MXPA00011318A - System and method for connection relationship identification - Google Patents
System and method for connection relationship identificationInfo
- Publication number
- MXPA00011318A MXPA00011318A MXPA/A/2000/011318A MXPA00011318A MXPA00011318A MX PA00011318 A MXPA00011318 A MX PA00011318A MX PA00011318 A MXPA00011318 A MX PA00011318A MX PA00011318 A MXPA00011318 A MX PA00011318A
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- information
- input
- identification
- signal
- input terminal
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Abstract
A control section of an IRD sends an identification start request to a digital bus via a digital input/output terminal. The control section generates an identification display message by controlling an identification display message generation section, makes a superimposition section superimpose the identification display message on an analog video signal, and outputs a resulting signal via an analog output terminal. An information input apparatus allows a user to identify an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the IRD among a plurality of input terminals of the self apparatus by reproducing the identification display message and presenting it to the user.
Description
"INFORMATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, DEPARTURE DEVICE
OF INFORMATION, INFORMATION ENTRY DEVICE, AND METHOD
IDENTIFICATION OF CONNECTION RELATIONSHIP "
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information transmission system that is formed by connecting electronic devices, using two different kinds of interfaces, that is, an interface that allows the sending and receiving of control information, such as a digital conformance interface. with the IEEE 1394 standard, and an interface that allows the transmission of only one information signal, such as an analog interface, as well as with an information output device, an information input device, and an identification method in relation to of connection used in this information transmission system.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE
In recent years, several digital contents have come to be provided abundantly through the media, such as media and the Internet, and through recording media such as DVD (digital video disc). Now we are considering how to expand the scale of use of digital content that has become abundantly provided and how to prepare a medium in which users can conveniently use digital content. For example, one is now considering how to provide a digital interface in an electronic equipment generically called an audio-visual (AV) equipment, such as a monitor receiver and various kinds of reproduction apparatus, recording apparatus, apparatus registration / reproduction, and a receiving device. By providing a digital interface in various kinds of electronic equipment in this way, it makes it possible to transmit the digital contents between various electronic devices and reproduce or copy the digital contents without damaging those. Among a variety of digital interfaces, the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard is now attracting a great deal of attention which has been standardized through IEEE 1394 (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (US)) and allows transmission to high speed of a digital video signal, a digital audio signal, etc. which requires real-time processing. In accordance with the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, the information is transmitted by packet transmission. Providing a high degree of freedom of connection between electronic devices, the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard allows the electrical installation of a tree, electrical installation of star and electrical installation of daisy chain, etc. When the electronic devices having an IEEE 1394 digital interface are connected to each other in the form of a daisy chain as shown in Figure IA, the system is equivalent to a system in which a plurality of electronic devices are connected. with a single digital busbar as shown in Figure IB. In Figures IA and IB, an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) 1 is a receiver capable of receiving a digital satellite broadcast, etc. DVTRs 3 and 4 are digital video tape recorders, and a DVD 4 device is a recording / playback apparatus, for example, of a DVD (digital video disc). In the example of Figures IA and IB, the plurality of electronic devices can send digital data to a common digital bus 6. The digital data that is sent to the digital bus 6 can be distinguished from each other by the channel numbers which are prescribed in the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard. An ID node for identifying an electronic device as an output source of the digital data is described in the packet header portions that are used for transmission of the digital data. Therefore, using a channel number and an ID node, an electronic device that is to be supplied with digital data can easily receive the necessary digital data from a target electronic device. In the case of the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, the information of a digital input / output terminal of each electronic device is described as pin information or stored by a mechanism called a descriptor in an internal register of an interface circuit digital that is provided in each device. Therefore, each apparatus can manage the connection state by correlation, one by one, of the digital input / output terminals of the respective electronic devices with the information of the internal record of the auto-apparatus.
As described above, in the case of the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, not only the specific information (identification information) or the like of an electronic device but also various kinds of control information can be transmitted. In addition, it is possible to send digital data to a target electronic device through a common digital bus bar and receive digital data from a target electronic device through a common digital bus bar. For example, it is now being considered to prepare an environment in which users can use digital content conveniently making it possible to easily build what is called a home network system that allows the exchange of mutual information by connecting several AV devices, a personal computer , etc. in a house as shown in Figures IA and IB, using the digital interfaces of the IEEE 1394 standard. Inherently, as described above, even when several electronic devices have been provided with a digital interface, they also need to be provided with a digital interface. a conventional analog interface. This is because not all the contents are provided in the form of a digital signal.
For example, conventional analog broadcasting is still carried out even when digital broadcasting has come to be carried out. As long as only the means of diffusion are connected, it is considered that the contents that will continue to be provided during the present both by both analog signals and digital signals. In addition, there is a demand that not only the digital content but also the information resources that have been obtained through conventional analogue interfaces can remain usable. Due to the reasons described above, one option is to provide several electronic devices with both a similar interface and a digital interface. In this case, several electronic devices can be connected to one another in a large number as shown in Figures IA and IB. For example, one option is to provide an information input apparatus such as a receiver monitor that accepts the input of an information signal, such as a video signal from various electronic devices with a plurality of analog input terminals to allow them to accept the entry from a plurality of electronic devices. The information input device which is an electronic device connected to a system through a digital interface of IEEE 1394 standard is configured in such a way as to be able to reliably receive the proposed digital data from an electronic target device by way of example , that a user specify only the electronic target device to send the proposed digital data. As described above, in the case of the digital interface (serial bus plug) that allows the sending and receiving of specific information of an electronic device and the control information, a connection relationship between the electronic devices it can be clearly identified using various kinds of information included in the digital data. In contrast, in an information input apparatus having a plurality of analog input terminals, to perform the switching of the analog input terminal (selection), a user needs to remember that the electronic devices are connected to which input terminals analogs and manipulating an input switching switch that is provided in a commander, for example, of the information input device based on its memory. That is, an analog input terminal to which an electronic target device is connected is selected by switching between the pieces of the terminal information stored in the information input apparatus in what is called a method. lever by manipulating the input switching switch by the user. The reason why it is necessary to rely on a manual manipulation of a user is that an electronic device can not identify a connection relationship between electronic devices because the analog interface (external plug) is for output or input of only one signal of analogous information and a similar information signal does not include the specific information of an electronic device or control information. In the information input apparatus configured above, having a plurality of analogous input terminals, it takes time and labor to correctly identify an input terminal that must receive a similar signal from an electronic target device. Further, when the information input apparatus having a plurality of analog input terminals is to be supplied with a similar signal from a target electronic device, a problem may arise that a wrong electronic device is selected and a signal is supplied. analogous that is different from a proposal.
COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an information transmission system capable of clearly identifying a connection relationship of a connection using an interface that allows the transmission of only one information signal in a case where the electronic devices are connected one with the other. the other using interfaces that allow the transmission of only one information signal and interfaces that allow the transmission of control information, etc., as well as an information output device, an information input device and a relationship identification method. of connection used in this information transmission system. The invention provides an information transmission system in which one or more information input devices that send an information signal and an information input apparatus that accepts the input of the information signal from each of one or more of the information output devices are connected to each other, wherein each information output apparatus comprises an output terminal for sending only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of an electronic device; and means for overlaying the information-for-identification in order to overlay the identification information to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus to accept the input of the information signal in the information signal that it will be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises a plurality of input terminals for accepting the input of only the information signal; the medium that accepts the specific information to accept the entry of the specific information; a switching means for switching between the input terminals, an information-for-identification detection means for detecting the information for the identification from each of the information signals that are accepted by the respective input terminals causing the medium switch switch between input terminals; and an identification means for identifying an input terminal of the information signal from which the information for identification is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means as an input terminal of the information signal sent from an information device. information output that sends the specific information through the means of sending related information. In this information transmission system, each information output apparatus and the information input apparatus are connected to each other in such a way that the output terminal for sending only one information signal is connected to one of the data terminals. input to accept the input of solaraente an information signal. The specific information is transmitted through, for example, a control signal line (control line) that connects the sending means of related information of the information output device and the means of accepting related information of the device of control. entry of information. The information for identification (information for detection) in a state that is detectable in the information input apparatus is superimposed by the means of overlaying information-for-identification in an information signal to be sent from the output terminal of the information. information output device and a resulting signal is sent. In the information input apparatus, information for identification which is superimposed on the information signal and which is supplied through the input terminals is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means.
The input terminal that has accepted the input of the information signal from which the information for identification has been detected by the information-for-identification detection method is identified by the identification means as an input terminal that is connected with the output terminal of the information output device that sent the specific information. With the aforementioned configuration, in the information input apparatus, an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output device can be automatically identified. Therefore, even when the information output devices are connected to the respective input terminals of the information apparatus, whose information output device is connected to each input terminal, it can be easily and correctly identified. The invention also provides an information transmission system in which one or more information output devices that send an information signal and an information input apparatus that accepts the information signal input from each one or more of the information devices. information output connects to each other, wherein each information output apparatus comprises an output terminal to send only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of an electronic device; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the information for the identification to be used in the information entry apparatus to notify a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in the information signal to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises a plurality of input terminals for accepting the input of only the information signal; the means of acceptance of specific information to accept the entry of specific information; the switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for the identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied from an input terminal to which the switching is made by means of the switching means reproducing the information for identification; and the decision manipulation means for accepting a manipulation to determine an input terminal of the information signal sent from an information output apparatus that sent the specified information.
In this information transmission system, each information output apparatus and the information input apparatus are connected to each other in such a way that the output terminal for sending only one information signal is connected to one of the data terminals. input to accept the input of only one information signal. The specific information is transmitted via, for example, a control signal line (control line) connecting the sending means of related information of the information output apparatus and the means of accepting related information of the input device. of information. The information for identification (information for notification) about which a user is going to be notified in the information entry apparatus is superimposed by means of overlaying the information-for-identification in an information signal that is going to be sent from the output terminal of the information output apparatus and a resulting signal is sent. In the information input apparatus, the switching means is controlled by the user, whereby one of the input terminals is selected. In the information for identification is superimposed on the selected information signal, the information for identification is reproduced by means of notification and the user is notified about this. When the user is notified by the means of notification about the information for identification, the input terminal that has accepted the input of the information signal where the information for identification is superimposed is the input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output device that sent the specific information. Therefore, the input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus that sent the specific information can be identified by accepting a decision manipulation of the user through the decision manipulation means. . With the aforementioned configuration, an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus can be identified in such a way that a user himself carries out a check through the information input apparatus. Therefore, even when the information output devices are connected to the respective input terminals of the information apparatus, whose information output device is connected to each input terminal, it can be easily and correctly identified.
The invention also provides an information transmission system wherein one or more of the information output devices that send an information signal and an information input apparatus that accepts the input of the information signal from each or more of the information apparatuses are connected to each other through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an additional information and information signal, wherein each information output comprises an output terminal for the first communication interface; the means of sending related information to send the specific information of the auto-device as additional information to the second communication interface; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used to identify an input terminal for the first communication interface of the information input apparatus to accept the input of the information signal in the information signal to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; the means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; the switching means for switching between the input terminals; the information-for-identification detection means for detecting the information for identification from each of the information signals that are accepted by the respective input terminals for the first communication interface, causing the switching means to change between the terminals of entry; and the identification means for identifying an input terminal of the information signal from where the information for identification is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means as an input terminal of the information signal sent from an information device. information output that sends the specific information through the means of sending related information. In this information transmission system, each information output apparatus and the information input apparatus are connected to one another through the first interface and the second interface. The specific information is transmitted through the second interface that connects the means of sending related information of the outgoing device.
