). On the other hand, if there is no Ack, it is determined as it is.

  Next, when the power of the bridge device 2 and the television 2 is turned on (S81), the television 2 transmits device information to the bridge device 2 (S82). Thereby, the physical address of the television 2 is determined as (0.0.0.0), and the physical address of the bridge device 2 is determined as (1.0.0.0). When the bridge device 2 detects the presence of the wireless source device (S83), it transmits its device information to the wireless source device (S84), and transmits an address assignment request to the wireless source device (S85). In response to this address assignment request, the wireless source device broadcasts the address of the bridge device 2 (S86). As a result, the bridge device 2 acquires the group identification ID “2” and the device ID “2” as addresses.

  Then, the bridge device 2 sets the logical address “4” of the playback device to the CEC message <in order to declare that the wireless source device (playback device) is wirelessly connected to the HDMI-connected television 2. Polling Message> is transmitted (S87). On the other hand, if there is no Ack, it is determined as it is.

  Next, the bridge device 2 transmits a return request (power-on request) from the standby state to the audio devices to be grouped (S88). In this case, it is assumed that the bridge device 2 stores a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the audio 2 in advance and recognizes that the audio device is in the same group. When the audio 2 is turned on in response to the return request from the bridge device 2 (S89), the audio 2 detects the presence of the wireless source device (S90). Then, the audio 2 transmits the device information to the wireless source device (S91).

  Next, the audio 2 transmits a wireless control command for requesting address assignment to the wireless source device (S92), and the wireless source device broadcasts a wireless control command for notifying the address (S93). Thus, the audio 2 acquires the group identification ID “0 (default)” and the device ID “3” as addresses. Then, the bridge device 2 transmits a radio control command requesting the setting of the group identification ID “2” to the audio 2 (S94). When the audio 2 sets the group identification ID “2” in response to this request, A group ID setting notification is broadcasted (S95).

  That is, when the power source of the bridge devices 1 and 2 is turned on, the wireless source device assigns a group identification ID to the bridge devices 1 and 2 (S79, S86), and the bridge device 2 identifies the device unique to the audio 2 The audio 2 is grouped based on the information (such as a MAC address), and a group identification ID is assigned to the grouped audio 2 (S94). By this process, the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c is generated. For wired sink devices that are HDMI-connected to the bridge devices 1 and 2, logical addresses and physical addresses are determined based on predetermined processing in the HDMI standard, and HDMI device tables 7d and 7e are generated.

  In this manner, the tables 7c to 7e shown in FIG. 10 are generated by the sequence described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure in the wireless transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The procedure described below is executed based on the HDMI device ID tables 7d and 7e and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c in the wireless transmission system shown in FIG. Note that the communication procedure in group A is the HDMI connection procedure itself, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The procedure (21) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (no response) to the radio device, and shows an example in which the bridge device 2 performs a volume operation on the audio 2. The bridge device 2 transmits a radio control command <User Control Pressed> [Volume Up] for controlling the volume, specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S101). The audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” performs volume control according to the wireless control command. Since there is no response here, the audio 2 does not return a response.

  The procedure (22) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with response) to the radio device, and shows an example in which the bridge device 2 makes a status inquiry to the audio 2. The bridge device 2 transmits a radio control command <Give Audio Status> for inquiring about the status, specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S102). In response to this wireless control command, the audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” responds with a wireless control command <Report Audio Status> [Mute ON] indicating its own state as a response, and the device ID “2” ( Dev2) is designated and returned (S103). Since there is a response here, the audio 2 returns a response.

  The procedure (23) is a procedure in the case of transmitting a radio control command (no response) to the radio devices in the group, and shows an example in which the bridge device 2 makes a standby request to the television 2 and the audio 2 in the same group. Is. The bridge device 2 transmits a radio control command <Standby> for requesting standby, specifying the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as a destination (S104). Further, the bridge device 2 transmits the CEC message <Standby> to the HDMI-connected television 2 with the logical address “0” specified as the destination (S105). The audio 2 and the television 2 shift to the standby state according to the radio control command and the CEC message. Since there is no response here, the TV 2 and the audio 2 do not send back a response.

  The procedure (24) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with a response) to the radio devices in the group, and an example in which the bridge device 2 makes an inquiry about the power state to the television 2 and the audio 2 in the same group. It is shown. The bridge device 2 transmits a radio control command <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power supply state, specifying the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S106). Further, the bridge device 2 transmits a CEC message <Give Device Power Status> to the HDMI-connected television 2 by designating the logical address “0” as a destination (S107).

  The audio 2 corresponding to the group identification ID “2” responds to the radio control command with a radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] indicating its power state as a response, and the device ID “2” as a destination. A reply is made by specifying (Dev2) (S108). Further, in response to the CEC message, the television 2 returns a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, specifying the logical address “4” as a destination (S109). ). Here, since there is a response, the television 2 and the audio 2 return a response.

