KR100838806B1 - Multi-media information device network system - Google Patents

Abstract

One of the multimedia information devices connected to the network is used as a master, and the master creates and manages an integrated directory list 41 for all files in the network. For this purpose, each device is provided with an integrated directory list 41, programs 31 to 34 for synchronizing, and programs 37 for searching and displaying. In addition, a master / slave conversion program 35 is provided for the master to select an optimal master according to the departure from the network or the connection of a new device. This makes it possible to manage the files held in the multimedia information device connected to the home network at low cost without burdening the network.

Description

Multimedia information device network system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multimedia information device network system. In particular, in a home network or the like, a multimedia information device network system having file management means for facilitating sharing and use of files owned by a multimedia information device connected to the network. It is about.

In recent years, personal computers (PCs) and broadband communication lines have been widely used in homes, and in many cases, many PCs are connected to one another by a network. In addition, various multimedia information devices such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), CD (Compact Disk) players, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) players, digital cameras, digital video cameras, TV broadcast digital video recorders, and the like are flooding the home. For this reason, there are many cases in which data created by recording on one device (such as a file stored in a storage device such as a disk) is viewed or stored by another multimedia information device including a PC. have.

Conventionally, several commercially available PCs can be networked, shared with each other, and used on each other's PCs. For example, the recording data of a digital video camera connected to a PC as a peripheral can be easily accessed from another PC through the network.

In addition, JP2000-222268 A (paragraphs 0015 to 0041, see FIGS. 1 to 3) and JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided between a plurality of information devices coupled to a network. An example of a system for sharing files is disclosed. In these systems, each information device following the network allows each information device to keep a shared file separately and to synchronize them at all times. Here, synchronizing files means that the contents of files stored by different information apparatuses are matched separately. Therefore, in such a system, the same files are stored in a plurality of information apparatuses, and no difference occurs between them. Therefore, even if any file is damaged in any information device, the file damaged by the file stored in the other information device can be reproduced. That is, the file sharing milking method shown in this document is a very reliable method.

In the systems disclosed in JP2000-222268 A (paragraphs 0015 to 0041, see FIGS. 1 to 3) and JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see FIGS. 1 and 2), a file is created / changed. Every time a file is deleted, the file is synchronized. For this reason, the network load is heavy by file transfer due to synchronization. Therefore, in the example of JP2000-222268 A (paragraphs 0015 to 0041, see Figs. 1 to 3), not only the file itself is transmitted, but only the portion related to the file change, so as to transmit a so-called differential file, We are planning to reduce.

In JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see Figs. 1 and 2), it is assumed that the network to be applied is a home network. In a home network, the information equipment to be connected may be turned on and off. If a shared file is updated by another information device that is energized when one information device is powered off, the files stored in the information device that is powered off cannot be synchronized. As a result, synchronization occurs between shared files of the information apparatus. JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see Figs. 1 and 2) discloses a method for correcting the deviation of the synchronization.

Another example of centrally managing files among a plurality of information devices coupled to a network is using a server. The server referred to here is a computer that specializes in the management of so-called shared files. In other words, the server keeps all the files it wants to share in the network. Therefore, it is different from the examples described in JP2000-222268 A (paragraphs 0015 to 0041, see Figs. 1 to 3) and JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see Figs. There's no need to keep them between information devices, and you don't need to sync files. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage device as a whole system does not increase, and there is no network load due to file synchronization.

However, the above conventional techniques have the following problems.

In the conventional PC, only files are used among various multimedia devices connected by a network, and there is no intention of unified management of files such as music, pictures, and videos held by each device.

  In addition, in the examples disclosed in JP2000-222268 A (paragraphs 0015 to 004) and FIGS. 1 to 3 and JP2002-158673 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0022, see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), each information device has the same file. Are stored separately, so that the storage capacity of the memory required by the entire system is increased. The reliability of the shared file is increased, but it can be said to be higher than necessary for a home network. In addition, because all files are synchronized, the network load is heavy for the data transfer.

  Furthermore, in a small network such as a home network, provisioning a server is economically expensive. This is because the entire system of file sharing and management will not function when the server is not working, so the server needs to be operated at all times.

  Therefore, it is possible to realize a system that can use files owned by each device among the multimedia information devices connected to a home network with each other and that can manage the files as a low-cost means without burdening the network. One side of it. However, exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are to overcome the above-described problems and other problems not described herein, and at the same time, the present invention should not be to overcome the above-described problems, but the present invention. It is to be understood that the exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention may not overcome the above-described problems.

In the present invention, a special file called an integrated directory list is used. The unified directory list is a list of the names, sizes, storage locations, and other file attributes of each file for all files held by each multimedia information device connected to the network. In addition, the role sharing of the multimedia information device of the master and the multimedia information device of the slave is provided so that the integrated directory list can be managed under the control of the master multimedia information device.

Specifically, the multimedia information device as one aspect of the present invention is a multimedia information device of a master that is connected via a network with one or more slave multimedia information devices, and (1) retrieves a file stored in a storage means of its own. Means for creating its own directory listing; (2) means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave, and / or receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave, and collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave; (3) means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; (4) A means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list is provided. Further, such a multimedia information device can be realized by a file management program (program product) characterized in that the processor of the multimedia information device functions as a means of (1) to (4).

With such a configuration, the master multimedia information device can collect the directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave including the conventional multimedia information device, thereby creating an integrated directory list as the entire network. Accordingly, the master multimedia information device can perform unit management of files throughout the network, and can also enjoy various conveniences provided by means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list.

The multimedia information device may further comprise (5) means for transmitting the integrated directory list to the slave multimedia information device via the network. Therefore, the multimedia information apparatus according to the present invention can be realized as a file management program (program product) characterized in that the processor functions as the means of (5) together with the means of (1) to (4).

By such a configuration, the multimedia information device of the master can transmit the integrated directory list to the multimedia information device of the slave, whereby the multimedia information device of the slave can enjoy various conveniences according to the integrated directory list.