information and the means of accepting information related to the information input device. The information for identification (information for detection) in a state in which it is detectable in the information input apparatus is superimposed by the means of overlaying information-for-identification in an information signal to be sent from the output terminal of the information output apparatus and that is transmitted to the information input device through the first interface. In the information input apparatus, the information for identification that is superimposed on the information signal and supplied through the input terminal is detected by the information-for-identification detection means. The input terminal that has accepted the input of the information signal from where the information for identification has been detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means is identified by the means of identification as an input terminal that is connected to the output terminal of the information output device that sent the specific information. With the aforementioned configuration, in the information input apparatus, an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output device can be automatically identified. Therefore, even when the information output devices are connected to the respective input terminals of the information apparatus, whose information output device is connected to each input terminal, it can be easily and correctly identified. Both the first interface and the second interface allow the transmission of an information signal. For example, when the first interface and the second interface are used while the switching between them is carried out, an appropriate input terminal can be selected in the information input apparatus by clearly identifying a connection relationship related to the first interface. that allows the transmission of only one information signal. The invention further provides an information transmission system in which one or more of the information output devices that send an information signal and an information input apparatus that accepts the input of the information signal from each or more of the information output devices are connected to each other through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, in wherein each information output apparatus comprises an output terminal for the first communication interface, the means for sending related information for sending the specific information of the auto-device as additional information to the second communication interface; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for notifying a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in the signal of information that is going to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; the means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for the identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied from an input terminal for the first communication interface to which the switching is carried out by means of the switching means reproducing the information for identification; and the manipulation means "of decision to accept a manipulation to determine an input terminal for the first communication interface of the information signal sent from an information output apparatus that sends the specific information through the second communication interface. . In this information transmission system, each information output apparatus and information entry apparatus are connected to one another through the first interface and the second interface. The specific information is transmitted through the second interface that connects the means of sending related information of the information output device and the means of accepting related information of the information input device. The information for identification (information for notification) about which user will be notified in the information entry apparatus is superimposed by the means of overlaying information-for-identification in an information to be supplied from the output terminal of the information. apparatus for outputting information to the information input device through the first interface if a resulting signal is sent. In the information input apparatus, the switching means is controlled by the user, whereby one of the input terminals is selected. If the information for identification is superimposed on the selected information signal, the information for identification is reproduced by means of notification and the user is notified about this. When the user is notified by the means of notification about the information for identification, the input terminal that has accepted the input of the information signal where the information for identification is superimposed is the input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output device that sent the specific information. Therefore, the input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus that sent the specific information can be identified by accepting a decision manipulation of the user through the decision manipulation means. . With the aforementioned configuration, an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output device can be identified in such a way that a user himself carries. performed a check through the information input device. Therefore, even when the information output devices are connected to the respective input terminals of the information apparatus, whose information output device is connected to each input terminal, it can be notified easily and correctly. Both the first interface and the second interface allow the transmission of an information signal. For example, when the first interface and the second interface are used while the switching between them is carried out, an appropriate input terminal can be selected in the information input apparatus by clearly identifying a connection relationship related to the first interface. that allows the transmission of only one information signal. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the information input apparatus may further comprise a connection management information recording means for recording the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified by the identification means. and the information specific to the information output apparatus in a connection management memory such that they correlate with one another. In this configuration, the identification information of the information terminal indicating the input terminal identified by the identification means and the information specific to the information output device are stored in the connection management memory of the information entry device of the information terminal. such as to correlate with one another and then administer. With this measure, which input terminal of the information input device is connected to which information output device can be recognized by, for example, requesting the connection management memory information. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the information input apparatus may further comprise a means of recording connection management information for recording, when the decision manipulation means accepts the decision manipulation, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal to which the switching is made by means of the switching means and the information specific to the information output apparatus in a connection management memory such that they are related to each other. In this configuration, when a decision manipulation is accepted through the decision manipulation means, an input terminal selected by the switching means and the identification information of the input terminal is identified by indicating the identified input terminal and the information The specific information output apparatus is stored in the connection management memory of the information input apparatus in such a way as to correlate with one another and then be administered. With this measure, which input terminal of the information input device is connected to which information output device can be recognized by, for example, inquiring the information of the connection management memory. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the information output apparatus can send, to the information input apparatus through the related information sending means, a switching control signal including the specific information of the auto-device that it will be used to effect the switching to the input terminal of the information input apparatus which is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus before sending the information signal through the output terminal. In this configuration, the information output apparatus sends a switching control signal of the input terminal including the specific information of the auto-apparatus before sending an information signal through the output terminal of the auto-apparatus. With this measure, the information input apparatus can automatically select an appropriate input terminal based on the switching control signal supplied from the information output apparatus before receiving an information signal from the information output device through of the entry terminal. The aforementioned information transmission system may be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a connection management information provision generating means for generating a request for supplying the connection management information stored in the connection management memory of the information entry apparatus in which the identification information of the input terminal and the specific information of the information output device is related to one another; and the switching control signal generating means for generating a switching control signal to be used to effect switching to the input terminal of the information input apparatus that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus. based on the connection management information that is provided from the information entry apparatus, in response to the request for the provision of connection management information; and that before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus sends, through the means of sending information related to the connection administration information supply request and the control signal of switching generated by the means for generating the switching control signal. In this configuration, the information output apparatus sends a request for provision of connection management information to the information input apparatus before sending an information signal through the output terminal, and generates as based on the information supplied from the information input apparatus in response to the supply request, a switching control signal to be used to select an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus (output apparatus of information) . The switching control signal is sent to the information input device. With this measure, the information input apparatus can automatically select an appropriate input terminal based on the switching control signal supplied from the information output apparatus before receiving an information signal from the information output device through of the entry terminal. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a means of receiving identification information from the input terminal to receive the identification information of the input terminal of the input terminal identified by the means of identification; and the connection management information recording means for recording the identification information of the input terminal received by the receiving means of identification information of the input terminal in a connection management memory; that before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus causes the sending means of related information to send to the information input device the identification information of the input terminal stored in the memory of connection administration. In this configuration, the identification information of the input terminal indicating that the input terminal that is connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus and that has been identified in the information input apparatus is supplied from the input device. input of information to the information output device. If the identification information of the input terminal is stored in the connection management memory of the information output apparatus and then administered. The identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory is supplied to the information input apparatus before an information signal is sent through the output terminal. With this measure, by checking the information stored in the connection management memory of the information output device, the information output device can recognize which input terminal of the information input device is connected to the output terminal of the auto -apparatus. Before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus supplies the information input device with the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal of the information input device connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus. Therefore, the information input apparatus can automatically select an appropriate input terminal in the identification information of the input terminal supplied from the information output apparatus before receiving an information signal through the input terminal. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a means of receiving identification information from the input terminal to receive the identification information of the input terminal indicating that the input terminal to which the switching is carried out by the switching means when the decision manipulation means accepts the decision manipulation; and the connection management information recording means for recording the identification information of the input terminal received by the receiving means of identification information of the input terminal in a connection management memory; and that before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output device causes the sending means of related information to send to the information input device the identification information of the input terminal stored in the memory of connection management. In this configuration, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal which is connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus and which has been identified in the information input apparatus is supplied from the input device. of information to the information output device through the second interface. If the identification information of the input terminal is stored in the connection management memory of the information output apparatus and then administered. The identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory is supplied to the information input apparatus before an information signal is sent through the output terminal. With this measure, by investigating the information stored in the connection management memory of the information output device, the information output device can recognize with which input terminal of the information input device the terminal of the auto-device is connected. Before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus supplies the information input device with identification information of the input terminal indicating to the input terminal of the information input device connected to the terminal. output of the auto-apparatus. Therefore, the information input apparatus can automatically select an appropriate input terminal based on the identification information of the input terminal supplied from the information output apparatus before receiving an information signal through the input terminal. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the information-for-identification means of the information output device can be superimposed on a presentation message in the information signal in a case where the information signal is a signal Of video. In this configuration, a presentation message is used as the information for identification. With this measure, when the display message is played and a user is notified about it, based on the display message, the user can judge that the input terminal currently selected in the information entry apparatus is accepting the entry of information that is supplied from the information output device that sent the specific information and for which an entry terminal must be identified. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the information-for-identification means of the information output device can be superimposed on a voice message in the information signal in a case where the information signal is a signal of audio In this configuration, a voice message is used as the information for identification. With this measure, when the voice message is reproduced and a user is notified about it, based on the voice message of the user it can judge that the input terminal that is currently selected in the information input device is accepting the entry of information that is supplied from the information output device that sent the specific information and for which an entry terminal must be identified. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the means of overlaying the information-for-identification of the information output apparatus overlays the information of the predetermined pattern as the information for identification in the information signal as information for detection; and that the information-detection-detecting means of the information entry apparatus detects the pattern information superimposed on the information signal. In this configuration, the predetermined pattern information is superimposed on an information signal and detected in the information input apparatus. With this measure, when the pattern information is detected, it can be judged automatically that the input terminal that has accepted the input of the information signal where the pattern information is superimposed is accepting the input of an information signal supplied from the information output device that sent the specific information and for which an entry terminal should be identified. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a start request receiving means for receiving a request to initiate the processing of identifying an input terminal that is sent from the receiving apparatus. entry of information; the sending means of related information sends the specific information when the receiving request initiating means receives the start request; that the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification in the information signal when the receiving means of the initiating request receives the start request; and that the information input apparatus further comprises a detection means for detecting the connection management information in which the identification information of the input terminal and the specific information of the information output device are correlated with each other. it is stored in the connection management memory of the auto-apparatus; and the sending request sending means for sending the start request when the detection means detects that the connection management information has not been stored. In this configuration, the identification processing of an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus is initiated if the information is not stored in the connection management memory of the input device. of information. With this measure, the identification processing of an input terminal can necessarily be carried out if the identification information of the input terminal and the information specific to the information output device have not yet been administered in the information input apparatus. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a detection means for detecting whether the identification information of the input terminal has been stored in the connection management memory of the auto- apparatus;
that the means of sending related information sent the specific information when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored; and that the means of overlaying the information-for-identification overlays the information for identification in the information signal when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored. In this configuration, the processing of the identification of an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus is initiated if the information has not been stored in the device connection management memory. of information output. With this measure, the identification processing of an input terminal can be carried out necessarily if the identification information of the input terminal has not yet been administered in the information output apparatus. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a manipulation means for accepting a start instruction input that requires the initiation of identification processing of an input terminal of the input of information that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus; the means of sending related information sends the specific information when the manipulation means accepts the entry of the start instruction; and the overlay means of the information-for-identification overlays the information for identification in the information signal when the manipulation means accepts the entry of the start instruction. In this configuration, the processing of identifying an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus is carried out when a user carries out an instruction. With this measure, the user may cause the identification processing of an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output device at any time when necessary. The aforementioned information transmission system can be configured in such a way that the information output apparatus further comprises a start request receiving means for receiving a start request to initiate identification processing of an input terminal that is sent from the information input apparatus; that the means of sending specific information or sends the specific information when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request; that the means for overlaying the information-for-identification overlays the information for identification in the information signal when the receiving request initiating means receives the start request; and that the information input apparatus further comprises a connection change detection means for detecting a change of connection at any of the input terminals of the auto-apparatus; and a start request sending means for sending the start request when the connection change detection means detects a change of connection at any of the input terminals. In this configuration, the processing of identifying an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus is carried out when a change of connection is detected at any of the input terminals such as fixing or detaching a plug to or from any of the input terminals, in the information input apparatus. With this measure, when a connection relation related to the information input device is changed, the processing of identifying an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus is necessarily carried out and the connection relationship can be correctly identified and then administered. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the output terminal of the information output apparatus and an input terminal of the information input apparatus can be connected to each other through a communication interface for an analogous signal. In this configuration, an analogous connection relationship between the information output apparatus and the information input apparatus can be correctly identified. In the aforementioned information transmission system, the first communication interface can be an analogous interface and the second communication interface can be a digital interface. In this configuration, an analogous connection relationship between the information output apparatus and the information input apparatus can be correctly identified using the digital interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures IA and IB show an exemplary domestic network system in which digital connections and analog connections exist in mixed form; Figure 2 is a functional diagram of a receiver called an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) to which a mode of the information output apparatus according to the present invention is applied; Figure 3 is a functional diagram of a receiver monitor to which a mode of the information input apparatus according to the invention is applied; Figure 4 shows an exemplary home network system according to the invention which is formed by the information output apparatus and the information input apparatus according to the invention; Figure 5 shows the connection ratios of the home network system shown in Figure 4; Figures 6A and 6B show the specific information and terminal information of an apparatus that are retained by each of the IRDs shown in Figure 2 and the monitor receiver shown in Figure 3; Figures 7A and 7B show a process for identifying and administering an input terminal of the monitor receiver connected to the IRD output terminal which is carried out through the cooperation between the IRD shown in Figure 2 and the receiver monitor shown in Figure 3; Figure 8 is a functional diagram of another exemplary monitor receiver as the information input apparatus according to the invention; Figure 9 is a functional diagram of another exemplary IRD as the information output apparatus according to the invention; Figure 10 is a functional diagram of an additional exemplary receiver monitor as the information input apparatus according to the invention; Figures HA and 11B show a process for identifying and administering an input terminal of the monitor receiver connected to the IRD output terminal which is carried out through the cooperation between IRD shown in Figure 9 and the monitor receiver shown in FIG. Figure 10; Figure 12 shows another exemplary home network system according to the invention which is formed by the information output apparatus and the information input apparatus according to the invention; Figure 13 shows the connection relationships of the home network system shown in Figure 12; and Figure 14 shows the connection relationships of an exemplary additional home network system according to the invention that is formed by the information output apparatus and the information input apparatus according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES
The modalities of the information transmission system, the information output apparatus, the information input apparatus, and the connection ratio identification method according to the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following modalities are directed to a case in which an information transmission system to which the connection ratio identification method according to the invention is applied is applied to a domestic network system that is formed in a house by means of a connection of electronic devices such as AV devices one with the other. Modality 1 [Exit and connection relations of the home network system] Figure 2 is a functional diagram of an IRD 1 according to a first embodiment to which the information output apparatus according to the invention is applied. Figure 3 is a functional diagram of a monitor receiver 2 according to the first embodiment to which the information input apparatus according to the invention is applied. In the first embodiment, a home network system according to the invention is carried out using the IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver which is shown in Figures 2 and 3, respectively, and other devices. Therefore, before describing the details of the individual devices such as the IRD 1 and the monitor receiver 2 that form the home network system, the output and connection relationships of the home network system according to the first embodiment will be described First. Figures 4 and 5 show an output relationship and a connection of the home network system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the home network system in accordance with the first mode formed in this manner wherein IRD 1 and DVTR 3 to which the information output apparatus according to the invention and the monitor receiver is applied 2 to which the information input apparatus according to the invention is connected to one another through two kinds of interfaces, i.e., a first interface and a second interface. In the first mode, an analogous interface for transmitting only information signals such as a video signal and audio signals is used as the first interface and a digital serial interface of the IEEE 1394 standard that allows the transmission of only the information signals such as a video signal, an audio signal, and the data of the computer but also the specific information of an electronic device and the control information, is used as the second interface. In the first mode, as shown in Figure 4, IRD 1 has a digital input / output terminal of the IEEE 1394 standard and the analog output terminals lotl and lot2. The monitor 2 receiver has digital input / output terminals of the IEEE 1394 2iol and 2io2 standard and analog input terminals 2inl and 2in2 as well as an analog input terminal 2in3 (not shown in Figure 4). DVTR 3 has 3iol and 3io2 digital input / output terminals, a 3ot output terminal, and 3inl and 3in2 analog input terminals. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, each analog output terminal and the analog output terminal has an output or input terminal (V terminal) for a video signal, an output or input terminal (terminal). L) for an audio signal from the left channel, and an input or output terminal (R terminal) for an audio signal from the right channel and can send or accept the input of an analog video signal and analog audio signals. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the first mode, between IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver, the analog output terminal lotl and the analog input terminal 2inl are connected to each other and the input / output terminal digital digital and the digital input / output terminal 2iol are connected to each other. Between DVTR 3 and the monitor 2 receiver, the analog output terminal 3ot and the analog input terminal 2in2 are connected to each other and the digital input / output terminal 3iol and the digital input / output terminal 2io2 connect one to the other. the other. As described above, in the first embodiment, IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver are connected to each other through not only an analog signal line but also a digital signal line and the same is the case with the monitor receiver 2 and DVTR 3. In the first mode, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, no signal line is directly connected to IRD or DVTR 3. However, even in the first mode, IRD 1, the monitor receiver 2, and DVTR 3 are connected to one another through the digital interfaces of the IEEE 1394 standard. This is explained as follows. As described above with reference to Figures IA and IB, IRD 1, the monitor receiver 2, and VDTR 3 are individually connected to a common digital bus (digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard) and can mutually exchange. a signal through the digital busbar. That is, as described above, a system in which the electronic devices are connected to each other through the digital signal lines of the IEEE standard is equialent to a system in which they are connected to each other through a single digital bus bar. Therefore, in the following description, a digital signal line will be called a digital bus bar. When transmitting an information signal through a digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, each electronic device sends it after packing it. In this case, as described above, each packet is transmitted in such a way that a channel No. and the specific information of the electronic device that allows the identification of an electronic device that has sent the packet, such as a node ID indicating an electronic device of the source of transmission (source of output) of the package, is added to the portion of the head of the package. With the aforementioned measure, an electronic device connected to a common digital bus bar can receive only one information signal that has been sent from a white electronic device in the form of packets. In the case of the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, not only an information signal but also control information to be used to control an electronic device connected to the common digital bus bar can be sent. As described above, the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard is designed in such a way as to make it possible to exchange the information signal packets of a video signal, an audio signal or the like among the electronic devices connected to the common serial busbar as well as exchange the various kinds of control information; for example, an electronic device that is going to receive an information signal can request an electronic device that is used to send the information signal to establish a communication channel. In this embodiment, as will be described below, the IRD 1 has an information output device that can receive and tune to either a analog TV broadcast and a digital TV broadcast in which a plurality of coded TV programs are multiplexed. with MPEG. That is, the IRD 1 can demodulate a analog TV signal that has been received and tuned in and send it from the analog lot 1 or lot 2 output terminals in accordance with a user instruction that is supplied through a remote remote control commander. apparatus. In addition, the IRD 1 can carry out the decoding to cancel the coding (coding) that was carried out on a received and tuned digital TV broadcast signal and an output of a resulting signal from the digital I / O terminal. in accordance with a user instruction that is supplied through the remote commander of the auto-apparatus. In the first embodiment, in accordance with a user instruction, the DVTR 3 as an information output device can convert a video signal or a digitally recorded audio signal into a recording medium in a similar signal and send the same to through the analog output terminal 3ot or output, as it is, to a digital video signal or a digital audio signal registered digitally in a recording medium through the digital input / output terminal 3iol or 3io2.
