WO2004062197A1

WO2004062197A1 - Method for controlling communication between parent device and child device, communication network system, parent device, child device, communication control program for parent device, communication control program for child device, and recording medium containing the program

Info

Publication number: WO2004062197A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/016408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuhito Maruyama
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2002-12-27
Filing date: 2003-12-19
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Also published as: JPWO2004062197A1; AU2003292597A1; JP3917159B2

Abstract

A parent device (11) includes a plurality of child device ID (1, 5), a poling list (20), and a predetermined new comer ID (e). The parent device (11) broadcasts the new comer ID (e). A child device (12) receives the new comer ID (e) and transmits a bind request including a machine ID unique to the child device. Upon reception of the machine ID, the parent device (11) allocates a child device ID (5) other than the child device ID (1) already registered in the poling list (20) and transmits a bind response including the child device ID and the machine ID. The parent device (11) registers the allocated child device ID (5) in the poling list (20).

Description

Description: Communication control method for master unit and slave unit, communication network system, master unit, slave unit, communication control program for master unit, communication control program for slave unit, and recording medium recording the program Field

The present invention relates to a communication control method for a master and a slave, which controls communication between the master and the slave, a communication network system, a master, a slave, a communication control program for the master, and a communication control program for the slave. The present invention also relates to a recording medium on which the program is recorded. More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication control method and the like in a communication system for transmitting AV (Audio Visual) data from a master unit to a slave unit and transmitting various commands between the master unit and the slave unit. It is. Background art

Recently, from VCRs, DVD players, BS tuner, etc.

Video transmission systems for transmitting AV data wirelessly to displays such as television receivers are known. An example of such a system is an AV digital wireless transmission system (Smart Link) of model number AN-SS700 sold by the applicant. If this system is used, the display can be installed at any location where the AV data can be reached, thus improving user convenience.

In the video transmission system, VCR, DVD player, BSZ AV data output from the CS tuner, etc. is received by the master unit, transmitted wirelessly from the master unit to the slave unit, transmitted from the slave unit to the display, and displayed on the display. .

At this time, the slave unit requests the master unit to retransmit the AV data that has not been received, or requests the master unit to switch the channel of the BSCS tuner or to perform playback / stop operations of the video deck. Therefore, communication is performed between the master unit and the slave unit.

Recently, there has been a demand for enjoying images on multiple displays installed at different locations. To fulfill this request, it is necessary to communicate between one master unit and multiple slave units. In this case, data may be transmitted from multiple slave units to the master unit at the same time. At this time, inconveniences such as one data being ignored or both data being destroyed may occur.

To avoid this inconvenience, communication control called a polling method is generally used. In the polling method, a slave unit ID for identifying a slave unit is assigned to a slave unit with which the master unit can communicate, and communication is sequentially performed with each slave unit to which the slave unit ID is assigned. This prevents simultaneous transmission of data from one slave unit to the master unit.

As described above, in order for the slave unit to communicate with the master unit in the polling method, the slave unit ID needs to be assigned from the master unit to the slave unit. For this reason, in order for a certain slave unit to newly enter communication with the master unit, a mechanism is required in which the master unit detects the slave unit and assigns the slave unit ID.

Such a mechanism is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-237642 (1992).

(Published on August 23, 4th, 2004), a method of remotely assigning a designated address to a newly connected terminal is known. In the above remote allocation method, first, the master unit transmits a control message including the ID for new entry. The master unit polls the addresses in the polling list in order, and then polls an empty address to which no slave unit is registered in order to secure the time to wait for a response. Then poll the new entry ID.

The child device confirms the new entry ID by confirming the control message, and responds when the new entry ID is polled, so that the new entry ID becomes its own child device address. On the other hand, when the master unit receives a response to the new entry ID, the master unit sets the new entry ID as the slave unit ID, puts it in the polling list, and sets the new entry ID at the next polling. The slave unit ID is being polled.

In the IrDA control, Enumeration, Bind, and power S are defined as a method of assigning an address between a master unit (Host) and a slave unit (Peripheral). In Enumeration, the device ID of the child device (ID for identifying each child device) is registered with the parent device, and then the child device ID managed by the parent device is specified by Bind ( Edited by the Infrared Data Association, “IrDA Control Specification”, Final Edition 1.0, Final Revision 1.0, June 30, 1998 , P. 28-35.)).

However, in the remote allocation method described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-237642, it is necessary for the slave unit to check the control message and constantly monitor what the new entry ID is. There is. Also, since the new entry ID becomes the slave unit ID, management is troublesome because the new entry ID is constantly changing. In addition, since the parent machine always polls for empty addresses, However, it may take some time for the slave units participating in the network to respond.

In the method of allocating addresses in the IrDA control, there are two sequences: a sequence for registering the device ID of the child device with the parent device (Enumeration) and a sequence for assigning the child device ID (B ind). Since many buckets fly over the wireless section and communication is easily interrupted, it takes time to allocate, and the processing is troublesome. In addition, since the master unit performs a sequence for registering the device ID of the slave unit, if the number of slave units increases, the information to be managed increases.

Furthermore, since it is necessary to set a new entry ID for Enumeration and a new entry ID for Bind, it is necessary for the master unit to use differently when polling, and the slave unit checks the status of its own unit. The need to be strictly managed and respond to polls complicates the process.

Further, in the case of a device in which the slave unit is frequently replaced or the slave unit enters and leaves the network, it is complicated for the master unit to manage the device ID of the slave unit. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control method and the like in which a master unit and a slave unit can communicate with each other by a simple method.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication control method for a master unit according to the present invention is a communication control method for a master unit that controls communication between a master unit and a slave unit, and it is desirable to participate in the communication. A child that assigns a child device ID that identifies the child device to the child device And a communication step for communicating with the slave unit to which the slave unit ID has been assigned, wherein the slave unit ID assigning step includes the step of receiving entry request information for requesting participation in the communication. It is characterized by including a step of assigning the above-mentioned slave unit ID and transmitting the assigned slave unit ID, and a step of holding the assigned slave unit ID.

Further, a communication control method for a master unit according to the present invention is a communication control method for a master unit that controls communication between the master unit and a plurality of slave units, wherein the master unit identifies a slave unit with which communication is possible. And a slave unit management list for registering the slave unit IDs assigned to the slave units in communication with the own unit. A device ID, which is identification information unique to the device itself, is provided, and a device ID other than the device ID already registered in the device management list for the device desired to participate in the communication. Alternately, the slave ID assignment step for assigning the slave unit, the communication step for communicating with the slave unit assigned the slave unit ID registered in the slave unit management list, the slave unit ID assignment step, and the communication step And an alternate execution step to be executed on the slave unit. When the above device ID is received as entry request information for requesting participation in communication, any one of the above slave device IDs other than those already registered in the above slave device management list is assigned and assigned. And transmitting the assigned slave unit ID together with the received device ID, and registering the assigned slave unit ID in the slave unit management list.

Further, a communication control method for a child device according to the present invention is a communication control method for a child device that controls communication between a parent device and a child device. A slave unit ID acquisition step of requesting and acquiring an ID from the master unit, A communication step of communicating with the master unit when the slave unit ID transmitted by the master unit matches the slave unit ID acquired in the slave unit ID acquisition step; The device ID acquisition step includes a step of transmitting entry request information for requesting participation in the communication to the master device, and a step of holding the received slave device ID when the slave device ID is received from the master device. It is characterized by including.

Further, a communication control method for a slave according to the present invention is a communication control method for a slave that controls communication between the master and a plurality of slaves, wherein the master identifies a slave that can communicate. And a slave unit management list for registering the slave unit IDs assigned to the slave units that are in communication with the own unit. A device ID, which is unique identification information of the device, is provided. A device ID acquisition step for requesting and acquiring the device ID from the master device in order to participate in the communication, and a device transmitted by the master device. If the ID matches the slave unit ID acquired in the slave unit ID acquisition step, a communication step for communicating with the master unit is included. Transmitting own device ID as entry request information for requesting entry into communication; and Receiving the slave unit ID and the device ID from the master unit, comparing the received device ID with the device ID of the own device, and, if they match, retaining the received slave unit ID. It is characterized by:

According to the above method, entry request information is transmitted from the slave to the master, and the master ID is sent from the master to the slave. As a result, the communication between the master and the slave uses the slave ID specified by the master, and does not require the use of the device ID of the slave. Since the device ID is an ID uniquely assigned to the device, 2 It is a long bit string such as 4 bits or 32 bits. On the other hand, the slave unit ID is limited to the maximum number of slave units that can communicate with the master unit, and is a bit string shorter than the device ID. Therefore, the resource and processing load for the master unit to communicate with the slave unit is reduced.

Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood from the following description. Also, the advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

1A to 1D are block diagrams showing a schematic configuration and operation of a communication network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the parent device and the child device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram showing transition of the operation state of the master unit.

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the operation state of the slave unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the master unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the slave unit.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for exchanging packets between the master unit and the new entry slave unit in the communication network system.

FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c) are block diagrams showing examples of the format of a bucket used for binding between a master unit and a slave unit in the above communication network system. FIG. 1D is a block diagram showing an example of a format of a bucket used for performing unbinding between the master unit and the slave unit in the communication network system. FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (h) are diagrams showing examples of polling lists in the master unit.

