MXPA01000940A

MXPA01000940A - Apparatus data transmission method, transmission device, and transmission system

Info

Publication number: MXPA01000940A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/000940A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Horiguchi Mari; Sato Makoto; Sato Naoyuki; Shima Hisato
Original assignee: Sony Corporation
Priority date: 1999-05-24
Filing date: 2001-01-24
Publication date: 2002-02-26

Abstract

Data about apparatuses connected through a bus conforming to the IEEE1394 standards is collected. Connection information connectable in an apparatus is all stored in a predetermined table. A part or all of the connection information stored in the table is transmitted to another apparatus according to a protocol in a prescribed format through a bus-line. Alternatively, data for designating an input section, an output section and an internal function processing section that an apparatus has is transmitted from another apparatus according to the protocol in the prescribed format through a bus-line. Thereby, data about connection statuses of the input section, output section and internal function section of the device concerned is outputted to the bus-line.

Description

"TRANSMISSION METHOD, TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND DEVICE DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM" TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a transmission method, transmission apparatus and a data transmission system of the device that are preferably applied when the data related to the tjf devices 10 connected to a serial communication busbar in, eg, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 is transmitted between the devices. BACKGROUND OF THE ART 15 An AV device is developed that can mutually transmit information through a network using an IEEE serial communication bus ^ 1394. In this network, a predetermined command is transmitted (AV / C Command Transaction Apparatus: which should be refer to it as an AV / C knob below), so that the AV device connected to the network can be controlled. The details of the AV / C control are described in the general specification of the AV / C digital interface control device; released in "Trade Association 1394".

A state in which the control is carried out by transmitting an AV / C flip between the devices connected to an IEEIE 1394 busbar is disclosed in FIG. 3. For example, as shown in FIG.

Figure 3A, a television receiver 100, a video camera 200, and a video cassette recorder (VCR) 300 are connected through cables 1 and 2 that make up the IEEE 1394 bus. video 200 also has a function of carrying out the recording / reproduction on / from a magnetic tape or the like. A remote control device 11 fixed to the television receiver 100 can control not only the television receiver 100 but also control the video camera 200 and the video cassette recorder apparatus. 300 connected to the television receiver 100. In this case, when this device corresponds to an AV / C command, the device has a unit of • storage called a descriptor where the details of the data related to an included function are stored on the device. When the data of the descriptor is read from another device by transmission of a predetermined command, the functions of the devices connected through a busbar and controls can be determined that can be carried out towards the devices.

In the example in Figure 1, the process of checking the functions of the devices connected to fl) through the. The bus is carried out by transmission of a predetermined command of the television receiver 100. As a result, for example, as shown in Figure IB, the device names of the connected devices 200 and 300, the names of the functions included in the devices and the like are presented on the screen of the television receiver 100. • 10 As shown in Figure 1C, in an operation of the remote control device 11 or the like, selecting a device or a function in the display screen, a control to control the selected function is transmitted to a device corresponding (in this case, the video camera 200) through the busbar, so that the device can be controlled. More specifically, an image of • video reproduced from the video camera 200, for example, is transmitted to a busbar 1, and the video data is received by the television receiver 100 to form an image, or the video data is received by the video cassette recorder 300 and then registered. These operations can be controlled in their entirety.

The procedure of the process of checking the functions of the devices connected through a collector bar by means of a conventional AV / C control will be described below with reference to Figure 1 and 5 of Figure 2. In this case, the function is assumed to be a video cassette recorder (VCR) 50 connected through an IEEE 1394 bus is checked by transmission of a busbar command. A target device (which will be made • 10 reference as a control device below), transmits a current status command UNIT INFO to check the type of device 50, and a response of the data related to the device type (UNIT) is obtained. It will be understood that the device 50 is a unit VCR as a set. In order to check the subunits of the functional units in a unit, the control device transmits a current status command SUBUNIT INFO • to obtain a response from the data related to the type of a SUBUNIT, and find that a subunit is included of the tuner 51 and a recording / playback subunit (VCR subunit) 61. Figure IA is a diagram showing the state in which the unit and the subunits are comprised. A current INFO plug-in status control (UNIT INFO current status control 25) is transmitted to the unit to obtain a response of the data related to the number of input plugs 71, 72, 73 and 74 and the output plugs 81 , 82 and 83 included in the device. In addition, a current status command INFO plug (status control current SUBUNIT INFO) to check the plugs included in the subunits is transmitted to the subunits to obtain a response of the data related to the number of input plugs 52, 53 and 62 and the output plugs 54 and 63 included in the subunits 51 and 61. FIG. IB is f 10 a diagram showing a state in which the input sockets and output sockets are comprised. A current status command of PLUG SIGNAL FORMAT is transmitted to the unit to obtain a response of the data related to the formats handled by the unit plugs. Figure 1C is a diagram showing a state in which the plug formats are understood. • A current status command of CONNECTIONS is transmitted to the unit to check the information of the node that is currently effective in the unit. When the device 50 does not correspond to this command, a current CONNECT status command is transmitted to check the connected plugs one by one. In addition, a CONNECTION investigation command is transmitted to check the nodules that can be made in the unit. Figure 2A is a diagram showing a present connection state, Figure 2B is a diagram showing the nodes that can be connected in the unit, and Figure 2C is a diagram showing the nodes that can be made between the units. The commands of the respective states are transmitted as described above in order to obtain the respective responses, so that a state related to a device connected to a bar The collector can be determined by a control device. However, in a device corresponding to a conventional AV / C control, in order to check the status of the device as described above, they must transmit a large number of commands. The checking procedure is complicated and requires troublesome operations and a long period of time, disadvantageously.

• Also, there is no method to check the unknown formats. 20 The device (units) can have several configuracior.es and there are disadvantageously many useless investigations to generally check the configurations. In addition, an external input plug or an external output plug except in what refers to the plugs connected to an IEEE 1394 bus can not be determined by a conventional descriptor. flft Likewise, when a determination is made for a plurality of nodes that may exist in a device, determinations such as a determination of whether the plurality of nodes may exist at the same time or a determination that the plurality of nodes is they switch from one to the other, they can not be carried out by the conventional process. When a • 10 plurality of data handled in respective subunits are associated with each other (for example, audio data, text data that is subordinate to the audio data, or the like), a determination of whether the processes can not be carried out for these data can be carried out in parallel. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make • possible to efficiently collect data related to devices between devices connected through of a busbar based on the IEEE 1394 system or a similar one. According to the first invention, in a data transmission method of the device for transmitting the data related to a device connected to a predetermined bus bar line through the bus bar line, flB the pieces of the connection information which are connectable in the device are retained at the same time as a predetermined frame, and all or parts of the pieces of the connection information in the retained frame are transmitted to another device as a knob of a predetermined format through the line of the busbar In this way, ^ 10 the information of the device connected through the busbar can be easily obtained. According to the second invention, in the data transmission method of the device of the first invention, the pieces of the connection information retained in the table include the information related to a connection between an input unit and an output unit. retained by the device, and an internal function processing unit and the information related to an input or format output of the device. In this way, these pieces of information can be easily obtained. According to the third invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the second invention, the information retained in the frame and related to the connection between the input unit or the output unit and the function processing unit. includes information related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted by a plurality of connections at the same time. In this way, an establishment related to the data that can be transmitted at the same time can also be easily determined. In accordance with the fourth invention, in • 10 method of transmitting the data of the device of the second invention, the pieces of connection information retained in the table also include information related to a function of converting a format to be admitted and to be output to another format. In this way, a format handled by a corresponding device can also be easily determined. • According to the fifth invention, in the data transmission method of the device of the second invention, an input unit or an output unit indicated by the information retained in the table includes units except for an input unit or a output unit connected to the line of the bar collector. In this way, the details of all the input units or all the output units retained by the device can be determined. In accordance with the sixth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the second invention, the information related to a connection state present in the device is transmitted to another device by transmission of a command of a predetermined format. In this way, the connection status • 10 present of the device can be easily determined. In accordance with the seventh invention, in the data transmission method of the device of the sixth invention, when a present connection state is changed, if another connection is influenced, the information related to that is also transmitted. In this way, an accident of which another exit or similar is changed to • interrupting the output of the connection change, it can be prevented. According to the eighth invention, wherein the data transmission method of the device for transmitting the data related to a first device connected with a predetermined bus bar line with a second device through the bar line collector, the data to designate an input of an output unit retained by the first device, or an internal function processing flk unit is transmitted from the second device by a command of a format predetermined, so that the data related to a connection state between any two units of the corresponding input unit, the corresponding output unit, and the internal function processing unit mß 10 of the first device is transmitted to the second device. In this way, when the input unit, the output unit and the function processing unit of the first device are designated directly to obtain the information related to a detailed state 15 of the device, all the data of the frame does not need to be received and stored by the second device and only the data of a necessary connection state can be obtained efficiently. According to the ninth invention, in the data transmission method of the device of the eighth invention, the data to designate the input unit retained by the first device is transmitted to the second device. In this way, the second device can also determine the state of the input unit retained by the first device. In accordance with the tenth invention, in a • data transmission method of the device for transmitting the data related to a first device connected with a predetermined bus line with a second device through the bus bar line, the data to designate an input or a unit from ^ P 10 output or an internal function processing function retained by a first device is transmitted from the second device by a command of a predetermined format, so that the data to specify a source of signals of the data transmitted by the corresponding connection is transmitted to the second device. In this way, a source of signals from the output of the data ^ of the first device can be determined by the second device. In accordance with the eleventh invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the tenth invention, when there is a plurality of signal sources, the data related to the plurality of signal sources. In this way, when - - there is a plurality of signal sources, the plurality of signal sources can be determined by the second device. • In accordance with the twelfth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the tenth invention, the data representing a plurality of signal sources is transmitted. In this way, the plurality of signal sources can be determined by the second device. According to the thirteenth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the eighth invention, the data to designate the input unit or the output unit and the function processing unit has a data structure equal to that of the data used when an establishment related to ^ P a connection between the input unit or the output unit and the function processing unit. This In this manner, the data transmitted to the bus bar line can be easily formed, and the transmitted data can be easily determined. In accordance with the fourteenth invention, in a data transmission method of the device for transmit the data related to a predetermined device connected with a predetermined bus bar line to another device through the fl) bus bar, the data related to an output state of 5 a video image from a specific output unit of the predetermined device is sent from the predetermined device. In this way, the output state of the video image from the specific output unit of the device can be determined by the output of the data from the predetermined device. According to the fifteenth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the fourteenth invention, to the data related to the output state of the video image, a flag is added that represents that a specific video image is superimposed in the video image. In this way, by determining the flag, it can be recognized that the specific video image is superimposed on the output of the video image from the specific output unit of the specific device. According to the sixteenth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the fifteenth invention, the specific video image represented by the flag is a video image on a display device on the screen. In this way, it can be recognized that the video image of the display device has been outputted on the screen. According to the seventeenth invention, in 5 the method of transmitting the data of the device of the fourteenth invention, a state of processing of the video image is represented by the field of the specific data related to an output state of the video image. .