The multimedia information device according to another aspect of the present invention is a slave multimedia information device connected to the above-described multimedia information device via a network, and (6) retrieves a file stored in its own storage means, Means for creating, and (7) means for transmitting its own directory list to the master multimedia information device via a network. Further, such a slave multimedia information device can be realized as a file management program (program product) characterized in that the processor functions by means of (6) and (7).

With such a configuration, the slave multimedia information device can immediately transmit a directory list when a request is made to transmit a directory list from the master multimedia information device.

The slave multimedia information device may further comprise (8) means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list transmitted via the network from the master's multimedia information device. Therefore, the multimedia information device of the slave according to the present invention can be realized as a file management program (program product) characterized in that the processor functions as the means of (8) together with the means of (6) and (7). .

By such a configuration, the slave multimedia information device can enjoy various conveniences according to the integrated directory list.

In the multimedia information device according to the present invention, and in the multimedia information device file management program according to the present invention, a search condition of means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list is designated by data input from an input field displayed on the screen. May be With such a configuration, the user of the multimedia information device can freely input a search condition, thereby improving convenience of utilizing the integrated directory list.

In the multimedia information device according to the present invention, in the multimedia information device file management program according to the present invention, the retrieval condition of the integrated directory list may also be designated by the data stored in the storage means in advance. With such a configuration, if the search condition set by the user in advance or the search condition peculiar to the multimedia information device is stored in the storage means, the search results according to the stored search condition are not required even if the user does not enter the search condition at that time. It is displayed as a list of unified directories. For example, in the MP3 player, only files recorded in the MP3 format can be displayed without specifying a search condition. This further improves the convenience of the integrated directory list.

A multimedia information device network system according to another aspect of the present invention is a multimedia information device network system wherein a multimedia information device of one or more slaves and a multimedia information device of one master are connected by a network. (1) means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; (2) means for retrieving a file stored in a storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave, and / or receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave and collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave; (3) means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; (4) means for transmitting the unified directory list to the multimedia information device of the slave; (5) means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, and [2] at least one multimedia information device of the multimedia information device of the one or more slaves (6) stores a file stored in the storage means of its own. Means for searching and creating own directory listings; (7) means for transmitting a directory list thereof over the network to the master's multimedia information device; (8) means for retrieving and displaying an integrated directory list transmitted from the multimedia information device of the master, wherein [3] the multimedia information device of at least one of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves and the multimedia information device of the master, (9) Synchronize and maintain the list of integrated directories.

With this configuration, the master multimedia information device and the multimedia information device of at least one slave can each freely search and display all files in the corresponding network by maintaining a synchronized integrated directory list, thereby enabling one-member management of available files. Become.

A file management method according to another aspect of the present invention is a file management method in the multimedia information device network system, wherein (a) when a change is made in the directory list of the master's multimedia information device, the master's multimedia information device has its own. Updating the unified directory list based on the change of the directory list; (b) When a change is made in the directory list of the multimedia information device of one of the slaves of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves, the multimedia information device of the slave notifies the multimedia information device of the master that there has been a change in the directory list. Collecting, by the master multimedia information device, a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave and updating the integrated directory list based on the collected directory list; (c) transmitting the updated integrated directory list to the multimedia information device of at least one of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves including the multimedia information device of the slave.

In this manner, the master multimedia information device can correctly synchronize the integrated directory list between the slave multimedia information devices.

The file management method in the above-described multimedia information device network system includes the steps (a) to (c), and (d) when a new multimedia information device is connected to the multimedia information device network system, the new multimedia information device is mastered. Notifying the multimedia information device of that it is newly connected; (e) On the basis of the notification, the master multimedia information device collects a directory list of the new multimedia information device, and records the master aptitude written in each of the directory list of the master multimedia information device and the directory list of the new multimedia information device. Comparing; (f) When the master aptitude of the new multimedia information device is higher than the master aptitude of the master multimedia information device, the master multimedia information device notifies the new multimedia information device of the master's shift and simultaneously displays the list of integrated directories it has. Transmitting to a new multimedia information device, after which the new multimedia information device starts to operate as the master's multimedia information device; (g) When the master aptitude of the new multimedia information device is not higher than the master aptitude of the master multimedia information device, the new multimedia information device may be provided with a step of starting operation as a slave multimedia information device.

By such a method, the master aptitude is always selected as the multimedia information device of the master in the multimedia information device network system. This improves the file management performance of the multimedia information device network system as a whole.

The file management method in the above-mentioned multimedia information device network system may be combined with the above steps (a) to (c), or together with the above steps (a) to (g), and (h) mastered from the corresponding multimedia information device network system. When the multimedia information device of the master, the master of the multimedia information device retrieves the integrated directory list to extract the multimedia information device with high master aptitude next to it, and notifies the master's shift to the extracted multimedia information device; At the same time, transmitting the extracted integrated directory list to the extracted multimedia information device by removing and updating its own directory list from the integrated directory list; (i) the multimedia information device receiving the updated integrated directory list may be started as a master multimedia information device.

By this method, even if the master multimedia information device is separated from the multimedia information device network system, the multimedia information device having a high master aptitude becomes the master, so that the master multimedia information device does not exist. As a result, the unified directory list continues to be created, thereby keeping the files united.

The file management method in the above-described multimedia information device network system includes (j) together with (a) to (c), or (a) to (g), or (a) to (i). Means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list, comprising: selecting a file to be used by a cursor instruction from among file names displayed on the screen; (k) searching the unified directory list and checking whether there is a file identical to the selected file or not; (l) if the same file as the selected file exists, comparing the data transfer rate of the multimedia information device storing it; (m) if the data transfer rate of the multimedia information apparatus storing the same file is higher than the data transfer rate of the multimedia information apparatus storing the selected file, changing the file to be used to the same file. It can be provided.

By such a method, even if a file of a multimedia information device having a slow data transfer rate is selected in the use of a file, the file of the multimedia information device having a high data transfer rate is actually used, so that the load on the network is reduced, and the entire system is reduced. Performance is improved.