FIG. 10 (a) is a timing chart showing a packet flow in the new entry permission mode, and FIG. 10 (b) is a time chart showing a bucket flow in the new entry prohibition mode.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication network system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the slave unit in the communication network system.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing a time change of a communication method in a communication method used in a communication network system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for exchanging packets between a master unit and a newly entered slave unit in the communication network system. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Embodiment 1]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration and operation of a communication network system according to the present embodiment. The communication network system includes a tuner 10 for receiving a video signal from the outside, one master unit 11 connected to the tuner 10, and a plurality of slave units communicating with the master unit 11. 1 2.. And a plurality of displays 13 connected to each slave unit 12. The tuner 10 receives a television signal of a channel desired by the user among a plurality of channels in terrestrial broadcasting, BS broadcasting, or CS broadcasting. The tuner 10 converts the received television signal into digital AV data of a predetermined system such as the MPEG-2 system and transmits the digital AV data to the master unit 11. Further, tuner 10 receives retransmission request data from master unit 11 and command data such as channel switching, and performs processing based on the received retransmission request data or command data.

In Fig. 1, the flow of digital AV data is indicated by a solid line, the flow of retransmission request data is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the flow of command data is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

Base unit 11 converts digital AV data received from tuner 10 into a predetermined communication system, and transmits it in a broadcast form. Master device 11 also has master device ID storage section 21 for storing master device ID (0) indicating that it is the master device.

In addition, the base unit 11 assigns a slave unit ID for identifying the slave unit 12 to the slave unit 12 and performs polling based on the assigned slave unit ID, and assigns the slave unit ID. The communication with the slave units 1 and 2 is performed sequentially. For this reason, the base unit 11 has a polling list 20 for storing the slave unit ID already assigned to the slave unit 12.

In this embodiment, the polling list 20 can store three slave unit IDs, and if there is an empty space in the polling list 20, the new entry slave unit ID (e) is stored. Is stored.

Slave unit 12 has a device ID uniquely set for each device. Also, The child device 12 has a child device ID storage section 22 for storing the child device ID assigned from the parent device 11. In the present embodiment, when the slave unit 12 is started up or when the slave unit ID has not yet been assigned from the master unit 11, the slave unit ID for new entry (e) is stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22. Is stored.

The slave unit 12 receives the digital AV data from the master unit 11 and transmits the received digital AV data to the display 13 when the slave unit ID is assigned. In addition, when the slave unit ID of the own unit is polled, the slave unit 12 to which the slave unit ID is assigned transmits retransmission request data to the master unit 11 or communicates with the master unit 11. Various command data can be transmitted and received.

The display 13 receives the digital AV data from the slave unit 12 and displays an image on the screen.

The operation of the communication network system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, when distinguishing each slave unit 12, the lower reference numeral 12 is further replaced with a lowercase letter such as the first slave unit 12 a, the second slave unit 12 b,. I will add the alphabet. Similarly, to distinguish each display 13, the first display 13 a, the second display 13 b,. Will be shown.

FIG. 1 (a) shows a case where the second slave unit 12b is newly activated while the first slave unit 12a is already communicating with the master unit 11. In this case, the polling list 20 of the master unit 11 stores the slave unit ID (1) assigned to the first slave unit 12a and the new entry ID (e) (entry enable information). Have been. On the other hand, the slave unit ID storage section 2 2a of the first slave unit 1 2a has the master unit 1 The slave ID (1) assigned from 1 is stored, and the new entry ID (e) is stored in the slave ID storage unit 22b of the second slave 12b.

The first slave unit 12a transmits the digital AV data received from the master unit 11 to the first display 13a. Thus, an image is displayed on the first display 13a. On the other hand, the second slave unit 12b does not transmit the digital AV data from the master unit 11 to the second display 13b. Therefore, no video is displayed on the second display 13b.

Then, when the slave unit ID (1) stored in the polling list 20 is polled from the master unit 11, the master unit 11 and the first slave unit 1 2, as shown in FIG. Communication with a is possible. Thus, the first slave unit 12a can display a video without omission on the first display 13a, for example, by requesting the master unit to retransmit the AV data that has not been received. it can.

Next, after a lapse of a predetermined period, master unit 11 polls ID (e) for new entry. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), communication becomes possible between the master unit 11 and the second slave unit 12b.

Next, when the second slave unit 1 2b requests the master unit 11 to assign a slave unit ID, the master unit 11 assigns a slave unit ID (5) different from the first slave unit 12a. Select and send to the 2nd slave 1 2b. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the new entry ID (e) of the polling list 20 is updated to the new slave unit ID (5), and the new entry ID is set in the free space. (e) is stored.

On the other hand, when the second slave unit 12b receives the slave unit ID (5) from the master unit 11, it stores the slave unit ID (5) in the slave unit ID storage unit 22b. As a result, the second slave unit 1 2b transmits the AV data received from the master unit 11 to the second display. 13b, and an image can be displayed on the second display 13b.

At this time, it is desirable that confirmation data indicating that the second slave unit 12b has received the slave unit ID (5) be transmitted to the master unit 11. Further, master unit 11 may store new slave unit ID (5) in polling list 20 after receiving the confirmation data.

Next, after the slave unit ID (1) is polled and performs the same operation as in FIG. 1 (a), when the slave unit ID (5) is polled, the master unit 11 and the second slave unit are polled. Communication with 1 2 b is possible. As a result, the second sub-unit 1 2b causes the second display 13 b to display a video without any missing data by, for example, requesting the main unit to retransmit the AV data that has not been received. be able to.

Therefore, the communication network system of the present embodiment uses the slave unit ID specified by master unit 11 for communication between master unit 11 and slave unit 12 and uses the device ID of slave unit 12. No need. Since the slave ID can have a shorter data length than the device ID, resources and processing load for the master 11 to communicate with the slave 12 are reduced.

Further, since the ID for new entry used in polling is constant, the slave unit 12 can easily identify whether or not the ID for new entry has been polled.

In addition, by storing the new entry ID (e) in the polling list 20 of the base unit 11, polling for new entry can be performed by a normal polling method. Further, the slave unit 12 to be newly entered stores the new entry ID (e) in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 so that the new entry can be performed. A transmission right can be secured when required polling is performed, and a base unit ID can be allocated from the base unit 11.

Further, the communication time of the slave unit 12 per poll may be the same for all slave units 12 or may be different for each slave unit 12. Further, the communication time is determined by master unit 11, but may be determined based on the time requested by slave unit 12. The polling time may be notified to the slave unit 12 when the master unit 11 performs polling, or the polling may be performed for a plurality of slave units for one polling. good.

Next, details of each configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12. Both parent device 11 and child device 12 can be realized with the configuration shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the devices include a communication unit 31, a transmission data creation unit 32, a reception data analysis unit 33, a timer unit 34, a device setting storage unit 35, a protocol processing unit 36, and The configuration includes a command processing unit 37. The communication unit 31 communicates with other devices. The transmission data creation unit 32 converts the data received from the protocol processing unit 36 ゃ the command processing unit 37 into a format that can be transmitted to the outside, and transmits it to the communication unit 31.

The reception data analysis unit 33 analyzes the data received by the communication unit 31 and determines which of the protocol processing unit 36 and the command processing unit 37 to send. The timer section 34 has one or more timers used in the protocol processing section 36. The device setting storage section 35 stores the device settings. For example, when the device is the master device 11, the device ID, master device ID, and polling list 2 that are uniquely set for each device are set. 0 is saved, and if the device is slave unit 12, the device ID and slave unit ID are saved. That is, in the base unit 11, the polling list 20 and the base unit ID storage unit 21 shown in FIG. 1 are included in the device setting storage unit 35, and in the base unit 12, the polling list 20 and the base unit ID shown in FIG. The slave unit ID storage unit 22 is included in the device setting storage unit 35. The protocol processing unit 36 performs processing when a bind request (entry request information) or bind response (entry permission information) is received, and also performs error processing, timeout processing, and the like. The command processing section 37 is a section that processes other commands, and processes application data and the like.

In the above configuration, first, the operation of the master unit will be described. When the communication unit 31 receives a packet, the communication unit 31 passes the received packet to the reception data analysis unit 33. Based on the data received from the communication unit 31, the reception data analysis unit 33 passes the data to the protocol processing unit 36 or the command processing unit 37. For example, when a bind request / equipment confirm (confirmation information) is received, it is passed to the protocol processing unit 36, and when application data is received, it is passed to the command processing unit.

Also, when data is created in the protocol processing unit 36 or the command processing unit 37 and passed to the transmission data creation unit 32, the transmission data creation unit 32 creates a packet based on the received data. Create and pass it to the communication unit 31. The communication unit 31 transmits the received packet to the outside.

For example, when the master unit performs polling, the protocol processing unit 36 transmits data of the slave unit ID to be polled in accordance with the order of the polling list stored in the device setting storage unit 35. The data is sent to the data creation unit 32, and the transmission data creation unit 32 stores the received handset ID in a packet. The communication unit 31 passes the received packet to the slave unit.

Next, the operation of the slave unit will be described. Note that the processing of the slave unit when the communication unit 31 receives various packets is the same as the above-described processing of the master unit, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the slave unit transmits data, the bucket storing the slave unit ID is received by the communication unit 31, passed to the reception data analysis unit 33, and then transmitted to the reception data analysis unit 33. The slave unit ID received from the communication unit 31 is compared with the slave unit ID of the own unit stored in the device setting storage unit 35, and if they match, the status of the slave unit at that time and the The data is passed to the protocol processing unit 36 or the command processing unit 37 depending on the bucket.

For example, if the slave unit ID of the own device stored in the device setting storage unit 35 is a new entry ID, when polling is performed, or when a pinless response is received, the data is processed. When the application data and the like are received by the protocol processing unit 36, the data is passed to the command processing unit 37. The protocol processing unit 36 ゃ The command processing unit 37 causes the transmission data creation unit 32 to create a bucket conforming to the state, and causes the communication unit 31 to transmit the bucket to the master unit.

Next, the operations of the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the transition of the operation state of the master unit 11. The operation state of master unit 11 is divided into a new entry permission mode and a new entry prohibition mode.