  The procedure (25) is a procedure for transmitting a control command (no response) to a device in the group. The wireless source device requests a standby request from the TV 2 and the audio 2 in the group B (group identification ID “2”). It shows about the example which performs. The wireless source device transmits a wireless control command <Standby> for requesting standby, specifying the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S110). In this example, the wireless control command from outside the group is received only by the bridge device 2 that is the representative wireless sink device. The bridge device 2 transfers the wireless control command <Standby> received from the wireless source device, specifying the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S111). The bridge device 2 transmits the CEC message <Standby> to the HDMI-connected television 2 by designating the logical address “0” as the destination (S112). The audio 2 and the television 2 shift to the standby state according to the radio control command and the CEC message. Here, since there is no response, the television 2 and the audio 2 belonging to the group B do not return a response.

  The procedure (26) is a procedure for transmitting a radio control command (with a response) to the radio devices in the group. The radio source device is set to the TV 2 and the audio 2 of the group B (group identification ID “2”). An example of inquiring about the power state is shown. The wireless source device transmits a wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power supply state, specifying the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S113). In this example, the wireless control command from outside the group is received only by the bridge device 2 that is the representative wireless sink device.

  The bridge device 2 transmits the CEC message <Give Device Power Status> to the HDMI-connected television 2 by designating the logical address “0” as the destination (S114). In response to the CEC message, the television 2 returns a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, specifying the logical address “4” as a destination (S115). Also, the bridge device 2 transfers the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> received from the wireless source device, specifying the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S116). In response to this wireless control command, the audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” responds with a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response, and the device ID “2” ( Dev2) is designated and returned (S117). Here, since there is a response, the television 2 and the audio 2 return a response.

  Then, the bridge device 2 corresponding to the logical address “4” of the HDMI connection and the device ID “2” of the wireless connection receives a plurality of responses received from the TV 2 and the audio 2 according to the above-described response return rule. The responses are batched, and this is returned by designating the device ID “0” (Dev0) (S118). The wireless source device corresponding to the device ID “0” receives this response.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a communication procedure in the wireless transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The procedure described below is executed based on the HDMI device ID tables 7d and 7e and the wireless device ID / group identification ID table 7c in the wireless transmission system shown in FIG.

  The procedure (27) is a procedure in the case where a radio control command (no response) is broadcast from the radio source device, and shows an example in which the radio source device makes a standby request to the devices in the groups A and B. The wireless source device broadcasts a wireless control command <Standby> for requesting standby without designating a destination (S121). In this example, the wireless control command <Standby> transmitted by broadcast is received only by the bridge devices 1 and 2 that are the representative wireless sink devices of the groups A and B.

  In group A, the bridge device 1 converts this radio control command into a CEC message, and broadcasts the converted CEC message <Standby> without specifying a destination (S122). In the group B, the bridge device 2 transfers this wireless control command <Standby> by designating the group identification ID “2” (Gr2) as the destination (S123). The bridge device 2 converts this radio control command into a CEC message, and broadcasts the converted CEC message <Standby> without specifying a destination (S124).

  Each device in groups A and B shifts to a standby state in accordance with a wireless control command broadcast from the wireless source device. Since this wireless control command has no response, devices belonging to groups A and B do not return a response.

  The procedure (28) is a procedure for transmitting a wireless control command (with a response) from the wireless source device, and shows an example in which the wireless source device makes an inquiry about the power state to the devices in the groups A and B. . The wireless source device broadcasts and transmits a wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> for inquiring about the power state without specifying a destination (S125). In this example, the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> transmitted by broadcast is received only by the bridge devices 1 and 2 that are the representative wireless sink devices of the groups A and B.

  The bridge device 1 converts this radio control command into a CEC message, and transmits the converted CEC message <Give Device Power Status> by designating the logical address “0” as a destination (S126). As a response, the television 1 corresponding to this logical address returns a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [ON] indicating its own power supply state, specifying the logical address “4” as a destination (S127). Similarly, the bridge device 1 transmits the CEC message <Give Device Power Status> with the logical address “5” specified as the destination (S128). As a response, the audio 1 corresponding to this logical address returns a radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] indicating its own power state and a logical address “4” as a destination (S129).

  Then, the bridge device 1 corresponding to the logical address collects a plurality of responses received from the television 1 and the audio 1 into one response based on the response reply rule described above, and this is combined with the device ID “0” (Dev0). Is designated and returned (S130). The wireless source device corresponding to the device ID “0” receives this response.

  Further, the bridge device 2 converts the radio control command from the radio source device into a CEC message, and transmits the converted CEC message <Give Device Power Status> with the logical address “0” specified as the destination (S131). . As a response, the television 2 corresponding to this logical address returns a radio control command <Report Power Status> [ON] indicating its own power state, specifying the logical address “4” as the destination (S132). Further, the bridge device 2 transmits the wireless control command <Give Device Power Status> by designating the device ID “3” (Dev3) as the destination (S133). The audio 2 corresponding to the device ID “3” responds with a wireless control command <Report Power Status> [OFF] indicating its own power state as a response and the device ID “2” (Dev2) as a destination. (S134).