^ P 10 In this way, the processing status of the video image can be determined. According to the eighteenth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the seventeenth invention, a state of processing of the video image is represented by the use of a flag. In this way, the processing status of the video image • can be recognized by determining the flag. According to the nineteenth invention, in 20 the method of transmitting the data of the device of the seventeenth invention, a processing state represented by the data in a specific field is the data representing a state in which the predetermined data is extracted from the data from multiplexed video. In this way, it is determined that a predetermined data of the multiplexed video data is extracted. fl) In accordance with the twentieth invention, the method of transmitting the data of the device of the seventeenth invention, a processing state represented by the data in a specific field is the data representing a state of a display apparatus on the screen to present the data where an image of • 10 video. In this way, it can be determined that the data is processed in the state of the display device on the screen. According to the twentieth invention, in the data transmission method of the device of the seventeenth invention, a data representing a processing state in a specific field is the data representing a state • that a signal format of the video data is converted. In this way, it can be determined that the signal format of the video data becomes. In accordance with the twenty-second invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the seventeenth invention. a processing state represented by the data in a specific field is the data representing a state in which a special process is carried out on a video image. In this way it can be determined that the special process ffl is carried out on the video image. In accordance with the twenty-third invention, 5 in the data transmission method of the device of the twenty-second invention, a state in which a special process represented by the data in a specific field is carried out is the state where the video images are mixed. From • 10 this way, it can be determined that the video image is mixed. According to the twenty-fourth invention, in the method of transmitting the data of the device of the seventeenth invention, a processing state represented by the data in the specific field is the data representing a state in which the same is established video image that • that of the signal source. In this way, it can be recognized that the video image of the state equal to that of the video image of the signal source is output. According to the twenty-fifth invention, a transmission data that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line 25 comprises: a storage means for retaining the pieces of the connection information which are connectable in w ? the device at the same time as a predetermined box; and the transmission control means for transmitting part or all of the pieces of connection information stored in the storage medium with the bus bar line on the basis of a command of a predetermined format received through the line of the busbar. In this way, the pieces of the • Connection information of the transmission device can be easily obtained by another device connected to the transmission device through the bus bar line. In accordance with the twenty-sixth invention, 15 in the transmission device of the twenty-fifth invention, the connection information pieces retained in the storage medium includes the information related to a connection between an input unit or an output unit and an internal function processing unit retained by the device and the information related to a format input or output through the device. In this way, the information related to the connection between the input unit or the output unit and the internal function processing unit retained by the device and the information related to the input or output of the format by the device can be recognized by another device. In accordance with the twenty-seventh invention, 5 in the transmission device of the twenty-sixth invention, the information related to a connection between an input unit or an output unit and a function processing unit retained by the means of • Storage includes information related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted by a plurality of connections at the same time. In this way, an establishment related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted by the plurality of 15 connections at a time, can be recognized by another device. According to the twenty-eighth invention, in the transmission device of the twenty-sixth invention, the pieces of connection information retained in the storage medium further include information related to a function of converting a format to input and give exit to another format. In this way, a format 25 handled by the device can be easily determined as well.

According to the twenty-ninth invention, in the transmission device of the twenty-sixth invention, • an input unit or an output unit 5 represented with the information retained in the storage unit and includes units except as refers to an input unit or an output unit connected to the bus bar line. In this way, the details of all the input units or • 10 all output units retained by the device can be determined by another device. According to the thirtieth invention, in the transmission device of the twenty-sixth invention, the transmission control means transmits the information related to a connection state present in the device to another device by transmitting a command of a format predetermined. In this way, the connection state present in the transmission device can be recognized by another device. In accordance with the thirty-first invention, in the transmission device of the thirtieth invention, when a present connection state is changed, if another connection is influenced, the information transmitted by the transmission control means includes information related thereto. In this way, when the connection state in the transmission device is changed, it can be determined by the device communicating with the device the way that another connection is influenced. According to the thirty-second invention, a transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line comprises: • a transmission control means for, when the data to designate an input of a unit output or an internal function processing unit is retained by the device and is received through a bus bar line, the data related to a connection state between any two of the units of a corresponding input unit, the output unit, and the internal function processing unit. From • this way, the input unit, the output unit, and the device function processing unit will be designate directly from the outside so that information related to a detailed status can be obtained. On the side of the device communicating with the transmission device, all the data of a frame does not need to be received and stored, and only the data of the necessary connection state can be obtained efficiently. • According to the thirty-third invention, in the transmission device of the fifth-second invention, the transmission control means transmits the data to designate an input unit retained by the device in the bus bar line. In this way, the state of the input unit retained by the • 10 transmission device can also be determined by an external device. According to the thirty-fourth invention, a transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line 15 comprises a transmission control means for, when the data to designate a signal source of a entry • of an output unit retained by the device or an internal function processing unit is received through the bus bar line, transmitting the data to specify the signal source to the bus bar line. In this way, the output of the signal source from the transmission device can be determined by a target device.

According to the thirty-fifth invention, in the transmission device of the thirty-fourth • invention, the transmission control means transmits, when there is a plurality of signal sources, the data related to the plurality of signal sources. In this way, the plurality of signal sources can be determined. In accordance with the thirty-sixth invention, "ßP 10 in the transmission device of the thirty-fourth invention, the transmission control means transmits, when there are a plurality of signal sources, the data representing the number of signal sources is multiple. In this way it can be determined that the number of signal sources is multiple. In accordance with the thirty-seventh • invention, a transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line, comprises: a transmission control means for transmitting the data related to an output state of the video data from a unit of output retained by the device to the busbar line. This In this way, the output state of a video image from the transmission device can be recognized by a target device. In accordance with the thirty-eighth invention, in the transmission device of the thirty-seventh invention, the transmission control means adds a flag representing that a specific video data is superimposed on a video data. In this way, it is recognized by the flag that the video data ^^ 10 specific is superimposed on a video data. According to the thirty-ninth invention, in the transmission device of the twenty-eighth invention, the specific video data represented by a flag added by means of the transmission control is a video data of a presentation device on the screen. In this way, it can be recognized that the data is output • video of the presentation device on the screen. According to the fortieth invention, in 20 the transmission device of the thirty-seventh invention, the transmission control means places the data representing a processing state of a video image in a specific data field related to a output state of a video image. In this way, the processing state of the video image can be recognized. According to the forty-first invention, in the transmission device of the fortieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is the data representing a state where the predetermined data is extracted from the data of multiplexed video In this way, the state in • 10 that the predetermined data is extracted from the multiplexed video data can be recognized. According to the forty-second invention, in the transmission device of the fortieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is the data representing the state of a presentation device in • the screen to present an overlaid video image. In this way, the state of the display device 20 can be recognized on the screen. According to the forty-third invention, in the transmission device of the fortieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means is the data representing a state in which the signal format of the data of video becomes. In this way, you can recognize the state in • that the signal format of the video data is converted. According to the fourth-fourth invention, the transmission device of the fortieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by the means of transmission control is the data representing a state in which the special process is carried out • 10 point to the video image. In this way, the state in which the special process is carried out to the video image can be recognized. According to the forty-fifth invention, in the transmission device of the forty-fourth invention, the state in which the special process represented by the data in the specific field placed by the • Transmission control medium is a state where video images are mixed. In this way, the state in which the video image is mixed can be recognized. According to the forty-sixth invention, in the transmission device of the fortieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means is the data that represents (B) an output state that is just equal to the life image of the signal source. it is recognized that an image is output that is just equal to the video image of the signal source. According to the forty-seventh invention, a transmission system in which the first device and the second device are connected with the first • another one through a predetermined bus bar line, comprises: as the first device, a storage means for retaining the pieces of connection information that are connectable in the first device at a time as a predetermined frame, and a means of transmission control for • transmit part of all the pieces of connection information stored in the storage medium as a control of a predetermined format that is received through the bus line; and as the second device, the connection determining means for determining the pieces of connection information in the first device on the basis of the data transmitted to the bus line. In this way, the pieces of connection information in the first device connected through the bus bar ffl can be easily obtained by the second device. In accordance with the four-eighth invention, in the transmission system of the forty-seventh invention, the connection information pieces retained in the storage means of the first device P include the information related to a connection between a unit input or an output unit and an internal function proecessing unit retained by the first device and the information related to a format input or output by the first device, 15 so that the second device can determine these pieces of information. In this way, these pieces of information can also be obtained easily by the second device. According to the forty-ninth invention, in the transmission system of the four-eighth invention, the information retained in the storage means of the first device and related to the connection between the input unit or the output unit and The function processing unit includes the information related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted by a plurality of (fl connections at a time, so that the second device can Determine these pieces of information. In this way, an establishment related to a fact that the data can be transmitted at the same time can also be determined by the second device. In accordance with the fiftieth invention, in • 10 the transmission system of the forty-eighth invention, the pieces of connection information retained in the storage medium of the first device also include information related to a function of converting a format to give input and output to another format, so that the second device can determine these pieces of information. In this way, a format handled by the first device can also be easily determined by the second device. According to the fifty-first invention, in the transmission system of the forty-eighth invention, an input unit or an output unit 25 represented by the pieces of information retained in the - - The storage means of the first device includes a unit except as it relates to an input unit or an output unit connected to the bus line, so that the second device can determine these pieces of information. In this way, the details of all the input units or all of the output units retained by the first device can be determined by the second device. According to the fiftieth-second invention, in the transmission system of the forty-eighth invention, the transmission control means of the first device transmits the information related to a connection state present in the first device to the second device transmitting a command of a predetermined format. In this way, the present connection state of the first device can be easily determined. According to the fifty-third invention, in the transmission system of the fiftieth-second invention, when the present connection state is changed, if another collision is influenced, the information transmitted by the transmission control means of the first device includes the information related to the change in the present connection state, fl so that the second device can determine the change in the present connection state. In this way, an accident can be prevented where another similar output is changed to interrupt the output of the change in the connection. In accordance with the fiftieth-fourth invention, a transmission system in which the first • The device and a second device are connected to each other through a predetermined bus bar line, comprising: as the first device, a transmission control means for, when the data to designate an input of a unit of output or from an internal function processing unit held by the pirimer device is received through the • busbar line, transmitting the related data in a state of a connection between any of the two 20 units of a corresponding input unit, the sauda unit, and the internal function processing unit to the busbar line; and as the second device, the connection determination means for determining the pieces of the connection information in the first device on the - - base of the data transmitted to the busbar line. In this way, the input unit, the output unit, and fl) the function processing unit of the first device are designated directly, so that the information related to the detailed states of the devices can be obtained. On the side of the second device, all the data in a table does not need to be received and stored, and only the data of the necessary connection state can be obtained efficiently. • According to the fifty-fifth invention, in the transmission system of the fifty-fourth invention, the transmission control means of the first device transmits the data to designate an input unit retained by the device to the bus bar line, and the connection determination means of the second device determines that the data is transmitted to the line • busbar. In this way, a state of the input unit retained by the first device is also can determine by the second device. According to the fifty-sixth invention, a transmission system in which the first device and a second device are connected to one another through a bus bar line The predetermined, comprises: as the first device, the transmission control means for, when (B) the data for specifying a signal source of an input of an input unit or an internal function processing unit retained by the first The device is received through the bus bar line, transmit the data to specify the signal source to the bus bar line, and as the second device, the means of connection determination to apply a signal source on the bus. data base transmitted from the first device In this way, the source of signals of the data output from the first device can be determined by the second device 15 According to the fifty-seventh invention, in the transmission system of the fifty-sixth invention, • when there is a plurality of signal sources, the transmission control means of the first device transmits the data related to a plurality of signal sources, and the connection determination means of the second device determines the plurality of signal sources. In this way, when there is a plurality of sources of - - signals, the plurality of signal sources can be determined by the second device, (f) According to the fifty-eighth invention, in the transmission system of the fifty-sixth invention, when there is a plurality of signal sources, the The transmission control means of the first device transmits the data representing that the number of signal sources is multiple, and the means of determining the connection of the second device determines that the number of signal sources is multiple. it can determine by the second device that the number of signal sources is multiple.15 According to the fiftieth-ninth invention, a transmission system in which the first and a second device are connected to each other Through a predetermined bus bar line, it comprises: 20 as the first device, the transmission control means for transmitting the data related to an output state of the video data from an output unit held by the first device to the bus line; and as the second device, the state determining means for determining the output state ^ * fc on the basis of the data transmitted from the first device. In this way, the output state of a video image from a specific output unit of the first device can be recognized by the second device based on the output of the data from the first device. According to the sixtieth invention, in the transmission system of the fiftieth or ninth invention, the transmission control means of the first device adds a flag representing that a specific video data is superimposed on a video data. , and the average state determination of the second device determines on the basis of the flag, that the specific video data is superimposed on the video data. Thus, on the basis of the determination of the flag in the second device, you can recognize that the specific video image is superimposed on the video image output from the specific output unit of the first device. In accordance with the sixty-first invention, in the transmission system of the sixtieth invention, - - the specific video data represented by the flag added by the transmission control means (first device fl is the video data of a display device on the screen, and the state determination means of the second device determines the video data of the pre-display device on the screen based on the flag. In this way, the second device can determine that the video image of the display device in the screen is sent from the first device. According to the sixty-second invention, in the transmission system of the fiftieth-ninth invention, the transmission control means of the first The device places the data representing a processing state of a video image in a specific data field related to an output state of a video image, and the state determination means of the second device can determine the state of the video image. processing of the video image. In this way, the processing state of the output video image of the first device can be determined by the second device.

According to the sixty-third invention, in the transmission system of the sixtieth invention, the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state that determines that the data is extracted from the multiplexed video data, and the state determining means of the second device determines a state that the predetermined data is extracted from the multiplexed video data, in this way, it can be determined by the second device. that the predetermined data was extracted from the multiplexed video data In accordance with the sixty-fourth invention, in the transmission system of the sixty-second invention, the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means of the first device is the data that represents a state of a device display on the screen to present an overlay video image, and the state determination means of the second device determines the state of the display device on the screen. In this way, you can Determine by the second device the data is processed in the state of the display device on the screen. • According to the sixty-fifth invention, in the transmission system of the sixty-second invention, the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state that a format of the video data signal is converted, and the state determination medium of the second ^^ 10 device determines a state that the format of the video data signal is converted. In this way, it can be determined by the second device that the output of the video data from the first device is a signal having a converted signal format. 15 In accordance with the sixty-sixth invention, in the transmission system of the sixtieth-second ^^ invention, the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state that a special process is carried out towards a video image, and the means of determining state of the second device determines the state that the special process is carried out to the video image. In this way, it can be determined by the second device that the special process is carried out towards the video image.

• According to the sixty-seventh invention, in the transmission system of the sixty-fifth sixth invention, the state that a special process represented by the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means of the first device is takes place in a state in which the video images are mixed, • 10 and the state determination means of the second device determines the state of the video image is mixed. In this way, it can be determined by the second device that the video images are mixed. According to the sixty-eighth invention, in the transmission system of the sixty-second invention, the data in the specific field placed by the The transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state that has been output to be just equal to a video image in a signal source, and the state determination means of the second device. determines the state that the output is exactly the same as the video image of the signal source. In this way, it is recognized by the second device, that an image of video having a state that is just equal to that of the video image of the signal source is output. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the configuration of a conventional device is investigated. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the connection information of a conventional device is investigated. Figure 3 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of an entire system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver. Figure 5 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a video camera. Figure 6 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a video recording / playback device. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a structure regulated by IEEE 1394.

- Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a direction space of a CRS architecture. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the 5 examples of the position, name and operation of a main CRS. Figure 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a plug control register. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a • 10 configuration of an oMPR, an oPCR, an iMPR and an iPCR. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a plug, a plug control register, and a transmission channel. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the connection information related to an output of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. • Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the connection information related to an input of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the connection information related to an input output from the outside of the device, - in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. • Figure 16 is a diagram showing the data of a unit plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a diagram showing a data structure obtained by the hierarchical structure of a descriptor. ^^ Figure 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a descriptor related to the connection information in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a stack model of an AV / C control. Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a command and a response of the AV / C command. • Figure 21 is a diagram that more exactly shows an example of the relationship between the command and the response of the AV / C command. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of one. structure of the AV / C command data. Figure 23 is a diagram showing a concrete example of the AV / C control.

Figure 24 is a diagram that shows a concrete example of the control and the response of the AV / C command.

• Figure 25 is a diagram showing the data of a type and a state of a connection in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 26 is a diagram showing the data of a type and a state of an input / output signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of a current connection status command according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of the current connection state response in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. • Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of a current state control of signal flow 20 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of a current state response of the signal flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

- - Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of a connection control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 32 is a diagram showing the data of a current connection status response in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 33 is a diagram showing the data of a current output state response according to the second mode of the present invention. Figure 34 is a diagram showing the data of an output state according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 35 is a diagram showing a data of a multiple source according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 36 is a diagram showing an example to which a multiple source is applied according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 37 is a diagram showing the data transmission of a multiple source field according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 38 is a diagram showing a configuration of the data of a current state control of the • source of signals according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 39 is a diagram showing a configuration of the data of a current state response of the signal source according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 40 is a diagram showing a # 10 data example of a current output status field according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 41 is a diagram showing an example of the data of a current state field and the signal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION • The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 20 and 28. A configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to Figure 1. In this network system, a plurality of devices are connected through a serial data bus (which will be referred to below as a busbar) based on IEEE 1394 and which serves as a busbar • digital communication control. In Figure 1, an example is shown in which three AV devices 100, 200, 5 and 300 are connected through the busbars 1 and 2. As devices connected to the busbars 1 and 2, the devices including the devices are used. terminals to which the IEEE 1394 busbar is connected. A television receiver 100, a video camera 200 and an apparatus for • 10 video cassette recorder (VCR) 300 are connected. The video camera 200 also has a function of carrying out the recording / reproduction on / from a magnetic tape or a similar means. A remote control device 11 fixed to the television receiver 100 of designates for to control not only the television receiver 100 but also the video camera 200 and the video cassette recorder apparatus 300. • The respective devices 100, 200 and 300 connected to the busbar 1 are called units.

Between the units, using a knob regulated by the General Specification of the AV / C Digital Interface Control Apparatus of the AV / C Command Transaction Apparatus (in which reference will be referred to below as AV / C), the pieces of information stored in the units can Read / write to each other so that the units can be controlled. The functions included in the respective units are called subunits. In this • modality, the devices have a descriptor related to the connection information that can be provided on the devices. The details of the descriptor will be described later. The units coencted with bus 1 are also called nodes. The nodes IDs are set in the units, respectively, and the source or The destination of the data transmitted to the busbar is specified by the ID node. When a new device is connected to the busbar 1, or when a device connected to the busbar 1 is removed, the busbar readjustment is carried out. to readjust the ID node again. Therefore, when the busbar readjustment occurs, the ID nodes of the devices may change. • Figure 4 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver 100. The television receiver 100 of this mode is a device that is called a digital television receiver and receives a digital broadcast to present the digital broadcast. The data of digital diffusion obtained causing than a tuner 101 in which an antenna is connected - - (not shown) to receive a predetermined channel is supplied to a reception circuit unit 102 and is • decode The decoded broadcast data is supplied to a multiple separation unit 103 and is separated into the video data and the audio data. The separate video data is applied to a video image generation unit 104 and is subjected to a process for receiving the image. On the basis of the processed signal, a cathode ray tube (CRT) 106 is driven by the CRT 105 driver circuit to present a video image. The audio data separated by the multiple separation unit 103 is supplied to an audio signal reproduction unit 107 and is subjected to audio processes such as analog conversion and amplification, and the processed audio signal is supplied to a loudspeaker 108 which will be output. The television receiver 100 comprises a • interface unit 109 for connecting the television receiver 100 with an IEEE 1394 bus and is designs to supply the video data and the audio data obtained from the IEEE 1394 busbar interface unit 109 to the multiple separation unit 103 in such a way that a presentation of the video image on the CRT 106 and an audio output from the loudspeaker 108. The video data and the audio data obtained by receiving the tuner 101 are supplied from the multiple separation unit 103 to the interface unit 109, so that the video data and the audio data can be transmitted. to the IEEE 1394 bus. A presentation process is carried out in the television receiver 100 and a transmission process through the interface unit 109 under the control of a central processing unit (CPU) 110. CPU 110, a memory 111 is connected which serves as a ROM in which a program required for control is stored and a memory 112 which serves as a working RAM. The operation information from an operation or operation board 114 and the control information received from a remote control device by an infrared receiving unit 115 are supplied to the CPU 110, so that control of the the operation that corresponds to the operation information and the control information. Further, when the interface unit 109 receives the control data such as an AV / C command (to be described later) through the IEEE 1394 bus, the data is supplied to the CPU 110, so that the CPU 110 can carry out the control of the corresponding operation.

Figure 5 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a video camera 200. The light of the image focused on the image pickup surface of an image-forming device 5 CCD 202 is converted into an electrical image pick-up signal through an optical system 201 such as a lens. An output of the image pickup signal from the CCD image forming device 202 is supplied to an image pickup signal processing unit. ? 10 203 to be a video signal of a predetermined system. The output of the video signal from the image acquisition signal processing unit 203 is supplied to an analog / digital converter 204 to be the digital video data. The digital video data is supplies an MPEG encoder (The Movie Expert Group) 205 to be the video data of an appropriate system to record, ie, the MPEG2. • The data encoded by the MPEG 205 encoder is supplied to a registration / reproduction unit 206 and is undergoes a process for recording, and the processed registration data is supplied to a registration head on the rotating head drum 207 to register on a magnetic tape in a tape cassette 208. The input of the video signal from the outside is converted into the digital data by the analog / digital converter 204 to be the video data of, e.g., the MPEG2 by means of the MPEG 205 encoder. The video data is supplied to the registration / reproduction unit 206 to undergo a process for registration. The processed registration data is supplied to the registration head in the rotating head drum 207 to register on the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 208. As the configuration of a reproduction system, a signal obtained by reproducing the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 208 by the rotating head drum 207 is subjected to a reproduction process by the recording / reproduction unit 206 to obtain the video data. The video data is supplied to the MPEG decoder 209 to carry out the decoding from, e.g., the MPEG2. The decoded data is supplied to a digital / analog converter 210 and output thereto to the outside as an analog video signal. In the recording system and the reproduction system described above, the processes for the audio data are omitted. However, the audio data may be recorded and reproduced together with the video data, and the voice received through a microphone (not shown) is also recorded in an image pickup operation.