The file management method in the above-described multimedia information device network system includes steps (a) to (c), steps (a) to (g), steps (a) to (i), or steps (a) to ( With step m), (n) after the master's multimedia information device transmits an integrated directory list to the slave's multimedia information device, the integrated directory list is retrieved, and newly registered files, newly used files, and files used more than a predetermined number of times are used. Extracting; (o) If the extracted file is in a multimedia information device having a slow data transfer rate, and there is a predetermined amount or more space in the storage capacity of the multimedia information device having a high data transfer rate, the multimedia information device has a slow data transfer rate. Moving the extracted file to a multimedia information device having a high data transfer rate.

In this way, the more frequently used files are stored in files having a higher data transfer rate, thereby contributing to subsequent network load reduction and system performance improvement.

The file management method in the above-mentioned multimedia information device network system includes steps (a) to (c), steps (a) to (g), steps (a) to (i), and steps (a) to (m). Step) or, together with the steps (a) to (o), (p) the master's multimedia information device sends the integrated directory list to the slave's multimedia information device, then retrieves the integrated directory list, and retrieves the mobile multimedia information. Extracting a file that is on the device and that is not yet backed down to the AC powered powered multimedia information device; (q) moving the extracted file to an AC power-driven fixed multimedia information device.

By this method, files in the mobile multimedia information device can be quickly moved to the AC multimedia powered stationary multimedia information device. Thus, once the movement of the file is finished, other multimedia information devices connected to the network at that time can use the file it holds even if the mobile multimedia information device is separated from the network.

According to the above-described configuration, the present invention can obtain the following effects.

First, by creating and managing an integrated directory list in which files owned by each of the multimedia information devices constituting the multimedia information device network system of the present invention are integrated, the files can be managed according to the integrated directory list.

In addition, in the present invention, since the files held in common by each multimedia information device are only integrated directory lists, the capacity of the required storage device is greatly reduced, and the cost of the storage device as a whole system is greatly reduced. Furthermore, since only files related to the integrated directory list need to be synchronized, the file transfer amount due to synchronization is greatly reduced, and the network load is greatly reduced.

Furthermore, even if the master multimedia information device is disconnected from the network, the other multimedia information device can be the master for replacement, thereby enabling the whole management of the entire system file without requiring a server. In addition, the total system cost can be reduced as no server is needed.

In addition, the performance of the system can be improved and the user's convenience can be improved by means of searching and displaying the integrated directory list, means of relocating files, and the like.

Various aspects and effects, and other effects and other features of the present invention described above will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home network to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a diagram showing the structure of a file of the integrated directory list in the embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multimedia information apparatus device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the integrated directory list is retrieved and the results are displayed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in the case of first searching and displaying the integrated directory list in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship of a processing flow between a master device and a slave device when the integrated directory list is updated and synchronization is performed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship between processing flows between a master device, a new device, and a slave device when a new device is connected to a running network system and a master device alternates with a new device in an embodiment of the present invention. Drawing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing relationship performed between a master and a slave with respect to a master shift when the running master device is out of the network in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing relationship performed between a master and a slave when an operating slave device leaves the network in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the processing flow when the device is powered on and connected to the network in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a search / display screen when executing the file optimum selection program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of a file optimum relocation program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Next, embodiment of this invention is described in detail, referring drawings suitably.

1 shows an example of a home network to which the present invention is applied. The network is constructed in accordance with the IEEE 802.3 standard or the IEEE 1394 standard, for example, a desktop PC, a notebook computer, a PDA, a digital video recorder for recording TV broadcasts, a digital video camera, or the like is connected. In addition, a panel PC of a refrigerator may be connected or a digital camera may be connected.

In such a multimedia information device network system, a user can operate a notebook, for example, to display a list of files recorded in, for example, MPEG2 format, on the display thereof. From the list of the displayed files, for example, a TV drama (MPEG2 format file) held by the digital video recorder can be designated, and the video can be viewed with a notebook.

In order to realize the above functions at low cost and without overloading the network, in the present embodiment, a special file called an integrated directory list is held in the multimedia information device leading to the network. Here, the unified directory list is a list of names, sizes, storage locations, and other file attributes of each file for all files held by each multimedia information device connected to the network as described above. It is the total table of contents.

Further, among the multimedia information devices leading to this network, a form as close to the server computer as possible is selected, and the master multimedia information device is used, and the slave multimedia information device is another. In the example of FIG. 1, it is reasonable to make the desktop computer the master multimedia information device. This master is responsible for creating, updating, and transmitting slave directory information to the multimedia information device of the master.

In the present embodiment, the integrated directory list is held and synchronized with each of the master and slave multimedia information devices, thereby collectively managing and using the files of the entire multimedia information device network system.

Here, in order to avoid the trouble of expression, in the following description and drawings, the term "multimedia information device" is simply abbreviated as "device". In addition, "master multimedia information device" is abbreviated as "master device" or simply "master", and "slave multimedia information device" is abbreviated as "slave device" or simply "slave".

2 is a diagram showing the structure of a file of the integrated directory list. As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated directory list includes a device directory list 21 and a file directory list 23.

The device directory list 21 describes the attribute of the device for each device leading to the network, and (22) is an example of the configuration of the fields of the device directory list in units. The device directory list 22 serving as the unit includes the device name, the total memory capacity of the device, the storage capacity of the gap, the transfer speed (read speed, write speed), device class, device status, and device type (fixed / Fields such as mobile), power supply type (AC / battery), default search conditions, and master device information.

Here, the device class indicates the aptitude of the device to the present multimedia information equipment network system, and ultimately, the aptitude of the qualification as a master device. This device class is described in detail later. In addition, the device status indicates the state of the device, and represents states such as being in operation, in the state of stopping the operation (for example, when no media is inserted into the digital video camera, etc.), in the prohibition of writing.