  The bridge device 2 collects a plurality of responses received from the TV 2 and the audio 2 into one response based on the above-described response return rule, and returns the response by designating the device ID “0” (Dev0). (S135). The wireless source device corresponding to the device ID “0” receives this response. In S130 and S135, based on the response reply rule described above, if one or more connected sink devices are “ON”, “ON” is returned as a response, otherwise “OFF” is returned. I will reply.

  The procedure (29) is a procedure for transmitting a CEC message (no response) from the HDMI device of the group to the wireless source device, and shows an example of transmitting a remote control signal from the television 2 to the wireless source device. The television 2 transmits the CEC message <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] of the remote control signal by designating the logical address “4” as the destination (S136). The bridge device 2 corresponding to this logical address converts the CEC message <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] from the television 2 into a radio control command, and uses the converted radio control command <User Control Pressed> [DOWN] as a destination. The device ID “0” is designated and transmitted (S137). The wireless source device corresponding to the device ID “0” receives the wireless control command from the bridge device 2.

  The procedure (30) is a procedure for transmitting a CEC message (with response) from the HDMI device of the group to the wireless source device, and shows an example of transmitting a reproduction request from the television 2 to the wireless source device. The television 2 transmits the CEC message <Play> [FORWARD] of the reproduction request signal with the logical address “4” specified as the destination (S138). The bridge device 2 corresponding to this logical address converts the CEC message <Play> [FORWARD] from the television 2 into a radio control command, and uses the converted radio control command <Play> [FORWARD] as a destination with a device ID “0”. "Is designated and transmitted (S139).

  The wireless source device corresponding to this device ID “0” specifies the wireless control command <Deck Status> [PLAY] as a response to the wireless control command from the bridge device 2 and the device ID “2” as the destination. (S140). The bridge device 2 corresponding to the device ID “2” converts this radio control command into a CEC message, and transfers the converted CEC message <Deck Status> [PLAY] by designating the logical address “0” as the destination. (S141). The television 2 corresponding to this logical address receives this response.

As described above, according to the present invention, in wireless AV transmission, a plurality of sink devices can be operated in conjunction with each other, and a control command can be separately transmitted to each device by transmitting a control command to the group. Since it is not necessary to send the control command, the transmission amount of the control command can be reduced, and the arrival timing of the control command in each device can be matched.
Moreover, even if the transmission method differs between wired and wireless, mutual control commands can be converted by providing the bridge device (relay device) with an ID table corresponding to wired and wireless. For example, even from an HDMI device, the wireless device can be operated without a sense of incongruity.
Further, even in a system in which a plurality of sink devices (television and one or more speakers) are connected, each sink device can be controlled in the same manner as a system in the case of a single conventional sink device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Relay device (bridge device), 2 ... Wired (HDMI) source device, 3 ... Wireless source device, 4 ... Wired (HDMI) sink device, 5 ... Wireless sink device, 6 ... Audio device, 7a, 7d, 7e, 17, 26, 46 ... HDMI device ID table, 7b, 7c, 18, 56 ... wireless device ID / group identification ID table, 8 ... transmission packet, 11, 23, 41 ... wired connection unit, 12, 22, 32, 42 , 52 ... control unit, 13, 33, 51 ... wireless connection unit, 14, 24, 44 ... HDMI CEC driver, 15, 34, 54 ... wireless device control driver, 16, 25, 35, 45, 55 ... device control manager 21, 31 ... BD part, 27, 37, 47, 57 ... operation part, 43, 53 ... display part.

Claims (1)

A content transmitting apparatus that wirelessly transmits AV content including video and / or audio, and a plurality of sink devices that receive the wirelessly transmitted AV content, wherein at least one of the plurality of sink devices is a wireless sink device A wireless transmission system,
The content transmission device includes a group identification ID table for storing a group identification ID for identifying a group composed of the plurality of sink devices, and a control command for controlling the plurality of sink devices from the group identification ID table. A group identification ID adding unit for adding the extracted group identification ID; and a wireless transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting a control command to which the group identification ID is added,
The wireless sink device includes the group identification ID table, and receives the control command when its own group identification ID is added to the control command wirelessly transmitted from the content transmission device;
Any one of the wireless sink devices belonging to the group is set as a representative wireless sink device, and the representative wireless sink device represents the group to which the representative wireless sink device belongs and represents the representative wireless of the content transmission device or another group. Wireless communication with the sink device
The wireless transmission device other than the representative wireless sink device holds only its own device ID, group identification ID, and device ID of the representative wireless sink device in the group identification ID table. .

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