The video camera 200 comprises an interface unit 213 for connecting the video camera 200 to the ^ IEEE 1394 busbar and supplies the video data or audio data obtained from the IEEE busbar 1394 to the interface unit 213 to the register / playback unit 206, so that the video data or the audio data can be recorded on the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 208. The video data or the data of audio reproduced from the magnetic tape in the cassette ^ ß 10 tape 208 or the video data or the audio data obtained by the picture pickup operation are supplied from the recording / playback unit 203 to the interface unit 213, so that the video data or the data can be transmitted to the IEEE 1394 bus. 15 In the transmission through the interface unit 213, when a system (eg, the MPEG2 described above) where the data is recorded in a medium • (magnetic tape) in the video camera 200 is different from a system of the data transmitted in the IEEE busbar 1394, the systems can also be converted by a circuit in the video camera 200. The process of capturing the image, the registration process, and the reproduction process in the video camera 200 and the transmission process through the unit of interface 213 are carried out under the control of a - - central processing unit (CPU) 211. To the CPU 211, a memory 212 is connected which serves as a working RAM. The operation information from an operation panel 214 and the control information received from a remote control device by an infrared receiving unit 215 are supplied to the CPU 211, so that the control of the operation that corresponds to the information of the control information operation. Also, when the unit ^ Interface 213 receives the control data such as an AV / C command (which will be described later) through the IEEE 1394 bus, the data is supplied to the CPU 211, so that the CPU 211 can perform the control of the corresponding operation. Figure 6 is a functional diagram showing a configuration of a video cassette recorder apparatus 300. ^^ As the configuration of a recording system, the digital broadcast data obtained causing a tuner 301 incorporated in the apparatus video cassette recorder 300 receives a predetermined channel is supplied to an MPEG (Movie Expert Group) encoder 302 to be the video data and the audio data of an appropriate system to register, eg, the MPEG2.

- - When the received broadcast data is MPEG2, the process in the encoder 302 is not carried out. The data encoded by the MPEG encoder 302 is supplied to a registration / reproduction unit 303 and subjected to a process for registration, and the processed registration data is supplied to a registration head on the rotation head drum 304 to register on a magnetic tape in the tape cassette 305. An analog video signal and an analog audio signal admitted from the outside are converted into the digital data by an analog / digital converter 306, and the digital data is converted into a video and an audio data of, eg, MPEG2 using the MPEG encoder 302. The video data and the audio data are supplied to a 303 registration / reproduction unit and subjected to a registration process. The processed registration data is supplied to the recording head in the rotating head drum 304 to register on the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 305. As the configuration of a reproduction system, a signal obtained by reproducing the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 305 by the rotation head drum 304 is subjected to a reproduction process by the recording / reproducing unit 303 in order to obtain the video data and the audio data.

- - The video data and the audio data are supplied to the MPEG decoder 307 to carry out the decoding from, e.g., the MPEG2. The decoded data is supplied to a digital / analog converter 308 and sent outwardly as the analog video signal and an analog audio signal. The video cassette recorder apparatus 300 comprises an interface unit 309 for connecting the video cassette recorder apparatus 300 with the IEEE 1394 busbar and supplying the video data or the audio data obtained from the IEEE 1394 busbar the interface unit 309 to the registration / reproduction unit 303, and the video data or the audio data can be recorded on the magnetic tape in the tape cassette 305. The video data or the audio data reproduced from the tape The magnetic tape recorder 305 is supplied from the recording / reproducing unit 303 to the interface unit 309 so that the video data or the audio data can be transmitted to the IEEE 1394 bus. of the interface unit 309, when a system (eg, the MPEG2 described above) in which the data is recorded in a medium (magnetic tape) in the video cassette recorder apparatus 300 is different from a data system transmitted in the IEEE 1394 bus, the system can also be converted by a circuit in the video cassette recorder apparatus 300. The registration process and the playback process in the video cassette recorder apparatus 5 300 and the Transmission process through the interface unit 309 is carried out under the control of a central processing unit (CPU) 310. A memory 211 is connected to the CPU 310 which serves as a working RAM. The information of the operation from a board of ^ P 10 operation 312 and the control information received from a remote control device by an infrared receiver unit 313 are supplied to the CPU 310, so that the control of the operation corresponding to the operation information and the control information 15 is carried out. Further, when the interface unit 309 receives the control data such as the AV / C command (to be described later) through the busbar ^ IEEE 1394, the data is supplied to the CPU 310, so that the CPU 310 can carry out the control of the corresponding operation. The data transmission states in the IEEE 1394 busbars numbers 1 and 2 to which the devices 100, 200 and 300 are connected, will be described below.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the data transmission cycle of the devices connected through IEEE 1394. The IEEE 1394, the data is divided into packets, and the packets are transmitted in a time-sharing manner with reference to a cycle that has a length of 125 microseconds. The cycle is made on the basis of a cycle start signal supplied from a nodule (any device connected to the busbar) that has a cycle master function. An isochronous packet secures a band (which is a unit of time that is called a band) required for transmission from the beginning of all cycles. Due to this reason, the isochronous transmission ensures the transmission of the data within a predetermined time of the period. However, the recognition of the reception side is not carried out. When a transmission error occurs, there is no protection device and the data is lost. In asynchronous transmission where a node that secures a bus as a result of arbitration transmits an asynchronous packet in a period of time that is not used in the isochronous transmission of the respective cycles, reliable transmission is ensured using the knowledge and re-try. However, the transmission time period is not constant.

In order to cause a predetermined node to carry out the isochronous transmission, the node must f correspond to an isochrone function. In addition, at least one of the nodes corresponding to the isochrone function 5 must have a cycle master function. In addition, at least one of the nodes connected to an IEEE 1394 serial bus must have a function of an isochronous resource manager. The IEEE 1394 complies with an architecture of CSR (Current Status and Control Register) having a 64 bit address space regulated by ISO / IEC 13213. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the address space of the CSR architecture. The upper 16 bits represent a node ID that represents a node in each IEEE 1394 bus, and the remaining 48 bits are used to designate the address spaces provided to the respective nodes. The 16 ? upper bits are classified into 10 bits in a bus ID and the 6 bits of a physical ID (nodes ID in a strict sense). Since a value obtained when all the bits are 1 is used for a special object, 1,023 busbars and 63 nodes can be designated. The ID node is added again when a bus reset occurs. The readjustment of the busbar occurs when changes the configuration of the devices connected to line 1 of the busbar. For example, when it is recognized that any of the devices connected to the busbar 1 is removed, or that a new device is connected to the busbar 1, the readjustment of the busbar is carried out. A space regulated by the upper 20 bits in an address space of 256 terabytes regulated by the lower 48 bits is divided into an initial registration space (Initial Registration Space) used for a • 10 register of 2048 byte to the CSR, a singular record for IEEE 1394, or similar, a private space (Private Space), an initial memory space (Initial Memory Space), and the like. In the case where a space regulated by the upper 20 bits is the space of initial registration, a space regulated by the lower 28 bits is used as a configuration ROM (read-only memory of Configuration), a unit space Initial W (Initial Unit Space) applied singularly to a nodule, a plug control register (Plug Control Register) (PCRs)), or similar. Figure 9 is a diagram to explain the off-center directions, names and operations of a main CSR. The offset in Figure 9 represents an off-centered direction of FFFFFOOOOOOOh (number that includes the h at the end representing the hexadecimal notation) in which the initial registration space is started. An available bandwidth register ß (Bandwidth Available Register) having an off-center 220h represents a band that can be assigned to the isochronous communication, and only the value of a node that functions as an isochronous resource manager is effective. More specifically, even when each node has a CSR in Figure 8, only one available bandwidth record of the administrator of ^^ 10 Isochronous resource. In other words, only the isochronous resource manager has essentially the available bandwidth registry. The maximum value is stored in the available bandwidth register when the band is not assigned to the isochronous communication, and the value is reduced each time the band is assigned. The available channel registers (Available Channel Register) of the off-center 224 to 228h have bits c [ue that correspond to the channel numbers from number 0 to number 63, respectively. A bit of 0 represents that the channel has been assigned. Only the available channel record of a node that functions as an isochronous resource manager is effective. Returning to Figure 8, a configuration ROM based on a general ROM format (read memory) only) is placed in the directions 200h to 400h in the - - Initial registration space. In the configuration ROM, a bus information block, a root jfl directory, and a unitary directory are placed. An ID number representing the manufacturer of the device is stored in an ID of the company ID (of the Company ID) in the bus information block. A unique ID that is inherent in the device and that is different from that of the devices in the world, is stored in an integrated circuit ID (Integrated Circuit ID). ^ P 10 I make the input / output of a device is controlled through an interface, a node has a PCR (Plug Control Register) regulated by IEC 1883 in the 900h to 9FFh addresses in the initial unit space in le. Figure 8. This is obtained by checking the concept of a plug to logically form a signal path similar to an analog interface. Figure 10 is a diagram to explain the configuration • of the PCR. The PCR has an oPCR (Output Plug Control Register) that represents an output socket and a iPCR (Input Plug Control Regist.) Representing an input jack. In addition, the PCR has registers oMP (Output Master Plug Registration) and iMPR (Input Master Input Register) that represents the information of an output socket or a inherent input plug in each device. Although each device does not have a plurality of oMPRs and a plurality of iMPRs, the device may have a plurality of oPCRs and iPCRs corresponding to the respective plugs by the capacity of the device.5 The PCR shown in Figure 10 has 31 oPCRs and 31 iPCRs The isochronous data flow is controlled by running the registers corresponding to these plugs Figure 11 shows diagrams showing the configurations of an oMPR, an OPCR, an iMPR, and an iPCR P 10 Figure HA shows the oMPR configuration, Figure 11B shows the oPCR configuration, Figure 11C shows the iMPR configuration, and Figure 11D shows the iPCR configuration The 2-bit data rate capabilities of OMPR and iMPR on the MSB side, it store the codes representing the maximum transmission rates of the isochronous data that can be transmitted or received by the device. The basis of • oMPR broadcast channel regulates the number of a channel used for broadcast output (broadcast output). 20 As the number of 5-bit output sockets on the LSB side of the oMPR, the number of output sockets retained by the device, i.e., a value representing the number of oPCRs is stored. As the number of 5-bit input plugs on the LSB side of the iMPR, the number of input plugs retained by the device, that is, a value representing the number of iPCRs is stored. A main extension field and an auxiliary extension field are defined regions for extension in the future. The connected lines of the oPCR and iPCR MSBs represent states of use of the plug. More specifically, the value of 1 represents that the plug is in line, and the value of 0 represents that the plug is out of line. Each of the values of the broadcast connection counters of the oPCR and iPCR represents the presence (1) or the absence (0) of a broadcast connection. A value retained by a tip-to-tip connection counter having a width of 6 bits of each of oPCR and iPCR represents the number of tip-to-tip connections retained by the plug. A point-to-point connection (called a p-p connection) is a connection to carry out transmission only between a specific node and a specific node. A value retained by the channel number that has a width of 6 bits each of oPCR and iPCR represents the number of an isochronous channel to which the plug is connected. A value of a data rate having a 2-bit width of the oPCR represents an actual transmission rate of a packet of the output of the isochronous data from the socket. A code stored in the upper ID that has a 4 bit width of the oPCR represents the bandwidth of more than the isochronous communication. The value of a cost-effective load that has a 10-bit width of the oPCR represents the maximum value of the data included in an isochronous packet that can be handled by the plug. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between a plug, a plug control register and an isochronous channel. In this case, devices connected to the IEEE 1394 bus are represented as AV devices, a, b and c. The isochronous data that has a channel designated by oPCR [1] from oPCR [0] to oPCR [2] where the transmission speeds are regulated and the number of oPCRs through oMPR of the AV device marked c is transmitted to channel # 1 of the serial bus IEEE 1394. The AV device marked at the load of the isochronous data transmitted to channel # 1 of the IEEE 1394 serial bus. Similarly, the marked AV device b transmits the isochronous data to channel # 2 designated by oPCR [0], and the marked AV device to load the isochronous data from the channel # 2 desifned by means of iPCR [1]. In this way, data transmission takes place between the devices connected through the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