Similarly, the file directory list 24 serving as a unit includes a file name, file type, file size, material device name, material path name, index information, file registration date, latest usage date, usage count, priority display flag, optimization completed flag, and the like. There is a field of.

Here, the type of file is a symbol indicating a file recording format or a symbol specifying a program started by the file. The index information is also a field in which the user freely writes supplementary information about the file, for example, it is the title of the movie, the name of the producer, or the name of the song composer. In addition, the priority display flag is a flag indicating that the file is to be displayed first, and the optimization completion flag is a flag indicating that the file has been moved to the device that is determined to be optimal once.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multimedia information apparatus device according to the present embodiment. This configuration is a configuration of a device in which the multimedia information equipment device can also be a master device and can also be a slave device. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that of a PC, and includes a CPU and memory (not shown), a display 44, a keyboard 45, a hard disk 46 storing files as peripheral devices in the CPU and memory, The DVD 47 and the network 48 are connected.

As the directory list processing related application program which is loaded into the memory (not shown) and executed by the CPU, the self directory list creating program 31, the self directory list sending program 32, the slave directory list collecting program 33, There are an integrated directory listing program 36, an integrated directory list transmission program 34, an integrated directory list search display program 37, a master / slave switching control program 35, and other programs not shown. Furthermore, a network protocol control program 42 and an input / output control program 43 are provided as part of an operating system (OS) program.

The following briefly describes the functions and processing contents of each of the directory list processing related application programs.

The magnetic directory list making program 31 stores files suitable for sharing as a system with respect to the files stored in the storage devices (hard disk 46 and DVD 47 in FIG. 3) connected to its own devices. The directory list of extracted files is searched and stored in the hard disk 46 as its own directory list file 38. Here, a file suitable for sharing as a system is usually multimedia data such as music data, still picture data, and moving picture data in a home network. It may also be document data containing the data. Such multimedia data is also extracted by determining the so-called extension of the file or the recording format of the file.

By the self-directory listing creation program 31, once the self-directory listing file 38 is created, it is not necessary to execute the above search process each time. Instead, the self directory list file 38 may be changed only when a file suitable for sharing as a system is changed or deleted.

The magnetic directory list creating program 31 starts or changes the magnetic directory list file 38 and then starts the integrated directory list creating program 36 when the device is the master device, and when the device is a slave device. The own directory list transmission program 32 is started and finished.

The self directory list transmission program 32 is a program that operates when the corresponding device is a slave device. The magnetic directory list sending program 32 is started when the magnetic directory list creating program 31 creates or changes the magnetic directory list file 38, and notifies the master device of the change, and sends it to the master device. The own directory list file 38 is sent. This transmission may also be a so-called difference file transmission.

The slave directory list collecting program 33 is a program for collecting a directory list of slave devices, and is a program that operates only when the corresponding device is a master device. There are two methods for collecting the directory list of the slave device, and therefore, the slave directory list collecting program 33 is composed of two program parts.

One of them is a program to be processed when the slave device includes the magnetic directory list creating program 31 and the magnetic directory list sending program 32. In this case, when the self directory list is created or changed in the slave, the notification is made from the slave device. The slave directory list collecting program 33 is activated by the notification, receives the slave's own directory list, and sends the slave directory list # 1 to #n files 391 to 39n by the received slave's own directory list. (See Fig. 2), the integrated directory listing program 36 is started. In addition, the transmission made at the time of changing the self directory list may be a so-called difference file transmission.

The other is a program that is processed when the slave device does not have the magnetic directory list creating program 31 and the magnetic directory list sending program 32. In this case, since the slave device does not notify the master device of the creation or change of its own directory list, the slave directory list collection program 33 is activated every predetermined time. Then, each time the storage device of the slave device is accessed, the file creation or change is checked, and when there is a creation or change, the slave directory list # 1-#n files 391 to 39n (based on the information of the accessed file) ( 2), or the unified directory list creating program 36 is started.

The integrated directory listing program 36 is a program that operates only when the corresponding device is a master device, and is activated by the self directory listing program 31 or the slave directory list collection program 33. Then, the integrated directory list 41 is created or updated based on the self directory list file 38 or the slave directory list # 1-#n 391 to 39n (see FIG. 2) created or changed by the programs. The integrated directory list search display program 37 is started.

The integrated directory list transmission and reception program 34 differs in operation when the device is a master device and when it is a slave device. If the device is the master device, the integrated directory list transmission / transmission program 34 is started by the integrated directory list creation program 36 and notifies that the created or updated integrated directory list 41 is transmitted to the slave device. And send. If the corresponding device is a slave device, it receives a notification that the integrated directory list 41 is transmitted from the master device, receives it, and creates or updates the integrated directory list 41 based thereon. In addition, the transmission performed at the time of changing the integrated directory list 41 may be so-called transmission of difference files.

The integrated directory list search display program 37 is a program displaying the contents of the integrated directory list 41, and the master / slave switching program is a program that is processed when the corresponding device becomes a master or when switching from a slave to a master. These programs are described separately below.

The block diagram of FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which the device may be a master device or a slave device. However, when the device is only a slave device, it is not necessary to have the application programs 31 to 37 shown in FIG. The slave device only needs to have means for enabling other devices to access the storage in the slave device via the network.

However, in the slave device, when the necessary file is displayed by displaying the unified directory list and searching for necessary files, at least the unified directory list transport destination program 34 and unified directory list search display program 37 And the integrated directory list 41 are required. In addition, if the slave device includes the magnetic directory list creating program 31, the magnetic directory list sending program 32, and the magnetic directory list 38, the efficiency of the slave directory list collection processing in the master device is improved, and the entire system Performance is improved.

3 illustrates a hard disk 46 and a DVD 47 as a storage device held by the device, but it is not necessarily a hard disk or a DVD. It may be a read / write or read only memory device instead. For example, it may be a storage device composed of flash memory, or may be a CD-ROM. On the other hand, the display device (corresponding to the display 44) and the input device (corresponding to the keyboard 45, including the pointing device) need to be kept in some form in the master device, but in the slave device, the integrated directory list. It is not necessary unless convenience by search and display of is obtained.

