WO2000062460A2 - Procede et appareil de gestion des connexions entre des dispositifs - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de gestion des connexions entre des dispositifs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000062460A2
WO2000062460A2 PCT/US2000/009160 US0009160W WO0062460A2 WO 2000062460 A2 WO2000062460 A2 WO 2000062460A2 US 0009160 W US0009160 W US 0009160W WO 0062460 A2 WO0062460 A2 WO 0062460A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
devices
signal
capability information
transmitting
converting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/009160
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000062460A3 (fr
WO2000062460A8 (fr
Inventor
Hiroshi Takano
Satoshi Kobayashi
Kazuhiro Suzuki
Makoto Sato
Yuji Kimura
Original Assignee
Sony Electronics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sony Electronics, Inc. filed Critical Sony Electronics, Inc.
Priority to AU40763/00A priority Critical patent/AU4076300A/en
Publication of WO2000062460A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000062460A2/fr
Publication of WO2000062460A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000062460A3/fr
Publication of WO2000062460A8 publication Critical patent/WO2000062460A8/fr

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2801Broadband local area networks

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to the field of signal transmission.
  • digital audio/video devices are connected with each other to form a network of the devices.
  • Digitized audio/video signals are mostly coded or compressed into particular formats, and then transmitted through the digital interface.
  • Such a digital interface allows the digital signals, no matter what format they are in, to be transmitted within the network, and does not regulate or control the connections of devices through which the digital signals are being transmitted.
  • the receiving device In order to accomplish signal transmission between two devices in a network, one of which transmits a digital signal and the other of which receives the digital signal, the receiving device must be capable of decoding the signal transmitted in a particular format. In other words, both the transmitting and receiving devices have to have a common feature with regard to their coding/decoding capabilities.
  • SD Definition (SD) modes of MPEG2, in terms of the transmission speed and bandwidth of the signal.
  • each device in a network were to have a common feature with regard to their coding/decoding capabilities, digital signals would be transmitted between the devices through the IEEE1394 digital interface.
  • each device has limited coding/decoding capabilities.
  • the coding/decoding capabilities of the transmitting and receiving devices may not necessarily correspond to each other.
  • a method including integrating information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities of each device in a network with regard to signal formats, so that a pertinent transmission path can be determined. More specifically, the method includes collecting information regarding what formats each of the devices in the network is capable of receiving, transmitting and converting, and producing possible transmission paths between a receiving device and the other devices based on the capability information collected. Such possible transmission paths can be specified in terms of the order of devices involved in the transmission paths and a signal format between these devices involved. Once a transmitting device and a format of a transmitted signal have been identified, one of the possible transmission paths that matches the transmitting device and the transmitted signal format is selected as a pertinent transmission path. Capability information may be disposed in each of the devices in the network, and the devices may communicate with each other to collect the capability information through a digital interface, such as an IEEE1394 interface.
  • the method may display the selected transmission path on a monitor, so as to assist a user to manually establish a pertinent transmission path within the network.
  • an apparatus includes a memory for storing information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities to signal formats. Also included is a memory for storing capability information of other devices. An analog input terminal and a digital input/output terminal coupled to the memory is included. A decoder coupled to the digital input/output interface is included.
  • a controller which refers to contents in the memory for storing information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities to signal formats and the memory for storing capability information of other devices to produce possible transmission paths based on the capability information stored is included. Also, selection of either the output of the decoder or the analog terminal is provided. A monitor for displaying a selected path to a user may also be included.
  • the controller includes a command generator for issuing commands to devices involved in the possible selected transmission paths. Also, a selector for selecting either the output of the decoder or the analog terminal automatically is included. The controller selects one of the possible transmission paths according to a transmitting device and a transmitted signal format.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network of devices coupled with each other via an IEEE1394 digital interface.
  • Figure 2 indicates exemplar capability of each device.
  • Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in a block diagram.
  • Figure 4A illustrates a controller shown in figure 3.
  • Figure 4B illustrates another embodiment of a controller in a block diagram.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a DSS-IRD in a block diagram.
  • Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a DVHS in a block diagram.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a DV-MPEG2 Converter in a block diagram.
  • Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary path table.
  • Figure 9 illustrates operations of the DVHS, DTV, IRD, and the signal flows between them, in steps.
  • Figure 10 illustrates another exemplary arrangement of a DVHS.
  • FIG. 1 An audio/video system shown in Figure 1 , including a digital TV (DTV) 11 , a digital satellite system integrated receiver decoder (DSS-IRD) 13, a digital VHS player (DVHS) 15, a digital video camera (DVCR) 17, and a converter 19 that converts signal formats between the digital video (DV) and MPEG2.
  • DTV digital TV
  • DSS-IRD digital satellite system integrated receiver decoder
  • DVHS digital VHS player
  • DVCR digital video camera
  • converter 19 that converts signal formats between the digital video (DV) and MPEG2.
  • Each of the devices has been assigned a node number, which is denoted as "node #n," where n ranges from 0-4 as an example in Figure 1.
  • Each node is an addressable entity with its own IEEE1394 interface.
  • Each node has an associated 16-bit node ID that differentiates each node from all other nodes.
  • the IEEE1394 digital interface is based upon the IEEE1394 Standard for a high-performance serial bus, and provides a peer-to-peer interface between various digital peripherals with up to 63 isochronous digital communication channels.
  • Each of the devices in the network is allowed to communicate with the other devices via the IEEE1394 digital interface 14. Accordingly, the devices are theoretically star-connected with each other as shown in Figure 1.
  • Digital video/audio signals in various digital formats can be transmitted through this digital interface.
  • an analog interface 16 is also provided between the DTV 11 (node #0) and DSS-IRD 13 (node #1), so that an analog signal can be transmitted from the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) to the DTV 11 (node #0).
  • a device's capability may include, but is not limited to, (1) receiving and decoding (Reception), (2) coding and transmitting (Transmission), and (3) converting (Conversion).
  • Each of the devices in the network may have different capability, depending upon its nature and scope of use.
  • Figure 2 shows such capabilities of the devices in a table. In this table, each of the devices is represented by the "node #,” and signal formats that the device can handle are listed in terms of its reception, transmission and conversion capabilities.
  • ATSC Advanced Television Systems Committee
  • DSS Digital Satellite System
  • Both of the ATSC and the DSS have two different modes, i.e., “HD” (High definition) and “SD” (Standard Definition).
  • HD High definition
  • SD Standard Definition
  • DV-SD is a format for a digital video camera with the standard definition.
  • Analog means an analog signal format.
  • the DTV 11 corresponding to "node #0" can receive a signal in ATSC-HD, ATSC-SD, DSS-HD and analog formats, but it has no capability of transmitting and converting a signal.
  • the DSS-IRD 13, which is "node #1 ,” is capable of receiving a signal in DSS-HD and DSS-SD formats, and transmitting the DSS-HD/SD signals as well as an analog signal, while being able to convert DSS-HD/SD signals into analog.
  • the table indicates that the DV-MPEG2 Converter 19 is capable of converting a DV-SD signal into an ATSC-SD, while receiving a signal in the DV-SD format and transmitting it in the ATSC-SD format.
  • Each device in the network has specific capability information.
  • the memory is provided in configuration ROM (Read Only Memory).
  • configuration ROM Read Only Memory
  • configuration ROM typically does not have much room to store information, e.g. 1024 bytes, keywords or brief information may be stored. Therefore, to store detailed information, additional memory units can be used.
  • the configuration ROM may contain a list of formats associated with the "Reception,” “Transmission,” and “Conversion” of particular signals. Such capability information may be stored using a descriptor based upon the
  • IEEE1394 Standard p1212r 64-bit fixed addressing A descriptor is a leaf (a contiguous information field pointed to by a configuration ROM directory entry) that provides additional information to describe an object associated with a directory entry in configuration ROM.
  • DTV since each device has a capability list, DTV can select compatible devices according to the information in their capability list, which can be transmitted on the IEEE1394 interface 14 in configuration ROM. Once the device is selected, the DTV establishes an isochronous connection. Depending upon the selected device's status, the selected device may output a signal onto the IEEE1394 bus where the DTV picks up the signal.
  • the output signal from the selected device has a field to indicate the signal format type.
  • the format type which may be changed dynamically, depends on the contents or situation of the device. For example, a Digital VHS can play MPEG2, DSS and analog.
  • the DTV keeps monitoring the signal format field to determine whether to process the signal or not. This is a second stage of determination. For instance, if the signal is MPEG2, the controller 307 enables decoder 303 and selects switch "a" to feed the signal to a monitor 305. If the signal is analog, the controller 307 selects switch "b.” If the signal is such that it is not compatible for this particular DTV, DV for example, then controller 307 may disable decoder 303.
  • the DTV 11 (node #0) has an IEEE1394 digital input/output terminal 300 as well as an analog input terminal 302, includes a decoder 303 connected to an IEEE1394 interface 308, a switch 304, a monitor