The configuration of the frames that are required when a device connected to the busbar in the aforementioned structure examines the functions of other devices and that are retained by the devices (units), will be described below. In this example, a corresponding nodule and a signal format that flows in the inscribed nodule during each unit plug and are stored as a frame. In this case, the tables are classified by three types, that is, transmission (Source), reception (Destination), and signal conversion (Transformation) retained by the devices (units). Each of the tables constitutes a descriptor based on the AV / C command. Figures 13, 14 and 15 are diagrams showing the actual configurations of the devices (units) 10 and the functions corresponding to the inscribed devices. The unit 10 comprises three subunits 11, 12 and 13, and, as output sockets, the output sockets 21, 22 and 23 connected to the IEEE 1394 busbar and an output socket 124 of one format for another system. As input sockets, the unit 10 comprises input sockets (iPCR) 31, 32 and 33 connected to the IEEE 1394 busbar and an input socket 134 of one format for another system. The two plugs (oPCR) 21 and 22 of the output plugs connected to the IEEE 1394 busbar are plugs for isochronous transfer, and the other plug (oAPR) 23 (fl is a plug for asynchronous transfer.) The two plugs ( iPCR) 31 and 32 of the input plugs 5 connected to the IEEE 1394 busbar are plugs for isochronous transfer, and the other plug (iAPR) 133 is an asynchronous transfer plug.These sockets connected to the IEEE 1394 busbar are plugs that are constituted virtually as described in what • 10 above. There are not three physical terminals. Figure 13 shows the configuration (ie, one output path of a signal from each subunit) of transmission (Source). Figure 14 shows the configuration (ie, an entry path of a signal to each subunit) of reception (Destination). Figure 15 shows the conversion of the signal (Transformation) that can be obtained in unit 10. The recorded data will be described in detail below. The Entry of the IDs that are serial numbers to through the three boxes are provided. As the serial numbers of the numbers that are related to the nodes, the group IDs are provided. Here, the relationship includes the following three cases. 1. The case in which the same signal flows through a plurality of nodules. For example, in this case, the - - digitally recorded content is digitally output to a busbar, and, at the same time, • the decoded contents are sent through an analog path. 5 2. The case in which the different outputs flow in different trajectories as combinations. For example, in this case, a video image and the voice that are synchronized with each other are flowed through perfectly different nodes, or a text and the data of • 10 a moving image is flowed asynchronously with a certain time record in the voice. 3. The case it represents in relation to an operation of another function unit. For example, when you select another function unit and contents of the Through a panel subunit itself, a selected functional unit can be represented. It eats the data representing the format of the content transmitted through the external input / output plugs of the device, the data of a format supported. The data of the unit plugs representing the numbers of the external input plug and the external output plug corresponding to the data and the data of a subunit plug of an internal function unit (subunit) are known.

The data of a current state that represents the state of present use is provided to the data of each • respective node. The data represented as active represents a state during use, and the represented data as inactive represents a state that is not in use. The reciprocity between the functions and the values of the unit plugs are provided during each function as shown in, e.g., Figure 16. For example, the values provided in a plug of input and an output plug of an IEEE 1394 serial bus for isochronous transmission, the values provided to an input socket and an output socket connected to a busbar of another format, the values provided to an input socket and a output socket using signal lines except for the busbar, the values provided to an input socket and an output socket for the transmission • IEEE 1394 asynchronous, the values provided to an input socket and an output socket for transmission asynchronous from another system, and a value provided to an output socket that can simultaneously output the data to a plurality of sockets, are already known. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the chart constituted as described above as a descriptor regulated by an AV / C command. This descriptor includes the data that has a hierarchical structure. More specifically, the descriptor regulated by the AV / C command has a hierarchical structure as shown in Figure 17. Figure 18 shows a specific example of the descriptor. As shown at the far left in Figure 18, a unit descriptor (Descriptor Unit Identifier) represents all the data. From these data, a descriptor (Source List Descriptor) of a transmission list (Source), a descriptor (Destination List Descriptor) of a reception list (Destination), and a descriptor (Transformation List Descriptor) of a signal conversion list (Transformation) are constituted by the detailed data. In the descriptor of each list, the details of a format handled by a plug, the details of the subunit plugs connected to the plug and the like are represented by the data of the format input (Format Input). In this case, by means of the data to which a plug number is provided, it can be recognized whether the plug is a plug connected to the busbar in series or a plug of another format, or the like. In addition, by means of the data of the connection input (Connection Input) that represents the details of the data of the input of the format represents a plug that can give input or output to the data of a specific format (eg, the MPEG format or similar) . A process carried out when the descriptor constituted as described above is read from another device (control device), will be described below. When the descriptor regulated by the AV / C command is read, this reading is carried out by transmitting a request command to designate the reading towards a corresponding device by means of asynchronous transmission. In this case, after a command to open the descriptor the first time it is transmitted, and a read command to read the open descriptor, so that the contents of the corresponding descriptor are transmitted. In this case, an AV / C command transmitted to read and write a descriptor will be described below. Figure 19 shows a battery model of an AV / C control device. As shown in Figure 19, a physical layer 801, a link layer 802, a transaction layer 803, and an 804 serial bus administration conform to IEEE 1394. An FCP (Fan Control Protocol) 805 conforms to IEC 61883. An AV / C 806 command apparatus complies with the TA 1394 specification. Figure 20 is a diagram for explaining a command and an FCP 85 response in Figure 19. The FCP is a protocol for controlling the devices (nodes) in an IEEE 1394 busbar. As shown in fl) Figure 16, an object that carries out the control is a controller, and an object that is controlled is a target or target. The transmission or response of an FCP command is carried out between the nodes using a light transaction of the IEEE 1394 asynchronous communication. The target or target that receives the data returns an acknowledgment to the controller to carry out the verification of • 10 reception. Figure 21 is a diagram to more accurately explain a relationship between the command and the FCP response shown in Figure 20. A node A and a node B connect with each other through of an IEEE 1394 bus. Node A is a controller, and node B is a target or target. For each of the A node and the B node, a record is prepared • control of 512 bytes and a response record of 512 bytes. As shown in Figure 17, the controller writes a command message in a command register 903 of the target or reference to transmit an instruction. In contrast to this, the target writes a response message in the response register 902 of the controller to transmit a response. With respect to both messages described above, the control information is exchanged. The type of command transmitted by FCP is described in a CTS in the data field in Figure 22 (to be described later). Figure 22 shows the data structure of a 5 packet transmitted in an asynchronous transfer mode of the AV / C command. An AV / C control device is a control device for controlling an AV device, and is CTS (ID of a control device) = "0000". A scorecard and a response box are exchanged between the nodes using the • 10 FCP. In order to reduce a load on the busbar and the AV device, the response to a command must be carried out within 100 milliseconds. As shown in Figure 22, the data of the asynchronous packet is constituted by 32 bits (= 1 quadled) in the horizontal direction.

The upper stage in Figure 22 represents the head portion of the package, and the lower stage in Figure 22 represents a data block. A destination (destination ID) # represents a destination. A CTS represents the ID of the control device and satisfies CTS = "0000" in the AV / C control unit. The c / response type field represents a classification of the function of the commands when the packets are commands, and the field represents the results of the processing of the commands when the packets are the responses. The controls are classified more or less as four types, that is, (1) a command to control a function from the outside (CONTROL), (2) a command to inquire a current status from the outside (CURRENT STATUS), (3) a command to investigate the presence / absence of a support of a control command from the outside (GENERAL INDEX (the presence / absence of an opcode support) and the INQUIRY SPECIFIC (the presence / absence of an opcode support and the operands), and (4) a command to request that a change in the current state be modified to the outside (NOTIFY). The answer is returned depending on the type of command. Like the responses to a control command (CONTROL), "not implemented" (NOT IMPLEMENTED), "accepted" (ACCEPTED), "rejected" (REJECTED), and "interim" (INTERINA) are known. As responses to a current status command (CURRENT STATUS), "not implemented" (NOT IMPLEMENTED), "rejected" (REJECTED), "in transition" (IN TRANSITION), and "stable" (STABLE) are known. In response to a command to inquire about the presence / absence of a support from a command from the outside (GENERAL INDEX and SPECIFIC ADVICE), they are known to be "implemented" (IMPLEMENTED) and "not implemented" (NOT IMPLEMENTED). In response to a command to require a change in the current state to be modified (NOTIFY), they are known as "not implemented" (NOT IMPLEMENTED), "rejected" (REJECTED), "interim" (INTERIN) and "changed" (CHANGED). (fl A subunit type is set to specify a function on a device, for example, a tape recorder / player, tuner, or the like is assigned to the subunit type. A BBS (Bulletin Board Subunit) which is a subunit to publish the information to other devices is also assigned to the subunit type other than the functions that correspond to the devices. In order to carry out the discrimination when a plurality of subunits of the same type exist, the address is carried out using the Subunit IDs as discrimination numbers. An opcode that serves as a code for an operation represents a command, and an operand represents a parameter of the command. A field (additional operands) added as needed is then prepared. The data of zero or similar # is added after the operands as needed. The CRC data (Cyclic Redundancy Check) is used to check an error in the transmission of the data. Figure 23 shows a concrete example of an AV / C control. The left side in Figure 23 represents a concrete example of the type c / response. The upper stage in Figure 23 represents a command, and the stage lower in Figure 23 represents a response. The control (CONTROL) is assigned to "0000", the current status (CURRENT STATUS) is assigned to "0001", the inquiry • specific (SPECIFIC INDAGATION) is assigned to "0010", notify (NOTIFY) is assigned to "0011", and inquiry general (GENERAL INDEXING) assigned to "0100". "0101 a 0111"are reserved and secured by a specification in the future. Not implemented (NOT IMPLEMENTED) is assigned to "1000", accepted (ACCEPTED) is assigned to "1001", rejected (REJECTED) is assigned to "1010", in transition (EN • 10 TRANSITION) is assigned to "1011", imple ented / stable (IMPLEMENTED / STABLE) is assigned to "1100", changed (CHANGED) is assigned to "1101", and interim (INTERINA) is assigned to "1111". "1110" is reserved and secured for a future specification. 15 The center in Figure 23 shows a concrete example of a subunit type. A video monitor is assigned to "00000", a recording device / player of • disc is assigned to "00011", a tape recorder / player is assigned "00100", a tuner is assigned to "00101", a video camera is assigned to "00111", a subunit used as a bulletin board called a BBS (Bulletin Board Subunit) is assigned to "01010" a subunit type (Single Seller ) singular to a manufacturer is assigned to "11100", and a type of specific subunit (type of Subunit extended to the next byte) is assigned to "11110". Even when a unit is assigned "11111", "11111" is used when the data is transmitted to a device itself, e.g., when a power supply is connected or disconnected. The right side in Figure 23 shows a specific example of an opcode (operation code: opcode). The opcode table exists for each type of subunit. Here, the opcode is obtained when the subunit type is a tuner. An operand is defined each opcode. In this case, an open descriptor to instruct the descriptor to open is set to "08h", a reading descriptor to instruct that the descriptor be read is set to "09h", and a handwriting descriptor to instruct that the descriptor is written is set to "OAh". A direct selection object is defined for C9h ", a selection of the object number is defined for C9h", and an elementary current or direct selection for CAh "is defined, and the direct selection data is defined for CBh". With respect to other values ,, several functions are defined. Figure 24 shows a concrete example of an AV / C command in a response. For example, when a playback instruction is performed towards a playback device that serves as a target (consumer), a controller transmits a command as shown in FIG. 24A to the target. This command satisfies CTS = "0000" because the AV / C control device is used. Since • a command (CONTROL) to control a device from the outside is used for type c, the type c = "0000" is satisfied (see Figure 23). Since the subunit type is a tape recorder / playback device, the subunit type = "00100" is satisfied (see Figure 23). Id represents a case of IDO, and satisfies id = 000. The opccdigo becomes "C3h" which represents the ^ 10 reproduction. The operand is "75h" which means forward (FORWARD). When playback is performed, the target returns a response shown in Figure 24E1 to the controller. Here, since it fits "accepted" in the answer, the answer = "1001" is satisfies (see Figure 23). Since Figure 24B is the same as Figure 24A with the exception of the response, a description thereof will be omitted. The transmission of the data based on the AV / C command is carried out in the system of the example, and the process that recognizes the device connected to the busbar 1 will be described. In this example, as a state related to a node, a state is carried out in which the response of the data shown in Figure 25 through the command is adjust. More specifically, when you set a connection status [Connected] is set, any of the responses that represent that a node is set to • always be connected [Permanent], a response representing a state in which the node is connected 5 through any response such as in the record and can not be temporarily disconnected [hold], and a response representing a normal connection that is not Subject [Not fastened] is used. When you adjust a disconnected [Disconnected] station, a response that represents »10 that a node is not connected, but that it can be connected without preventing another connection by means of a request [Selectable], a response that represents that, even when a node is not connected, but can be connected by means of a request, when the connection is takes place, the connection prevents another connection (more specifically, another connection can be disconnected) [Alternative], and a response is used that represents a • nodule can not connect [Disability]. As an input / output state of the signal, it defines a response as shown in Figure 26. More specifically, in a state in which a signal can be output, any of [Conversionable] which represents that, when the designation is made to a socket for the output side (downstream of a signal flow) of a nodule, the format of the signal that can be converted is displayed and [Stable] represents that a normal signal can be made to flow. In this case, the • state of a node is the type of connection status [Connected], a signal can be actually flowed. 5 In addition, a signal can not be made to flow, [No data] representing that it is shown that the signal can not be made to flow. This command is designated in such a way that, when another device conducts an inquiry, the inquiry can be carried out in such a way that the necessary description is closed. More specifically, only a state related to a specific format is investigated by a current status command and a response can be requested. Only one state related to a plug Specific information is searched through a current status command, and a response can be requested. In addition, only one state related to an internal functional unit • specific (subunit) is investigated using a current status command, and a response may be required. For example, in order to know a state related to a device sending the MPEG format with respect to the devices having the configurations shown in Figures 13 to 15, [Source] which is an output and a format [MPEG] they are investigated, and can get an answer where an entry ID includes so - states 1 and 5. In order to know all the states for the functional unit (Subunit B), [All] that represent • all and [Subunit B] are investigated and a response can be obtained in which an input ID includes states 5 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11. Figure 27 is a diagram showing a configuration of a current status command that inquires about a connection, and Figure 28 is a diagram showing a configuration of a current status response • 10 for the command. As a current state response, the response of the configuration shown in Figure 28 is repeatedly placed in a plurality of times in a transmission packet until all the corresponding items are answered. 15 As shown in Figure 27, in this mode, when a command is transmitted, the specific data "OxFF" is set in a section of [operand] 0, and • the [generation number] is answered in the response as shown in Figure 28. This shows if it is carried make a change after an inquiry is conducted. Basically, even when one of all the input IDs change in the current state, a [generation number] is updated. When this [generation number] is set up, e.g., the value of 1 byte, the account is out of 0 to OxFF (= 255), and the account value is done 1 - return to O again. The account value can be adjusted er. three states [Source], [Destination], and • [Transformation]. As described above, a change of state is represented by an account value, 5 so that a determination can be easily made on the side on which an inquiry is carried out. The respective devices have frames related to the connection states in the devices, the tables are used as the descriptor forms of an AV / C control, and the descriptors can be read according to the AV / C command. Therefore, the states of the devices can be read for a short period of time by a small number of processes. In the data (data from the lowest stage in Figure 28) of the current state represented by the answer • shown in Figure 28, two current states, that is, a connection state of a plug and a state of a signal transmitted by the connection have been shown. More specifically, for example, in the first half section of the current state data, the current state data related to the nodes shown in Figure 25 above is placed and in the second half section of the data of the current state the data of a signal 52 - of input / output state that is shown above in Figure 26. In this way, two states, ie, a nodule and an output state of a signal, can be carried out. The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 29 to 37. Likewise in this embodiment, such as the configuration of a network system, for example, the same system as the system in Figure 3 described in FIG. the first modality described in the foregoing applies. The system is applied to a configuration in which a plurality of the devices are connected through an IEEE 1394 bus that serves as a digital communication control bus. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in Figures 13 to 15 in the first embodiment, a process carried out when the configuration of a device (unit) 10 and the data obtained inscribing the respective functions corresponding to the configuration is transmit to another device connected to the busbar is carried out by a different process of the process in the first mode. More specifically, in the first modality described above, the data that is registered to form a table is transmitted to a 53 - target device at the same time by means of a descriptor based on the AV / C command. However, in this mode, only the necessary data is transmitted to the destination device by a request from the destination device. Figure 29 is an example of a command (signal flow status control) transmitted from a target device connected by a bus bar to check a signal transmission status in this mode. In this example, the data from a command that serves as a command [SIGNAL FLOW STATUS] to check a connection state and a signal transmission status is transmitted in a section of [opcode], the "FF" which is the data (that is, the data obtained by continuing the data 1) of the maximum value is transmitted in a section of [operand] 0, and the data to specify the transmission (Source) is transmitted in sections of [operand] 1 and [ operating] 2, and the data to specify the reception (Destination) is transmitted in the sections of [operand] 3 and the [operand] 4. In another operand, for example, the maximum value data is placed. In this example, since the transmission status of the corresponding device is only inquired, as a data to specify the reception (Destination), for example, the maximum value is placed. As the data to specify a source using the segments [operand] 1 and [operand] 2, for example, as a command to inquire • only a target device connected by means of a busbar, the same arrangement is used as that of the source data in the command (connection control) that is regulated by the AV / C command beforehand. More specifically, in the connection control that is previously regulated, as shown in Figure 31, using 5 bits of the first half of the section of [operand] 1, it is ^^ 10 places the data to specify a type of source subunit. Using 3 bits of the second half of the section, the data is placed to specify a source ID subunit. Using 8 bits of the [operand] 2 section, the data is placed to specify a source plug. 15 In the connection control that is previously regulated and shown in Figure 31, using 5 bits of the first half of the section of [operand] 3, • place the data to specify a type of destination subunit. Using 3 bits of the second half of the section, the data is placed to specify a destination ID subunit. Using 8 bits of the [operand] 4 section, the data to specify a target plug is placed, so that it can also specify a receiving side. Also, in him. section of [operand] 0, the data is placed related to the details of a connection state (the 55 - data that represents whether or not a blocked connection is set). ^ P Returning to the description of the configuration of the signal flow status command in the example shown in Figure 29, the data settings in the sections to specify the sources of [operand] 1 and [operand] 2 of the signal flow status control are adjusted to be the same data configurations as those in the sections of [operand] 1 and [operand] 2 ^^ 10 of the connection knob shown in Figure 31. To a specific device, the data is transmitted to specify a subunit in the device and a source plug (output plug). The state of connection between the subunit and the output socket is investigated. 15 In the device receiving the signal flow status command, a signal flow status response that is a response to the command is transmitted to the bus bar. Figure 30 is a diagram showing a configuration of a flow state response of signal to carry out a response of the data inquired by the command in a device that receives the command of signal flow status. In the [opcode] section of the response, the [SIGNAL FLOW STATUS] data that represents the response is a related response with the controls of a connection state and a signal transmission status is transmitted. The data representing the connection status (connection status) is placed in the j P section [operand] 0, the data to specify the transmission (Source) is transmitted in the sections [operand] 1 and [operand] 2, the data to specify reception (Destination) is transmitted in the sections of [operand] 3 and [operand] 4, the data of a multiple source (multiple source) that serves as a data when there is a plurality of signal sources that is • 10 transmitted in the section of [operand] 5, and the data representing an exit status (exit status) is placed in the section of [operand] 6. In this case, as the data in the sections [operand] 1 to [operand] 4, the data added to the controls are returned directly. He data of the connection status in the section of [operand] 0 and the data of the output status in the section of [operand] 6 are data representing the connection status and the • status of signal transmission. In a device that transmits a command of signal flow state, when the signal flow state response shown in Figure 30 is received, a connection state and a signal transmission status of a corresponding portion can be determined on the basis of the connection status of the section of 5 - [operand] 0 and the output state data placed in the [operand] section 6. fl The data representing a connection state in the [operand] 0 section of the response of the 5 signal flow status shown in the Figure 30 has, eg, a data configuration shown in Figure 32. The two upper bits of the data consisting of 8 bits are undefined data. In this case, "00" is placed. In this 2 bit section, when any data is placed in the • 10 side of the reception, the data is an ignored data. The section is designated in such a way that any data is defined in the section without any obstruction in the future. In the next 2 bit section, the data not defined. In this case, "00" is placed. In the 2 bit section, the unused data (reserved data) that is effective only when the data "00" is set on the reception side, is adjusted accordingly. In the next 2 bit section, any data of the states related to the connection status [Connected] shown in Figure 25 and the disconnection status [Offline] shown in Figure 25 is placed. In an example in Figure 32, the [Not clamped] data representing a normal unattached connection is place. In addition, in the next 1-bit section, the data [held] that represents the attached state of the connection before this moment is placed. In the last section of 1 (fl bit, we placed the data [perm] that represents if the connection during that time is a permanent connection 5 The data that represents the exit status in the section of the [operand] 6 of the answer of the state of signal flow shown in Figure 30 has, eg, a configuration of the data shown in Figure 33. The two upper bits of the data constituted by 8 bits • 10 are the undefined data (ignored data) that are ignored on the receiving side. In this case, "00" is placed. In the next 1-bit section, "0" is set as the unused data (reserved data) that is effective only when the data is set 0. 15 In the next 1-bit section, a flag is set (flag i) related to a presentation device. This flag is a flag that represents that, when an output to carry out a presentation of the presentation device on the screen (OSD) is designates towards a subunit for a display board to present an operation state of e.g., a device that presents characters and numbers to superimpose any presentation on a video image output in an isochronous mode to superimpose any presentation in a video image output from a ¡- Analog output terminal, the presentation is carried out by an output video image from a corresponding output socket (output terminal). In the remaining four-bit section, the data 5 represents ur. Exit status (exit status) is placed. As the output state data, for example, as shown in Figure 34, the state and a value are placed. More specifically, a normal (normal) exit state, a (convertible) state where • 10 converts the data format into an output data, an output status (mute) of a signal setting in a silent state, an output (no data) in a state in which there is no video image, a state (virtual output) in which a transfer plug is prepared isochronous, and other (reserved) states are prepared. I save the details of an exit status are notified on a device on the destination side with the • Configuration mentioned above, the device that receives the data can determine the status of the data received. In particular, a flag is placed to perform a presentation on the screen, an output plug that performs a display on the screen is determined, and the video data of a specific output plug incorporated in, eg, the device is received and presented, so that it can be determined whether the display on the operating status of the corresponding device can be carried out or not. f Certain device can not easily perform an on-screen display of the output of the digital video data in an isochronous mode. The presentation on the screen can be carried out from only one output signal of a specific output unit (output socket) such as an analog output terminal. In this case, a determination can be made to carry • 10 make an appropriate presentation on a device on the receiving side. A multiple source that is the data when there are a plurality of signal sources in the [operand] 5 section of the signal flow status response shown in Figure 30 has, e.g., a data configuration shown in Figure 35. More specifically, the four upper bits of the data constituted by • bits are set to be the data (signal source number) of the source number of the plurality of sources of signal (sources), and the lower 4 bits are adjusted to make the data (total signal source) of the total number of signal sources. The data related to the plurality of signal sources is used when a corresponding device has the configuration shown in Figure 36. More specifically, in a sub-unit 910 incorporated in a device (unit) 900, the data is used when the process • of the synthesizing input data of two input sockets 911 and 912 to output the input data from 5 an output socket 913. In this case, as the synthesis process in sub-unit 910, for example, a process of Synthesis carried out by a process of video editing or similar in which in two video data are synthesized in a video data, a process can be used • Synthesis 10 in which, it is added to the video data from an input, and the audio data from the other input or similar. When the synthesizing process shown in Figure 36 is carried out, for example, the The transmission of the data shown in Figure 37 is carried out using the [operand] 5 section of the signal flow state response. More specifically, when transmitting a command from a device the state of which the device wishes to know first, as shown in Figure 37A, the "FF" value of maximum value is placed in this section. In the first response to the command, as shown in Figure 37B, the data of the source number of the first half is placed, the code number of the input plug 911 (iPCRl) which serves as an input socket of the plurality of plugs, and the input number 2 is placed as the data of the total number of signal sources of the second half. (fl As shown in Figure 37C, when the second knob is transmitted, the device on the reception want to know another input socket. Due to this reason, as the data in the corresponding section (section of [operand] 5), place 2 as the data of the source number, and place an entry number 2 as the data of the total number of signal sources. As • 10 response to this command, as shown in Figure 37D, as the data of the source number, the code number of the plug in: rada 212 (ÍPCR2) that serves as another input socket is placed, and the number Input 2 is placed as the data of the total number of signal sources. 15 When the transmission of the data related to the multiple source is carried out as described above, and when in a device that outputs the data, • the data of another device is synthesized and sent, the details related to the synthesis can be recognized by the device on the receiving side. The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 38 to Figure 41. Also in this embodiment, such as the configuration of a network system, for example, the same system as the - - system in him Figure 3 described in the first embodiment described above applies. The system is applied to ^ P a configuration in which a plurality of devices are connected through an IEEE 1394 bus that serves as a digital communication control bus. In this modality, for example, as shown in Figures 13 to 15 in the first modality, a process carried out when the configuration of a device (unit) 10 and the data obtained by inscribing the functions ^ P 10 respective that correspond to the configuration are transmitted to another device connected to the busbar is carried out by a process different from the processes in the first mode and the second mode. More specifically, in the second embodiment described above, a flag is prepared to notify the details of an output state of a video image to a device on one side ^^ of destiny. However, in the third embodiment, a specific field is prepared which represents a state of processing of an output video image in the data related to the video image to notify the details of the processing state of the video image at destination with the data in this field. Figure 38 is an example of a command (current state control of the signal source) transmitted from a target device (in this case, a target device that receives a video signal) connected through ^ P the busbar to check an output state of the signal in this mode. In this example, the data of a Current status command of the [SIGNAL SOURCE] which serves as a command to inquire a source device about a signal state is transmitted in a section of [opcode], "FE" which is an invalid data (ie , the data is ignored on the receiving side) is transmitted in W? 10 the sections of [operand] 0, [operand] 1, and [operand] 2, the data of a subunit type (signal destination subunit type) of the destination device and the data of a subunit ID (signal destination subunit ID) of the destination device is transmitted as the data for specify the reception (Destination) in a section of [operand] 3, and the data [signal destination plug] to specify an input socket of the device • destination is transmitted in a section of [operand] 4. When a device except for the device of destination checks a state of signal output, as the data related to the target device, for example, you can place the maximum value data. Figure 39 shows an example of a response (current state response of signal source) to the command of current status. In this example, the data of a current status command (response) of the [SIGNAL SOURCE] which is a response obtained when a device is interrogated • source about a signal state transmitted in the [opcode] section, a field (3-bit section of the 5 head) of the data (current output state) related to the output state of a signal, a field ( 1 bit section) of the data (conv) related to the presence / absence of a signal conversion process, and a field (4 bit section of the second half) of the data (current state of the • 10 signal) related to a signal processing state are prepared in the section of [operand] 0. The data related to the states in the source device present in the respective fields are transmitted. In the sections [operand] 1 and [operand] 2, the data (source signal) related to a signal source of an output signal (in this case, the video data) is transmitted. In the sections of [operand] 3 and [operand] 4, the data • related to a target device placed on the command shown in Figure 38 is returned directly. Figure 40 shows an example of the similarity between the meanings of the 3-bit data of a current output state in a section of [operand] 0 of a current state response of a signal source and the data which represents the exit status. This example will be described below. The "000" data represents an effective packet exit representing the data of • cash package is given out. The data "001" represents the effective representation that the actual 5 package data is not output. The data "010" represents a state of lack of resources representing a state when an output can not be carried out to a designated destination device due to a state that a connection is extended to another destination device. He • 10 data "0011" represents the list representation of a state in which it is ready to transmit the package data. The data "0100" represents a state (here this state is called a virtual output state) that the data of another source device is sent through the device of source. The data "101" to "111" are not defined here. Figure 41 shows an example of the similarity between the meanings of the 4-bit data of a state • current signal in a section of 0 [operand] of a current state response of the signal source. Here, As the four bits, the flags that have the respective meanings are established. On the upper bit side, the four flags, that is, a flag of what represents a state of processing of the video data, a flag representing the filtering of a state of which the arbitrary data is selected from the multiplexed video data, a flag of the converted data representing a signal system of the data such as the • video data is converted, and an OSD overshoot flag representing a state of a presentation on the screen to display the multiplexed video images that have been established. In the example described here, the processed flag represents the data of a source that is sent directly as the data without processing when the flag bit is • 10"0", and represents that the data is processed when the bit is "1". The filtered flag represents that the arbitrary data is selected from the multiplexed video data (e.g., the data that serves as a video image obtained placing a plurality of video images) from a source when the flag bit is "1", and represents that the selection is not carried out when the bit is "0". • The converted flag represents that a signal system of the data is converted and that the output of a source when the flag bit is "1", and represents that the conversion is not carried out when the bit is "0". The OSD overshoot flag represents that any information such as characters or graphics called in the screen display (OSD) is process to get over on a video image when the - - flag bit is "1" and represents that the process is not carried out when the bit is "0". F? The data representing a state that the data obtained by mixing a plurality of data (e.g., a synthesized video image by inserting another object into a video image by a special process) may be added. The data that represents that a special process can be added that is carried out except for the process described above. • 10 In this way, using a specific field in a current state response of the signal source, an output status of the output data and the details of the processing state of the output data are represented. In this state, on one side receiving a response from a device of destination or similar, the details of the output of the data (video data in this case) from a source device must be known and the termination • where the data is received by the target device is processed and can be easily carried out.