In addition, the DVTR 3 can register, as it is, on a recording medium, a digital signal that is supplied through the 3iol or 3io2 digital input / output terminal, and can convert an analog signal supplied through the digital terminal. analog input 3inl or 3in2 in a digital signal and register it in a recording medium after subjecting it to MPEG data compression, for example. In the first embodiment, the monitor receiver 2 as the information input apparatus according to the first mode can switch, between the three analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2, and 2in3, the analog input terminal through which it is supplied the analog signal to be processed or switched between the digital input / output terminals 2iol and 2io2, and the digital input / output terminal through which the digital signal is processed is supplied. As described above, in the home network system according to the first embodiment, the IRD 1 and DVTR 3 are connected to the monitor receiver 2 both in analog form and in digital form. Each of IRD 1, the monitor receiver 2, and DVTR 3 that constitute the home network system in accordance with the first mode retains a node ID assigned to the auto-apparatus in a register of an IEEE 1394 circuit of the I / F (which it will be described later), for example, by means of a function of the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard and also retains the terminal information (plug Nos.) or the like which will be used to identify the external terminals of the auto-apparatus in a ROM of a control section of the auto-apparatus, for example. Figures 6A and 6B show the specific information and the terminal information of the auto-apparatus that are retained by each of IRD 1 and the monitor receiver 2 in accordance with the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, each of IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver retains a nodule ID as the specific information of the auto-apparatus. In the first mode, the ID node assigned to IRD 1 and the monitor receiver 2 are "X" and "Y", respectively. As shown in Figure 6A, the IRD 1 has two external terminals (external pins A and B) and retains the information indicating that they are analog output terminals. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6B, the monitor receiver 2 has three external terminals (external pins A, B and C) and retain the information indicating that they are analog input terminals. "External plug A", "external plug B" and "external plug C" are pieces of the terminal information (plug Nos.). As described above, the IRD 1 retains the terminal information pieces corresponding to its own one-to-one analog output terminals and the monitor 2 receiver retains the terminal information pieces corresponding to its own analog one input terminals. to one. In the first embodiment, the analogous connection relationships between the electronic devices can be identified by not only using the specific information and the terminal information of each electronic device retained by itself as described above but also using a function of the digital interface. In addition, a selection control between the analog input terminals of an information input apparatus can be carried out by managing the relationships of the identified analog connection. [Individual electronic devices constituting the home network system] Next, a process of identifying and administering an analogous connection relationship between an input output apparatus and an information input apparatus that can be carried out by the user will be described. domestic network system in accordance with the first mode by means of an example process that is carried out between IRD 1 and the monitor receiver 2. Even though each of IRD 1, the monitor receiver 2, and DVTR 3 in accordance with the first mode can process a video signal and an audio signal, for reasons of simplifying the descriptions for processing in an audio signal system carried out in each apparatus will be omitted below. [IRD] First, the IRD 1 which is an information output device of the home network system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the functional diagram of Figure 2. As described above, the IRD 1 in accordance with the first modality, it has a function of receiving and tuning into analog TV broadcasting and a function of receiving and tuning into a digital TV broadcast. That is, in Figure 2, an analog TV broadcast reception antenna (which will be referred to below as "analog antenna") 11, a UHF / VHF tuner section (hereinafter referred to as the "analog tuner section") 12, a video signal processing section 13, an overlay section 14, and an identification message generation section 15 are sections for handling a analog TV broadcast signal. A digital TV broadcast reception antenna (to which reference will now be referred to as a "digital antenna") 16, a section of the digital TV broadcast tuner (which will be referred to below as a "digital tuner"). 17, a decoding section 18, and an IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 are sections for handling a digital TV broadcast signal. The IRD 1 is provided with a control section 30 for controlling the individual sections of the IRD 1. The control section 30 is a microcomputer in which a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33 are connected to each other through a busbar CPU 34. A connection management memory 41 for storing the information related to the analogous connection ratios between the electronic devices and a control signal light receiving section 42 are connected to the control section 30. of the IRD 1. The remote control signal receiving section 42 receives a remote control signal (infrared signal) that comes from a remote commander 45 of the IRD 1, converting it into an electrical signal, and supplies the electrical signal to the section control 30. As described above, the IRD 1 has the analog output terminals lotl and lot2 and the digital I / O terminal of the digital interface of the IEEE standard 1394. An analog TV broadcast signal received by the analog antenna 11 is supplied to the analog tuner section 12. The analog tuner section tunes and demodulates a white analog TV broadcast and supplies a resulting signal to the processing section of video signal 13 in accordance with a tuning control signal supplied from the control section 30. The tuning control signal supplied from the control section 30 is generated in the control section 30 in accordance with a tuning instruction of the user that is admitted to the IRD 1 through the remote commander 45 and the remote control signal receiving section 42. The processing section of the video signal 13 processes the received video signal and forms a video signal of exit. The output video signal formed by the processing section of the video signal 13 is sent out through the overlay section 14 and the analog output terminal lot1 or lot2 and is supplied to the monitor receiver 2 in the first mode .
In the first embodiment, the overlay section 14 and the generating section of the identification message 15 perform a function of a means of sending information-for-identification to send the information for identification to be used when the receiver monitor 2 identifies its analog input terminal to which the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is connected. When the IRD 1 in accordance with the first mode has received, from a user, through the remote commander 45 an instruction input that instructs that the IRD 1 carries out the processing of identifying an analogous terminal of the monitor receiver 2 to which the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is connected, the identification message generating section 15 generates a presentation message as information for identification which goes to be used to identify an analog terminal of the monitor 2 receiver connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1. That is, in the first mode, the information for identification is generated with a presentation message that can be recognized by a user when presented on the display screen of the display device of the monitor 2 receiver, and then is supplied to the overlay section 14. The overlay section 14 superimposes the identification display message supplied from the identification message generation section 15 into a video signal that is supplied from the video signal processing section 13. As shown in FIG. described above, the video signal in which the identification display message is superimposed is sent from the overlay section 14 through the analog output terminal lotl or lot2. In this embodiment, the identification display message generated by the IRD 1 line identification message generating section 15 is a message such that "This image is being sent from the IRD. message, please push the IRD decision button switch ". which allows a user to recognize that an analog input terminal has accepted the provision of an analog video signal from the IRD 1 that has been identified and that commands the next manipulation. The identification display message is not supplied to the overlay section 14 unless the identification processing of an analog input terminal of the information input apparatus is performed with which the analog output terminal of the apparatus of Information output is being carried out in response to a user instruction. With this measure, since the identification display message is not superimposed on an output video signal when the identification processing of a similar input terminal is not being carried out, the identification display message is prevented from overcoming unnecessarily in an output video signal. On the other hand, a digital TV broadcast signal received by the digital antenna 16 is supplied to the digital tuner section 17. Like the section of the analog tuner 12 described above, the digital tuner section 17 is tuned in and demodulated a digital target TV broadcast signal and supplies a resulting signal to the decoding section 18 in accordance with the tuning control signal supplied from the control section 30. The decoding section 18 cancels the coding (coding) that is carried out on the demodulated digital broadcast signal. The canceled coding digital broadcast signal is supplied to the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19. The IEEE 1394 circuit 19 forms the packaged digital data to be sent to the digital bus of the IEEE 1394 standard, receives the digital data supplied from each electronic device and performs other processing. When the IRD 1 according to the first modality has been received, from the remote commander 45, an input of the user instruction requiring the identification of an analog input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1, the control section 30 generates a request for Identification start to initiate processing to identify an analog input terminal and send it to the information input device by sending it to the digital bus through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit and the digital I / O terminal . At the same time, the control section 30 controls the identification message generating section 15 to cause it to generate an identification display message. The control section 30 supplies the generated identification display signal to the information input device by sending it through the analog output terminal lotl or lot2. In response, the monitor receiver 2 as the information input apparatus (described below) performs the processing of identifying an analog input terminal of itself that is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1. If the receiver monitor 2 has identified its analog input terminal which is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1, the terminal information indicating the identified analog input terminal is sent to the digital bus through an IEEE I / F circuit 21 1394 of the monitor receiver 2, as the identification information of the input terminal. Receiving, through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19, the identification information of the input terminal supplied from the monitor receiver 2, the IRD 1 correlates the identification information of the input terminal with the specific information of the monitor receiver 2 and its own output terminal information (i.e., the terminal information on the IRD 1 side) and stores and holds the resulting information in the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1 as the connection management information. In this way, the IRD 1 itself can manage the relationship of the analogous connection between the auto-apparatus and the information input device. The specific information of the monitor receiver 2 is the ID node, for example, of the monitor receiver 2 that is included in the head portion of the identification information of the input terminal that is sent as packets through the digital bus bar. [Monitor receiver] Next, the monitor receiver 2 which is an information input device of the home network system according to the first embodiment, will be described with reference to the functional diagram of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3 , the monitor receiver 2 in accordance with the first mode has the analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2, and 2in3 and the digital input / output terminals 2iol and 2io2. To process a digital information signal supplied from IRD 1 or DVTR 3, an IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, a demultiplexer 22, an MPEG decoder, a D / A conversion circuit (digital-to-analog) is provided. ), a selector 25, and a presentation circuit 26. The monitor receiver 2 is provided with a control section 50 for controlling the individual sections of the monitor receiver 2. The control section 50 is a microcomputer in which a CPU 51, a ROM 52 and a RAM 53 are connected to each other through a CPU 54 busbar. A connection management memory 61 for storing the information related to the analogous connection ratios between the electronic devices and a light receiving section. of remote control signal 62 are connected to the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2. The remote control signal receiving section 62 receives a remote signal (infrared signal) that comes from a remote commander 65 of the monitor receiver 2, converting it into an electrical signal, and supplying the electrical signal to the control section 50. In the monitor 2 receiver, the analog video signals that are admitted through the analog input terminal 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3 are supplied to the selector 25 The digital information signals such as the digital video signals that are supported from the IRD 1 and the DVTR 3 through the digital input / output terminal 2iol and 2io2 are captured by the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and supplied. to the demultiplexer 22. The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 can extract information such as an ID node of an output source electronic apparatus that is added to the head portions, for example, of received packets that are directed to the self-apparatus and supply the same to the control section 50, and can extract the necessary information from the control information packets and supply same to the control section 50. Controlled me In the control section 50, the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 can generate control information packets and send those to the digital bus through the 2iol or 2io2 digital input / output terminal. When a digital information signal received in a signal in which they are multiplexed joins. plurality of diffusion programs, an EPG (electronic program guide), etc. the demultiplexer 13 extracts a broadcast program or the EPG corresponding to a user instruction based on a control signal supplied from the control section 50 in accordance with. the instruction input of the user selection and supplies the same to the MPEG decoder 23. The MPEG decoder 14 expands (MPEG-decodes) the digital video signal of the received broadcast program, restores a pre-compression digital video signal and supplies the restored digital video signal to the D / A conversion section 24. The D / A conversion section 24 converts the received digital video signal into a video analog signal and supplies it to the selector 25. As described in the foregoing, the analog video signals supplied through the analog input terminal 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3, and the video signals that are supplied as digital signals through the digital input / output terminal 2iol and 2io2, decoded by MPEG, and then converted into analog signals are supplied to selector 16 ,. Controlled by the control section 50, the selector 16 switches the analog video signal to be sent between the analog video signals supplied through two respective analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3 and a supplied analog video signal from the D / A conversion section 24. That is, a user performs, through the remote commander 65 of the monitor receiver 2, an instruction input specifying one of the analogous input theraminals 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3 of the terminals digital input / output 2iol and 2io2, an image of a video signal supplied through which it must be presented. A remote control signal corresponding to the input of the user instruction is sent from the remote commander 65. The remote control signal is received by the light receiving section of the remote control signal 62 which is connected to the remote control section. control 50 and the received signal is converted into an electrical signal, which is supplied to the control section 50. The control section 50 generates, in accordance with the signal that is supplied from the light receiving section of the remote control signal 62 and that the user instruction corresponds to the input, a control signal to be used to control the selector 25 and thus switch the output video signal, and supply the generated control signal to the selector 25. As a result , a video signal is supplied through the terminal which is selected in accordance with the instruction instruction of the user which is sent from the selector 25 and is supplied to the circuit of presentation 26. The presentation circuit 26 forms, based on the received video signal, a signal to be supplied to the presentation device. The signal formed in this way is supplied to the display device such as a cathode ray tube of the monitor receiver, whereby an image corresponding to the video signal that is supplied through the selected terminal is presented on the display screen . If the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 of the monitor receiver 2 receives an identification initiation request by which the IRD 1 instructs the monitor receiver 2 (information input apparatus) to initiate processing to identify an input terminal analog to which the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is connected, the identification initiation request is communicated to the control section 50.