  • An analog signal is supplied to the monitor 305 from the decoder 303 when a digital signal is being received, or from the analog input terminal 302 via switch 304.
  • the DTV 11 also includes a memory device 306 and a controller 307.
  • the memory device may be a ROM, but one skilled in the art should know that other memory devices might also be used.
  • the detailed capability information regarding the DTV 11 may be stored in the memory device 306.
  • the memory device 306 is connected to the digital input/output terminal 300 so that the contents can be read via the IEEE1394 digital interface 14.
  • Each of the devices in the network may be provided with such a memory device containing its detailed capability information.
  • the controller 307 is used to determine a pertinent transmission path using the capability information of each device in the network. As illustrated in Figure 4A, the controller 307 includes a CPU 402, a RAM (random access memory) 400, a selector 450, and a data bus 406. It should be noted, however, that one skilled in the art would recognize that other memory storage devices might be used instead of a RAM device.
  • the devices have memory devices 516, 626 and 746, which contain detailed capability information for each device. Connected to the digital input/output terminals, the memory devices can be accessed via the IEEE1394 digital interface 14.
  • the DTV (node #0) is a receiving device in the network.
  • the controller 307 refers to the memory of the devices in the network.
  • the capability information in each of the device's memory is collected via the IEEE1394 digital interface 14, and stored in the RAM 400 of the controller 307.
  • the controller 307 then produces possible transmission paths between the DTV 11 (node #0) and the other devices.
  • Figure 8 indicates the possible transmission paths based upon the capability information shown in Figure 2.
  • the columns “Source” and “Format” indicate potential transmitting devices (represented by the node #) that could transmit a signal to the DTV (node #0), and formats of the transmitted signals.
  • the column “Routes” shows the devices involved in the possible transmission paths and formats of the signals between these devices.
  • the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1 ) is a transmitting device
  • the DSS-HD format is the format of the transmitted signal.
  • a pertinent transmission path will be "#1 - ⁇ digital>- #0,” which means the signal can be directly transmitted between two devices in the digital format.
  • the transmitting device is the DVHS 15 (node #2), a pertinent transmission path will be "#2 - ⁇ Digital>- #1 - ⁇ Analog>- #0.” Namely, the DSS- SD signal is transmitted from the DVHS 15 (node #2) to the DSS-IRD 13 (node
  • the system Having determined a pertinent transmission path, the system displays the pertinent transmission path with connection instructions on the monitor 305 of the DTV 11 (node #0) so that the user of the system can manually make corrections for the correct path of the signal to be transmitted.
  • Figure 9 illustrates an operation of the transmission system in the case of the Example 1-2 described above.
  • the column “Situation” shows a format of the signal transmitted from the DVHS 15 (node #2).
  • the column “Action by User” indicates the action that a user of the system is taking.
  • the column “Signal flow” indicates a signal flow from the DVHS 15 (node #2) to the DTV 11 (node #0) and the channel through which the signal is being transmitted.
  • the IEEE1394 interface cable 14 Based on the IEEE1394 Standard, the IEEE1394 interface cable 14 provides up to 63 isochronous digital communication channels, which are denoted by "CH63,” “CH X” and "CH Y" in
  • the analog Video/Audio cable 16 provides a communication channel for an analog signal.
  • the channel is assigned dynamically.
  • the columns "IRD,” “DTV” and “DVHS” indicate the operations or workings of the IRD 13 (node #1 ), DTV 11 (node #0) and DVHS 15 (node #2), respectively.
  • the user of the system has selected the DVHS 15 (node #2) as a source of a signal which is to be received at the DTV 11 (node #0).
  • an isochronous channel e.g. CH X
  • IEEE1394 Standard has been established (point-to point connection), and a signal is ready to be transmitted.
  • the user plays the DVHS 15 (node #2), and a digital signal in the DSS-SD format is transmitted from the DVHS 15 to the DTV 11 (node #0) through the isochronous channel, "CH X," which was established in the previous step. Meanwhile, the DTV 11 (node #0) receives the digital signal and recognizes that it is receiving a DSS-SD digital signal.
  • a pertinent transmission path is "#2 - ⁇ Digital>- #1 - ⁇ Analog>- #0.”
  • the DVHS 15 (node #2) and the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) should be connected via the digital interface, and the
  • DSS-IRD 13 (node #1 ) and the DTV 11 (node #0) should be connected via the analog interface.
  • the pertinent transmission path that involved the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) is displayed on the monitor 305 of the DTV 11.
  • the user of the system switches the connection between the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) and the DTV 11 (node #0) from the digital interface to the analog interface. Accordingly, a pertinent transmission path is established.
  • the above embodiment of the present invention determines and displays a pertinent transmission path. Displaying such information can allow the user to establish the transmission path within the system that involves devices with different coding/decoding capabilities.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention issues commands on the IEE1394 interface 14 so that a pertinent transmission path can be established automatically. Assume that the devices are involved in a network and their coding/decoding capabilities remain the same as the above embodiment.