In addition, the data field (conv) related to the presence / absence of a signal conversion process is set independently of the field of a signal processing state, and the destination device can also determine whether the format conversion of the data of video or similar that is sent from the source device is carried out or not. The data shown in Figures 40 and 41 illustrates an example, and another can be used • data configuration. In this mode, when the video image is transmitted from the source device to the destination device, the pieces of information related to an output state of the video data in the source device and the processing state of the output video data are transmitted to the destination device. Without However, when the data of the current except the video data is transmitted from the source device to the destination device, the pieces of information of the output state and the processing state of the current data can be transmitted by the same. process which has been described above. For example, when the audio data is sent from the source device, the pieces of information of the state output state • Processing can be transmitted in the same field. In the first, second and third modalities 20 described above, a case in which the data transmission is carried out in the AV / C command format in a network constituted with an IEEE 1394 busbar has been exemplified. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case in which the data is processed by a network having another configuration or another format. In each of the above-described embodiments, the pieces of information of a connection state between a subunit and an output unit (output socket) in the device and an output state are obtained by inquiry of another device. However, the pieces of information of a connection state between an input unit (input socket) and a ^ * 10 subunit of a device and an input state can be obtained in such a way that the inquiry is carried out by the same in the foregoing. #

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of transmitting data from the device to transmit the data related to a 5 device connected with a predetermined bus line through the bus bar line, wherein the pieces of connection information which are connectable in the device are retained at the same time as a predetermined frame, all or part of the pieces of connection information in the retained frame are transmitted to another device as a knob of a predetermined format through the bus line.

2. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 1, wherein the pieces of connection information held in the block include the information related to a connection between an input unit and an output unit and an internal function processing unit retained by the device and information related to a format and the input or output by the device.

3. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 2, in • where the information retained in the table and related to the connection between the input unit or the sauda unit and the function processing unit includes the information related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted by a plurality of connections at the same time.

4. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 2, wherein the connection information pieces retained in the table further includes the information related to a function giving the conversion of a format to input and output towards another format.

5. The data transmission method of the • device according to claim 2, wherein an input unit or an output unit indicated by the information retained in the table includes units except an input unit or an output unit connected to the bus line.

6. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 2, in • where the information related to a connection state present in the device is transmitted to another device by transmission of the command of a predetermined format.

7. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 6, in • 10 where, when a present connection state is changed, if it is influenced to another connection, the information related to the change in the present connection state is transmitted further. 15

8. A data transmission method of the device to transmit the data related to a first device connected to a bar line • predetermined collector towards a second device through the bus bar line, wherein the data to designate an input of an output unit or an internal function processing unit retained by the first device is transmitted from a second device by means of a command of a predetermined format, so that the data related to a current state of the connection between the two units of the unit ^ P corresponding input, the output unit, and the internal function processing unit of the first 5 device is transmitted to the second device.

9. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 8, wherein the data to designate the input unit • 10 retained by the first device is transmitted to the second device.