In the first mode, the identification initiation request is the control information including a presentation message such as "Please change to a similar entry of the IRD". In response to the identification initiation request, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2 changes the selector 25 so as to send a video signal that is supplied through the digital input / output terminal. The presentation message that is received that is included in the identification start request is supplied to the presentation circuit 26 through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the demultiplexer 22, the MPEG decoder 23, the conversion section D / A 24, and the selector 25, whereby the presentation message to urge the user to change to an analog input from the IRD 1, is presented on the display screen of the display device of the monitor receiver 2. In response to the presentation message, the user manipulates the remote commander 65 and in this way performs the switching in sequence to the output signals of the selector 25. If the switching is done in such a way that a video signal is supplied from the output terminal analogous to IRD 1, as described above, the identification display message is superimposed on the video signal. As described above, for example, the identification display message is "This message is being sent from the IRD" The display of this identification display message makes it possible to identify the analog input terminal currently selected as that connected to the terminal IRD analogue output 1. In this case, as described above, the identification display message that urges the user to press the IRD 1 decision button switch is presented as the information for identification. If the user presses the switch of the decision button of the IRD 1, the IRD 1 sends a request for supplying identification information of the input terminal. When the monitor receiver 2 receives the request for provision of identification information from the input terminal, the monitor receiver 2 can recognize that it is its own analog input terminal to be identified with which the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is connected. The control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2 reads the terminal information corresponding to the currently selected input terminal from its own ROM 52 and uses it as the identification information of the input terminal. The control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2 correlates the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified with the ID node of the IRD 1 and records the resulting information in the connection management memory 61 as the administration information of the receiver. Connection. In this case, the ID node of the IRD 1 is included in the head portions of the packed information that is sent from the IRD 1 through the digital bus. The monitor receiver 2 supplies the identification information of the input terminal of the input terminal identified to the IRD 1 by sending it to the digital bus through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21. The IRD 1 receives the identification information of the input from the monitor receiver 2 and as described above, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 correlates the identification information of the received input terminal with the information of the output terminal of the auto-apparatus and the receiver ID node monitor 2 and records the resulting information in the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1. As a result, the IRD 1 can perform the administration as to which input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 its own output terminal is connected. analogous. The monitor receiver 2 can perform the administration of which of its own analog input terminals is connected to which information output device. In the first modality, a user can make the selection and switching of whether the IRD 1 should output an analog video signal from the analog output terminal lotl or lot2, or it should output a digital video signal or the like from the input terminal / digital output lio. If a user has instructed the IRD 1 to send an analog video signal from the analogue output terminal litl or lot2 by manipulating the remote commander 45 of the IRD 1, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 generates a selection control signal which will be used to control the monitor receiver 2 so as to select the analog input terminal that is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 and supply the generated selection control signal to the monitor receiver 2 by sending it to the digital bus bar through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19. The IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 of the monitor receiver 2 receives the selection control signal supplied from the IRD 1. When it is reported close to the selection control signal, the The control section 50 controls the selector 25 so that an analogous signal is sent which is supplied through the specified analog input terminal. As a result, controlled by the IRD 1 which is to be adjusted to output an analog video signal, the monitor receiver 2 can present, without any manipulation by the user, an image corresponding to an analog video signal supplied through the Analog input terminal that is supplied with the analog video signal from the IRD 1. As described above, for example, immediately after a user has connected the information output device and the information input device both analogously and in digital form, the processing is carried out to identify an analogous connection relationship between the electronic devices. And the identified analogous connection relation is administered. This makes it possible to reliably and correctly select an appropriate analog input terminal of the information input apparatus without requiring any manipulation by the user even when the switching is carried out alternately between an analog output and a digital output in the apparatus of information output that uses both the analog output and a digital output. Next, the process for identifying and managing the analog input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 running through the cooperation between the IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver in the network system domestic according to the first embodiment, will be described with reference to a flow chart of Figures 7A and 7B. As described above, the identification of an input terminal analogous to the monitor 2 receiver connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is carried out through the cooperation between the IRD and the monitor 2 receiver. both an IRD 1 process (Figure 7A) and a monitor 2 receiver process (Figure 7B) will be described together. In the first embodiment, a user produces, through the remote commander 45 of the IRD 1, an instruction input requesting execution of the processing to identify an analog input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver to which the IRD output terminal is connected. 1. When this instruction entry is detected, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 initiates the process shown in Figure 7A (step S101).
Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 controls the circuit 19 of IEEE 1394 and thus searches for an electronic device such as a monitor receiver that functions as an information input device between the electronic devices connected to the same digital bus bar (step S102). For the details of step S102, among the electronic devices connected to the same digital bus, an electronic device (node) including a sub-unit of the monitor is searched using the asynchronous transaction that is prescribed by ISO (International Standardization Organization) / IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) -13213, IEEE-1394-1995), IEC-61883-1, which is one of the standards of the IEEE 1394 digital interface. An electronic device detected by searching is used as the electronic object subject matter ( whose analog input terminal connected to the output terminal of the IRD 1 must be identified In this mode, the monitor receiver 2 becomes a subject As described above, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 generates an application Start of identification which is the control information that includes a presentation message "Please change to a similar entry from the IRD" and that urges the user It is necessary for the processing to identify an analog input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the IRD 1, and to send the same to the digital bus through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and the IO digital input / output terminal (step S103). In this case, the presentation message can be presented in accordance with a project that is standardized in EIA (Electronic Industries Association (US)) -775, which is one of the standards of the IEEE 1394 digital interface. Alternatively, the message of Presentation can be defined recently as a command of the monitor sub-unit that is prescribed as an AV / C command on the IEEE 1394 digital interface or transmitted according to a standardized project. Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 controls the identification message generation section 15 and thus generates an identification display message as the information for identification, causes the overlay section 14 to superimpose the message of presentation of the identification message. identification generated in an analog video signal to be sent from the analog output terminal, and causes a resulting signal to be sent from the output terminal lotl or lot2 (step S104).
On the other hand, when the monitor receiver 2 receives the identification initiation request that was sent to the digital bus bar as a result of the execution of step S103 in the IRD 1, the control section 50 carries out the process shown in FIG. Figure 7B. Specifically, when the identification initiation request is received from the IRD 1 through the digital input / output terminal 2iol and the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the control section 30 of the monitor receiver 2 changes the selector 25 of Thus, a video signal that is received through the circuit 21 of IEEE 1394 is sent. As a result, the presentation message included in the identification initiation request is presented on the display screen of the presentation device of the monitor receiver 2.; that is, a message is presented requesting that the user perform a manipulation to switch between the analog input terminals 2inl and 2in2 (step S201). Regarding the presentation of message in step S201, the reception and presentation of the control in the presentation message is carried out in accordance with a project that complies with the project standardized in EIA-755, for example. Alternatively, the presentation message may be newly defined as a monitor sub-unit control that is prescribed as an AV / C command on the IEEE 1394 digital interface or transmitted in accordance with a standardized project. Then, the monitor receiver 2 accepts a switch request for the selector 25 which is supported by the user through the remote commander 65 of the monitor receiver 2, for example. In response to the switching request, the monitor receiver 2 changes the analog input terminal which accepts a video signal to be presented in the display device of the monitor receiver 2 (step S202). For example, in the monitor receiver 2 according to the first embodiment, the step S202 is carried out in such a way that the switching is carried out by what is called a lever operation in order of video-1 - >; video-2 - > ... in the same way as in conventional analogue TV receivers. Of course, an alternative method is possible in which a GUI (graphical user interface) is provided in the monitor receiver 2 and the selection of the arbitrary analog input terminal is allowed in the same way as in the case of using a menu image . If the analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 has been selected, the identification display message is superimposed on a analog video signal (see step S104) whose input is accepted through of the aforementioned analog input terminal and therefore the identification display message is presented in the display device of the monitor receiver 2. Then, the user carries out a manipulation of the switching of the selector 25 of the monitor receiver 2 while recognizes the display on the display device of the monitor receiver 2 (step S203). The user stops manipulating the switching of the selector 25 of the monitor receiver 2 when the identification presentation message has been presented. As described above, the identification display message not only indicates that an analog input terminal that accepts the supply of a signal that is sent from the IRD 1 has been identified but also urges the user to press the IRD decision button switch 1. Therefore, the user performs a tampering operation of the decision button switch that is provided in the remote commander 45 of the IRD 1 in response to the identification presentation message presented in the display device of the monitor receiver 2 (step S105). Naturally, an alternative method is possible in which the IRD 1 itself presents a menu image on its own LCD, for example, and the user carries out a manipulation of selecting a specific menu or icon that is being presented therein. Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 investigates the analog input terminal identified through the IEEE 1394 circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal lio (step S106). Step S106 is a step of sending, to the digital bus bar, through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal IIO, a request requesting the monitor receiver 2 to supply the identification information. of the input terminal which is the information indicating the identified analog input terminal. When the monitor receiver 2 receives, through the digital input / output terminal 2iol and the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the request for provision of identification information of the input terminal that was sent to the digital bus bar as a As a result of the execution of step S106, the control section 5C of the monitor receiver 2 sends, to the digital bus bar, through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal currently selected analog that was identified as an analog input terminal to accept the supply of an analog video signal from the IRD 1 (step S204). Then, in the monitor receiver 2, the control section 50 stores, in the connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 2, the connection management information in which the ID node of the IRD 1 that was included in the control received in step S201 is correlated with the information of the input terminal indicating the identified analog input terminal (step S205). The process of identifying the analog input terminal of the monitor terminal 2 is terminated when the execution of step S205 has been completed. On the other hand, when the IRD 1 receives the identification information of the input terminal that is sent to the digital bus bar through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 of the monitor receiver 2, the control section 30 stores, in the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1, the information of the output terminal indicating the output terminal of the auto-device that is sending a analog video signal, the identification information of the terminal received input, and the ID node of the monitor receiver 2 such that they correlate with each other (step S107). The process of identifying the analog input terminal of the IRD 1 is terminated when it has been completed. execution of step S107. In the aforementioned process, the connection management information is generated and recorded in the connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 2 after the monitor receiver 2 has received a request for the provision of identification information of the input terminal from the IRD 1 and has sent the identification information of the entry terminal in response to the request. However, also in the monitor receiver 2, the connection management information may be recorded by being sent by an instruction entry to the user. This will be described below. When the monitor receiver 2 receives, from the IRD 1, an analog video signal in which an identification presentation message is superimposed, the identification display message is presented on the display screen of the display device of the monitor receiver 2. When the user has visually recognized the same, press the decision button switch that is provided on the remote commander 65 of the monitor receiver 2. When the decision button switch that is provided for the monitor receiver 2 is pressed, the control 50 of the monitor 2 receiver having an analog input terminal to accept the input of an analog video signal from the IRD 1 has been identified. Then, the monitor receiver 2, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the identified analog input terminal, the ID node of the IRD 1, etc. they are stored in their own connection management administration memory 61 in such a way as to correlate with one another. In this case, the monitor receiver 2 can voluntarily supply the identification information of the input terminal, the ID node of the monitor receiver 2, etc. to IRD 1 through IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and the digital busbar. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary for the IRD 1 to send a request for the provision of identification information of the input terminal. A process that omits pressing the switch of the decision button that is provided on the monitor 2 receiver is also possible. Specifically, a menu of the display device of the monitor receiver 2 is presented. When an item is selected from the menu to signify the decision of an input terminal, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2 judges that a terminal has been identified. analog input or -
to accept the input of an analog video signal from the IRD 1. As described above, in this embodiment, both the IRD 1 and the monitor 2 receiver can manage the relationships of the analog connection. Therefore, if the IRD 1 is configured in such a way that when a prescribed key of the remote commander 45 of the IRD 1 is made to manipulate, the information stored er. the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1 is presented in the display device such as an LCD of the IRD 1, and a user can recognize which analog input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1. Therefore, the switching of the analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 can be carried out correctly. Naturally, by providing a similar inquiry function of the monitor receiver 2, the switching of the analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 can be carried out correctly so that a user can recognize an analog input terminal of the auto-apparatus to which a monitor is connected. analog output terminal of a target information output apparatus and an analog video signal may be supplied from the target information output apparatus.
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[Automatic switching control of the analog input terminal of the information input device] [In case of using the information in the connection management information of the IRD] As described above, the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1 retains the connection management information consisting of the output terminal information of the auto-apparatus, the input terminal identification information indicating an analog input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver which is connected to an output terminal analogue that is indicated by the output terminal information, and the ID node of the monitor receiver 2. Therefore, using the connection management information, the IRD 1 can carry out the control to select the analog input terminal previously. cited from the monitor receiver 2. Specifically, in this modality, when a user has presented an entry and instruction that instructs the IRD 1 to output an analog video signal from an analog output terminal, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 generates a selection control signal including the identification information of the input terminal indicating that the Analog input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver that is connected to the i2 terminal -
analog output of the auto-apparatus based on the connection management information stored in the connection management memory 41 of the auto-apparatus. Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 1 supplies the selection control signal generated to the monitor receiver 2 by sending it to the digital bus through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal lio. When the monitor receiver 2 receives the selection control signal from the IRD 1, the control section 50 carries out the switching so that the output signal of the selector 25 is converted into a signal coming from the analog input terminal. indicated by the identification information of the input terminal included in the selection control signal that is received through the digital input / output terminal 2iol and the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21. In this way, the automatic switching ( automatic selection) between the analog input terminals of the monitor receiver 2 can be carried out without the user manipulating the remote commander 65 of the monitor receiver 2. Therefore, when the output is carried out from an analog output terminal of the IRD 1 in response to a user instruction, an input terminal of the monitor 2 receiver connected to the output terminal i3 -
analog can be selected automatically. Thus, no time and labor are necessary for the switching of the analog input terminal. [Case (1) of using the connection management memory information of the monitor receiver] In the first mode, the monitor receiver 2 is also provided with a connection management memory 61 and manages an analogous connection relationship between the auto -a device and the IRD 1 that supplies a signal analogous to the auto-device. In view of this, for example, when the IRD 1 is going to send a similar signal from its own analog output terminal, the IRD 1 first sends a request for the provision of connection management information to the monitor 2 receiver through its own IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and digital I / O terminal and digital bus bar. In response to the supply request, the monitor receiver 2 sends all connection management information stored in its own connection management memory 61 of the IRD 1 through its own IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and the busbar digital. The IRD 1 receives the connection management information from the monitor receiver 2 through the digital I / O terminal I / O and the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and extracts the identification information from the -
input terminal indicating an input terminal connected to its own output terminal from the received connection management information. Then, the IRD 1 generates a selection control signal including the identification information of the extracted input terminal and supplies it to the monitor receiver 2 by sending it to the digital bus bar through its own IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal. The input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 for receiving an analog signal from the URD 1 can be automatically selected by the monitor receiver 2 by switching its own selector 25 in accordance with the selection control signal supplied from the IRD 1. Naturally, it is not always necessary to supply the IRD 1 with all the connection management information stored in connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 2; only the connection management information related to the IRD 1 should be sent back to the IRD 1. In this case, the IRD 1 does not need to carry out the processing to extract the connection management information related to the IRD 1 from the information of connection management supplied to the monitor receiver 2.