In the new entry permission mode, poll the new entry slave unit ID. By providing this mode, a new slave unit 12 can communicate with the master unit 11. The process that enters the communication network can be executed. On the other hand, in the new entry prohibition mode, only the slave unit ID included in the polling list 20 is polled. This makes it possible to omit the polling of the new entry slave unit ID, so that the slave unit 12 included in the polling list 20 is polled earlier.

Immediately after the power is turned on, the parent machine 11 starts in the new entry permission mode. Unless a new entry is requested from the slave unit 12, the slave unit ID is not registered in the polling list 20, so that the new entry permission mode is continued (T10). Note that even if a predetermined time has elapsed during the bind sequence, the slave unit ID may not be newly registered in the polling list 20, and therefore the mode is not shifted to the new entry prohibition mode.

In the new entry permission mode, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the registration of the slave unit ID in the polling list 20 or when the binding sequence is completed, the slave unit ID is newly added to the polling list 20. In this case, the mode shifts to the new entry prohibition mode (T11).

In the new entry prohibition mode, if the polling list 20 is completely filled with the slave unit IDs and there is no space, a new slave unit ID cannot be assigned even if the mode is shifted to the new entry permission mode. Stay in no entry mode (T12).

In the new entry prohibition mode, if there is a vacancy in the polling list 20 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the mode is shifted to the new entry permission mode (T13). Thereby, it is possible to provide an opportunity for the slave unit 12 to enter the communication network at predetermined intervals.

FIG. 4 shows the transition of the operation state of the slave unit 12. Operation status of slave unit 1 2 The state is divided into new entry mode and normal mode. In the new entry mode, a packet can be transmitted only when a new entry ID is polled from the base unit 11. In this mode, a bind sequence is performed '. On the other hand, the normal mode is a mode in which the slave unit ID is assigned from the master unit 11. In normal mode, a data bucket can be transmitted when its own handset ID is polled.

Immediately after turning on the power, the slave unit starts in the new entry mode. Until the slave unit ID is assigned from the master unit 11, communication with the master unit is restricted to the bind sequence, so that the new entry mode is continued (T20). When the binding sequence is performed in the new entry mode and the slave unit ID is newly assigned from the master unit 11, the mode shifts to the normal mode (T21). In normal mode, if a disconnection notification (unbound packet) is received from the base unit 11, the radio wave condition may deteriorate or the radio wave may not reach, and polling from the base unit 11 may occur. When the communication packet is interrupted for a predetermined time, or when the own device leaves the communication network by transmitting an unbound packet or the like, the process returns to the new entry mode (T23). That is, the slave unit ID stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 is discarded, and the slave unit ID is returned to the new entry ID. In other cases, the normal mode is continued (T22).

FIG. 5 shows the processing operation of the master unit 11 when assigning a slave unit ID (binding sequence) when the master unit 11 is in the new entry permission mode. Although the process of determining which slave unit is polled is not described, the slave unit ID and the new entry ID included in the polling list 20 are polled based on a predetermined rule. Shall be. First, it waits for a bind request to be received until a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in S10 and NO in S11). If the bind request has not been received even after the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S11), the binding sequence is terminated.

If a bind request has been received (YES at S10), search for polling list 20 and specify the ID of the slave unit that is not used, and the slave unit 1 that is transmitting the pine request 1 A bind response including the slave unit ID is transmitted to the slave unit 12 as the slave unit ID 2 (S12). After transmitting the bind response, the system waits for the reception of the bind confirm from the slave unit 12 until a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in S13 and NO in S14). If the bind confirmation is not received even after the lapse of a predetermined time (YES in S14), the processing ends as an error. Upon receiving the bind confirm, the specified slave unit ID is added to the polling list 20 (S15), and then the binding sequence ends.

FIG. 6 shows a processing operation of a bind sequence performed by polling a new entry ID from the base unit 11 when the slave unit 12 is in the new entry mode. As described above, in the slave unit 12, the slave unit ID is a new entry ID just after the power is turned on. The slave unit 12 can send a packet only when the new entry ID is polled from the master unit 11, but the determination as to whether the slave unit is polled is omitted from the figure. ing.

First, until a predetermined time elapses, the apparatus waits until a bind request can be transmitted, that is, until a new entry ID is polled from the base unit 11 (NO in S20 and S2 1 for NO). Even after a certain time If the bind request cannot be transmitted (YES in S21), the base unit 11 has not polled for a new entry ID, or the radio wave condition has deteriorated and the base unit 11 has been unable to transmit. The user is informed that communication with the master unit 11 is not possible due to, for example, communication interruption (S30), and then the bind sequence is abnormally terminated.

When a new entry ID is polled from master unit 12 (YES in S20), a pine request is transmitted to master unit 12 (S22), and the pine request is sent until a predetermined time elapses. It waits for a command response (NO in S23 and NO in S27). If a bind response has not been received even after the lapse of the predetermined time (YES in S27), the process waits (S28) for a reason described later. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in the bind sequence (NO in S29), the process returns to the reproduction step S20 and repeats the above processing.

On the other hand, if a binding response is received, the binding response is analyzed and it is determined whether or not the device ID included in the binding response matches the device ID of the own device (S24). ). If the device ID matches, a bind confirmation is transmitted to the master unit 11 (S25), and the slave unit ID included in the pin-dress response is assigned to the slave unit designated for the own unit. It is stored as the machine ID (S26), and then the process ends normally.

However, if the device IDs do not match, the received bind response is the bind response sent from the base unit 11 to the other slave unit 12, so the received bind response is Is discarded, and if the bind sequence has not elapsed for a predetermined period of time (NO in S29), the process returns to step S20 to repeat the above processing. A bind request was sent, but no bind response was received, or a bind response was received, but it was not addressed to its own device. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S29), the master unit 11 is in a new entry prohibition mode in which the slave unit 12 cannot accept new entry, or the master unit 11 It is determined that the communication state has deteriorated, the user is notified of that (S30), and then the binding sequence is abnormally terminated.

Note that if the binding sequence is abnormally terminated, the slave unit 1 2 is not assigned a slave unit ID, so the slave unit 1 2 has not joined the communication network centered on the master unit 11. . In this state, the slave unit 12 receives the AV data from the master unit 11 and outputs the data to the user, which means that the AV data flowing on the unsubscribed communication network is received and output without permission. However, it is not desirable under copyright law. In addition, there is a possibility that bad effects such as an image being easily disturbed may be exerted on the other slave units 12 subscribed to the communication network. Therefore, it is preferable that the slave unit 12 that abnormally ends the bind sequence does not output the received AV data to the user even if the slave unit 12 receives the AV data from the master unit 11.

When notifying the user in step S30, it is preferable to notify the user of the reason why the AV data cannot be output to the display and the speaker. This is useful in that the response method differs depending on whether the slave unit 12 cannot newly enter without assigning the slave unit ID, or whether the radio wave has not arrived.

For example, if no Remote Unit ID has been assigned, it is possible to take measures to reduce the number of other Remote Units 12 subscribed to the communication network. If the radio wave is not received, check if the master unit 11 is operating. If it is not operating, operate the master unit 11; if it is operating, check the master unit 11 Since it is known that the signal cannot be received because the radio wave from has not arrived, it is possible to try a measure to shorten the distance between the base unit 11 and the slave unit 12.

Also, any means may be used to notify the user. For example, the user may be notified using a combination of color and blinking speed using light such as LED. Also. The notification may be made using sound. Furthermore, the user may be notified of the state of the display 13 using 〇 SD (On screen Display) or the like.

In addition, the case of waiting in step S28 is a case where a bind request is transmitted but a bind response is not received even after a predetermined period has elapsed. It is conceivable that the parent device 11 could not correctly receive the bind request due to the simultaneous transmission of the bind request. Therefore, it is desirable that the standby time in step S28 be different for each slave unit 12. For example, the product of the time required for one polling and the remainder of the device ID divided by 255 is used as the standby time, and the bind requests from multiple slave units 1 2 ... collide. Can be avoided.

FIG. 7 shows the master unit 1 in the binding sequence shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.

This shows the procedure for exchanging buckets between 1 and the new entry slaves 12. First, the slave unit 1 2 searches for a wireless channel linkable with the master unit 1 1 when the power is turned on. Any known method can be used for this search. For example, master unit 11 transmits a bucket on a certain channel and waits for a reply from slave unit 12, and slave unit 12 transmits a packet from master unit 11 on a certain channel. It is checked whether or not it has been sent, and if it has been sent, it replies to the master unit 11, and if it has not been sent, it may be possible to move to the next channel.

Next, the slave unit 12 is set so that the new entry ID is stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22. Slave unit 12 can transmit a bucket only when the ID (new entry ID or slave unit ID) stored in slave unit ID storage unit 22 is polled.

Polling is performed at predetermined intervals based on the order of the polling list 20 held by the base unit 11. Since the polling is performed at a predetermined cycle, the next polling may be performed while the bind sequence shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

Also, in FIG. 7, the polling of the new entry ID is shown only once for the first time, but the new entry ID is always polled immediately before the new entry slave unit 12 transmits a packet. It is assumed that In the figure, only the first poll is described for convenience.

In addition, the new entry slave unit 12 does not need to respond to the polling of the new entry ID, and may respond once every few times. In the polling, any method can be used as a response method between the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12. For example, the parent device may specify the transmission time of the child device, or may be configured so that only one packet is allowed to be transmitted for one poll.

When the master unit 11 polls the new entry ID, it Then, the newly entered slave unit 12 transmits a bind request (S20, S22). Figure 8 (a) shows an example of the packet format of a bind request. As shown, the bind request includes the device ID. This means that if there are multiple Remote Units 12 that want to send a bind request and receive a bind response, and if no device ID is specified in the bind response, This is because it is difficult to determine whether or not the slave unit ID is assigned to the slave units 1 and 2 and multiple slave units set the same slave unit ID.

Next, upon receiving the bind request, the master unit 11 returns a bind response (S12). Figure 8 (b) shows an example of the bucket format of the bind response. As shown, the bind response bucket includes a device ID and a slave ID. The device ID included in the bind response bucket is the device ID included in the bind request received by master device 11. On the other hand, as the slave ID included in the bind response packet, any ID not included in the polling list 20 of the master 11 can be used.

As an algorithm for determining the slave ID to be used, any algorithm can be used as long as it can be determined from the slave IDs that are not currently used. For example, among the child device IDs that are not currently used, it may be determined to use them in order from the one with the smallest value, or may be determined to use them in order from the one with the largest value, You may decide to use it at random.

However, although it is not used at present, it is desirable not to use the slave unit ID that has been used until recently. Because the above slave unit ID is the master unit 1 This is because even if it is removed from the polling list 20 of 1, it is not necessarily reliably removed from the storage section 22 of the slave unit 12.

Next, when the slave unit 12 receives the bind response, the slave unit 12 confirms the content and transmits a bind conf arm to the master unit 11 (S25). Figure 8 (c) shows an example of the bind confirm packet format. As shown, the bind confirm packet includes a device ID and a slave device ID. The device ID included in the bind confirm packet is the device ID of the slave 12 itself. On the other hand, slave unit ID included in the bind confirm bucket is slave unit ID included in the bind response bucket received by slave unit 12.

If the transmission of the bind-confirmation arm packet is successful, the slave unit 12 stores its own slave unit ID stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 in the slave unit included in the bind-response packet. Change to ID (S26). As a result, the slave unit ID is set to the slave unit 12.

Next, upon receiving the bind confirm, the master unit 11 puts the slave unit ID specified by the bind response into the polling list 20 (S15). As a result, the child device 12 corresponding to the new child device ID is polled.

If the slave unit ID included in the bind response packet is different from the slave unit ID included in the bind confirm packet, the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 differ. Since the slave unit ID is set, there is a problem that the slave unit 12 is not polled by the master unit 11. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable that the parent device 12 does not enter the child device ID into the polling list 22. Alternatively, the child device 1 2 can be Since the child unit is not ringed, the child unit 12 that has not been polled for a predetermined period may remove the child unit ID stored in the child unit ID storage unit 22.

Through the above packet exchange processing, a new slave unit ID can be assigned to the slave unit 12. Then, the base unit 11 can sequentially perform communication with the slave units 12 by sequentially polling the slave units ID stored in the polling list 20.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the slave unit 12 sets the slave unit ID after transmitting the bind confirm packet. However, the slave unit 12 transmits the bind confirm after setting the slave unit ID. good.

Further, the slave unit 1 2 transmits the bind confirmation to the master unit 11 1.

(S26 in FIG. 6) may be omitted. In this case, the base unit 11 sends the bind response to the slave unit 12 (S12 in FIG. 5) and adds the specified slave unit ID to the polling list 20 (S12 in FIG. 5). 1 5) should be executed. This reduces the number of packet transmissions, thereby shortening the execution time of the bind sequence. Also, before transmitting the bind confirm, it is possible to change the slave unit ID stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 to the slave unit ID included in the bind response bucket. Good.

In addition, the parent device 11 may receive a bind request from another child device 12 while waiting for reception of a bind confirm. In this case, the bind request may be processed or discarded. However, in this case, the transition to the new entry prohibition mode must not be performed until the binding sequence of all the slave units 12 ends in error or ends normally. This is because when the first bind sequence ends, This is because when entering the prohibition mode, the polling of the new entry ID is stopped, and the remaining slaves in the middle of the binding sequence time out, resulting in waste.

Fig. 8 (a) shows an example of the format of a bind request packet for requesting a slave unit ID, but in the case where the master unit 11 is transmitting multiple pieces of AV data. In such a case, information about which AV data is to be received may be included in the pin request packet, and the bind request packet may be transmitted. This allows the base unit 11 to know the AV data desired by the slave unit 12, so that only when the slave unit 12 transmits the desired AV data, it is sufficient to poll the slave unit 12. . In this case, waste of polling is eliminated and communication efficiency is improved.

Next, a case where the slave unit 12 is disconnected from the communication network will be described. FIG. 8D shows an example of the format of an unbind packet for releasing the binding from the slave unit 12 or the master unit 11. When the master unit 11 receives the unbound packet, it removes the slave unit ID in the end packet from the polling list 20. Further, the slave unit 12 discards the slave unit ID when receiving the unbound packet, and returns to the new entry mode.

Although the device ID is included in the unbound packet in FIG. 8 (d), the device ID may be omitted from the unbound packet. In the present embodiment, after assigning a slave unit ID from master unit 11 to slave unit 12, master unit 12 can identify slave unit 11 using the slave unit ID, and slave unit 11 It is possible to identify whether the received slave unit ID is the slave unit ID of the own unit. Therefore, even if the device ID is omitted from the unbind bucket, the parent device removes the child device ID from the polling list 20 or the child device discards the child device ID as described above. be able to.

By the way, when the parent device 11 removes the child device ID from the polling list 20 or when the child device 12 discards the child device ID (hereinafter, these cases are referred to as “the release of the child device ID”). In addition to the case where the parent device 11 transmits the unbound bucket to the child device 12 as described above, the following cases can be considered.

That is, when the base unit 11 releases the slave unit ID, the base unit 11 transmits a predetermined period of time from the slave unit 12 even though the base unit 11 is polling the slave unit 12. If the slave unit 12 is considered to have left the communication network without the permission of the master unit 11 because there is no communication, or if communication becomes impossible due to poor radio wave conditions, Communication with the slave unit 1 or 2 is stopped by an instruction or the like.

In the case where the slave unit 12 releases the slave unit ID, the master unit 11 exists, but the polling for the slave unit ID assigned to the own unit is interrupted for a predetermined period, and the slave unit ID is released. Communication with the base unit 11 is considered impossible because the base unit 11 is considered to have been removed from the polling list, or the base unit 11 itself has been disconnected from the communication network or the radio wave condition has deteriorated. In this case, the slave unit 12 terminates communication with the master unit 11 due to an instruction from the user. After the child device ID is released, the released child device ID may be assigned to a child device to be newly entered.

In any of the above cases where the slave unit ID is released, it is desirable to transmit an unbound bucket from one of the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 to the other.However, when the communication condition is deteriorating In the parent machine Slave unit 1 2 cannot receive polling from slave unit 1 1, so that unbound packets cannot be sent from slave unit 1 2 to master unit 1 1 or one of master unit 1 1 and slave unit 1 2 Even if an unbound bucket is sent from the other, the other may not be able to receive it.

Therefore, in such a case, it is not necessary to transmit the bind response packet. Even if a bind response packet is not transmitted, both the base unit 11 and the slave unit 12 try to release the corresponding slave unit ID, so that the slave unit ID is wasted or extraneous. It prevents polling from continuing.

After Slave Unit 1 2 destroys Slave Unit ID, Slave Unit 1 2

The ID may be set as its own slave ID, and the slave ID may be acquired again so as to be able to participate in communication.

In addition, it is not necessary to include the device ID in the bypass bucket sent from the master unit 11 to the slave unit 12. When the combination of the device ID and the child device ID is known from the master device 11, only the device ID may be sent without inserting the child device ID in the unpacked packet.

Also, the unbound packet does not need to be sent only to the slave unit 12 to be unbound, and may be sent to all slave units 12 by broadcast. In this case, the slave unit 12 can recognize that the number of slave units 12 managed by the master unit 11 decreases, and the slave unit 12 on the communication network tries to disconnect from the communication network. It can also be recognized that communication with the slave units 1 and 2 cannot be performed.

FIG. 9 shows an example of polling list 20 in base unit 11. As shown, the method by which the master unit creates the polling list is optional. You. Also, any algorithm for assigning a slave unit ID may be used.

Fig. 9 (a) shows an example of the polling list 20 in the new entry prohibited mode. Figures (b), (c), (d) and (e) show the polling list 2 in the new entry mode. This is an example of 0. In the polling list 20 in the new entry permission mode, the polling may be performed by putting only the ID for new entry into the polling list as shown in FIG. d) As in (e), polling may be performed by inserting a new entry ID into the polling list ((a) in the same figure) in the no-entry mode.

In this case, the new entry ID can be placed anywhere, such as at the beginning of the polling list as shown in Fig. 9 (c), at the end as shown in Fig. 9 (d), or at the end of Fig. 9 (e). ) May be inserted between the slave unit IDs.

FIGS. 9 (f), (g), and (h) show an example in which the master unit 11 releases the slave unit ID and the slave unit 12 subsequently enters. When the base unit 11 releases the slave unit ID, the base unit 11 terminates communication with the slave unit 12 according to an instruction from the user, or communication with the slave unit 12 is terminated. There are cases in which communication with the slave unit 12 is terminated due to interruption for a certain period of time or more.Slave unit 12 terminates communication with the master unit 11 according to instructions from the user, An example is a case where an unbound packet is transmitted to the base unit 11 in order to discard the ID and reconnect. Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that slave unit 12 has transmitted an unbound bucket to master unit 11.

In Fig. 9 (f), three slave units are participating. In this state, if the slave unit 12 having the slave unit ID (6) unbinds and is deleted from the polling list, the state shown in FIG. Remote unit ID (6) is Since it has been deleted from the list 20, the slave unit ID (9) is moved up to be polled second. Here, the order of the polling list 20 may be changed.

After that, the newly entered child unit comes in, child unit ID (7) is allocated, and it is added to the polling list, and the state shown in Fig. 9 (h) is obtained. Here, the order of the slave units ID (7) is placed at the end of the polling list, but may be at the beginning or in the middle. Further, the order of the polling list other than the slave unit ID (7) may be changed. In addition, although 7 is assigned as a new slave unit ID, another number may be used.

In addition, ID (Fig. 9)

6) in (f) and (g) may not be used for a while. This is because if the slave unit that thinks that the master unit has disappeared has not returned to the new entry mode, if the new slave unit ID is given to another newly entered slave unit, the same child unit will be assigned to multiple slave units. This is because the device ID is assigned.

In addition, in the new entry permission mode, it is not always necessary to put the new entry ID in the polling list 20, and it is possible to detect the new entry permission mode and poll the new entry ID. . For example, even in the polling list shown in FIG. 9 (f), if a new entry ID is polled, a new entry permission mode can be set. Also, at this time, the order of polling for new entry IDs can be anywhere. For example, polling may be performed before starting polling for the polling list, may be polled last, or may be performed by alternately polling the order of the polling list and the ID for new entry. Is also good. Fig. 10 (a) shows the flow of packets in the new entry mode, and Fig. 10 (b) shows the flow of packets in the new entry mode. In the case of (a) in the figure, the entry mode is the new entry permission mode, so polling is performed up to the new entry terminal. In the case of (b), the entry mode is prohibited, so the new entry device is Not polled. For this reason, in the new entry prohibition mode, the number of times of polling of the slaves assigned with the slave IDs is larger than in the new entry permission mode. Therefore, the handset to which the handset ID is assigned has the advantage that the number of times of communication increases, communication can be performed at higher speed, and more retransmission requests can be transmitted.

If there is no child unit 12 to newly enter in the new entry permission mode, the ID for new entry is polled, but there is no response because there is no child unit 12 for new entry. Therefore, keeping the new entry mode always reduces the number of transmissions of the slaves 12 and lowers the communication quality. Therefore, it is a great advantage to support both new entry mode and new entry mode in the master unit.

[Embodiment 2]

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 11 and FIG. The communication network system of the present embodiment is different from the communication network systems shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 in that, among the slave units 12 to which the slave unit IDs are not assigned, a specific slave unit 12 is: The only difference is that the auxiliary ID (s) is stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 and the AV data received from the master unit 11 is output to the display 13 .Other configurations are the same. is there. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. By the way, in the communication network system shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, if more slaves 12 are allowed to enter, the period in which the slaves 12 themselves are polled becomes longer. Therefore, the retransmission request cannot be made at an appropriate timing, and the image displayed on the display 13 may be disturbed.

On the other hand, if the entry of the slave unit 12 is restricted, the image is prevented from being disturbed, but the image cannot be displayed on a large number of displays 13 installed in various places.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fourth slave unit 12 d shown in FIG. 11 stores the auxiliary ID (s) in the slave unit ID storage unit 2 2 d when the slave unit ID is not allocated within a predetermined period. ) Is stored, and the AV data received from the master unit 11 is output to the display 13 d.

Further, in the communication network system of the present embodiment, the following steps are added to the binding sequence of slave unit 12 shown in FIG. That is, after notifying the user that the slave unit ID has not been allocated in step S30, it is determined whether output of AV data is permitted (S3

1) If permitted, store the auxiliary ID (s) in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 and output the AV data (S32), and then abnormally terminate the bind sequence. .

According to the above configuration, since the fourth slave unit 1 2 d cannot send a retransmission request command to the master unit 11, the fourth slave unit 1 2 d has a disadvantage that the image displayed on the fourth display 13 d is easily disturbed. However, there is an advantage that the video can be output to a larger number of slaves 12 than the number of slaves 12 that can be registered in the polling list 20 of the master 11 and displayed on the display 13. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary ID (s) is stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 and the AV data is output, but the new entry ID (e) is subsequently polled. It is also possible to detect this fact and discard the auxiliary ID (s) stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22 and store the new entry ID (e). In this case, the repeat sequence is performed again and the slave unit ID is assigned.

Also, the new entry ID (e) and the auxiliary ID (s) may be the same. Further, the slave unit 12 may be operated by always storing the auxiliary ID (s) in the slave unit ID storage unit 22.

[Embodiment 3]

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 13 and FIG. In the above embodiment, the base unit 11 starts polling the new entry ID (e) and starts communication in such a form that the slave unit 12 newly joining responds to the polling. ing. Further, in the above embodiment, all communications are started by polling from the master unit 11, and devices that have not been polled cannot communicate for a predetermined period of time due to the polling. Also, in the communication network system shown in FIG. 11, when data is broadcast, if the data is broadcast, the data is broadcast using a specially authorized ID (auxiliary ID). It is a limited reception.

On the other hand, in the communication network system of the present embodiment, the CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) communication method and the polling, which are used in a wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), alternately. Is what is done. Below, this communication The method will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a time change of the communication method in the above communication method. First, polling is performed from the master unit 11, and the polled slave unit 12 performs communication for a predetermined time. After that, there is a period during which communication can be freely performed, during which communication is performed using the CSMA / CA method.

Here, a brief description of the CSMA / CA method is a communication method in which if another device does not communicate for a predetermined period of time or more, a communication right is acquired and the own device performs communication. Specifically, the timer is stopped while another device is communicating, and when it detects that the communication has ended, the timer is restarted and the period is measured, and when the timer reaches a predetermined waiting time, the communication right is granted. This is realized by the communication of the own machine assuming that has been acquired. This waiting time is a value determined randomly by each device, and differs for each device, so that communication collision can be prevented.

In FIG. 13, the polling method and the CS MAZC A method are alternately repeated in the same period, but it is needless to say that this period can be arbitrarily determined. For example, the polling method may be longer, and the CSMA and CA methods may be longer. Further, the above period does not need to be constant, and may be changed as occasion demands.

In the communication network system according to the present embodiment, the newly entered slave unit 12 can perform communication for acquiring the slave unit ID from the master unit 11 by the CSMA / CA method. There is no need to poll the new entry slaves 1 and 2 with the new entry ID. Hereinafter, this point will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The bind request, bind response, and bind confirm in the figure are shown in Figs. 8 (a) to (c). Since it is the same as that shown, the description is omitted.

FIG. 14 shows a procedure for exchanging packets between the parent device 11 and the new child device 12 in the communication network system. First, during the first polling period, since the slave unit ID is not assigned to the slave unit 12 to newly enter, the slave unit 12 to newly enter is polled from the master unit 11 and becomes the master unit 11. There is no communication.

Next, in the period of the CSMA / CA method, the slave unit 12 that wants to newly enter transmits a bind request to the master unit 11. Master device 11 transmits a bind response to the received bind request. Upon receiving the bind response, the slave unit 12 transmits a bind confirm and sets its own slave unit ID. Master device 11 registers child device ID in the polling list when receiving the pin confirmation. Then, in the next polling period, the master unit 11 can poll the registered slave unit ID and communicate with the newly entered slave unit 12.

Note that the above sequence for the slave unit 11 to newly enter is one CSM

If it is not completed during the A / CA period, you may continue or restart from the beginning in the next CSMAZCA period.

If there is no slave unit 12 to be polled, the CSMAZCA period may be used without providing a polling period, and the polling period may be lengthened or shortened according to the number of slave units 12. You may do it. In addition, any method can be adopted as a method of notifying each period. For example, the base unit 11 may transmit the time information of each period to all the slave units 12 or the polling period may start from the time when the base unit 11 acquires the communication right during the CSMAZCA period. It may be a format that starts with. In the above embodiment, the tuner 10 is used as a device for transmitting AV data to the parent device 11. However, if the device is capable of transmitting AV data to the parent device 11, a video deck, Any device such as a DVD player can be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, when radio waves do not arrive due to poor radio wave conditions or a long distance, the slave unit 12 stores the slave unit ID stored in the slave unit ID storage unit 22. Although the ID has been changed to a new entry ID, it is also possible to return to the time of turning on the power and go back to the process of searching for a wireless channel with the base unit 11.

In addition, master unit 11 may periodically notify slave unit 12 of the new entry prohibition mode or the new entry permission mode. For example, a polling packet can be received by all the slaves 12, and the polling packet is sent by adding the polling list 20 of the master unit 11 to the polling packet. Can be notified to the child device 12.

Further, it may be notified whether or not to shift to the new entry permission mode in the new entry prohibition mode. For example, a transition bit is added to a polling packet, and if the transition bit is set, the mode shifts to the new entry permission mode, the transition time to the new entry permission mode is notified, or the polling list is transmitted. It is also achieved by notifying the number of free polling lists or transmitting the number of slave units that can be managed by the master unit.

In addition, the “predetermined time” described in the embodiment does not need to be the same for all times, and it is possible to determine a time according to each scene. Further, the time may be changed according to the state of the device at that time. For example, from S13 to S14, the parent unit When polling the slave unit IDs included in one ring list 20 and the new entry IDs, the more entry unit IDs included in the polling list 20, the more the new entry IDs are polled. It is better to extend the time that the parent machine waits for the bind confirm, because it reduces the chances of the parent machine.

Further, in the above embodiment, wireless is used as a communication medium between the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12, but any communication medium such as a wired communication medium may be used. Further, the communication unit 31 and the protocol processing unit 36 shown in FIG. 2 may use any protocol.

For example, in the case of wireless communication, radio waves such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and UWB (Ultra Wide Band) may be used as the physical layer, or light such as infrared light may be used. In the case of a wired connection, an analog connection or a digital connection such as IEEE1394 can be used.

Also, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 have been described on the premise of a communication network system that replies to polling, but the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 have been described. As described above, it is also possible to assign the address of the device using a normal LAN or the like, or to perform the same processing as in the same embodiment for confirming the existence of the device. In other words, the present embodiment can be applied to a protocol such as a wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) as a protocol of the MAC layer. Further, a configuration in which a plurality of communication units 31 are provided may be employed.

Further, each functional block shown in FIG. 2 may be realized by hardware or software. The form of the device for implementing the present invention, such as a program recorded on a recording medium readable on a computer, may take any form. Further, in the above embodiment, the digital AV data is transmitted from the tuner 10 to the master unit 11, but analog AV data may be transmitted. In this case, the master unit 11 may be equipped with an encoder that converts analog AV data into digital AV data.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tuner 10 and the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 and the display 13 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. The handset 11 may be integrated, or the slave unit 12 and the display 13 may be integrated. In addition, any device other than the tuner 10 and the display 13 can be used as a device connected to the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12.

In the above embodiment, the case where the slave unit receives the AV data transmitted by the master unit 11 has been described. However, the slave unit 12 on which the master unit 11 has performed polling is the master unit 11 1. The AV data may be transmitted to the slave unit 12 or the AV data may be transmitted to another slave unit 12.

Various configurations of the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 may be configured by a hardware port, or realized by software using a CPU (central processing unit) as described below. You may.

That is, the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 execute a control program (CPU) (central processing unit) for realizing each function, a ROM (read only memory) storing the above program, and the above program. It has a RAM (random access memory) to be developed, and a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the above programs and various data. An object of the present invention is to provide a program code (executable program) for a control program of the multimedia translator 4 which is software for realizing the above-described functions. 3016408

39

The computer (or CPU or MPU) supplies a recording medium in which a program, an intermediate code program, and a source program) are recorded so as to be readable by a computer, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads the program code recorded in the recording medium. It can also be achieved by executing readout. Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk Z and a hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO XMD / D VD / CD-R. A card system such as a disk system, an IC card (including a memory card), an optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPR OMZ flash ROM can be used.

Further, master unit 11 and slave unit 12 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, and a virtual private network. , Telephone line networks, mobile communication networks, satellite communication networks, etc. can be used. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even if the transmission medium is a wire such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, or the like, It can also be used by infrared rays such as DA ゃ remote control, B1uetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 radio, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and other radio. Note that the present invention can also be realized in the form of a carrier wave or a data signal sequence in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

As described above, the communication control method of the parent device according to the present invention includes And a communication step of communicating with the slave unit to which the slave unit ID has been assigned, and a communication step of communicating with the slave unit to which the slave unit ID has been assigned. The ID assigning step includes, when receiving the entry request information requesting entry into the communication, assigning the slave unit ID, transmitting the assigned slave unit ID, and holding the assigned slave unit ID. And a method including:

As a result, the communication between the master unit and the slave unit uses the slave unit ID specified by the master unit, and there is no need to use the device ID of the slave unit, so that the master unit communicates with the slave unit. This has the effect of reducing the resources and processing load of the system.

Further, in the communication control method for a base unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the subunit ID assigning step further includes a step of broadcasting predetermined entry availability information that is information indicating that entry is possible. It is a method that includes.

As a result, it is necessary for the slave unit to identify whether or not the information received from the master unit is entry-possible information. However, since the entry-possible information does not change, it is possible to easily identify.

It is preferable that the step of holding the slave ID is performed after the slave receives confirmation information indicating that the slave ID has been received. In this case, by receiving the confirmation information, the parent device can surely know that the child device ID has been allocated to the child device.

Further, in the communication control method for a base unit according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned method, the communication step may be such that the communication with the base unit to which the base unit ID is assigned becomes unnecessary or impossible. In this method, the device ID is discarded and the procedure returns to the slave device ID assignment step.

By the way, when the master unit has not sent information to the slave unit for a predetermined period, If no information has been received from the child device for a predetermined period of time, it is considered that communication between the parent device and the child device was unnecessary or disabled. Therefore, according to the above-described method, by discarding the slave unit ID in which communication between the master unit and the slave unit is unnecessary or disabled, and re-assigning the slave unit ID, the other slave units can be identified. This has the effect of increasing opportunities for entry.

In addition, if the above-mentioned slave unit ID is discarded, it is desirable to broadcast that effect. As a result, it is possible to easily know that another slave unit can participate in communication with the master unit.

Further, in the communication control method of the master unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the slave unit ID provision step is performed by a CSMA / CA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

According to the above method, the slave unit ID is provided to the slave unit that wants to participate in the communication by the CSMA / CA method. In the case of the CSM AZCA method, even a slave unit that does not have a slave unit ID can communicate with the master unit if no other device is communicating with the master unit. Therefore, the master unit need only wait for a request from the slave unit to perform the slave unit ID assigning step, and does not need to take any action from itself, for example, as in the broadcast of the above-mentioned entry possible information. Therefore, there is an effect that the processing load on the master unit can be reduced.

Also, the communication control method of the base unit according to the present invention provides a base unit that assigns a base unit ID other than a base unit ID already registered in the base unit management list to a base unit that wants to participate in the communication. A device ID assigning step, a communication step for communicating with the slave unit assigned with the slave unit ID registered in the slave unit management list, and an alternate execution of alternately executing the slave unit ID assigning step and the communication step And the step of assigning the slave unit ID includes the step of referring to the communication. When the above device ID is received as entry request information requesting entry, one of the above slave device IDs other than the slave device ID already registered in the above slave device management list is assigned, and the assigned slave device ID is This method includes a step of transmitting the received handset ID together with the received handset ID, and a step of registering the assigned handset ID in the handset management list.

As a result, the device ID of the child device is used when the child device participates in communication with the parent device, but after the entry, the communication between the parent device and the child device is performed by the child device designated by the parent device. The ID is used, and there is no need to use the device ID of the slave unit. Therefore, since the parent device does not need to hold the device ID of the child device, there is an effect that resources and processing load for communication with the child device are reduced.

Preferably, the step of registering the slave ID is performed after the slave receives confirmation information indicating that the slave ID has been received. In this case, by receiving the confirmation information, the parent device can surely know that the child device ID has been allocated to the child device.

Further, in the communication control method of the master unit according to the present invention, in the above method, when the entry of a new slave unit is not permitted, the alternate execution step is a method of executing only the communication step.

For example, there is no room in the Remote Unit Management List, and you can register more Remote Unit IDs. Otherwise, the slave unit cannot participate in communication with the master unit, even if the slave unit sends entry request information to the master unit. In this case, according to the above-described method, the step of assigning a slave unit ID is omitted, so that there is an effect that unnecessary communication can be omitted.

Further, in the communication control method for a base unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the alternate execution step further includes a step of broadcasting that no entry of a new child unit is permitted.

By the way, when the slave unit attempts to enter into communication with the master unit and fails, there are cases in which the cause is in the master unit and in the communication medium. Becomes difficult.

Therefore, according to the above method, the base unit broadcasts that it is not allowed to enter a new slave unit, so that a slave unit that cannot enter can be identified as having a cause in the base unit, and subsequent measures can be easily taken. This has the effect.

Further, in the method for controlling communication of a master unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the communication step may be such that, when communication with a certain slave unit becomes unnecessary or impossible, the slave unit assigned to the slave unit. This is a method of deleting the ID from the above slave unit management list.

By the way, if the master unit has not transmitted information to the slave unit for a predetermined period of time, or if the master unit has not received information from the slave unit for a predetermined period, communication between the master unit and the slave unit is performed. It is considered unnecessary or impossible. Therefore, according to the above method, the ID of the slave unit in which communication between the master unit and the slave unit is unnecessary or disabled is deleted from the slave management list, so that the resources in the slave management list are deleted. Waste can be prevented. In particular, when performing polling, the polling of the slave unit ID can be omitted, so that the polling is efficiently performed. 3 016408

4 4

Can be done.

It should be noted that deleting the slave ID from the slave management list will always create a space in the slave management list, so it is desirable to restart the slave ID assignment step.

In addition, if the slave ID is deleted from the slave management list, it is desirable to broadcast the fact. In this case, it is possible to easily know that another slave unit can participate in communication with the master unit.

Further, in the communication control method for a base unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the subunit ID provision step is performed by a CSMAZCA system, and the communication step is performed by polling.

According to the above method, the slave unit ID is provided to the slave unit that wants to participate in the communication by the CSMA / CA method. In the case of the CSMA / CA method, a slave unit that does not have a slave unit ID can communicate with the master unit if no other device is communicating with the master unit. Therefore, the master unit only has to wait for a request from the slave unit to perform the slave unit ID assigning step, and does not need to take any action from the own unit, for example, as in the above-mentioned broadcast of the possible entry information. Therefore, there is an effect that the processing load on the master unit can be reduced.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in order to participate in the communication, a child device ID acquisition step of requesting and acquiring a child device ID for identifying the child device from the parent device, If the slave unit ID transmitted by the client device matches the slave unit ID acquired in the slave unit ID acquisition step, a communication step for communicating with the master unit is included. Transmitting to the base unit entry request information for requesting participation in the communication, and, when receiving the handset ID from the base unit, holding the received handset ID. It is a method including. .

As a result, the communication between the master unit and the slave unit uses the slave unit ID specified by the master unit, and there is no need to use the device ID of the slave unit, so that the master unit can communicate with the slave unit. This has the effect of reducing resources and processing load.

Furthermore, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of transmitting the entry request information includes the step of transmitting the predetermined entry enable information, which is information indicating that entry is possible, to the parent device. This is the method to execute when receiving from.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of transmitting the entry request information may include the step of: This is a method of notifying the user of the own machine that new entry has not been accepted.

As a result, the slave unit can identify the cause of the failure when trying to enter the communication with the master unit. In the step of holding the slave unit ID, it is preferable that the received slave unit ID is held and confirmation information indicating that the slave unit ID has been received is transmitted to the master unit. In this case, by receiving the confirmation information, the parent device can surely know that the child device ID has been allocated to the child device.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of holding the child device ID includes: Otherwise, the method returns to the step of transmitting the entry request information.

By the way, if the slave unit does not receive the slave unit ID after transmitting the entry request information, it can be considered that a collision has occurred due to the simultaneous transmission of the entry request information from multiple slave units to the master unit. . Therefore, according to the above method, by retransmitting the entry request information after waiting, collision is avoided, and the possibility of receiving the slave unit ID is increased, and the slave unit enters the communication with the master unit. This has the effect of increasing the likelihood of being able to do so. In particular, by making the standby time different for each slave unit, the possibility of avoiding a collision is further increased, and the possibility that the slave unit can participate in communication with the master unit is further increased. To play.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of holding the child device ID includes the step of: when the child device ID is not received from the parent device in a predetermined period, This is a method of notifying the user of the own device that communication is not possible.

As a result, the slave unit can identify the cause of the failure when trying to enter the communication with the master unit.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the communication step may include, when the communication with the parent device becomes unnecessary or impossible, the child device ID held by the own device. This is a method of discarding and returning to the slave unit ID acquisition step.

By the way, when the slave unit has not received information from the master unit for a predetermined period, it is considered that communication between the master unit and the slave unit has been disabled. In this case, there is a high possibility that the slave unit ID will be discarded at the master unit for effective use of resources. At this time, it is not only wasteful for the slave unit to hold the slave unit ID, but if the slave unit ID is assigned to another slave unit, the same slave unit ID is assigned to a different slave unit. This causes problems such as collisions.

Therefore, according to the above method, the slave can discard the held slave ID to avoid occurrence of the above-described problem.

In addition, since the master unit does not always destroy the slave unit ID, when the slave unit destroys the slave unit ID, it is desirable to notify the master unit of the fact. Further, in the communication control method of the slave unit according to the present invention, in the above method, the slave unit ID acquisition step is performed by a CSMA / CA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

In the case of the CSM AZCA method, even a slave unit having no slave unit ID can communicate with the master unit if no other device is communicating with the master unit. Therefore, according to the above method, the slave unit ID acquisition step is performed by the CSMA / CA method, so that the slave unit does not have to wait until information such as the above-mentioned entry possible information is acquired from the master unit. An ID can be requested from the master unit. This has the effect that the slave unit can quickly acquire the slave unit ID.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in order to participate in the communication, a child device ID obtaining step of requesting and obtaining the child device ID from the parent device, and a child device transmitted by the parent device A communication step of communicating with the master unit when the ID matches the slave unit ID acquired in the slave unit ID acquisition step, and the slave unit ID acquisition step includes: Transmitting the device ID of the own device as entry request information for requesting entry of the device, and receiving the device ID and device ID from the above-mentioned master device, And comparing the received device ID with the device ID of the remote device, and when the IDs match, retaining the received handset ID.

According to the above method, the slave unit transmits its own device ID as entry request information and receives the slave unit ID corresponding to its own device ID. Can communicate with the master unit, and there is no need to use the device ID of the slave unit.

Furthermore, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of transmitting the device ID includes the step of transmitting predetermined entry possibility information, which is information indicating that entry is possible, from the master device. This is the method to execute when receiving.

By this means, it is necessary for the slave unit to identify whether or not the information received from the master unit is entry-possible information. However, since the entry-possible information does not change, there is an effect that it can be easily identified.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of transmitting the device ID includes the step of transmitting the device ID when the parent device is not received in a predetermined period. This is a method of notifying the user of the own machine that new entry has not been accepted.

According to the above method, the slave unit can identify the cause of the failure in trying to enter the communication with the master unit, so that there is an effect that the subsequent measures can be easily performed.

In the step of holding the slave unit ID, it is preferable to hold the received slave unit ID and transmit confirmation information indicating that the reception of the slave unit ID has been confirmed to the master unit. In this case, the master unit receives the confirmation information to ensure that the slave unit has been assigned the slave unit ID. This has the effect that it can be performed.

Further, in the communication control method of the child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of holding the child device ID includes the step of: receiving the child device ID and the device ID from the parent device in a predetermined period; This is a method of returning to the step of transmitting the own device ID.

By the way, if the slave unit does not receive its own device ID and slave unit ID as entry permission information after transmitting its own device ID as entry request information, the It can be considered that a collision has occurred due to the simultaneous transmission of the device ID to the master unit. Therefore, according to the above method, the possibility of receiving the own device ID and the remote device ID is increased by avoiding collision by retransmitting the device ID after the standby, and the remote device becomes the parent device. This has the effect of increasing the possibility of participating in communication with the machine. In particular, by making the standby time different for each slave unit, the possibility of avoiding a collision is further increased, and the effect that the slave unit can participate in communication with the master unit is further increased. .

Further, in the communication control method of the child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the step of holding the child device ID includes the step of: receiving the child device ID and the device ID from the parent device in a predetermined period; This is a method of notifying the user of the own device that communication with the master device is not possible.

As a result, the slave unit can identify the cause of the failure in joining the communication with the master unit, so that it is easy to take subsequent measures.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the communication step may include, when the communication with the parent device becomes unnecessary or impossible, the child device ID held by the own device. Discard, and obtain the above slave unit ID How to return to.

By the way, when the slave unit has not received information from the master unit for a predetermined period, it is considered that communication between the master unit and the slave unit has been disabled. In this case, there is a high possibility that the child device ID will be deleted from the child device management list in the parent device in order to effectively use resources. At this time, it is not only wasteful for the slave unit to hold the slave unit ID, but also when the slave unit ID is assigned to another slave unit, the same slave unit ID is assigned to a different slave unit. Troubles such as collisions occur.

Therefore, according to the above method, the slave unit has an effect of avoiding the occurrence of the above-mentioned trouble by discarding the held slave unit ID.

In addition, since the master unit does not always destroy the slave unit ID, when the slave unit destroys the slave unit ID, it is desirable to notify the master unit of the fact. Further, in the communication control method for a slave according to the present invention, in the above method, the slave ID acquisition step is performed by a CS MAZCA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

Further, the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention provides a communication method between a parent device and a plurality of child devices. A communication control method of a slave unit for controlling communication, wherein the master unit broadcasts video data, and the master unit includes a plurality of slave units used to identify a slave unit that can transmit to its own unit. It has a slave unit ID and a slave unit management list for registering the slave unit IDs assigned to the slave units that are in a transmittable state with the slave unit. The slave unit uses identification information unique to the slave unit. A slave device ID acquisition step for requesting and acquiring the slave unit ID from the master unit in order to participate in the communication, and acquiring the slave unit ID in the slave unit ID acquisition step In this case, a video data output step of receiving the video data broadcast from the master unit and outputting the video data to the outside is included, and the slave unit ID acquisition step includes an entry requesting participation in the communication. Transmitting the device ID of the own device as request information; When the device ID and the device ID are received, the received device ID is compared with the device ID of the own device, and if they match, the step for holding the received slave device ID and the device ID of the own device match. If the device ID has not been received from the master unit for a predetermined time, the step of allocating an auxiliary ID by itself. The video data output step further includes the step of allocating the auxiliary ID by the step of allocating the auxiliary ID. In this case, the video data broadcast from the master unit is received and output to the outside.

According to the above method, the slave unit to which the slave unit ID is assigned from the master unit and the slave unit to which the auxiliary ID is assigned output video data received from the master unit. Since the child device to which the child device ID is assigned can transmit, for example, a request for retransmission of video data to the parent device, it is possible to output video data without any disturbance in video. On the other hand, the slave unit to which the rescue ID is assigned cannot send data to the master unit because the slave unit ID is not assigned. Therefore, there is a possibility of outputting video data with a distorted video. However, since the video data can be output from the slave units other than the slave unit to which the slave unit ID is assigned, it is possible to provide an image to a large number of users.

Further, in the communication control method for a child device according to the present invention, in the method described above, when the auxiliary ID is assigned in the child device ID acquisition step, the video data output step includes the entry information. Is received from the master unit, the auxiliary ID is discarded, and the process returns to the slave unit ID acquisition step.

According to the above method, the slave unit to which the auxiliary ID has been assigned can receive the entry-possible information from the master unit, and the slave unit ID can be assigned from the master unit. This has the effect that video data that does not exist can be output.

Note that in the video data output step, if the slave unit ID has not been obtained from the master unit and the auxiliary ID has not been assigned by itself, even if the video data is received from the master unit, It is desirable not to output data to the outside. Further, in the communication control method for the child device according to the present invention, in the above method, the child device ID obtaining step is performed by a CSMAZCA method, and the video data output step is performed by polling.

In the case of the CSM AZCA method, even a slave unit having no slave unit ID can communicate with the master unit if no other device is communicating with the master unit. Therefore, according to the above method, the slave unit ID acquisition step is performed by the CSMA / CA method, so that the slave unit does not have to wait until information such as the above-mentioned entry possible information is acquired from the master unit. The unit ID can be requested from the master unit. This has the effect that the slave unit can quickly acquire the slave unit ID.

It should be noted that the above effects can be obtained if the master unit or the slave unit executes the communication control method. Similarly, if the master unit that executes the communication control method and the slave unit that executes the communication control method are a communication network system connected via a communication network, the above-described effects can be obtained. Wear.

Further, each step in the above-described master device communication control method can be executed on a computer by a master device communication control program. Similarly, each step in the communication control method for the slave unit can be executed on a computer by the communication control program for the slave unit.

Further, by storing the master unit communication control program or the slave unit communication control program on a computer-readable recording medium, the master unit communication control program or the slave unit communication control program can be executed on any computer. The program can be executed.

It should be noted that the specifics made in the section of the best mode for carrying out the invention The embodiments or examples are only for clarifying the technical contents of the present invention, and should not be construed as being limited to such specific examples in a narrow sense. The present invention can be variously modified and implemented within the scope of the appended claims. Industrial potential

According to the present invention, there is provided a communication network system in which the parent device can communicate with the child device using only the child device ID without having the child device ID.

As a result, resources and processing load for communication can be reduced, and communication processing can be speeded up and a device can be downsized.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A communication control method of a master unit for controlling communication between the master unit and the slave unit, wherein a slave unit ID for assigning a slave unit ID for identifying a slave unit to a slave unit desiring to participate in the communication. An applying step;

And a communication step of communicating with the slave unit to which the slave unit ID has been assigned.

Upon receiving the entry request information requesting entry into the communication, assigning the slave unit ID, and transmitting the assigned slave unit ID;

Holding the assigned slave device ID.

2. The communication control of the master unit according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit ID assigning step further includes a step of broadcasting predetermined entry possibility information, which is information indicating that entry is possible. Method.

3. The communication control of the master unit according to claim 1, wherein the step of holding the slave unit ID is performed after the slave unit receives confirmation information indicating that the slave unit ID has been received. Method.

4. In the communication step, when communication with the slave unit to which the slave unit ID is assigned becomes unnecessary or impossible, the slave unit ID is discarded and the process returns to the slave unit ID assignment step. 2. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 4, wherein when the base unit ID is discarded, the fact is broadcasted.

6. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit ID provision step is performed by a CS MA / CA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

7. A communication control method of a master unit for controlling communication between the master unit and a plurality of slave units,

The master unit has a slave management list for registering a plurality of slave unit IDs used to identify communicable slave units and the slave unit IDs assigned to the slave units in a communicable state with the own unit. And

The above slave unit has a device ID which is identification information unique to the own unit, and other than the slave unit ID already registered in the above slave unit management list for the slave unit which desires to participate in the above communication. A slave unit ID assigning step of assigning the slave unit ID of the slave unit and a communication step of communicating with the slave unit assigned the slave unit ID registered in the slave unit management list.

An alternate execution step of alternately executing the slave unit ID granting step and the communication step,

The above slave unit ID granting step

Upon receiving the device ID as entry request information for requesting entry into the communication, assigns any of the slave unit IDs other than the slave unit IDs already registered in the slave unit management list, and assigns them. Transmitting the handset ID together with the received device ID;

Registering the assigned slave unit ID in the slave unit management list.

8. The above slave unit ID assigning step indicates that the above entry is possible. 8. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 7, further comprising a step of broadcasting predetermined entryable information as information.

9. The communication control of a master unit according to claim 7, wherein the step of registering the slave unit ID is performed after the slave unit receives confirmation information indicating that the slave unit ID has been received. Method.

10. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 7, wherein in a case where entry of a new slave unit is not permitted, the alternate execution step executes only the communication step.

11. The master device communication control method according to claim 10, wherein the alternate execution step further includes a step of broadcasting that no entry of a new child device is permitted.

12. The communication step is characterized in that, when communication with a certain slave unit becomes unnecessary or impossible, the slave unit ID assigned to the slave unit is deleted from the slave unit management list. 8. The communication control method for a base unit according to claim 7, wherein:

13. The master device communication control method according to claim 12, wherein when the slave device ID is deleted from the slave device management list, the fact is broadcasted.

14. The master device communication control method according to claim 7, wherein the slave device ID providing step is performed by a CS MAZCA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

15 5. A communication control method for a slave unit that controls communication between the master unit and the slave unit. The slave unit requests the master unit to obtain a slave unit ID for identifying the slave unit in order to participate in the communication. ID acquisition step,

If the slave unit ID transmitted by the master unit matches the slave unit ID acquired in the slave unit ID acquisition step, a communication step for communicating with the master unit is performed. And

The slave unit ID acquisition step above

Transmitting entry request information for requesting entry to the communication to the base unit;

A method for controlling communication of a slave unit, comprising: receiving a slave unit ID from the master unit, and holding the received slave unit ID.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of transmitting the entry request information is executed when predetermined entry availability information, which is information indicating that entry is possible, is received from the master unit. The communication control method of the slave unit described in the above.

17. The step of transmitting the entry request information includes, when the entry enable information is not received within a predetermined period, notifying the user of the own device that the parent device has not accepted the new entry of the child device. 17. The communication control method for a slave unit according to claim 16, wherein:

18. The step of holding the slave unit ID includes holding the slave unit ID received and transmitting confirmation information indicating that the slave unit ID has been received to the master unit. A communication control method for a slave unit according to claim 15.

19. The step of holding the handset ID returns to the step of transmitting the entry request information if the handset ID is not received from the master unit for a predetermined period of time. The communication control method of the slave unit described in the above.

20. In the step of holding the slave unit ID, if the slave unit ID is not received from the master unit within a predetermined period, it is necessary to notify the user of the own unit that communication with the master unit is impossible. 16. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 15, wherein:

21. In the communication step, when communication with the master unit is unnecessary or impossible, the slave unit ID held by the own unit is discarded, and the process returns to the slave unit ID acquisition step. 16. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 15, wherein:

22. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 21, wherein when the child device ID is discarded, the fact is notified to the parent device.

23. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 15, wherein the child device ID acquisition step is performed by a CS MAZCA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

2 4. A communication control method for a slave unit that controls communication between the master unit and a plurality of slave units.

The master unit is a slave unit management list that registers multiple slave unit IDs used to identify communicable slave units and the slave unit IDs assigned to slave units that are in a communicable state with the own unit. And

The slave unit includes a device ID which is identification information unique to the slave unit, and a slave unit ID acquisition step of requesting and acquiring the slave unit ID from a master unit to participate in the communication,

If the slave ID transmitted by the master matches the slave ID acquired in the slave ID acquisition step, a communication step of communicating with the master is included,

The slave unit ID acquisition step above

Transmitting own device ID as entry request information requesting entry into the communication;

When the slave unit ID and device ID are received from the master unit, the received device I Comparing the device ID with the device ID of the own device, and, if they match, holding the received handset ID.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of transmitting the device ID is performed when predetermined entry availability information, which is information indicating that entry is possible, is received from the master unit. Communication control method of slave unit

26. In the step of transmitting the device ID, in a case where the entry enabled information is not received within a predetermined period, the parent device must notify the user of the own device that the new device has not been accepted. 26. The communication control method for a slave unit according to claim 25, wherein:

27. The step of holding the slave unit ID includes holding the slave unit ID received and transmitting confirmation information indicating that the reception of the slave unit ID has been confirmed to the master unit. 26. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 24.

28. The step of holding the slave unit ID is characterized by returning to the step of transmitting the own device ID if the slave unit ID and the device ID are not received from the master unit within a predetermined period. 25. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 24.

2 9. In the step of holding the above-mentioned slave unit ID, if the slave unit ID and the device ID are not received from the above-mentioned master unit within a predetermined period, the user of the own unit notifies that communication with the above-mentioned master unit is impossible. 26. The communication control method for a slave unit according to claim 24, wherein the communication is notified to a user.

30. The communication step is characterized in that, when the communication with the master unit becomes unnecessary or impossible, the slave unit ID held by the own unit is discarded and the process returns to the slave unit ID acquisition step. Communication control method for the slave unit according to claim 2 Law.

31. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 30, wherein when the child device is discarded, the fact is notified to the parent device.

32. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 24, wherein the child device ID acquisition step is performed by a CSMA / CA method, and the communication step is performed by polling.

3 3. A communication control method for a slave unit that controls communication between the master unit and a plurality of slave units.

The master unit is broadcasting video data,

The above-mentioned master unit registers a plurality of slave unit IDs used for identifying the slave units that can transmit to the own unit, and the above-mentioned slave unit IDs assigned to the slave units that are in a transmittable state with the own unit. It has a management list and

A video data output step of receiving the video data broadcasted from the parent device and outputting the video data to the outside when the child device ID is acquired in the child device ID acquisition step,

The slave unit ID acquisition step above

Receiving the slave unit ID and the device ID from the master unit, comparing the received device ID with the device ID of the unit, and if the IDs match, retaining the received slave unit ID; Allocating an auxiliary ID by itself if a device ID that matches the device ID of the own device is not received from the master device for a predetermined time.The video data output step further includes the step of: A communication control method for a slave unit, further comprising receiving the video data broadcast from the master unit and outputting the data to the outside even when the auxiliary ID is assigned in the assignment step.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the step of transmitting the device ID is performed when predetermined entry enable information, which is information indicating that entry is possible, is received from the master unit. Communication control method of slave unit

3 5. If the auxiliary ID is assigned in the slave unit ID acquisition step, the video data output step discards the auxiliary ID and receives the entry ID information from the base unit when the auxiliary data is received from the master unit. 35. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 34, wherein the method returns to the child device ID acquisition step.

36. In the video data output step, if the slave unit ID has not been obtained from the master unit and the auxiliary ID has not been assigned by itself, even if the video data is received from the master unit, 34. The communication control method for a slave unit according to claim 33, wherein the video data is not output to the outside.

37. The communication control method for a child device according to claim 33, wherein the child device ID obtaining step is performed by a CSMA / CA method, and the video data output step is performed by polling. .

38. A master unit that executes the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

39. The communication control method according to any one of claims 15 to 37. Handset performing the law.

40. A master unit for executing the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a communication control method according to any one of claims 15 to 23. A communication network system in which the slave units to be executed are connected via a communication network.

41. A master unit for executing the communication control method according to any one of claims 7 to 14, and a communication control method according to any one of claims 24 to 32. A communication network system in which multiple slave units to be executed are connected via a communication network.

42. A master unit for executing the communication control method according to any one of claims 7 to 14, and a communication control method according to any one of claims 33 to 37. A communication network system in which multiple slave units to be executed are connected via a communication network.

43. A communication control program for a base unit, which causes a computer to execute each step in the communication control method for a base unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

44. A communication control program for a slave unit, the program causing a computer to execute each step in the communication control method for a slave unit according to any one of claims 15 to 37.

45. The communication control program for a base unit according to claim 43, or the claim.

44. A computer-readable recording medium on which the communication control program for a slave unit according to 4 is recorded.