According to the above-described configuration, the master device and the slave device each have an integrated directory list, and can also easily synchronize them. Furthermore, the user can obtain a great deal of convenience by the search and display function of the integrated directory list described next provided by the integrated directory list search and display program 37. 4 and 5 are diagrams for illustrating a search and display function of the integrated directory list.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example when searching the integrated directory list and displaying the result. In Fig. 4, 51 is a window for inputting and executing a search condition and displaying the result. In this window 51, first, a search condition for executing a search of the integrated directory list can be determined. For example, the conditions for searching are input into the item designation input box 53 and the input box 54 of the keyword. In the example of FIG. 4, the search condition is an example of searching for a field of index information and extracting that "whale" is included as a keyword. When the search start button 55 is pressed, the search of the integrated directory list is executed, and the search result is displayed in the search result display window 52.

The result displayed in this way allows the user to know immediately which file in the network is located on which device in the network. For example, a file named Tosaoki is a picture of Tosaoki swimming, which means that it is stored in a folder called \ whale on your PC's hard disk. Furthermore, the user can use this display result to perform file manipulation. For example, when a user selects and clicks a row of file names on a corresponding device (eg, a notebook), the user may project a movie of a file whose name is stored on a TV recorder on the device.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example when priority search and display of the integrated directory list are performed. First, the search / display is a function that the integrated directory list search display program 37 (see Fig. 3) displays on the device under default search conditions. The default search condition is written in the field of the default search condition of the device directory list 22 (see Fig. 2) of the device. Thus, for example, when the search condition "the file type (recording format) is MP3" is written in this field of the device directory list of the MP3 player, the MP3 player is first searched for the integrated directory list. When the display is performed, the display as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

When the unified directory list search / display program 37 (see Fig. 3) is started by the unified directory list creating program 36, the unified directory list search program 41 searches for the unified directory list file 41. The search condition at that time is this default search. According to the condition, that is, the integrated directory list search display program 37 refers to the field of the default search condition of the device directory list 22 (see FIG. 2), and searches the integrated directory list according to the data of the field. Display. In other words, the search and display are performed first in the normal processing flow.

This priority search and display function is a very useful function when a device having a function specialized for a certain purpose, such as an MP3 player, or when there is a tendency for a certain kind of file to be used by a user. In other words, the MP3 player has a function of playing back files recorded in the MP3 format. Thus, in an MP3 player, even if a file such as a video movie is displayed, there is no usefulness, but rather a hindrance. So, if you set the search condition like this example, only MP3 format files are extracted and displayed on the MP3 player. This allows the user to know immediately which folders on which devices in the network have the files recorded in MP3 format. Naturally, after this display, the integrated directory list shown in Fig. 4 can be searched and displayed using the input boxes 53 and 54 of the search condition.

As described above, the priority search / display function is a function that is highly useful to the user. However, when the device is a PC, more various conditions can be set as the search conditions for the priority search / display. For example, a file registered after ** Month ** of **, a file used after ** Month ** of **, a file with a high number of uses since ** Month ** of **, currently used Unavailable files, relocation files, and so on.

6 to 10, the relationship between the processing flows executed for unifying the integrated directory list in the master device and the slave device of the network of the present embodiment will be described.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship of the processing flow between the master device and the slave device when the integrated directory list is updated and synchronized. Here, the master device holds all of the directory list processing related application programs 31 to 37 shown in FIG. 3, and the slave A and the slave X at least have their own directory list creation program 31 and their own directory list transmission program 32. And an integrated directory list transmission and reception program 34 and an integrated directory list search and display program 37.

When there is a change in the directory list of the master device or when there is a change in the directory list of the slave device, the integrated directory list is processed. In FIG. 6, master means a master device, slave A means a slave device when there is a change in the directory list in the device, and slave X means a slave device when there is no change in the directory list in the device. . In addition, this meaning is the same in FIGS. 7-9 below.

When there is a change in the directory list of the master (Yes in S601), the master first updates its directory list (S602), and updates the integrated directory list based on it (S604). Subsequently, the master notifies the slave A and the slave X of updating the integrated directory list, and transmits the updated integrated directory list (S605). In response to the transmission from the master, the slave A (in this case, does not update its own directory list and thus flows to No in S611) and the slave X receives the integrated directory list to be transmitted, respectively (S614 and S621). Then, the integrated directory list held by each is updated (S615 and S622), and the master is notified of the completion of the update (S616 and S623). The master confirms the update of the integrated directory list on all slaves according to whether or not the notification has arrived from all slaves (Yes in S606), and notifies all slaves of such a meaning (S607). The slave A and the slave X receive the notification and acknowledge the completion of updating of the integrated directory list in the whole system (S617, S624). By the above process, the integrated directory list is synchronized between all devices connected to the network.

When there is a change in the directory list of the slave A (Yes in S611), the slave A first updates its directory list (S612), and notifies the master that its directory list has been updated (S613). The master (in this case, its own directory list is not updated, so the flow goes to No in S601), and receives the notification of slave A, receives the updated directory list of slave A, and acquires it (S603). The master updates the master's integrated directory list according to the acquired slave A's directory list (S604). Subsequent processes of the master, slave A, and slave X (processes below S605) are the same as those when there is a change in the directory list of the master.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between processing flows between a master device, a new device, and a slave device in a case where a new device is connected to a running network system and a master device alternates with a new device in this embodiment. . This processing flow will be described below, but the device class will be described before.

The device class is defined in the device directory list 22 of FIG. 2 with respect to the devices included in the network system of the present embodiment, and shows the aptitude of the device to the network system. A device having high aptitude to the network system also has high aptitude as a master device.

Table 1 shows an example in which device classes of various multimedia device devices are classified into five levels.

The highest class 5 classifies servers consisting of PCs. The server has high processing power as a computer, a large storage capacity such as a hard disk, and is always energized. Servers are expensive, but are most suited to master devices.