10. A device data transmission method for transmitting the data related to a first device connected to a bar line 15 predetermined collector to a second device through the busbar line, where the data to designate an output unit or a • internal function processing unit held by the first device is transmitted from the second 20 device by a command of a predetermined format, so that the data to specify a signal source of the data transmitted by the corresponding connection is transmitted to the second device.

11. The method of data transmission of the device according to claim 10, in • where when there is a plurality of sources of 5 signals, the data related to the plurality of signal sources is transmitted.

12. The method of data transmission of the device according to claim 10, wherein the data representing a plurality of signal sources is transmitted.

The method of transmitting the data of the device according to claim 8, wherein the data to designate the input unit or the output unit and the function processing unit has a data structure equal to that of the data used • when an establishment is carried out related to a connection between the input unit or the unit of 20 output and the function processing unit.

14. A data transmission method of the device for transmitting the data related to a predetermined device connected to a predetermined bus line with another device through 25 the line of the busbar, wherein the data related to an output state of a video image from a specific output unit fl of the predetermined device is output from the predetermined device.

15. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 14, wherein to the data related to the video image output state, a flag is added that represents that a specific video image is superimposed. in the video image.

16. A device data transmission method according to claim 15, wherein the specific video image represented by the flag is a video image of a display apparatus on the screen. ^

17. The method of data transmission of the device according to claim 14, wherein a state of processing of the video image is represented by the specific field of the data related to an output state of the video image. - -

18. The method of data transmission of the device according to claim 17, in • where a processing state of the video image 5 is represented by the use of a flag.

19. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 17, wherein a processing state represented by the data in the specific field is the data representing a state in which the predetermined data is extracted from the video data. multiplexed

20. The method of data transmission of the device c.e compliance with claim 17, in 15 where a processing state represented by the data in the specific field is the data representing a • state of a presentation device on the screen to represent the data where an image of 20 video

21. The data transmission of the device according to claim 17, wherein a processing state represented by the data in the specific field is the data representing a state in which a signal format of the video data is converted.

22. The method of transmitting the data of the device according to claim 17, wherein a processing state represented by the data in a specific field is data representing a state in which a special process is carried out towards the image. Of video.

23. The data transmission method of the device according to claim 22, wherein the state which is a special process represented by the data in a specific field is carried out in a state where the video images are mixed.

24. The method of transmitting the data of the device according to claim 17, wherein a processing state represented by the data in the specific field is the data representing a state in which it establishes the same video image as that of the source of signals.

25. A transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line, comprising: -a storage means for retaining the connection information pieces which are connectable in the device at the same time as a predetermined frame, and a transmission control means for transmitting part or all the pieces of connection information stored by the device. the storage medium in the busbar line on the basis of a control of a predetermined format received through the bus bar line

26. The transmission device according to claim 25, wherein the pieces of information connection elements retained in the storage medium includes information related to a connection between an input unit or an output unit and an internal function processing unit retained by the device and the information related to a format and the input o ^ ^ output through the device

27. The transmission device in accordance with claim 26, wherein the information relating to a connection between an input unit or an output unit and a function processing unit held by the storage medium that includes information related to a fact that the same data can be transmitted at the same time by a plurality of connections.

28. The transmission device according to claim 26, wherein the pieces of connection information held in the storage medium further include information related to a function of converting the format to input and output to another format.

29. The transmission device according to claim 26, wherein an input unit or an output unit represented by the information held in the storage means includes a unit except for an input unit or an output unit connected to the bus bar line.

30. The transmission device according to claim 26, wherein the transmission control means transmits the information related to a connection state present in the device to another device by transmitting a command of a predetermined format.

The transmission device according to claim 30, wherein when a present connection state is changed, if another connection is influenced, the information transmitted by the transmission control means includes the information related to the change in the state of connection present.

32. A transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line comprising: a transmission control means for, when a data to designate an input of an input unit retained by a device or an internal function processing unit is received through the bus bar line, transmitted to the data related to a current state of the connection between two units of the corresponding input unit, the output unit, the function processing unit internal

33. The transmission device according to claim 32, wherein the transmission control means transmits the data to assign an input unit retained by the device to the line of the busbar.

34. A transmission device can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line, which comprises a transmission control means for, when the data to specify a signal source of an input of an output unit or of an internal function processing unit retained by the device is received through the bus bar line, transmitting the data to specify the signal source to the bus bar line.

35. The transmission device according to claim 34, wherein when there is a plurality of signal sources, the transmission control means transmits the data related to the plurality of signal sources.

36. The transmission device according to claim 34, wherein when there is a plurality of signal sources, the transmission control means transmits the data representing that the number of signal sources is multiple.

37. A transmission device that can be connected to another device through a predetermined bus bar line, comprising: a transmission control means for transmitting the data related to an output state of the video data from a transmission unit. output retained by the device to the busbar line.

38. The transmission device according to claim 37, wherein - - the transmission control means adds a flag representing that a specific video data is superimposed on a video data.

39. The transmission device according to claim 38, wherein the specific video data represented by a flag added by the transmission control means is the video data of a display device on the screen.

40. The transmission device according to claim 37, wherein the transmission control means places the data representing a processing state of a video image in a specific field of the data related to an output state of an image. Of video.

41. The transmission device according to claim 40, wherein the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means is the data representing a state in which the predetermined data is extracted from the multiplexed video data.

42. The transmission device according to claim 40, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is the data representing the state of a presentation apparatus on the screen to present a video image. superimposed. •

43. The transmission device according to claim 40, wherein the data in the specific field placed by the transmission control means is the data representing a state in which a video data signal format is converted. .

44. The conformance transmission device • 10 with claim 40, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is the data representing a state in which a special process is carried out. the video image.

45. The transmission device according to claim 44, wherein the state in which the special process represented by the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is carried out in a state in which it is transmitted. they mix the video images.

46. The transmission device according to claim 40, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means is the data that 25 represents that a state of the output video image is just equal to that of the video image of the signal source. v

47. A transmission system in which a first device and a second device are connected to one another through a predetermined bus bar line, comprising: as the first device, a storage means for retaining the parts of connection information that are connectable in the • the first device at a time as a predetermined frame, and a transmission control means for transmitting part or all of the pieces of connection information stored in the storage medium as a 15 control of a predetermined format that is received through the bus bar line; and as the second device, a means of • determination of connection to determine the pieces of connection information in the first device on the base of the data transmitted to the bus line.

48. The transmission system according to claim 47, wherein the connection information pieces retained in the storage means of the first device. 25 includes information related to a connection between an input unit or an output unit and an internal function processing unit retained by the first device and the information related to a format and the input or output by the first device, so that the second device can determine these pieces of information.

49. The transmission system according to claim 48, wherein the information retained in the storage means of the first device related to the connection between the input unit or the output unit and the function processing unit includes the information related to a fact in which the same data can be transmitted by a plurality of connections at the same time, so that the second device can determine these pieces of information.

50. The transmission system according to claim 48, wherein the pieces of connection information retained in the storage means of the first device further includes information related to a function of converting a format for the input and output to another format. , so that the second device can determine these pieces of information. ^ P

51. The transmission system according to claim 48, wherein an input unit or an output unit represented by the pieces of information held in the storage means of the first device includes a unit except for a unit of input or an output unit connected to the busbar line, ^ ß 10 so that the second device determines these pieces of information.

52. The transmission system according to claim 48, wherein the transmission control means of the first The device transmits the information related to a connection state present in the first device to the second device, transmitting a command of a • default format.

53. The transmission system according to claim 52, wherein when the present connection state is changed, if it is influenced to another connection, the transmitted information p > or the transmission control means of the first device includes the information related to 25 the change in the present connection state, so that the second device can determine the change in the present connection state. •

54. A transmission system in which a first device and a second device connect one 5 with the other through a predetermined bus bar line, coming: as the first device, a transmission control means for, when the data to designate an input of an output unit 10 retained by the first device or a Internal function processing unit is received through the bus bar line, transmit the data related to the current connection states between two units of the corresponding input unit, the output unit and 15 an internal function processing unit towards the line of the busbar; and as the second device, the means of • determination of connection to determine the pieces of connection information in the first device on the base of the data transmitted to the bus line.

55. The transmission system according to claim 54, wherein the transmission control means of the first device transmits the data to designate an input unit retained by the device towards the bus bar line, and the means for determining the The connection of the second device determines that the data is transmitted to the bus bar line.

56. A transmission system in which a first device and a second device are connected to each other through a predetermined bus bar line, coming: as the first device. a transmission control means for, when the data to specify a signal source of an input of an output unit retained by the first device or an internal function processing unit is received through the bus line, transmit the data to specify the source of signals to the bus line; and as the second device, a connection determination connection means for specifying a signal source on the basis of the data transmitted from the first device.

57. The transmission system according to claim 56, wherein when there is a plurality of signal sources, the transmission control means of the first device transmits the data related to the plurality of signal sources, and the means of determination connection of the second device determines the plurality of signal sources.

58. The transmission system according to claim 56, wherein when there is a plurality of signal sources, the transmission control means of the first device transmits the data representing that the number of signal sources is multiple, and the The means for determining the connection of the second device determines that the number of signal sources is multiple.

59. A transmission system in which a first device and a second device are connected to each other through a predetermined bus bar line, coming: as the first device, a transmission control means for transmitting the data related to an output state of the video data from an output unit held by the first device to the bus line; and as the second device, the state determining means for determining the output state on the basis of the data transmitted from the first device. ()

60. The transmission system according to claim 59 wherein, The transmission control means of the first device adds a flag representing that a specific video data is superimposed on a video data, and the state determination means of the second device determines on the basis of the flag which is superimposed on the specific video data in the video data.

61. The transmission system according to claim 60, wherein the specific video data represented by the flag added by means of transmission control of the first device is the video data of a display device on the screen, and the state determination means of the second device determines that the specific video data is the video data of the display device on the screen based on the flag.

62. The transmission system according to claim 59, wherein the transmission control means of the first device places the data representing a processing state of a video image in a specific data field related to a state of output of a video image, and the state determination means of the second device determines the processing state of the video image.

63. The transmission system according to claim 62, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state that predetermines the data that is extracted from a data of multiplexed video, and the state determination means of the second device determines a state in which the predetermined data is extracted from the multiplexed video data.

64. The transmission system according to claim 62, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission control means of the first device is the data representing a state in a presentation device on the screen to present a superimposed video image, and the state determining means of the second device determines the state of the display device on the screen.

65. The transmission system according to claim 62, wherein the data in the specific field placed by the transmission col means of the first device is the data representing a state in which a signal format of the video data is converted, and the state determination means of the second device determines a state in which the signal format of the video data is converted.

66. The transmission system according to claim 62, wherein the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission col means of the first device is the data representing a state in which a special process is carried out towards a video image, and the state determination means of the second device determines the state in which a special process is carried out towards the video image, and

67. The transmission system according to claim 66, wherein the state in which a special process represented by the data in the specific field placed by means of the transmission col means of the first device is carried out towards a state in which the video images are mixed, and the state determination means of the second device determines the state in which the video images are mixed.

68. The transmission system according to claim 62, wherein the data in the specific field placed by the transmission col means of the first device is the data representing that a state of the output video image is just equal to that of a video image of a signal source, and the state determination means of the second device determines that the output video image is just equal to the video image of the signal source.