  • the DTV 11 (node #0) is considered to be a central control device, which manages information regarding pertinent transmission paths and issues the commands to other devices. Some of the other devices could, nevertheless, be such a central control device.
  • each of the devices in the network has memory provided in configuration ROM (Read Only Memory).
  • configuration ROM Read Only Memory
  • the DTV 11 has a modified controller as illustrated in figure 3B.
  • the controller 307 now includes a command generator 452. Once the signal is received, a command is issued on the IEEE1394 interface 14 when a format of the transmitted signal changes. As a result of the issued command, switching to a second input terminal of the receiver from the first input terminal to receive the transmitted signal is now handled automatically by a switch controller.
  • the method includes selecting an input terminal of the receiver, either a digital input terminal or an analog input terminal, when the command is issued.
  • a command may be issued when the transmitted signal format changes from a digital format to an analog format.
  • the receiver will then select its analog input terminal to receive the incoming signal when the command is received.
  • a command may be issued when the transmitted signal format has changed from an analog format to a digital format, so that the receiver will select the digital input terminal according to the second command.
  • the other devices also include selectors that select their input/output terminals according to the commands so as to establish a pertinent transmission path.
  • Figure 10 illustrates an example of a DVHS 15 including a selector 1028.
  • the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) has been designated as a transmitting device that transmits a DSS-HD signal.
  • a pertinent transmission path is "#1 - ⁇ digital>- #0", according to Figure 8. This is indicated as "Path A" in Figure 1.
  • the DTV 11 (node #0) issues a command via the command generator 452 on the IEEE1394 interface 14 to the DSS-IRD (node #1).
  • the DSS-IRD 13 now has a selector to switch the output from the analog terminal 512 to the IEEE1394 terminal 510. Therefore, these two devices are connected via the IEEE1394 interface 14, automatically.
  • DVHS 15 (node #2) as a transmitting device.
  • a pertinent transmission path is "#2 - ⁇ Digital>- #1 - ⁇ Analog>- #0" (PATH B in Figure 1).
  • DSS-SD signal should be transmitted from the DVHS 15 (node #2) to the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1 ), which decodes the signal into analog, and the analog signal is supplied to the DTV 11 (node #0) from the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1).
  • the DTV 11 then issue commands via the command generator 452 so that the DVHS 15 (node #2) (now having a selector to switch to either the analog terminal 622 or the IEEE1394 terminal 620) switches to the IEEE1394 terminal 620, and is connected with the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1) via the IEEE1394 interface 14 and the DSS-IRD 13 (node #1 ) switches automatically to the analog terminal 512, which is now connected with the DTV 11 (node #0) via an analog interface 16.
  • devices in the network can be in use even though transmitting and receiving devices do not have common features with regard to their coding/decoding capabilities. Because the system is capable of determining and establishing a pertinent transmission path, a signal can also be transmitted from one device to another even if the format of the signal changes during the course of the transmission.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Communication Control (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé consistant à intégrer des informations relatives aux possibilités de réception, de transmission et de conversion de chaque dispositif dans un réseau concernant les formats des signaux, de manière à permettre de déterminer une voix de transmission appropriée. Ces voix de transmission possible peuvent être spécifiées du point de vue de l'ordre des dispositifs impliquées dans les voix de transmission et du format du signal entre les dispositifs impliqués. Une des voix de transmission possible correspondant au dispositif de transmission et au format du signal transmis est sélectionnée en tant que voix de transmission appropriée. Le procédé affiche la voix de transmission sélectionnée sur un moniteur (305). Des commandes sont transmises aux dispositifs impliqués dans la voix appropriée, et l'entrée, la sortie de ces dispositifs est gérée selon les commandes afin d'établir automatiquement la voix de transmission sélectionnée. Selon un aspect de l'invention, un appareil comprend un moyen de mémorisation des informations relatives aux possibilités des dispositifs. On a également prévu une mémoire (306) destinée à stocker des informations relatives aux possibilités d'autres dispositifs. Une borne d'entrée analogique (302) et une borne d'entrée/sortie numérique (300) sont prévues. Un décodeur (303) couplé à l'interface d'entrée/sortie numérique (308) est inclus. Un contrôleur (307) destiné à produire les voix de transmission possible est également compris. On a prévu un moniteur (305) affichant une voix sélectionnée pour aider un utilisateur à choisir manuellement la voix. Le contrôleur (307) comprend un générateur de commande destiné à émettre des commandes vers les dispositifs figurant dans les voix sélectionnées possibles. On a également prévu à un sélecteur destiné à sélectionner la voix automatiquement.
PCT/US2000/009160 1999-04-09 2000-04-06 Procede et appareil de gestion des connexions entre des dispositifs WO2000062460A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU40763/00A AU4076300A (en) 1999-04-09 2000-04-06 Method and apparatus for controlling connections between devices