In the next class 4, commonly used PCs are classified. PCs are inferior in performance to servers and are usually shorter in duration than servers, but there is no particular problem with aptitude as a master device.

Digital video recorders or network hard disks, classified in class 3 network players, often do not have an input device and a display device. Therefore, the aptitude as a master becomes a class of lower grade than a normal PC. However, if a certain input device and display device are provided, they have the aptitude as a master device.

A class 2 mobile device requires less time to connect to the network, which lowers the aptitude of the master device.

The device of class 1 is a device which does not have any of the directory list process related application programs 31-37 shown in FIG. 3 in the network system of this embodiment. Therefore, it cannot be a master and is also a passive device as a slave, and is simply a read / writeable or read only storage device as viewed from the master device. However, even if the passive device is connected to the network, it is provided with means for network connection (interface circuit with the network and palmware of the network protocol, etc.).

TABLE 1

List of device classes

Rating Classification Example of device 5 server Server PC 4 PC Desktop pc laptop 3 Network player Digital video recorder network hard disk 2 Mobile devices PDAs, Portable DVCs, Digital Cameras Portable MP3 Players One Passive drive Conventional Digital Camera Conventional MP3 Player

In Fig. 7, the device newly connected to the network first creates its own directory list (S711), notifies the master that it is newly connected to the network (S712), and transmits the directory list to the master ( S713). The master interprets the notification and acquires a directory list of the newly connected device to be transmitted (S701). The master reads the device class from the acquired directory list, and if the device class is larger (higher) than the device class of the current master (Yes in S703), the master notifies the master to alternate the newly connected device. (S704). Then, the master transmits the integrated directory list held at that time to the newly master device (S705).

The newly connected device, that is, the device becoming the new master, receives the transmitted integrated directory list (S714), and then operates as a master device. The new master device updates by adding its directory list to the received integrated directory device (S715), and transmits the updated integrated directory list to the slave device (S716). On the other hand, the slave slave X, which is the previous master and the original slave that has operated as a slave, receives the transmitted integrated directory list (S706, S721). Thereafter, an integrated directory list update completion confirmation is exchanged between the master and the slave, and the processing is the following processes S615, S621, and S606 in FIG.

If the device class of the newly connected device is not larger (equal or lower) than the device class of the current master (No in S703), the newly connected device operates as a slave device. In this case, the newly connected device corresponds to slave A in FIG. 6, and the directory list of device A is updated, and can be regarded as the same as where it was sent to the master device. In this case, the process proceeds to step S604 of FIG. 6, and the integrated directory list is updated by adding the directory list of the newly connected device acquired in step S701 to the integrated directory list up until then (S604).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing relationship performed between the master and the slave for the master shift when the running master device leaves the network. When the master wants to leave the network, it refers to the device directory list 21 (see Fig. 2), which is the integrated directory list, searches for and extracts a device having a high device class next to itself, and then transfers the device to the next master device. Shall be. Then, the master deletes what is included in its directory list from the integrated directory list held at that time, creates a new integrated directory list (S802), and notifies the next master device, here, slave A, of the master's shift (S803). ), The created new integrated directory list is sent to the slave A (S804), and then it is released from the network (S805).

The slave A receives a new integrated directory list (S811), operates as a master device, and transmits the new integrated directory list to the slave X (S812). The slave X receives the transmitted unified directory list (S821), and subsequent processing is as follows in S622 of FIG. The processing of the new master is as follows in S606 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing relationship performed between a master and a slave when a running slave device leaves the network. The slave A, which attempts to leave the network, notifies the master of leaving from the network (S911), and then leaves from the network (S912). Upon receiving the notification, the master updates the integrated directory list by deleting the directory list of the slave A (S901), and transmits the updated integrated directory list to the slave X (slave remaining in the network) (S902). The slave X receives the integrated directory list to be transmitted (S921), and subsequent processing is as follows in S622 of FIG. The processing of the new master is as follows in S606 of FIG.

Fig. 10 shows the processing flow when the device is powered on and connected to the network. The power is turned on and the device newly connected to the network first creates its own directory list (S1001), and then notifies other devices connected to the network that it is connected to the network (S1002). After this notification, if there is no response from the other device even after a certain time has elapsed (No in S1003), it is determined that there is no device to be a master yet in this network as timeout (Yes in S1004). The connected device itself acts as the master.

On the other hand, if there is a response after the notification (Yes in S1003), the newly connected device determines the master device by the response data, and initially operates as a slave device, and transmits its own directory list to the master device. do. As described in FIG. 7, the device class is compared in the master device at that time (S702), and the master decides whether to continue the master as it is or to alternate with the newly connected device (S703). Either way, the newly connected device can act as a slave or as a master.

When the newly connected device operates as a slave, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it receives the transmission of the integrated directory list from the master, receives it (S1006), and displays it (S1007). The display at this time follows the priority search / display function described in FIG. When the newly connected device operates as a master, the network monitoring program is started (S1011), the integrated directory list is created or updated as described in FIG. 7, and the integrated directory list is displayed (S1012). The display at this time also complies with the priority search / display function described in FIG.

In addition, in FIG. 7, the network monitoring program is started every fixed time and checks whether a device of network device class 1 is connected or disconnected, and at the same time, a file from the storage device for the connected device (passive device). This is a program that reads directly and checks for changes in the file. With this program, files held by devices of device class 1 can also be managed by the integrated directory list.

In the present embodiment, the master device is provided with an optimum selection program for executing an optimal selection function of a file. Here, the optimal selection function of a file means a function of using a file existing in a device having a good state when a plurality of files determined to be the same in the integrated directory list exist. In addition, a device in which the device to be used has a good state is a device having a high data transfer rate and a device that is unlikely to leave the network.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a search / display screen when executing the file optimum selection program.

For example, in the search display screen shown in FIG. 11, when the field of the index is searched by the keyword "white background", it is assumed that the same file is found on the DVD and the network shared hard disk. The user then points to a file on the DVD and clicks it to watch the video. Then, the file optimal selection program first checks whether there is the same file as the file, and if there is the same file, further compares the transmission speed and characteristics of the device in which the files are stored, Select files on devices that are less likely to leave (in this case, a network shared hard disk). For the device used by the user, the data of the file is transmitted from the device (network shared hard disk) selected there.

Here, the comparison of the identity of the files is performed by comparing the file size, comparing the head data and / or the tail data of the file, and in some cases, comparing the entire file data. The comparison of the transmission speed and characteristics of the device is also made by referring to the device directory list 22 of the integrated directory list.

In the present embodiment, the master device is provided with a file optimum relocation program for executing an optimal file relocation function. Here, when it is determined that there is a device more suitable as a file storage destination, the optimum relocation function of a file means a function of changing the storage destination device so that the storage device of the file is as optimal as possible. For example, storing a frequently used file in a high speed device rather than storing it in a low speed device contributes to an improvement in the use efficiency of the device, and also reduces the load on the network.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the file optimum relocation program. The processing of this program is executed after the processing of updating and synchronizing the integrated directory list shown in Fig. 6 is completed in the master.

When the program starts, first, the file directory list 21 (see Fig. 2) of the integrated directory list is searched (S1201), and the file is a newly registered file, a newly used file, or a large number of times of use (in this example). The number of times of use, 5 times or more) is checked, and if so (Yes in each of S1202, S1203, and S1204), it is further checked whether or not the device storing the file is a low speed device. As a result, when the file is stored in the low speed device (Yes in S1207), the device directory list 23 (see FIG. 2) of the integrated directory list is searched to check whether there is another high speed device, If there is another high speed device, it is checked whether there is a gap in the storage capacity of the high speed device. If there is a gap in the storage capacity of the high speed device (Yes in S1208), the file stored in the low speed device is transferred to the high speed device (S1209).

When the file directory list 21 (see Fig. 2) of the integrated directory list is searched (S1201), the file is not a newly registered file, a newly used file, or a file with a large number of times of use (S1292, S1203, In any of S1204, it is checked whether the file is stored in the battery drive device, and if the file is stored in the battery drive device (Yes in S1205), the file is transferred to the AC power drive device (S1206). . Although not shown, of course, in this case as well, before the file transfer, it is checked whether or not there is a gap in the storage capacity of the storage device of the AC power drive device.

In addition, the optimum relocation conditions and method of a pile are not limited to the example of FIG.

As mentioned above, although embodiment as an illustration of this invention was described, various modifications and changes are possible with respect to this embodiment, as long as it does not deviate from the mind and range of this invention defined by an attached claim.

In the multimedia information device network system constructed and operated as described above, each multimedia information device has an integrated directory list incorporating a directory list of files owned by each and a means for synchronizing the integrated directory list all the time. . Therefore, even if the multimedia information apparatuses operate independently of each other, the integrated directory list makes it possible to use and manage the files of the entire system as one unit.

In addition, in the multimedia information device network system, the files held by each multimedia information device in common are only an integrated directory list. This means that each multimedia information device has a duplicate file which each multimedia information device synchronizes with all files. Compared with the retention, the required storage capacity is small. As a result, the overall system cost is greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the file transfer due to synchronization is only related to the integrated directory list, the network load is greatly reduced.

Furthermore, even if the master multimedia information device is separated from the network, the multimedia information device to replace the master information device is provided with a means for becoming a master. This makes it possible to centrally manage files throughout the system without requiring a server in particular, and further reduces the overall system cost by eliminating the need for a server.

In addition, by providing means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list, means for optimally using files, means for optimally relocating files, and the like, the performance of the system can be improved and the user's convenience can be improved.

Claims (32)

A multimedia information device of a master connected via a network with a multimedia information device of at least one slave, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave Means for doing so; Means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; Means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list Multimedia information device comprising a. The method of claim 1, And means for transmitting said unified directory list to said slave's multimedia information device over said network. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia information device of the slave Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Means for transmitting said directory listing to said master's multimedia information device over said network; Multimedia information device comprising a. The method of claim 2, wherein the multimedia information device of the slave Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Means for transmitting the directory listing thereof to the master's multimedia information device via the network; Multimedia information device comprising a. The multimedia information device of claim 4, wherein the multimedia information device of the slave comprises: And means for retrieving and displaying said unified directory list transmitted via said network from said master's multimedia information device. The method of claim 1, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And the search condition of the integrated directory list is designated by data input from an input field displayed on the screen. The method of claim 1, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And a search condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data stored in advance in the storage means. A master multimedia information device connected to a multimedia information device of one or more slaves via a network, the master information storage device comprising: a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program executing a processor of the multimedia information device; Run by Search for a file stored in a storage means of the user and create a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave and; An integrated directory list is created by integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave; And a file management program of a multimedia information device for searching and displaying the integrated directory list. The method of claim 8, wherein the program is Further, the processor of the multimedia information device, And a file management program of the multimedia information device, wherein the integrated directory list is transmitted to the slave multimedia information device via the network. delete delete delete The method of claim 8, wherein the program is In searching and displaying the integrated directory list, And a file management program of a multimedia information device, characterized in that the search condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data inputted from an input field displayed on a screen. The method of claim 8, wherein the program is In searching and displaying the integrated directory list, And a retrieval condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data stored in advance in the storage means. A multimedia information device network system wherein a multimedia information device of one or more slaves and a multimedia information device of one master are connected by a network. The multimedia information device of the master, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave Means for doing so; Means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; Means for transmitting the created unified directory list to the multimedia information device of the slave; Means for searching and displaying the created unified directory list; In addition, At least one of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Means for transmitting the directory listing thereof to the master's multimedia information device via the network; Means for retrieving and displaying said unified directory list sent from said multimedia information device of said master; And At least one of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves and the multimedia information device of the master, And synchronize and hold the integrated directory list. A method of managing a file in a network system in which one or more slave multimedia information devices and one master multimedia information device are connected by a network, the master multimedia information device comprising: Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave Means for doing so; Means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; Means for transmitting the unified directory list to the slave's multimedia information device over the network; Means for retrieving and displaying said unified directory list, The multimedia information device of the slave, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Means for transmitting the directory listing thereof to the master's multimedia information device via the network; Means for retrieving and displaying said unified directory list transmitted from said master multimedia information device over said network, At least one of the slave's multimedia information devices and the master's multimedia information device each possess the unified directory list in a synchronized form, The file management method, When the directory list of the multimedia information device of the master is changed, updating the integrated directory list based on the change of the directory list of the master; When a change occurs in the directory list of the multimedia information device of one of the slaves of the one or more slave multimedia information devices, the multimedia information device of the slave notifies the multimedia information device of the master that there has been a change in the directory list, and Collecting, by the master multimedia information device, a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave and updating the integrated directory list based on the collected directory list; And Transmitting the updated integrated directory list to a multimedia information device of at least one of the multimedia information devices of the one or more slaves including the multimedia information device of the slave. And a file management method in a network system of a multimedia information device. The method of claim 16, When a new multimedia information device is connected to the multimedia information device network system, the new multimedia information device notifying that the new multimedia information device is newly connected to the multimedia information device of the master; On the basis of the notification, the master multimedia information device collects a directory list of the new multimedia information device, and the master aptitude is written in each of the directory list of the master multimedia information device and the directory list of the new multimedia information device. Comparing the; If the master aptitude of the new multimedia information device is higher than the master aptitude of the multimedia information device of the master, the master multimedia information device notifies the new multimedia information device of the master shift to the new multimedia information device, and then has an integrated directory. Transmitting a list to the new multimedia information device, after which the new multimedia information device starts to operate as a master multimedia information device; And When the master aptitude of the new multimedia information device is not higher than the master aptitude of the master multimedia information device, starting the new multimedia information device as a slave multimedia information device. And a file management method in a network system of a multimedia information device. The method of claim 16, When the master's multimedia information device is detached from the multimedia information device network system, the master's multimedia information device searches for the integrated directory list to extract a multimedia information device having a higher master aptitude next to itself, and extracts the extracted multimedia information. Transmitting the integrated directory list to the extracted multimedia information device by notifying the device of the master change and removing and updating its own directory list from the integrated directory list; And The multimedia information device receiving the updated integrated directory list starting operation as a master multimedia information device; And a file management method in a network system of a multimedia information device. The method of claim 16, Means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list, comprising: selecting a file to be used by a cursor instruction from among file names displayed on the screen; Searching the unified directory list and checking whether there is a file identical to the selected file; If there is a file identical to the selected file, comparing the data transfer rate of the multimedia information device storing them; And If the data transfer speed of the multimedia information device storing the same file is faster than the data transfer speed of the multimedia information device storing the selected file, changing the file to be used to the same file. File management method in a network system of a multimedia information device The method of claim 16, After the master's multimedia information device transmits the integrated directory list to the slave's multimedia information device, retrieving the integrated directory list to extract newly registered files, newly used files, and files used more than a predetermined number of times; And If the extracted file is located in a multimedia information device having a slow data transfer rate, and there is a predetermined amount or more in the storage capacity of the multimedia information device having a high data transfer rate, the extraction is performed in the multimedia information device having a low data transfer rate. Moving a file to the multimedia information device having a high data transfer speed; And a file management method in a network system of a multimedia information device. The method of claim 16, The master's multimedia information device transmits the integrated directory list to the slave's multimedia information device, then retrieves the integrated directory list in the mobile multimedia information device and backs off to the AC power-driven fixed multimedia information device. Extracting files that are not present; And Moving the extracted file to the AC multimedia powered fixed multimedia information device; And a file management method in a network system of a multimedia information device. The method of claim 2, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And the search condition of the integrated directory list is designated by data input from an input field displayed on the screen. The method of claim 5, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And the search condition of the integrated directory list is designated by data input from an input field displayed on the screen. The method of claim 2, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And a search condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data stored in advance in the storage means. The method of claim 5, Means for retrieving and displaying the integrated directory list, And a search condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data stored in advance in the storage means. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a computer program for managing a file of a multimedia information device of one slave to which a multimedia information device of one master is connected by a network, The multimedia information device of the master, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in the storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave Means for doing so; Means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; Means for retrieving and displaying said unified directory list, The computer program for executing the processor of the multimedia information device of the slave, Create a directory listing by searching for the files stored in your storage device, And a file management program of the multimedia information device, comprising transmitting the directory list to the master multimedia information device through the network. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a computer program for managing a file of a multimedia information device of one slave to which a multimedia information device of one master is connected by a network, The multimedia information device of the master, Means for retrieving a file stored in the storage means of the user and creating a directory list of the user; Collecting a directory list of the multimedia information device of the slave by at least one of searching for a file stored in a storage means of the multimedia information device of the slave and receiving a directory list created by the multimedia information device of the slave Means for doing so; Means for integrating the created directory list with the directory list of the collected multimedia information device of the slave to create an integrated directory list; Means for searching and displaying the integrated directory list; Means for transmitting the unified directory list to the slave's multimedia information device over the network, The computer program for executing the processor of the multimedia information device of the slave, Create a directory listing by searching for the files stored in your storage device, And a file management program of the multimedia information device, comprising transmitting the directory list to the master multimedia information device through the network. The method of claim 9, wherein the program is In searching and displaying the integrated directory list, And a file management program of a multimedia information device, characterized in that the search condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data inputted from an input field displayed on a screen. delete The method of claim 9, wherein the program is In searching and displaying the integrated directory list, And a retrieval condition of the integrated directory list is specified by data stored in advance in the storage means. delete The method of claim 27, wherein the program is Further, the processor of the multimedia information device, And a file management program of a multimedia information device, wherein the master multimedia information device retrieves and displays the integrated directory list transmitted through the network.

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