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[Case (2) of using the monitor management memory information of the monitor receiver] The connection management information stored in the connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 2 includes the ID node, an information output device . In view of this, when the IRD 1 is going to send an analog signal from its own analog output terminal, the IRD 1 first supplies the selection control signal including the ID node of the apparatus to the monitor receiver 2 by sending it to the digital bus bar through its own IEEE I / F circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal. The monitor receiver 2 receives the selection control signal from the IRD 1 and extracts the connection management information related to the IRD 1 stored in its own connection management memory 61 based on the ID node of the IRD 1 included in the signal of selection control. An input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 for receiving an analog signal from the IRD 1 can be selected automatically by switching its own selector 25 based on the identification information of the input terminal included in the connection management information. As described above, the monitor receiver 2 can reliably select and use a 6 -
analog signal sent from the IRD 1 by automatically switching the selector 25 of the monitor receiver 2 based on the connection management information stored in connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1 or the connection management information stored in the management memory of the IRD 1. connection 61 of the monitor receiver 2. [Timing of the identification processing of the analog input terminal] [(1) Case in which the processing is carried out in accordance with the presence / absence of the data in the management memory of IRD connection] In the first embodiment, the processing of the identification of an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 to which the output terminal of the IRD 1 is connected is initiated when the prescribed manipulation key of the IRD remote commander 45 1 It has been manipulated. However, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, when power is applied to
IRD 1, the control section 30 checks whether the connection management information is stored in the connection management memory 41 of the device itself. If the connection management information is not stored, the control section 30 sends a start request of 7 -
identification of the digital bus bar controlling the circuit 19 IEEE 1394 I / F and send an identification display message from an analog output terminal controlling the identification message generation section 15. This makes it possible to initiate the processing of identifying an analogous connection relationship between the IRD 1 and the information input apparatus in a case where the connection management information is not stored in the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1. [(2) Case in which the processing is carried out in accordance with the presence / absence of the data in the connection management memory of the monitor receiver] When the power is applied to the monitor receiver
2 as an information input device, the control section 50 checks whether the connection management information is stored in its own connection management memory 61. If the connection management information is not stored, the control section 50 it controls the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and thus sends a request to the digital bus bar requesting an information output device such as IRD 1 to send an identification initiation request.
The processing of identifying an input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 connected to the output terminal of the IRD 1 can be initiated in such a way that the IRD 1 that has received the send request sends an identification start request (digital signal) and an identification display message (analogous signal) in the manner described above. This makes it possible to initiate the processing of identifying an analogous connection relationship through cooperation with an information output apparatus connected to the monitor receiver 2 in a case where the connection management information is not stored in the management memory. of connection 61 of the monitor receiver 2. [(3) Case in which the processing is carried out detecting the alteration in the analog connection of the monitor receiver] The insertion or removal of a connector to or from the analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3 of the monitor 2 receiver is detected. When the alteration in the analog connections of the connector receiver 2 has been detected, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 2 controls the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and in this way sends a request for sending to the digital bus bar requesting an information output device such as 19 -
IRD 1 to send a request for identification initiation. As in the same way as in the case (2) where the "processing is carried out in accordance with the presence / absence of the data in the connection management memory of the monitor receiver", the processing of identifying a terminal of The input of the monitor receiver 2 connected to the output terminal of the IRD 1 can be initiated in such a way that the IRD 1 that has received the request for sending from the monitor receiver 2 sends an identification start request (digital signal) and a message Identification presentation (analog signal). Figure 8 is a functional diagram of an exemplary monitor receiver capable of detecting alteration in analog connections. The monitor receiver shown in Figure 8 is configured in the same manner as the monitor receiver 2 shown in Figure 3 with the exception that the first one is provided with a connection detection section 90. Therefore, the receiver components monitor shown in Figure 8 which are configured in the same manner as the corresponding components in the monitor apparatus 2 shown in Figure 3, are provided with the same reference symbols as the last and will not be described.
The connection detection section 90 of the monitor receiver shown in Figure 8 detects the insertion or removal of a connector to or from the analog input terminals of the monitor receiver based on its electrical characteristics. When insertion or removal is detected, the connection detection section 90 notifies the control section 50 of the monitor receiver about it. The connection detection section 90 of the monitor receiver of this example detects the insertion or removal of a connector to or from the analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2, and 2in3 of the monitor receiver, monitoring the electrical characteristics such as the levels of the signals supplied from the analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3, the impedance or similar values. By identifying an analogous connection relationship with an input / output apparatus such as IRD 1 in the manner described above when inserting or removing a connector to or from the analog input terminals of the monitor receiver, a last analogue connection relationship can be identified. and it can be administered when the alteration has occurred in the analogous connections.
All the aforementioned methods can be used. That is, the processing of identifying an analog input terminal is carried out when one of the aforementioned cases (l) - (3) and an instruction entry by a user has occurred. This prevents a state from occurring where the analog connection relationship is not managed. The above-described processing of identifying an analog input terminal can be carried out necessarily when the power is applied to an electronic device connected to the home network system including an IRD 1 and the monitor receiver 2. [Information necessary between the information apparatus and the information input apparatus] In the first mode, the connection management information to be stored in the connection management memory 41 of the IRD 1 as an information output device is the device's output terminal information. own, the identification information of the input terminal and the ID node of an information input device. The connection management information to be stored in the connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 2 as an information entry apparatus is the identification information of the input terminal and the ID node of a duplicate information output device. .
However, the specific information of an electronic device for identifying an information output device or an information entry device is not limited to the ID node. For example, the physical ID can be used instead of the ID node. In view of a possibility to readjust the connection environment (what is called the readjustment of the busbar) is caused by fixing or separation of an electronic device in the connections of the digital busbar, the information of the unique ID of the node or SDDs (self-describing devices) can be used in addition to the ID node or the physical ID. The use of the singular ID of the node or the SDD information makes it possible to easily reconstruct the information of a new connection relationship after the bus reset occurs through comparison with the information of a previous connection relationship before the readjustment of the busbar. The serial number of an information output device or an information input device can be included in the connection management information. The use of the serial number makes it possible to distinguish a plurality of devices of the same type that are connected to the same digital busbar.
As described above, the following four kinds of information are necessary to identify and administer in a more detailed manner an analogous connection relationship between an information output apparatus and an information input device: (1) The nodule ID or the physical ID of the duplicate device. (2) The terminal information held by each apparatus (identification information of the input terminal indicating an input terminal that has been identified in the information entry apparatus or an output terminal information to identify an analog output terminal in the information output device). (3) The unique ID of the node or the SDD information of the duplicate device. (4) The serial number of the duplicate device. The above-mentioned classes of information are prescribed by a normal document, operating rules, or similar of a standard such as ISO / IEC 13212
(ANSI / IEEE Standard 1212, previously mentioned.) Each electronic device connected to the digital bus bar may acquire this information in accordance with a procedure using the commands and responses prescribed by this document.
Of course, information other than the aforementioned information may also be used. For example, different kinds of necessary information may be included such as the date when the processing is carried out identifying an analogous connection relationship which may be included in the connection management information to be stored in the connection management memory. The first modality has been described above for the example in which an analogous connection relationship between the IRD 1 is identified and administered.
(information output device) and monitor apparatus 2
(information input device). However, it is possible to identify and manage an analogous connection relationship between the DVTR 3 and the monitor apparatus 2 in the same way as between the IRD 1 and the monitor apparatus 2. This will be explained below. Like the IRD 1, the DVTR 3 of the first mode is not provided with an overlay section and an identification message generation section upstream of the 3ot analog output terminal but is provided with an I / F circuit IEEE 1394 and a connection management memory and can identify and manage a similar connection relationship through cooperation with the monitoring apparatus 2.
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Therefore, the monitor receiver 2 as an information input apparatus can identify and manage the analogous connection relationships with all the information output devices that are connected to the auto-apparatus both in analog form and in digital form. Also, each information output device can administer at least one analogous connection relationship between the auto-apparatus and a target information input device. However, each information output device can also manage the analogous connection relationships between the information output devices other than the auto-apparatus and the information input devices that are connected to the same digital bus receiving the information. of connection management from those other information output devices and the information input devices through the digital busbar. Mode 2 In the first embodiment described above, an analog input terminal is supplied with an analogous signal in which the information for identification is superimposed by sending the information for identification as a display message from an analog output terminal of the IRD 1 as a information output device -
and a user manually switching between the input terminals and the monitor receiver 2. The second mode is intended to eliminate user manipulations on the monitor receiver in a process to identify an analog input terminal and to identify an analog input terminal of the supervising receiver automatically. As in the case of the first embodiment which has been described above with reference to Figures 4-6, the second embodiment will also be described for an example in which a domestically network is formed by an IRD (output device). information), a monitor receiver (information input device), and a VDTR (information output device) and an analogous connection relationship between the IRD and the monitor receiver is identified and administered. In the second embodiment, an IRD 7 (described below) corresponds to the IRD 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 and a monitor receiver 8 corresponds to the monitor receiver 2 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5. [IRD] Figure 9 is a functional diagram of the IRD 7 according to the second embodiment. In the IRD 7 according to the second embodiment, individual sections other than the data-identification overlay section 71 and the data-to-identification generation section 72 are configured in roughly the same manner as the sections corresponding to the IRD 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 2. Therefore, sections other than the data-overlay overlay section 71 and the data-to-identification generation section 72 of the IRD 7 in accordance with the second embodiment shown in Figure 9 are provided with the same reference numbers as the corresponding sections of the IRD 1 shown in Figure 2 and which will not be described. Also in the second modality, when instructions are sent to carry out processing to identify an analog input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 7 by for example, a manipulation on a tamper key prescribed in the remote commander 45 of the IRD 7, the control section 30 of the ITD 7 sends an identification start request to the digital bus through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and the digital I / O terminal lio. During this time, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 controls the data generation-for-identification section 72 to cause it to generate the data for identification (information for identification) and can be detected in the monitor receiver 8. The generation section data-to-identification 72 of the IRD 7 in accordance with the second mode generates, instead of the information for identification as a presentation message, the identification data that can be correctly detected within the information input apparatus that is supplied with the data for identification without being recognized by a user. The data generation-for-identification section 72 generates, for example, the prescribed data for identification that has an intense autocorrelation and supplies it to the data-overlay 71-data overlay section. The data overlay section -para-identification 71 superimposes the data for identification supplied from the data-generation-identification section 72 in a video signal supplied from the video signal processing section 13 and sends a resulting signal through a video terminal. analog output. The data for identification can be superimposed on a video signal in the effective pixel region in a region outside the effective pixel region such as the vertical blank interval (VBI). For example, when the data for identification is a data such as the digital watermark information that does not deteriorate an image to be obtained by reproducing an associated video signal, the data for identification is superimposed on the effective pixel region. On the contrary, when the data for identification has a high level to deteriorate an image that is to be obtained by reproducing a video signal, it is superimposed in a region outside the effective pixel region. As described above, the IRD 7 in accordance with the second mode sends, through a analogue output terminal, an analog video signal in which the data for identification is superimposed which can not be recognized by a user but which it can be detected in an information input device as a destination for the analog video signal. Examples of the data for identification are several kinds of digital airtime mark information such as a PN code (pseudo noise (pseudo-random noise)) and a scatter spectrum signal obtained by the information prescribed in the spread of the spectrum using a PN code. When this dispersion spectrum signal is used, the monitor receiver 8 (described below) can detect a scattering spectrum signal by performing the inverse spectrum spread. An example of the data for identification that is superimposed on the vertical blank interval is such that the predetermined information such as the information indicating the type of electronic device is superimposed on predetermined horizontal periods of the vertical blank interval. [Monitor receiver] Then, the monitor receiver 8 according to the second mode will be described. Figure 10 is a functional diagram of the monitor receiver 8 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, in the monitor receiver 8 in accordance with the second embodiment, a data-to-identification detection section 81 is provided downstream of the selector 25. Individual sections other than the detection section data-to-identification 81 are configured in the same manner as the corresponding sections of the monitor receiver 2 in accordance with the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 3. Therefore, FIG., the monitor receiver sections 8 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 10 which are configured in the same manner as the corresponding sections of the monitor receiver 2 according to the first embodiment, are provided with the same reference symbols as the last and will not be described.
In the monitor apparatus 8 in accordance with the second embodiment, the data-to-identification detection section 81 performs the predetermined correlation detection processing. If a detection result is greater than a prescribed value, the data-detection-identification section 81 judges that the identification data has been detected and notifies the control section 50 that the identification data has been detected. Therefore, when the data-to-identification detection section 81 has detected the data for identification, the control section 50 can identify the analog input terminal which is selected by the selector 25 as an analog input terminal connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 7. Therefore, when the monitor receiver 8 in accordance with the second mode receives an identification start request from the IRD 7 with the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the control section 50 automatically switches the selector 25 in a sequential manner so that the video signal that is admitted through each of the three analog input terminals is supplied to the data-to-identification detection section 81 during a prescribed time. As described above, with the data for identification has been detected by the data-to-identification detection section 81, the control section 50 is notified about the detection of the data for identification. The control section 50 stops the switching control in the selector 25. As in the case of the monitor receiver 2 according to the first embodiment, the control section 50 supplies the identification information of the input terminal indicating the identified input terminal and the specific information of the monitor receiver 8 of the IRD 7 through the digital bus bar, and generates the connection management information including the input terminal information indicating the input terminal identified in the specific information of the IRD 7 and stores the same in the connection management memory 61. As described above, in the home network system according to the second embodiment, an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 connected to the IRD 7 output terminal can identify and manage automatically without requiring any manual manipulation except in what is referred re entering an instruction to initiate the procedure of identifying an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 which is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 7.
For example, as when described above, a scattering spectrum signal obtained by dispersing the spectrum using a predetermined PN code is superimposed on an analog signal supplied from the IRD 7, the data-for-identification 81 can detecting the data for identification by performing the spread of the reverse spectrum on a received analog video signal using the same PN code as that used in the IRD 7. Next, the process for identifying and managing an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 connected to the analog output terminal of IRD 7 that was carried out in the home network system according to the second embodiment, will be described with reference to a flow chart of Figures HA and 11B. In the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, the identification of an analog input terminal or of the monitor receiver 8 connected to the analogue output terminal of the IRD 7 is carried out through cooperation between the IRD 7 and the monitor receiver 8. Therefore, an IRD 7 process (FIG. HA) and a monitor receiver process 8 (FIG. 11B) will be described together.
Also in the second embodiment, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 begins the process shown in Figure HA when it detects the input of a specific instruction to identify an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 carried out by a user through the remote commander 45 of the IRD 7 (step S301). Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 controls the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 19 and thus searches for an electronic device such as a monitor receiver that functions as an information input device between the electronic devices connected to the same bar digital collector (step S302). For details of step S302, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, between the electronic devices connected to it. same digital busbar, an electronic device (node) including a monitor sub-unit is searched using an asynchronous transaction in accordance with the IEEE 1394 digital interface standard. An electronic device detected by the search is used as an electronic device subject matter (information input device) whose analog input terminal connected to the output terminal of the IRD 7 must be identified. <; & In this mode, the monitor receiver 8 is constituted as an object.
Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 generates an identification initiation request which is a control information that prompts the user to initiate processing to identify an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 connected to the IEEE output terrainal. 1394 and sends the same to the digital bus through circuit 19 of IEEE 1394 (step S303). Then, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 controls the data generation-for-identification section 72 and in this way causes it to generate the predetermined data for identification having an intense autocorrelation, it causes the data-data overlay section. identification 71 overlays the data generated for identification in an analog video signal to be sent, and causes a resulting signal to be output from the analog output terminal lot 1 or lot 2 (step S304). On the other hand, when the monitor receiver 2 receives the identification initiation request that was sent to the digital bus bar as a result of the execution of step S303 in the IRD 7, the control section 50 carries out the process shown in FIG. Figure 11B. Specifically, when the identification start request is received from the IRD 7 through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 8 again sends, to the IRD 7, a deferred response to the effect of delay the response (step S401). Then, the control section 50 controls the selector 25 so as to carry out the switching in sequence and the data-detection-identification section 81 monitors the signals that are supplied from the respective analog input terminals (step S402) . By monitoring a warning from the data-to-identification detection section 81, the control section 50 judges whether the identification data is superimposed on the signals coming from the analog input terminals that are being monitored (step S403). If it is judged in the step of judging S403 'that no identification data has been detected, steps S402 and S403 are carried out again. If it is judged in the step of judging S403 that the data for identification has been detected, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 8 again sends a response that was deferred. That is, the control section 50 again sends a response to the identification start request that was received in step S401 (step S404). When the response is sent again, the IRD 7 can recognize that an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 has been identified. Therefore, the control section 30 of the IRD 7 asks the selected analog input terminal (step S305 in Figure HA). Step S305 is a step of sending a request requesting the supply of the identification information of the input terminal indicating that the analog input terminal has been identified in the monitor receiver 8. When the receiving receiver 8 receives, through the circuit 21 of IEEE 1394, the request for supplying identification information of the input terminal that was sent to the digital bus bar as a result of the execution of step S305, the control section 50 of the monitor receiver 8 sends, to the digital bus bar , through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the currently selected analog input terminal that was identical to the analog input terminal to accept the supply of an analog video signal from the IRD 7 (step S405). Then, in the monitor receiver 8, the control section 50 stores, in the connection management memory 61 of the monitor receiver 8, the connection management information in which the ID node of the IRD 7 that was included in the control that was received through circuit 21 of IEEE 1394 correlates with the information of the input terminal indicating the identified analog input terminal (step S406). The process of identifying the analog input terminal of the monitor terminal 8 is terminated when the execution of step S406 has been completed. On the other hand, as shown in Figure HA as step S306, when the IRD 7 receives the input terminal identification information that was sent through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 of the monitor receiver 8, the control section 30. stores, in the connection management memory 41 of IRD 7, the information of the output terminal indicating that the output terminal of the auto-device that is sending a video signal analogous to the identification information of the input terminal, received and the ID node of the monitor receiver 8 in such a way that they correlate with each other. The process of identifying the analog input terminal of the IRD 7 is terminated when the execution of step S306 has been completed. As described above, in the second embodiment, an analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 8 connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 7 can be automatically identified without user switching between the input terminals of the monitor receiver 8 one by one or by manipulating the decision button switch or the like of the IRD 7 after the determination of an analog input terminal in the monitor receiver 8. An analogous connection relationship between the IRD 7 and the monitor receiver 8 can be administered both in the IRD 7 as in the monitor receiver 8. Likewise in the second embodiment, automatic switching control can be carried out automatically in the same manner as the first mode based on the information stored in the respective connection management memories 41 and 61 of the IRD 7 and the monitor receiver 8. Providing the DVTR 3 with the overlay section 71 and the section data-to-identification 72 of the IRD 7, an analog connection ratio of the DVTR 3 and the monitor receiver 8 can be identified and administered in the same manner as between the IRD 7 and the monitor receiver 8. A possible modification is as follows . He
IRD 7 sends, to the monitor receiver 8, as an argument of an identification initiation request, the information that is necessary for the data-detection-detection section 81 of the monitor receiver 8 to detect the autocorrelation. The data-detection-detection section 81 of the monitor receiver 8 detects the data for the superimposed identification on the analog video signal that is sent from the analog output terminal of the IRD 7 using the information that has been supplied as the argument . Another possible modification is the following. When the data for identification is transmitted having superimposed on a video signal analogue in the VBI, for example, the specific information such as a node ID, for example, that is specific to an electronic device that is included in a request to start identification or the like to be transmitted through IEEE circuit 1394 I / F is used as the identification data. If the monitor receiver 8 finds a match between the specific information that is specific to an electronic device that is included in an identification initiation request received through the IEEE 1394 I / F circuit 21 and the identification data that is superimposed on a Analog video signal, an analog input terminal that is selected by the selector 25 at that time is identified as an analog input terminal connected to the analog output terminal of the electronic device which is indicated by specific information. In the second embodiment, the data-to-identification detection section 81 is placed downstream of the selector 25. However, the invention is not limited to this case. A data-to-identification detection section can be placed between each of the analog input terminals 2inl, 2in2 and 2in3 of the monitor receiver 8 and the selector 25. In this case, the control section 50 can immediately identify a terminal Analog input of the auto-device that is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 7, based on the detection results that are supplied from the data-to-identification detection sections corresponding to the respective analog input terminals 2inl , 2in2 and 2in3. The control section 50 can change the selector 25 so as to send a video signal supplied from the identified analog input terminal. The first and second modalities described above are directed to exemplary home network systems where com is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the IRD and the DVTR serve as information output devices and the monitor receiver which accepts the supply of a signal of information, etc. from the information output device that serves as an information input device. However, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, as shown in Figure 12, an IRD 1 as an information output apparatus is connected to a DVTR 3 as an information input apparatus.
In addition, the DVTR as an information output apparatus is connected to a monitor receiver 2 as an information input device. In this case, the DVTR 3 serves as an information input device for the IRD 1 and as an information output apparatus for the monitor receiver 2. The invention can also be applied to the case having the above-mentioned connections. Figure 13 shows the connections of the specific connection in this example. In this example, as shown in Figure 13, a lotus analog output terminal of the IRD 1 and an analog input terminal 3inl of the DVTR 3 are connected to each other. A 3ot analog output terminal of the DVTR 3 and an analog input terminal 2inl of the monitor receiver 2 are connected to each other. A digital I / O terminal of the IRD 1 and a 3iol digital input / output terminal of the DVTR 3 are connected to each other. A 3/2 digital input / output terminal and the DVTR 3 and a 2iol digital input / output terminal of the monitor 2 receiver are connected to each other. Also in this case, whether the analog input terminal of the DVTR 3 is connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 is the analog input terminal 3inl or the analog input terminal 3in2 is determined through the cooperation between the IRD 1 (device information output) and the DVTR 3 (information input device) in the same manner as in the cases of the first and second modalities described above (between the IRD 1 or 7 and the monitor receiver 2 or 8). A relation of the identified connection can be managed by both devices. Similarly, whether the analog input terminal of the monitor receiver 2 connected to the analog output terminal of the DVTR 3 is the analog input terminal 2inl or the analog input terminal 2in2 is determined through the cooperation between the DVTR 3 (information output apparatus) and monitor receiver 2 (information input apparatus). An identified connection relationship can be managed by both devices. Also in a case shown in Figure 13 where two of the apparatuses ie a monitor receiver 2 and a DVTR 3, are connected to an IRD 1 in analogous manner, an analog input terminal connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 can be identified and managed through cooperation between the IRD 1 (information output device) and the monitor 2 receiver (information input device) or between the IRD 1 (information output device) and the DVTR 3 (information input device). In this case, IRD 1 and DVTR 3 do not connect to each other directly through a digital signal line. However, the system being considered is equivalent to a system in which the IRD 1, the monitor receiver 2, and the DVTR 3 are connected to each other through a common digital busbar. Therefore, specific information such as a nodule ID and several kinds of control information can also be exchanged between the IRD 1 and the DVTR 3 and therefore an analog input terminal connected to the analog output terminal the IRD 1 is can identify and manage through the cooperation between the IRD and the DVTR 3. Take into account a case where in the example of Figure 14, the digital input / output terminals 2iol and 2io2 and the monitor 2 receiver have protocols different communication. If there is a function to connect those protocols, that is, a function to connect the different protocols, an analog input terminal connected to the analog output terminal of the IRD 1 can be identified and managed in such a way that the communications are carried out. between the IRD 1 and the DVTR 3 and the IRD 1 supplies the DVTR 3 with an analog signal where the information is superimposed for identification. Regarding the relationship between IRD 1 and DVTR 3 in the examples of Figures 12 to 14, DVTR 3 does not have a function of presenting a message of presentation of an identification initiation request and an information presentation message for the identification supplied from the IRD 1. However, in these examples, a measure may be taken that an analog output of the DVTR 3 is supplied and is present by the monitor receiver 2. It is not necessary to supply an analog output of the DVTR 3 to the monitor receiver 2 if the second modality described above is applied to IRD 1 and DVTR 3 in such a manner so that a presentation message of an identification initiation request is presented on an LCD (liquid crystal display) of the DVTR 3. As described above, the invention can be applied to cases where different electronic devices such as a DVD, a personal computer, and a digital "camcorder" (DVTR) incorporated into a camera) as well as an IRD, a monitor receiver, and a DVTR connect to each other in an analogous manner as well as in a digital form.
The aforementioned embodiments have been described with the assumption that each analog input terminal that is called a VLR terminal consisting of a video input terminal (V), a left channel audio input terminal (L), and an audio input terminal of the right channel (R). However, the usable analog input terminal is not limited to the VLR terminal; for example, the invention can also be applied to cases where the analog input terminal is an RGB terminal, a composite terminal, a YUV terminal, a YC terminal, or the like. A plurality of analog input terminals that are provided in an information input apparatus do not need to be terminals to receive the input of the analog signals in accordance with the same protocol. The invention can be applied to an information input apparatus having analogous input terminals for various protocols. Even though the aforementioned embodiments have been described for the case of using the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard, the usable digital interface is not limited to the digital interface of the IEEE 1394 standard. For example, the invention can also be applied to a case of using the digital interface of the USB standard (universal series busbar).
The invention can also be applied to a case in which an information output device and an information input device are connected to each other, through, for example, a control signal line (control line) that allows the exchange of the specific information of an electronic source of output and the control information even when it does not allow the exchange of information signals such as a video signal and an audio signal, instead of the digital interface of the standard IEEE 1394. The aforementioned modalities have been described for the case where the electronic devices are connected to one another through an analog interface and a digital interface (connected in analog form and in digital form). In this case, the analog interface is an interface for transmitting only an information signal and the digital interface is an interface that allows the exchange of the specific information of an electronic device and a control information. However, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, the invention can be applied to a case in which the electronic devices are connected to each other through a digital interface that allows the transmission of only one information signal and a digital interface that allows the exchange of information specific to an electronic device and control information. Abbreviating, the invention can be applied to a case where the electronic devices are connected to each other using both an interface for transmission of only one information signal and a transmission that allows the interface of the specific information of an electronic device and Various kinds of control information. That is, in this case, a connection relationship between the electronic devices that are connected to each other through the interface for transmission of only one information signal can be identified and managed. The aforementioned embodiments have been described in such a way that both an information output device and an information input device have a connection management memory and manage the connection management information, but the invention is not limited to this case . For example, the connection management information may be administered in only one of the information output devices and an information input apparatus as exemplified by the cases where the connection management information is administered in only one outgoing device. of information of a home network system or on the contrary the connection management information is administered in only one information input device of a home network system. A configuration in which a management device for managing the connection management information is provided in an electronic device connected to a home network is possible and this administration device manages the connection relationships between all the electronic devices. In this case, when the information input apparatus has identified an input terminal which is connected to the output terminal of an information output apparatus, the information specific to the information output apparatus, the specific information of the auto-device apparatus ( information input apparatus), and an identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified to the administration device through an interface that allows the transmission of the specific information and control information and that is administered through the administration device. When the information apparatus sends an information signal to the information input device through an interface for transmission of only one information signal, the information output apparatus requests the connection relationship management information through an interface. that allows the transmission of control information. The information output apparatus generates the selection control information to be used to select an input terminal of the information entry apparatus based on the connection management information that is transmitted from the management device in response to the request , and sends it to the information input device through the interface that allows the transmission of control information. The automatic selection of an input terminal is carried out in this way. When it is intended to identify a connection relationship of a connection using an interface for transmission of only one information signal, it is not necessary to manage the connection management information in the electronic devices. That is, in the first mode, a user can correctly recognize an input terminal of an information input device connected to an information output device by visually identifying it. Also in the second embodiment, a user can correctly recognize an input terminal of an information input device connected to the output terminal of an information output device in such a way that after identifying an input terminal of the auto-apparatus connected to the output terminal of the information output terminal, the information entry terminal notifies the user about the identified input terminal using a display device or the like of the information input apparatus. Although the first and second embodiments mentioned above have been described in such a way that the information signal transmitted through the analog interface is an analog video signal, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, the invention can also be applied to a case where an analog audio signal is transmitted through the analog interface. In this case, a voice message may be used as the information for identification. As described above, according to the invention, in a case where an input device or information having a plurality of input terminals to accept the input of only one information signal and an input / output terminal that allows the transmission of at least the specific information of an electronic device and the control information is connected to the output output device through an input terminal and the input / output terminal, a -
The input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus between the input terminals of the information input apparatus can be quickly and correctly identified. The identified input terminal can be managed in such a way as to correlate with the information output apparatus connected thereto. When the information output apparatus sends an information signal through an output terminal that allows the output of only one information signal, an input terminal of the information input apparatus connected to the output terminal of the signal of Information can be selected automatically based on the managed connection relationship.
Claims (70)
1. An information transmission system in which one or more information output devices that send an information signal and an information input device that accepts the input of the information signal from each one or more of the output devices of information are connected to each other, wherein: each information output apparatus comprises: an output terminal to send only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of an electronic device; and a means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the identification information to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus to accept the input of the information signal in the information signal that is going to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises: a plurality of input terminals for accepting the input of only the information signal; a means to accept specific information to accept the entry of specific information; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; an information-for-identification detection means for detecting the information for identification from each of the information signals that are accepted by the respective input terminals, causing the switching means to change between the input terminals; and an identification means for identifying an input terminal of the information signal from which the information for identification is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means as an input terminal of the information signal sent from an apparatus. of information output that sends the specific information through the means of sending related information.
2. An information transmission system in which one or more of the information output devices that send an information signal and an information input device that accepts the input of the information signal from each or more of the information output devices are connected to each other, wherein: each information output apparatus comprises: an output terminal to send only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of an electronic device; and a means of superimposing the information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for modifying a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in the signal of information to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises: a plurality of input terminals for accepting the input of only the information signal; a means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of specific information; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied from an input terminal to which the switching is made by the switching means reproducing the information for identification; and a decision manipulation means for accepting a decision manipulation of an input terminal of the information signal sent from an information output apparatus that sends the specific information.
3. An information transmission system in which one or more of the information output devices that send an information signal and an information input apparatus that accepts the input of the information signal from each of one or more of the information output devices are connected to each other through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, where : each information output device comprises: an output terminal for the first communication interface; a means of sending related information to send specific information of the auto-apparatus as additional information to the second communication interface, and means of overlaying the information-for-identification to superimpose the information for the identification to be used to identify a input terminal for the first communication interface of the information input apparatus for accepting the input of the information signal in the information signal to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises: a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; a means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; an information-for-identification detection means for detecting information for identification from each of the information signals that are accepted by the respective input terminals for the first communication interface, causing the switching medium to switch between the terminals of entry; and an identification means for identifying an input terminal of the information signal from which the information for identification is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means as an input terminal of the information signal sent from an apparatus. of information output that sends the specific information through the means of sending related information.
4. A system for transmitting information in which one or more information output devices that send an information signal and an information input device that accepts the input of the information signal from each one or more of the information devices. information output are connected to each other through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, wherein: each device The information output comprises: an output terminal for the first communication interface; a means of sending related information to send the specific information of the auto-device as additional information to the second communication interface; and a means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for notifying a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in the signal of information that is going to be sent from the output terminal; and the information input apparatus comprises: a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; a means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for the identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied from an input terminal for the first communication interface with which the switching is effected by means of the switching means reproducing the information for identification; and a decision manipulation means for accepting a manipulation of deciding an input terminal for the first communication interface of the information signal sent from an information output apparatus that sends the specific information through the second communication interface.
5. The information transmission system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the input apparatus of The information further comprises a means of recording connection management information to record the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified by the identification means and the information specific to the information output device in a memory connection in such a way that they are correlated with one another.
The information transmission system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the information input apparatus further comprises a means of recording connection management information for recording, when the decision manipulation means accepts the decision manipulation, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal to which the switching is carried out by means of the switching means and the specific information of the information output apparatus in a connection management memory such that they are correlated with one another.
The information transmission system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the information output apparatus sends, to the information input apparatus through the related information sending means, a switching control signal that it includes the specific information of the auto-apparatus and that will be used to effect the switching to the input terminal of the information input device that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus before sending the information signal through the exit terminal.
The information transmission system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the information output apparatus further comprises: a means for generating a connection management information request request to generate a request to supply the information connection management stored in the connection management memory of the information entry apparatus wherein the identification information of the input terminal and the information specific to the information output device are correlated with one another; and a means for generating switching control signal to generate a switching control signal to be used to effect the switching with the input terminal of the information input device that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus based on the connection management information that is provided from the information entry apparatus in response to the connection administration information provision request; and wherein before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus sends, through the means of sending related information, the request for provision of connection management information and the control signal of switching generated by the means of generation of the switching control signal.
The information transmission system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the information output apparatus further comprises: a means of receiving identification information from the input terminal for receiving the identification information of the input terminal of the input terminal identified by the identification means; and a connection management information recording means for recording the identification information of the input terminal received by the receiving means of identification information of the input terminal in a connection management memory; and wherein before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus causes the sending means of related information to send to the information input device the identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory.
The information transmission system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the information output apparatus further comprises: a means of receiving identification information from the input terminal to receive the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal to which switching is effected by the switching means when the decision manipulation means accepts the decision manipulation; and a connection management information recording means for recording the identification information of the input terminal received by the receiving means of identification information of the input terminal in a connection management memory; and wherein before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the information output apparatus causes the sending means of related information to send to the information input device the identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory.
The information transmission system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the means for overlaying the information-for-identification of the information output apparatus superimposes a display message on the information signal in a case where the information signal is a video signal.
The information transmission system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the means for overlaying information-for-identification of the information outputting apparatus superimposes a voice message on the information signal in a case where the information signal is an audio signal.
The information transmission system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein: the means for overlaying the information-for-identification of the information output apparatus overlays the pattern information that is predetermined as the information for identification in the information signal as information for detection; and the information-detection-detecting means of the information entry apparatus detects the pattern information superimposed on the information signal.
14. The information transmission system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: the information output apparatus further comprises a start request receiving means for receiving a request to initiate processing to identify an input terminal that is sent from the information input apparatus; the means of sending related information sends the specific information when the receiving means of the initiation request receives the request for initiation; the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification in the information signal when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request; and the information input apparatus further comprises: a detection means for detecting the connection management information in which the identification information of the input terminal and the specific information of the information output device are correlated with each other , it is stored in the connection management memory of the auto-device; and a start request sending means for sending the start request, when the detecting means detects that the connection management information has not been stored.
The information transmission system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the information output apparatus further comprises a detection means for detecting whether the identification information of the input terminal is stored in the management memory connection of the auto-apparatus; the means for sending related information sends the specific information when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification overlays the information for identification in the information signal when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored.
16. The information transmission system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the information output apparatus further comprises a manipulation means for accepting a start instruction entry that commands the start of processing for the identification of an input terminal of the information input apparatus that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus; the means of sending related information sends the specific information when the manipulation means accepts the start instruction entry; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification in the information signal when the manipulation means accepts the input of the start instruction.
17. The information transmission system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the information output apparatus further comprises a start request receiving means for receiving a start request to initiate processing to identify a input terminal that is sent from the information input device; the specific information sending means sends the specific information when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request; the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification in the information signal when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request; and the information input apparatus further comprises: a connection change detecting means for detecting a change of connection at any of the input terminals of the auto-apparatus; and a start request sending means for sending the start request when the connection change detection means detects a change of connection at any of the input terminals.
18. The information transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output terminal of the information output apparatus and an input terminal of the information input apparatus are connected to each other through a communication interface for an analog signal.
19. The information transmission system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first communication interface is an analogous interface and the second communication interface is a digital interface.
20. An information output apparatus that is to be connected to an information input apparatus having a plurality of input terminals to accept the input of only one information signal and which is capable of accepting the input of the specific information. an electronic device, comprising: an output terminal to send only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of an electronic device; and a means of superimposing the information-for-identification to overlay the identification information to be used to identify an output terminal of the information input apparatus to accept the input of the information signal in the information signal that is going to be sent from the output terminal.
21. An information output apparatus that is to be connected to an information input apparatus having a plurality of input terminals to accept the input of only one information signal and which is capable of accepting the input of the specific information. an electronic device, comprising: an output terminal for sending only one information signal; a means of sending related information to send at least the specific information of the electronic device; and a means of superimposing an information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for notifying a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in the signal of information that is going to be sent from the output terminal.
22. An information output device to be connected, through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, towards an information input apparatus having a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface and which is capable of accepting the provision of the information signal and the additional information through the second communication interface, comprising: output terminal for the first communication interface, a means of sending related information for sending the specific information of the auto-device to the second communication interface as additional information; and a means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the identification information to be used to identify an input terminal for the first communication interface of the information input apparatus on the information signal to be sent from the output terminal, the input terminal being to accept the input of the information signal.
23. An information output device to be connected, through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, to a information input apparatus having a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface and which is capable of accepting the supply of the information signal and additional information through the second communication interface, comprising: a terminal output for the first communication interface; a means of sending related information to send the specific information of the auto-device to the second communication interface as additional information; and a means of overlaying the information-for-identification to overlay the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for notifying a user about the information output device that sends an information signal about the signal of information that is going to be sent by the output terminal.
24. The information output apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the information output apparatus sends to the information input apparatus through the related information sending means a control signal of switching that includes the specific information of the auto-apparatus to be used to effect the switching to an input terminal of the information input terminal that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus before sending an information signal through of the output terminal.
25. The information output apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising: a means for generating a connection management information request request to generate a request for supplying the connection management information retained by the information entry apparatus in which the specific information of the outgoing device of information and identification information of the input terminal indicating an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the information output apparatus are correlated with one another; and a means for generating switching control signal to generate a switching control signal to be used to effect the switching to the input terminal of the information input apparatus that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus based on the connection management information that is provided from the information input apparatus in response to the connection management information provision request, wherein before sending an information signal through the output terminal, the device The information output sends, through the sending means, related information, the request for the provision of connection management information and the switching control signal generated by the switching control signal generation means.
26. The information output apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23. further comprising: a means of receiving identification information from the input terminal for receiving the identification information of the input terminal indicating an input terminal identified in the information input apparatus as an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus; and a means of recording management information for recording the identification information of the input terminal received by the receiving means of identification information of the input terminal in a connection management memory, wherein before sending an information signal to through the output terminal, the information output apparatus causes the sending means of related information to send to the information input device, the identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory.
27. The information output apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising a start request receiving means for receiving a request to initiate processing to identify an input terminal that is sent from the remote control device. entry of information, where: the means of sending the related information sends the specific information when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification on the information signal when the receiving means of the start request receives the start request.
28. The information output apparatus according to claim 21 or 23, wherein the means for overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes a display message on the information signal in a case where the information signal is a video signal.
29. The information output apparatus according to claim 21 or 23, wherein the means for overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes a voice message on the information signal in a case where the information signal is a audio signal
30. The information output apparatus according to claim 20 or 22, wherein the means for overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the pattern information that is predetermined as the information for identification in the information signal as information. for detection.
31. The information output apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising detection means for detecting whether the identification information of the input terminal is stored in the connection management memory of the auto-apparatus, wherein: the means sending related information sends the specific information when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification overlays the information for identification in the information signal when the detection means detects that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored.
32. The information output apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising a manipulation means for accepting an input of the start instruction that commands the start of processing of the identification of an input terminal of the information input apparatus which is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus, wherein: the sending means of related information sends the specific information when the manipulation means accepts the input of the start instruction; and the means of overlaying the information-for-identification superimposes the information for identification in the information signal when the manipulation means accepts the input of the start instruction.
33. The information output apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the output terminal of the information output apparatus is to be connected to a communication interface for an analog signal.
34. The information output apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the first communication interface is an analogous interface and the second communication interface is a digital interface.
35. An information input apparatus to be connected to an information output apparatus having an output terminal for sending only an information signal and which is capable of sending specific information of an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of input terminals to accept the input of only one information signal; a means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of specific information; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; an information-for-identification detection means for detecting the information for identification from each of the information signals that are accepted through the respective input terminals causing the switching means to change between the input terminals; and an identification means for identifying an input terminal the information signal from which the information for identification is detected by means of the information-for-identification detection means with an input terminal of the information signal sent from an output device of information that sends the specific information accepted by the means of acceptance of specific information.
36. An information input apparatus to be connected to an information output apparatus having an output terminal for sending only an information signal and which is capable of sending specific information of an electronic device comprising: a plurality of input terminals to accept the input of only one information signal; a means of accepting specific information to accept the entry of specific information; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied to an input terminal with which the switching is carried out by means of the switching means reproducing the information for identification; and a decision manipulation means for accepting a manipulation to decide an input terminal of the information signal sent to the information output apparatus that sent the specific information accepted by the specific information acceptance means.
37. An information input device to be connected, through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and additional information, to an information output apparatus having an output terminal for the first communication interface and being capable of sending the information to the second communication interface, comprising: a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; a means of accepting specific information to accept the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; an information-for-identification detection means for detecting information for identification from each of the information signals that are accepted by the respective input terminals for the first communication interface, causing the switching means to change between the terminals of entry; and an identification means for identifying an input terminal of the information signal from which the information for identification is to be detected by the means of detecting the information-for-identification as an input terminal of the information signal sent from a information output device that sends the specific information accepted by the means of acceptance of specific information.
38. An information input device to be connected, through a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal and a second communication interface that allows the transmission of an information signal and the additional information to a information output apparatus having an output terminal for the first communication interface and being capable of sending the information to the second communication interface, comprising: a plurality of input terminals for the first communication interface; a means of accepting specific information to accept the specific information that is transmitted through the second communication interface; a switching means for switching between the input terminals; a notification means for notifying a user about the information for identification that is superimposed on the information signal supplied from an input terminal for the first communication interface with which the switching is made by the switching means reproducing the information for ID; and a decision manipulation means for accepting a decision manipulation of an input terminal for the first communication interface of the information signal sent from an information output apparatus that sends the specific information accepted by the information acceptance means. specific.
39. The information input apparatus according to claim 35 or 37, further comprising a means of recording connection management information for recording the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified by the identification means and the information specific to the information output device in a connection management memory such that they are correlated with one another.
40. The information input apparatus according to claim 36 or 38, further comprising a means of recording connection management information to register, when the decision manipulation means accepts the decision manipulation, the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal to which the switching is made by the switching means and the information specific to the information output apparatus in a connection management memory such that they are correlated with each other.
41. The information input apparatus according to any of claims 35 or 38, further comprising a switching control means for controlling the switching means in accordance with a switching control signal that is sent from the switching device. information output and that is accepted through the means of acceptance of related information.
42. The information input apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, which further comprises: a means of sending connection management information to send the connection management information of the information output device stored in the connection management memory in which the identification information of the input terminal and the Information specific to the information output apparatus correlates with one another in response to a request for provision of connection management information that is sent from the information output apparatus and that is accepted by the means of acceptance of related information.; and a switching control means for controlling the switching means in accordance with a switching control signal that is sent from the information output apparatus and that is accepted by the related information acceptance means.
43. The information input apparatus according to claim 36 or 38, wherein the information for identification that is superimposed on the information signal is a display message.
44. The information input apparatus according to claim 36 or 38, wherein the information for idenfication superimposed on the information signal is a voice message.
45. The information input apparatus according to claim 35 or 37, wherein: the information for identification is the predetermined pattern information; and the information-to-identification detection means detects the pattern information that is superimposed on the information signal.
46. The information input apparatus according to any of claims 39 to 42, further comprising: a detection means for detecting whether the connection management information in which the input terminal identification information and the information specific to the information output device are correlated with each other is stored in the memory connection management of the auto-apparatus; and a means of sending the start request to send a request to initiate processing to identify an input terminal of the auto-apparatus with which the output terminal of the information output apparatus is connected when the detection means detects that the Connection management information has not been stored.
47. The information input apparatus according to any of claims 35 to 38, further comprising: a connection change detecting means for detecting a change of connection at any of the input terminals of the auto-apparatus; and a means of sending the start request to send a request to initiate processing to identify an input terminal of the auto-apparatus with which the output terminal of the information output apparatus is connected when the change detection means of connection detects a change of connection at any of the input terminals.
48. The information input apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the input terminals are to be connected to a communication interface for an analogous signal.
49. The information input apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the first communication interface is an analogous interface and - The second communication interface is a digital interface.
50. A method of connecting connection identification to identify an input terminal of an information input apparatus with which an information output device is connected in the case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus of inputting information through one of the plurality of input terminals of the information input apparatus to accept the input of only one information signal and the information input apparatus is capable of accepting the input of specific information of an apparatus electronic, comprising the step of: the specific information for sending the information output device of the auto-apparatus to the information input device; the sending information of the information output device for identification to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus such that it is superimposed on the information signal to be sent through the connected output terminal with the input terminal of the information input apparatus; and the information input apparatus detects the information for identification from an information signal that is supplied through the input terminal by switching between the input terminals, and identifying an input terminal of the information signal from which the signal is detected. information for identification as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the information output device that sent the specific information.
51. A method of connecting connection identification to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus with which the information output apparatus is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus of input of information through one of the plurality of input terminals of the information input apparatus to accept the information of only one information signal and the information input apparatus is able to accept the input of the specific information of a electronic device, comprising the step of: the information output device sends the specific information of the auto-device to the information input device; the information output apparatus sends the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus for notifying a user about the information output apparatus that sends the information signal in such a way that it overlaps the signal of information to be sent through the output terminal connected to an input terminal of the information input apparatus; the information input apparatus that notifies a user about the information for identification superimposed on an information signal that is supplied through the input terminal reproducing the same while switching between the input terminals; and the information input apparatus accepts a decision manipulation if the information for identification is superimposed on an information signal supplied from the input terminal to which the switching is made, and to identify the input terminal that is selected at the time of the decision manipulation as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the information output device that sent the specific information.
52. A method of connecting connection identification to identify an input terminal of an information input apparatus to which an information output device is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the information input having a plurality of input terminals for a first communication interface for the transmission of only one information signal through the first communication interface and a second communication interface allowing the transmission of the information signal and the additional information, which comprises the step of: the information output device sends the specific information of the auto-device to the information input device through the second communication interface; the information output apparatus sends the identification information to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus in such a way that it is superimposed on the information signal to be supplied to the information input device through of the first communication interface; and the information input apparatus that detects the information for identification from the information signal supplied through the input terminal by switching between the input terminals, and identifying an input terminal of the information signal from where the information is detected for identification as an input terminal of the information signal sent - from the information output device that sent the specific information.
53. A connection connection identification method for identifying the input terminal of an information input apparatus with which the information output apparatus is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus information input having a plurality of input terminals for a first communication interface for transmission of only one information signal through the first communication interface and a second communication interface allowing the transmission of the information signal and additional information comprising the step of: the information output apparatus sends specific information from the auto-apparatus to the information input device through a. communication interface; the information output apparatus sends the information for identification to be used in the information input apparatus to notify a user about the information output device that sends the information signal in such a way that it overlaps the information signal which is to be supplied to the information input device through the first communication interface; the information input apparatus notifies a user about the information for identification superimposed on an information signal that is supplied through the input terminal producing it while switching between the input terminals; and the information input apparatus accepts a decision manipulation if the information for identification is superimposed on an information signal supplied from the input terminal with which the switching is made, and to identify the input terminal that is selected at the time of the decision manipulation as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the information output device that sent the specific information.
54. A connection connection identification method for identifying an input terminal of an information input apparatus with which an information output device is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus information input through one of a plurality of input terminals of the information input apparatus to accept the input of only one information signal and the information input apparatus is able to accept the input of the specific information of a electronic apparatus, comprising: a step of transmitting the start request in which the information output apparatus sends a start request that includes the specific information of the auto-apparatus to the information input device and requests the start of processing identification of an input terminal of the information input device to which the data is connected to exit information; a step of sending information-for-identification wherein the information output apparatus sends the information for identification to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus in such a way that the information signal is superimposed it is to be sent through an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the information input apparatus; a step of detecting the information-for-identification wherein the information input apparatus detects the information for identification from the information signal supplied through the input terminal by switching between the input terminals; and a step of identifying the input terminal where the information entry apparatus identifies an input terminal of the information signal from which information for identification is detected as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the apparatus Information output, which sends the specific information when the information is detected for identification in the detection of the information-for-identification detection step.
55. A method of connecting connection identification for identifying an input terminal of an information input apparatus with which an information output apparatus is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus of inputting information through one of the plurality of input terminals of the information input apparatus to accept the input of only one information signal and the information input apparatus is capable of accepting the input of the specific information of a electronic apparatus, comprising: a step of transmitting the start request in which the information output apparatus sends a start request that includes the specific information of the auto-apparatus to the information input device and requests the start of processing identification of an input terminal of the information input device with which it is connected the information output device; a step of sending information-for-identification in which the information output device sends the information for identification to be used in the information input device to notify a user about the output output of information sent by the user. information signal in such a way that it is superimposed on the information signal to be sent through the output terminal connected to the input terminal of the information input apparatus; an identification-information-for-identification step wherein the identification entry apparatus notifies a user about the information to overlay the identification in an information signal that is supplied through the entry terminal reproducing the same while switch between input terminals; and a step of identifying the input terminal where the identification input apparatus accepts a decision manipulation if the information for identification is superimposed on an information signal supplied from the input terminal which is switched when the user is notifies about the identification information in the information-for-identification notification step, identifies the input terminal that is selected at the time of the decision manipulation as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the output apparatus of information that sent the specific information.
56. A connection connection identification method for identifying an input terminal of an information input apparatus with which the information output apparatus is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the apparatus information input having a plurality of input terminals for a first communication interface for transmitting only one information signal through the first communication interface, and a second communication interface allowing the transmission of the information signal of the additional information comprising: a step of sending a start request in which the information output device sends, to the information input device through the second communication interface, a start request that includes the specific information of the auto-device and request the start of processing to identify a terminal of entry a to the information input apparatus to which the information output device is connected; an information-for-identification sending step in which the information output apparatus sends the identification information to be used to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus such that it is superimposed on the signal of information to be supplied to the information input device through the first communication interface; a step of detecting the information-for-identification wherein the information input apparatus detects the information for identification from the information signal supplied through the input terminal by switching between the input terminals; and a step of identifying the input terminal where the information entry apparatus identifies an input terminal of the information signal from which the information for identification is detected as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the information device. information output that sends the specific information if the information for identification is detected in the detection of the information-for-identification detection step.
57. A method of connecting connection identification to identify an input terminal in an information input apparatus to which an information input apparatus is connected in a case where the information output apparatus is connected to the input device of the device. information that has a plurality of input terminals for a first one. communication interface for transmitting only one information signal through the first communication interface and a second communication interface allowing the transmission of the information signal and additional information comprising: a step of sending the start request in where the information output apparatus sends, to the information input device, through the second communication interface, a start request that includes the specific information of the auto-apparatus and requests the start of processing to identify an input terminal of the information input apparatus to which the information output device is connected; an information-for-identification sending step wherein the information output apparatus sends the identification information to be used in the information entry apparatus to notify a user about the information output device that sends the signal of information in such a way that it is superimposed on the information signal to be supplied to the information input device through the first communication interface; an information-for-identification notification step wherein the information entry apparatus notifies a user about the information for identification superimposed on an information signal that is supplied through the input terminal reproducing the information while effect the switching between the input terminals; and an identification step of the input terminal where the information input apparatus accepts a decision manipulation if the information for identification is superimposed on an information signal supplied from the input terminal with which the switching is made when the user is notified about the information for identification in the information-for-identification notification step, and identifies the input terminal that is selected during the time of the decision manipulation as an input terminal of the information signal sent from the information output device that sent the specific information.
58. The connection ratio identification method according to any of claims 50 to 57, further comprising a connection management information recording step in which the information entry apparatus records the identification information of the input terminal indicating the input terminal identified in the identification step of the input terminal and the information specific to the information output apparatus in a connection management memory such that they are correlated with respect to each other.
59. The connection ratio identification method according to claim 58, further comprising a step of sending a switching control signal in which the information output apparatus sends a control signal to the information input device. of switching including information specific to the auto-apparatus and to be used to effect switching to the input terminal of the information input terminal which is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus before sending an information signal to through the exit terminal.
60. The connection rate identification method according to claim 58, further comprising: a connection management request provisioning delivery step wherein the information output apparatus generates a request to supply the information connection management stored in the connection management memory in which the identification information of the input terminal and the information specific to the information output device are correlated with one another; and a step of sending switching control signal in which the information output apparatus generates a switching control signal to be used to effect switching with the input terminal of the information input apparatus which is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus based on the connection management information that is supplied from the information input apparatus in response to the connection management information supply request and sends the switching control signal generated to the apparatus of information entry.
61. The identification method in connection connection according to claim 50 or 51, further comprising: a receiver step of identification information of the input terminal in which the information output apparatus receives the identification information of the terminal input indicating the input terminal identified in the identification step of the input terminal; a registration step of registration connection management information, in a connection management memory, the identification information of the input terminal is received in the receiver step of identification information of the input terminal; and a step of sending identification information of the input terminal of the sending of the information input apparatus, the identification information of the input terminal stored in the connection management memory before sending an information signal through the terminal of departure.
62. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 51, 53, 55 and 57, wherein in the information-for-identification step of the information output device, a message is superimposed of presentation in the information signal in a case where the information signal is a video signal.
63. An identification method in connection connection according to any of claims 51, 53, 55 and 57, wherein a voice message is superimposed in the information-for-identification step of the information output device. in the information signal in a case where the information signal is an audio signal.
64. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 50, 52, 54 and 56, wherein: in the step of sending information-for-identification of the information output device the pattern information that it is predetermined as the information for identification is superimposed on the information signal as information for detection; and in the information detection-for-identification step of the information input apparatus, the pattern information superimposed on the information signal is detected.
65. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 58, 61, 62, 63 and 64, further comprising: a detection step in which the information entry apparatus detects whether the administration information connection where the identification information of the input terminal and the information specific to the information output device are correlated with each other is stored in the connection management memory of the auto-apparatus; and a start request sending step in which the information entry apparatus sends a start request when the connection management information has not been stored in the detection step, wherein in the request request delivery step start of the information output device the start request is sent when the request for sending is received from the information input device.
66. The connection ratio identification method according to claim 61, further comprising a detection step for detecting whether the identification information of the input terminal has been stored in the connection management memory of the auto-device., wherein the step of sending the start request is sent when it is detected that the identification information of the input terminal has not been stored in the detection step.
67. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 50 to 57, further comprising an acceptance step of the identification instruction entry wherein the information output apparatus accepts an instruction entry that it requires the identification of an input terminal of the information input apparatus that is connected to the output terminal of the auto-apparatus, wherein in the start request send step, the start request is sent when the instruction entry Identification is carried out in the step that accepts the entry of identification instruction.
68. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 50 to 57, further comprising: a connection change detecting step in which the information input apparatus detects a connection change in any of the the input terminals of the auto-apparatus; and a start request sending step wherein the information input apparatus sends a start request when the connection change detection means detects a change of connection at any of the input terminals in the change detection step connection, where the step of sending the start request of the information output device, the start request is sent when the start request is received from the information input device.
69. The connection ratio identification method according to any of claims 51, 53, 55 and 57, wherein the output terminal of the information output apparatus and the input terminal of the information input apparatus are connected to each other. the other through a communication interface for a similar signal.
70. The connection rate identification method according to any of claims 50, 52, 54 and 56, wherein the first communication interface is an analogous interface and the second communication interface is a digital interface.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11-327491 | 1999-11-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| MXPA00011318A true MXPA00011318A (en) | 2002-07-25 |
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