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12853099P 1999-04-09 1999-04-09
US60/128,530 1999-04-09
US09/540,470 2000-03-31

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000062460A2 true WO2000062460A2 (fr) 2000-10-19
WO2000062460A3 WO2000062460A3 (fr) 2001-07-05
WO2000062460A8 WO2000062460A8 (fr) 2001-08-02

Family

ID=22435781

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/009160 WO2000062460A2 (fr) 1999-04-09 2000-04-06 Procede et appareil de gestion des connexions entre des dispositifs

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4076300A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000062460A2 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5574965A (en) * 1991-10-04 1996-11-12 D2B Systems Company Limited Local communication bus system and apparatuses for use in such a system
US5802017A (en) * 1995-11-02 1998-09-01 Sony Corporation Information-signal recording apparatus and recording mode inquiring/specifying method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5574965A (en) * 1991-10-04 1996-11-12 D2B Systems Company Limited Local communication bus system and apparatuses for use in such a system
US5802017A (en) * 1995-11-02 1998-09-01 Sony Corporation Information-signal recording apparatus and recording mode inquiring/specifying method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000062460A3 (fr) 2001-07-05
AU4076300A (en) 2000-11-14
WO2000062460A8 (fr) 2001-08-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6976267B1 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling connections between devices
US7958537B2 (en) Method of providing initial pictures to digital TV
US9668295B2 (en) Method of controlling connection between nodes in digital interface
KR100230281B1 (ko) 프로그램 번호를 전송 및 수신하는 멀티미디어 시스템과 프로그램 번호 전송 및 수신방법
CN1117454C (zh) 通过网络在装置间传送信息的设备及程序流格式转换设备
US7448060B2 (en) Method for determining signal path
KR100771386B1 (ko) 디지털 텔레비전 장치, 통신 채널 확립 방법 및 osd 신호 발생 방법
US6731347B1 (en) Method for switching signal input based on device capability
JP2003289537A (ja) ストリームソースデバイスとディスプレイ装置とのインターフェースシステム及びインターフェース方法
JP2000188725A (ja) ディジタル放送の受信システム及びディジタル放送の受信装置
JP2002524931A (ja) 多重入力ビデオ処理装置の構成を自動的に判定する方法
US7199835B2 (en) Method for switching signal input based on device capability
JP4774642B2 (ja) 機器間制御装置および方法
JP4813655B2 (ja) ディジタル・ビデオ処理装置を動作させる方法、ディジタル・テレビジョン、およびディジタル・ビデオ・ディスク・プレーヤを動作させる方法
WO2000062460A2 (fr) Procede et appareil de gestion des connexions entre des dispositifs
EP1017237A2 (fr) Procédé d'envoi et de réception de données, appareil électronique, et medium pour fournir un programme pour l'envoi et la réception de données
EP1521259A1 (fr) Dispositif et procede d'enregistrement d'informations
JP2000152110A (ja) 映像音響機器及びその制御方法
US7068920B1 (en) Digital baseband interface for a DVD player
KR100243239B1 (ko) 자체 튜너를 갖지 않는 디지털 비디오 카세트 레코더의 예약녹화장치 및 그에 따른 예약 녹화방법
JP2001168887A (ja) 機器選択装置及び機器選択方法
JP2001069419A (ja) デジタルインタフェース搭載機器
KR100304898B1 (ko) 디지털 인터페이스의 기기간 접속 제어방법
JP2000278294A (ja) 通信装置及び通信方法
JP3890124B2 (ja) データ通信システム、データ通信方法、データ通信ノードおよび記録媒体

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: C1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: C1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

WR Later publication of a revised version of an international search report
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP