Information device and information device control method

The present invention is a device capable of recording or playing back data such as images and sounds represented by an audiovisual (hereinafter referred to as "AV") device and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"). Also, it is related to a device that has a function to receive or transmit data such as images and sounds, and especially when connecting multiple devices, the device user can connect the devices without being aware of the connection order and connect. The present invention relates to a device having a function capable of remotely controlling another device by operating any one of the devices.

In recent years, with the spread of AV equipment, it is not uncommon to have one person such as a CD player, a TV receiver (hereinafter referred to as "TV"), and a video player (hereinafter referred to as "VCR"). .. There is also an increasing demand for connecting these AV devices to each other to build a so-called AV system. In that case, since each remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) must be used to operate the device, a situation has arisen in which the same number of remote controllers as the connected devices are lined up on the desk.

Various ideas have been proposed to eliminate the hassle of having to use many of these remote controls. For example, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-79847, a remote controller having a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as "remote control") is prepared, all connected devices are registered in advance in this remote controller, and the display is displayed on this liquid crystal display. A method of operating the device by touching the icon of the registered connected device with a finger has been proposed. By using this remote control, all devices can be controlled with only one remote control.

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-79847</text></patcit></p>

<p> However, when using the remote controller proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-79847, the device must first be connected according to the usage. For example, if you want to connect three devices, VTR, TV, and satellite broadcast receiver, or if you want to record the image of the satellite broadcast receiver on the VTR, connect the output terminal of the satellite broadcast receiver and the input terminal of the VTR. It is necessary, and if you want to display the image of the satellite broadcast receiver on the TV, you need to connect the output terminal of the satellite broadcast receiver and the input terminal of the TV. Furthermore, if you want to display the VTR image on the TV, you need to connect the VTR output terminal and the TV input terminal. In this way, the advantages of the conventional remote controller cannot be utilized unless the user connects in consideration of the connection order.</p><p> Also, if you add a new device, you may run out of connection terminals, or you may not know which one is connected, and you may end up having to make all the connections again. In other words, the work of connecting to build an information device system such as an AV system must be done in the same way as before. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional invention, it is necessary to register the icon of the connected device in the remote controller in advance, and further supply the function of the device (for example, recording or playback) to the remote controller from an IC card or a telephone line to store it. There is also a problem.</p><p> An object of the present invention is to allow the user to easily and freely operate the connected device without considering a device connection method and without having to install driver software or the like each time a connected device is added. To do.</p>

<p><u style="single"> The above object can be achieved by the configuration described in the claims as an example.</u></p>

<p> When a plurality of devices according to the present invention are connected, the user does not need to be aware of the connection order and can control all the other devices from one of the connected devices. In addition, there is no need to install driver software for each device, which is indispensable for connecting PC peripherals, and users can use this system simply by connecting the devices with a cable.</p>

<figref num="1">It is an example diagram of AV equipment connection.</figref><figref num="2">It is an example figure of the appearance of IRD.</figref><figref num="3">It is an example diagram of the circuit configuration of IRD.</figref><figref num="4">This is an example of a flowchart of a control device.</figref><figref num="5">It is an example diagram of the communication mode operation part.</figref><figref num="6">It is an example diagram which showed the data storage method of the self-information memory.</figref><figref num="7">It is an example diagram which showed the data storage method of the connected device memory.</figref><figref num="8">It is an example figure which showed the data storage method of the communication pair function memory.</figref><figref num="9">It is an example figure of the packet which transfers ID number and model name data.</figref><figref num="10">It is an example figure of the communication mode display LCD.</figref><figref num="11">This is an example of a flowchart of a device other than the control device.</figref><figref num="12">It is an example figure of the packet which forwards an ID number and a function flag.</figref><figref num="13">This is an example of the communication mode setting display screen of D-TV.</figref><figref num="14">This is an example of a display screen when the communication confirmation button is pressed.</figref><figref num="15">This is an example of an external view of D-TV.</figref><figref num="16">This is an example of data storage in the self-information memory.</figref><figref num="17">This is an example of data storage in the connected device memory.</figref><figref num="18">This is an example of the IRD operation panel.</figref><figref num="19">This is an example of a D-VCR operation panel.</figref><figref num="20">This is an example of the communication start permission screen.</figref><figref num="21">Model name This is an example of a data packet for data request transmission.</figref><figref num="22">This is an example of a data packet for transmitting a functional data request.</figref><figref num="23">This is an example of a data packet for functional data transmission.</figref><figref num="24">This is an example of a data packet when transferring model name data and function data together.</figref><figref num="25">This is an example of an overview diagram of an IRD that does not have a communication mode display LCD.</figref><figref num="26">This is an example of an IRD remote controller.</figref>

Figure 1 shows a digital satellite broadcast receiver (hereinafter referred to as "IRD") 102, a digital video cassette recorder (hereinafter referred to as "D-VCR") 103, and a digital television capable of receiving and displaying digital image signals (hereinafter referred to as "D"). -It seems that 104 (referred to as "TV") and 106 of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as "PC") are connected by cables 100, 101 and 105.

In this embodiment, the interface between the cables 100, 101 and 105 and the connected device is a bus interface having a protocol for grasping the connection status by an ID number, an address, or the like, for example, the international standard IEEE1394. It shall be. However, it is not limited to IEEE1394, and it is possible even if the digital interface is USB, SSA, Fiber Channel, FC-EL or SCSI.

In the present embodiment, a case where the work of recording the video received by the D-TV 104 on the D-VCR 103 is performed by operating the IRD 102 will be described. First, FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the IRD 102. 201 is a receiving channel display LCD that displays the channel being received, 202 is a group of buttons for selecting a channel, 203 is a group of operation buttons and a display unit used when operating the IRD in communication mode (hereinafter, "communication mode operation unit"). It is called).

204 is the power button to turn the power on and off, 205 and 207 are the cursor movement buttons to move the cursor displayed on the communication mode display LCD209, 206 is the select button to switch the item displayed at the cursor position, and 208 is the start to start communication. Button, 210 is the communication mode button when operating the IRD in the communication mode, 211 is the communication program button for displaying and confirming the setting items when setting multiple communications, 212 is the stop button for stopping communication, 213 is the communication It is a communication confirmation button to confirm the status.

Figure 3 briefly shows the internal circuit configuration of the IRD102. Reference numeral 300 denotes a bus of CPU 301 of IRD102, and main means such as memory are connected to this bus. The data exchange and the like described below are performed by the control of the CPU 301. 302 is a working memory used by CPU 301 for processing, 303 is an image processing unit that performs processing such as decoding and DA conversion of received image data, and 304 is processing for digital connection with other devices. It is an interface part for digital connection according to a certain protocol (for example, IEEE1394).

305 is a tuner unit that receives signals sent by satellite, 306 is a communication mode screen display control unit that controls characters displayed on the communication mode display LCD209 provided on the front panel of IRD102, and 311 is a model of this IRD102. The self-model name memory that stores the name data, and 312 is the self-function memory that stores the functional data of the IRD102. The model name referred to here refers to the device name itself such as "IRD" or "D-VCR".

Reference numeral 307 denotes a non-volatile storage means (ROM) in which a program for controlling the entire IRD 102 is stored. 308 is the connected device memory that stores all model names and their ID numbers or addresses connected to the bus or network to which this IRD102 is connected, and 309 is the function of the pair (sending side and receiving side) to communicate. Is a communication pair function memory that temporarily stores the memory, and 310 is a communication setting memory that stores the settings of the started communication.

As mentioned earlier, the operation of recording the video received by the D-TV104 on the D-VCR103 is performed by operating the IRD102, and the operation used when operating the flowchart FIG. 4 and the IRD102 in the communication mode. This will be described with reference to the enlarged view 5 of the button group and the display unit 203. Since other devices are operated by the IRD102, such devices will be referred to as control devices. In addition, the connected D-VCR103, D-TV104, and PC106 have at least the same as the self-function memory 312, self-model name memory 311, and connection interface 304 in the circuit configuration diagram 3 of IRD102. And.

First, when you connect a cable to the IRD102 or turn on the power (Phase 401), the initial settings are made according to the specifications of the digital interface of this cable (Phase 402). At this time, the ID numbers of all the connected devices are determined.

At this time, as a method of determining the ID number, for example, in the international standard IEEE1394, as described in detail in the IEEE1394-1995 standard (IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus), the parent-child relationship of all devices is determined. Determine your ID number (node number) in order from the device that is a leaf (device to which no device is connected other than the parent), and determine by notifying all other devices of your number.

In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the IRD 102 is assigned to the ID number 102, the D-VCR 103 is assigned to the ID number 103, the D-TV 104 is assigned to the ID number 104, and the PC 106 is assigned to the ID number 106.

Next, move on to Phase 403, which tells other devices what kind of model name you are. Here, there are two ways to tell other devices what kind of model name you are.

One is, immediately after the interface initial setting of Phase 402 is completed, the assigned ID number and the own model name stored in the self-model name memory 311 are transferred to all other connected devices via the connection interface 304. It is a method of transferring to. In this method, all the connected devices having the connected device memory 308 at this point receive the model name data of all the devices and store them in their own connected device memory 308. Therefore, all the connected model names. Can be memorized. For example, in the present embodiment, all devices such as IRD102, D-VCR103, and D-TV104 transmit their model names to all connected devices via the connection interface and store all connected model names. Will be done.

The other method is that after the interface initial setting of Phase 402 is completed, all the devices are in the idling (waiting for request) state, and if the model name data request data is received via the connection interface 304 during this period, the request source is sent to the request source. This is a method of transferring the model name. For example, in the present embodiment, the IRD 102 requests the model name from the D-VCR103 or D-TV104, and stores the model name data of all the models transmitted in response to this request in its own connected device memory 308. Become. At this time, the model name request data is transferred to all connected devices by pressing the communication mode button of the IRD102.

The advantage of the former is that the time required to step up to the next phase 404 after the user presses the communication mode button (selected as the control device) is shortened. On the contrary, the advantage of the latter is that the memory capacity can be reduced because the model name data does not have to be received unless it is selected as the control device.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the transfer data structure when requesting model name data. 2101 is header data indicating that the model name data request flag 2103 follows the standard of the digital interface to which the device is connected, and 2102 is the ID number of the source. The self-model name memory 311 stores display character data for displaying characters so that the user can understand them, as shown in Fig. 6 (a) 601. Parentheses () shall mean to store the character code that represents the inside of the parentheses.

Figure 9 shows an example of the transmission data structure when transferring the ID number and model name to other devices. 901 is the header data indicating that the model name data follows the protocol of the digital interface, 902 is the own ID number, and 903 is the model name.

In order to display the display character data correctly on the receiving side, a means for converting the character data into characters is required on the receiving side. In the case of IRD102, the communication mode screen display control unit 306 in FIG. 3 is responsible for this work and displays it on the communication mode LCD209.

In phase 403, while transmitting your own model name and ID number, the ID number and model name of other devices sent via the digital interface are stored in the connected device memory 308 (along with your own ID number and model name). To do. However, if the control device requests model name data from another device (the latter method of the above two model name data transfer methods), it is not necessary to transmit at least one's own model name.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connected device memory 308 stores the ID number 701 and the corresponding model name character display code 702. The parentheses () in 702 shall mean the character code that represents the inside of the parentheses. At this point, preparations for deciding the device for transmitting data and the device for receiving data are completed.

Note that FIG. 6A shows an example of storing data in the self-model name memory 311. As shown in FIG. 3, the area with one memory (self-information memory 313) is defined as the self-model name memory area. Data may be stored in the self-model name memory area after the remaining area is set as the self-function memory area.

Figure 6 (b) shows an example of storing data in the self-information memory 313. 604 is the self-model name memory area, and the remaining areas 602 and 603 are the self-function memory areas. 604 is the self-model name data, 602 is the function flag, and when this data is sent from the outside, it is the command number to execute the corresponding function. 603 is a function name for displaying characters so that the user can understand what kind of function the function flag 602 is. Like 601, the parentheses () in 603 and 604 are meant to store the character code that represents the inside of the parentheses.

Next, the process proceeds to phase 404 in which the source device and the target device, which are pairs for exchanging data, are determined. Here, the "source device" refers to a device on the side of transmitting information, and the "target device" refers to a device that receives information transmitted from the source device. Phases 404 to 407 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, which is an enlarged view of the communication mode operation unit 203 in the IRD 102.

The communication mode is turned on by pressing the communication mode button 210 in the previous phase. As a result, the cursor is displayed at the position 501 of the source side area 506 displayed on the communication mode display LCD209. If the communication mode button 210 is not pressed, the communication mode is turned off and the IRD102 is operated by itself, and the button group 202 in FIG. 2 or the attached remote controller is operated to set the channel.

When the select button 206 is pressed, the model name (702 in FIG. 7) stored in the connected device memory 308 is sequentially displayed at the 501 position. When "D-TV" is displayed, stop pressing button 206. Then press the cursor move button 207 to move the cursor to the position 502. By moving the cursor from the 501 position, it is considered that the D-TV104 has been selected as the source device, and the ID number of the D-TV104 (104 in FIG. 7) stored in the connected device memory 308 is used. Requests functional data (a flag for executing the function of D-TV by an external operation and a character code expressing the function) from D-TV104. When the requested D-TV function data is sent, it is stored in the communication pair function memory 309 (Phase 405).

22 and 23 show an example of the transmission data structure and an example of the function data transmission data structure at the time of requesting the function data, respectively. In FIG. 22, 2201 is a header indicating that the standard of the digital interface to which the device is connected and the function data request flag follows, 2202 is the ID number of the transfer source of this data, and 2203 is the function data request flag. Further, in FIG. 23, 2301 is a header indicating that the function data follows the standard of the digital interface to which the device is connected, 2302 is the ID number of the transfer source of this data, and 2303 is the function data.

Since the D-TV104 has a self-function memory like the IRD, when it receives a function request signal, it directs the data (function data) stored in its own self-function memory to the IRD102, which is the request transmission device. Transfer via digital interface.

Figure 8 shows an example of data storage in the communication pair function memory 309. In the communication pair function memory 309, the function flags 803 and 804 and the character code data 805 and 806 expressing them are stored in the data area 801 for the source device (the upper half frame of FIG. 8) and the area 802 for the target device (Fig. The lower half of 8 border) is stored separately. It is also possible to prepare separate memories for the source device and the target device and use them.

By pressing the select button 206, the character data 805 of the function data after the model name (D-TV) stored in the source device area 801 is sequentially displayed in the cursor area 502 in FIG. 5, and the desired function is displayed. Stop pressing the select button 206. This completes the source device settings (Phase 406).

Next, return to phase 404 and determine the target device. By pressing the cursor movement button 205 or 207, the cursor is moved to the position 503 in the display area 507 for the target device. The target device and its function determination are performed in exactly the same way as the operation performed on the source device, and the desired device and function are selected (Phase 404, Phase 405). However, the communication pair function memory 309 uses the target device area 802. In the example of FIG. 5, channel 1 of D-TV104 is recorded on D-VCR103.

When the source device, target device and their function selection are completed (Phase 406), finally by pressing the start button 208 (Phase 407), the D-TV104 is "Select channel 1 and ID103 (D-VCR). ) Is forwarded, and the command "Receive the data sent from ID104 (D-TV) and record (record)" is forwarded to the D-VCR103 via the digital interface. Will be done.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the data transmitted by the IRD 102 also transfers the ID number 1202 of the communication partner together with the function flag 1203. That is, to the D-TV104, the ID number of the D-VCR103 is transmitted to the ID field 1202, and the command number 01 for receiving the channel 1 is transmitted to the function flag field 1203. For D-VCR103, the ID field 1202 is the ID number of the D-TV104, and the function flag field 1203 is the command number 02 to record (in this embodiment, the recording function is supported as shown in 804 in FIG. 8). The command number to be executed is "02".) Is sent.

As a result, each device can recognize where to transfer the data or where the data is transferred from. The field 1201 is header data indicating that the data following the protocol of the connected digital interface is a function flag.

Here, when communication is started, the communication mode display LCD 209 may display the character 505 "communication in progress" indicating that communication is being performed. The control device (IRD102 in this case) may be provided with a timer function so that the communication start time and end time can be set by pressing a timer button (not shown) before pressing the communication start button. However, in this case, the control device should forward the function flag in the packet shown in Fig. 12 when the set time is reached.

When the communication start button is pressed, the settings and ID number of each device at the time of starting are stored in the communication setting memory 310. Regarding the setting of the communication pair, either the source device or the target device may be set first.

Of the above two model name data transfer methods, in the case of the method described as the latter (method of transferring the own model name in response to the model name request), the model name data request and response and the function data request and response are made respectively. Although it was performed in different phases (phases 403 and 405), both model name data and function data may be obtained with one request. That is, the control device transfers the functional data request including the model name data to all the other devices. The connected device that receives this request sends its own model name data and function data together. The control device separates the function data including the transmitted model name data into the model name data and the function data and stores them in the connected device memory 308 and the communication pair memory 309, respectively.

Figure 24 shows an example of the data configuration when the model name data and the function data are transmitted together. 2401 is a header that conforms to the digital interface standard and indicates that the model name data 2403 and the function data 2404 are combined and followed, and 2402 is the ID number of the sender.

Now, when you finish setting the communication to record channel 1 of the D-TV104 to the D-VCR and set another communication, for example, when you make a recording reservation for a certain program received by the IRD102 to the D-VCR103. However, it can be set by pressing the communication program button 211. By pressing the button 211, characters indicating the next communication setting are displayed on the communication mode display LCD209 as shown in 1001 shown in FIG. 10, and a new setting screen is displayed. You can set the source device and target device and start the second communication in exactly the same way as when you set the first communication. By repeating the same thing, it is possible to start multiple communications such as three or four.

By pressing the communication confirmation button 213 after starting the communication, the communication settings stored in the communication setting memory 310 are displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209 as shown in FIG. At this time, by pressing the stop button 208, a signal "End communication" is transmitted to the IDs of the D-TV and D-VCR stored in the communication setting memory 310, and the communication can be stopped. it can.

So far, the explanation has been given from the standpoint of IRD102, that is, the control device, but this time, the explanation will be given from the viewpoint of the controlled device. Here, D-VCR103 will be used for explanation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing how the D-VCR103 (controlled device) is controlled by the control device. Since Phase 401, Phase 402, and Phase 403 are exactly the same as in the case of the control device, the description thereof will be omitted.

In phase 1101, it keeps waiting until functional data is requested from other devices (using polling, interrupts, timers, etc.). When there is a function data request, the function flag stored in the self-function memory and its display character data are transferred to the request source (Phase 1102), and the function flag (function command) is waited for to be transmitted (Phase). 1103). A function command is sent from the control device with the data structure shown in FIG. 12, and when this (function flag) is received, the function to which the flag is assigned (for example, recording) is executed (Phase 1104).

As shown in Fig. 12, the ID number of the data source (D-TV in this example) is also transmitted along with the function flag, so the D-VCR103 should recognize where the data is sent. Can be done. After executing the function, it waits for the function request signal again in phase 1101 in preparation for the next communication.

As described above, all the connected devices have the self-model name memory 311 and the self-function memory 312 (or the self-information memory 313), and at least one of them has the connected device memory 308 and the communication pair function memory. By having the 309, the user can operate all the connected devices by operating only one device (having the connected device memory 308 and the communication pair function memory 309).

The connected device memory, the communication pair function memory, and the communication setting memory may be used by dividing the area of one memory (RAM314 in FIG. 3) instead of providing the memories separately. Similarly, the contents stored in the self-function memory, self-model name memory, and program ROM are all information that cannot be rewritten, so instead of providing separate memories for each, one memory area is divided and used. You may.

Further, the communication mode display LCD can be as follows. (1) The source and target device settings were made on the same screen (both source device settings and target device settings are displayed at the same time), but the target device setting screen is displayed after the source device settings are completed. (2) Separate LCDs are provided for the source device settings and target device settings so that the settings can be selected separately. (3) Communication mode display LCD209 is not installed on the device as shown in Fig. 2, but is installed on the remote controller.

Examples of the IRD main body and the remote controller in the case of (3) above are shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, respectively. The 2501 is an IRD main unit that does not have a communication mode display LCD, and the 2502 is a light receiving unit that receives signals from the remote controller. In the remote controller 2601, 2602 is the communication mode display LCD (equivalent to 209), 2603 is the button that controls the power supply of the IRD, 2604 is the button group that controls the receiving channel (202) of the IRD, and the others are numbered the same as in Fig. 2. The ones that are shown are the same as those in Fig. ii, and they operate in the same way.

Further, when a device having a display for displaying an image such as D-TV104 is used as a control device, the communication mode display LCD209 is not provided separately from the display for displaying the image, but as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. Communication setting menu screens may also be displayed on the same display.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an external view of the D-TV 104, which is such a device. 1301 is a display for displaying received video and communication setting menu, 1302 is a power switch, and 1303 is a video button for displaying received video. The other buttons are buttons that perform exactly the same function as those described in Figure 2 (they are numbered the same).

By pressing the communication mode button 210, the D-TV104 becomes a control device and the communication setting menu is displayed on the display 1301. By pressing the cursor movement buttons 205 and 207 and the select button 206, the source device and the target device are set, and the communication is started by the start button 208. When the video button 1303 is pressed, the display 1301 changes from the communication mode display screen to the normal received video display screen. To set another communication, press the communication mode button 210 again. That is, the D-TV104 has two screen display modes, a received video display and a communication mode display, which can be switched by pressing the buttons 210 and 1303.

In the embodiment described above, the data stored in the self-model name memory 311, the self-function memory 312, and the self-information memory 313 is character data (as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8), and the connected device has The explanation has been given by taking as an example the case where character data is converted into characters and displayed on a display device.

This was, for example, a character conversion method A. Each device stores the character code according to the character conversion method A in the self-model name memory, the self-function memory, and the self-information memory. Each device can also display the received character data on the screen according to the character conversion method A. However, one connected device stores a character code that does not comply with the character conversion method A, and if this is sent to another device, this character code will not be displayed correctly as a matter of course. Let's change the viewpoint a little and think about using pictures and symbols instead of letters. That is, an embodiment in the case where all the connected devices of FIG. 1 adopt the graphic display method A instead of the character conversion method A will be described.

In the present embodiment, a case where the D-TV 104 is operated and the video received on the channel 2 of the IRD 102 is recorded on the D-VCR 103 will be described. Here, IRD102, D-VCR103, D-TV104, and PC106 all have self-information memory 313, and all store model name data and function data in a data format according to graphic display method A. To do. In addition to this, the D-TV104 has a communication setting memory 310 and a connected device memory 308, and can correctly display data according to the graphic display method A on the screen and perform operations associated therewith. It shall have part 306. Further, in the present embodiment, the self-model name data and the self-function data are collectively stored as self-information data in the self-information memory 313, and the self-information data (self-model name and self) is stored in the connected device memory together with the ID number. Since the function data) is stored, the communication pair memory 309 for storing the self-function data is not required.

Figure 16 shows an example of the self-information data stored in the self-information memory of the D-TV104. 1601 is self-information data obtained by converting D-TV model name data and function data together using graphic display method A. Here, the parentheses [] indicate that the self-information data of the device in the parentheses is converted by the graphic display method A.

FIG. 15 shows a second external view of the D-TV 104. Numbers in the figure that do not have 15 at the beginning are already mentioned numbers, so explanations will be omitted. Unlike the D-TV in Fig. 13, the D-TV in Fig. 15 does not use the cursor movement buttons 205, 207 and the select button 206, and items can be selected by directly touching the screen with a finger, and the selected cursor position can be selected twice. By hitting continuously, it is assumed that the same effect as pressing the select button 206 can be obtained.

First, by pressing the communication mode button 210 in FIG. 15, this device D-TV104 is selected as the control device. The D-TV104 requires self-information data from all connected devices. It receives the response (ID number and self-information data) and stores it in its own connected device memory 308.

Figure 17 shows an example of data storage in the connected device memory. 1701 and 1702 are the ID number and self-information data of IRD102, respectively, 1703 and 1704 are the ID number and self-information data of D-VCR103, respectively, and 1705 and 1706 are the ID number and self-information data of D-TV104, respectively. is there. Similar to FIG. 16, parentheses [] indicate that the self-information data of the device in parentheses is converted by the graphic display method A.

After storing the ID numbers and self-information data of all connected devices in the connected device memory, the D-TV104 reads the contents of the connected device memory 308, performs reverse conversion according to the graphic display method A, and displays the screen. Screen 1301 of FIG. 15 shows an example of the screen display at this time. 1501 is the model name data of D-VCR103 (hereinafter referred to as the icon), 1502 is the icon of D-TV104, 1503 is the icon of IRD102, and 1504 is the icon of PC106. At this time, in order to make the control device (self) easy to understand, it may be displayed in a different color from other connected devices.

When the user first selects IRD102 (hits the IRD icon 1503 twice in a row), the IRD operation panel 1800 as shown in Fig. 18 is displayed on the screen. This data is based on the IRD self-information data 1702 in FIG. 1804, 1805, 1806, and 1807 are scroll buttons, and by touching them with your finger, the characters displayed on the left side scroll. 1808 is the input source model name when inputting data to IRD. In this case, nothing is input to IRD, so select "NONE". 1809 is the output destination model name when outputting data. In this case, select D-VCR. 182 is the receiving channel, in this case 2 channels are selected. After completing the settings, select the OK button 1810. If you want to redo the setting, select the cancel button 1811.

Next, when the D-VCR icon 1501 is selected, the D-VCR operation panel 1900 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the screen. This data is based on the self-information data 1704 of the D-VCR shown in FIG. 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906 are scroll buttons, and by touching them with your finger, the characters displayed on the left side scroll. 1901 is the input source model name when inputting data to the D-VCR, and select "IRD". 1902 is the output destination model when outputting data. In this case, nothing is output, so select "NONE". 1907, 1908, and 1909 are buttons for stopping, playing, and recording, respectively. In this case, select recording. After completing the settings, select the OK button 1910. If you want to redo the settings, select the cancel button 1911. This completes the "Settings for recording IRD channel 2 to a D-VCR".

After that, by pressing the communication start button 208, the IRD102 (ID number 102) is instructed to "receive 2 channels and send to the D-VCR (ID number 103)" to the D-VCR103. On the other hand, the command "Record the data (video) sent from the IRD 102 (ID number 102)" is transmitted in the structure shown in FIG. 12 to start the communication. You may start communication by selecting the OK button in the settings of the second device, or you can display the characters "Can I start communication?" As shown in 2000 in Fig. 20. Communication may be started by selecting the OK button 2001.

After this, as in the previous example of recording D-TV video on a D-VCR using an IRD as a control device, multiple communications can be set with the program button 211, and with the confirmation button 213 and stop button 212. You can stop the communication that has already started or the communication that has been reserved.

When a plurality of devices according to the present invention are connected, the user does not need to be aware of the connection order and can control all the other devices from one of the connected devices. In addition, there is no need to install driver software for each device, which is indispensable for connecting PC peripherals, and users can use this system simply by connecting the devices with a cable.

The aforementioned examples disclose at least the following: (1) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. An information device having at least a self-model name storage means for storing its own model name data and a transmission means for transmitting at least the self-model name data to another connection information device. (2) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. An information device having a requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit model name data indicating the model name of the other connection information device to the other connection information device. (3) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. Means for transmitting the own model name data to the other connection information device when the own model name data is transmitted from another connection information device or when there is a request to transmit the own model name data. An information device characterized by having. (4) The information device according to (1) or (2), which has a connected device storage means for storing the model name data of another connected information device when the model name data is sent. .. (5) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. A self-function storage means for storing the function data of the own machine, An information device having a transmission means for transmitting the converted functional data to another connection information device. (6) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. An information device having a requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit functional data of the other connection information device. (7) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. An information device having a means for transmitting the function data to the other information device when requested to transmit its own function data from another connection information device. (8) The description according to (5) or (6), which has a connected device function storage means for storing the converted functional data when the functional data of the other connected information device is sent. Information equipment. (9) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. Information characterized by having at least a self-information storage means for storing self-information data including model name data of the own machine and functional data of the own machine, and a transmission means for transmitting the self-information data to another connected information device. machine. (10) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. An information device having a requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit model name data and function data of the other connection information device. (11) An information device that constitutes an information device system consisting of at least two information devices connected to each other. Information characterized by transmitting the self-information data to the other connection information device when there is a request from another connection information device to transmit self-information data including model name data and function data. machine. (12) The information device according to (9) or (10), which has a connected device information storage means for storing the functional data when the self-information data of the other connected information device is sent. .. (13) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. The first requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit the model name data of the other connection information device, and When the model name data is sent from the other connection information device, the connection device storage means for storing the conversion model name data and the connection device storage means. A second requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit functional data of the other connection information device, and An information device having a connection device function storage means for storing the conversion function data when the function data is sent from the other connection information device. (14) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A requesting means for requesting the other connection information device to transmit self-information data including model name data and function data of the other connection information device, and An information device having a connected device information storage means for storing the self-information data when the self-information data is sent from the other connection information device. (15) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A self-model name data storage means for storing own model name data, and A self-function storage means for storing self-function data, An information device having a transmission means for transmitting at least its own model name data to all other connected information devices and transmitting the conversion function data to at least one of the other connected information devices. .. (16) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A self-information storage means for storing self-information data including own model name data and functional data, An information device having a means for transmitting the self-information data to another connection information device. (17) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. An information device having a means for transmitting the converted model name data to the other information device when requested by another connection information device to transmit its own model name data. (18) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. An information device having a means for transmitting the functional data to the other information device when requested by another connected information device to transmit its own functional data. (19) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. When there was a request from another connection information device to send its own model name data, there was a request to send the converted model name data to the other information device and send its own function data. An information device that sometimes has means for transmitting the functional data to the other information device. (20) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. An information device having a means for transmitting the self-information data when a request is made from the other connection information device to transmit the self-information data including the self-model name data and the function data. .. (21) It is characterized by having a display means for displaying the model name data of the other connection information device by characters, pictures, icons, etc. (4), (8) or (12) to (14). Information equipment listed in any one of them. (22) It is characterized by having a display means for displaying the functional data of the other connection information device by characters, pictures, icons, panels, etc. (4), (8), (12). The information device according to any one of (14) and (21). (23) A connection in which at least one of the model name data of the other connection information device and the converted functional data has a display function other than the own device by means of characters, pictures, icons, panels, or the like. It is characterized in that it is displayed on the display means of the information device (4), (8) or Is the information device described in any one of (12) to (14). (24) It is characterized in that the other connection information device is operated by selecting the device and the function displayed on the display means or the display means of the connection information device other than the own device (12), ( The information device described in 13) or (14). (25) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A connected device storage means that stores model name data of other connection information devices, A connection device function storage means for storing the function data of the other connection information device, and A display means for displaying the model name data and function data by characters, pictures, icons, panels, etc. A first selection means for selecting at least one information device from the connection information devices displayed on the display means, and A second selection means for selecting at least one function of the connection information device displayed on the display means, and A requesting means for requesting the connection information device selected by the first selection means to transmit the functional data, and a requesting means. The connection information device selected by the first selection means has a transmission means for transmitting function instruction data for executing the function selected by the second selection means, and the other connection selected. An information device characterized by operating an information device. (26) The information device according to (25), wherein the display means is requested to transmit the model name data to the other connected device before displaying the model name data. (27) An information device that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A connected device information storage means that stores self-information data including model name data and functional data of other connected information devices, and A display means capable of displaying the separated conversion model name data and the function data separately by characters, pictures, icons, panels, etc. A first selection means for selecting at least one information device from the connected information devices, and A second selection means for selecting the function of the connection information device, and A requesting means for requesting the connection information device selected by the first selection means to transmit the self-information data, and a requesting means. The other connection information device selected by the first selection means has a transmission means for transmitting function instruction data for executing the function selected by the second selection means. An information device characterized by operating the other selected connection information device. (28) It is characterized in that it has a data separating means for separating the model name data and the functional data in the self-information data, and the display means can display the model name data and the functional data in different areas. (27) The information device described. (29) It is characterized in that the functional data is received from the information device that has transmitted the functional data and the function based on the functional data is executed (3), (7), (11) or (17) to (20). ) Is one of the information devices listed in. (30) The description according to any one of (25) to (29), wherein the communication setting storage means for storing the function data and the model name data to be transmitted to the other connection information device is provided. Information equipment. (31) The information device according to any one of (1) to (32), wherein the information device system is an information device system connected via a digital interface. (32) The information device according to (31), wherein the digital interface is either IEEE1394, USB, SSA, Fiber Channel, FC-EL or SCSI. (33) The information device according to any one of (21) to (32), wherein the conversion code for displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code. (34) A control method for an information device system that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. The model name of the connection information device is visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, etc. Select at least one information device from the displayed connection information devices, and select Request the selected information device to transmit functional data that can be visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc. Visually display the received functional data using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc. One of the displayed functions of the connected device is selected, and the function instruction data corresponding to the function is transmitted to the selected information device. An information device system control method, characterized in that the selected information device executes the function instruction. (35) Request the other connection information device to transmit model name data that can be visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, etc. The information device system control method according to (33), wherein the model name of the requested connection information device is visually displayed using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, and the like. (36) A control method for an information device system that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the function data for executing the function of the own device, the function data is transmitted to the other connection information device. An information device system control method comprising receiving functional data of a function to be executed from the other connected information device and executing the function to be executed. (37) A control method for an information device system that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the model name model name data of the own machine, the model name data is transmitted to the other connection information device. When there is a request from another connection information device to transmit the function data for executing the function of the own device, the function data is transmitted to the other connection information device. An information device system control method comprising receiving functional data of a function to be executed from the other connected information device and executing the function to be executed. (38) The information device system control method according to any one of (34) to (37), wherein the information device system is an information device system connected via a digital interface. (39) The information device system control method according to (38), wherein the digital interface is either IEEE1394, USB, SSA, Fiber Channel, FC-EL or SCSI. (40) The information device system control method according to any one of (34) to (39), wherein the conversion code for displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code. .. (41) An information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A connection device storage means for storing model name data of another connection information device, a connection device function storage means for storing function data of the other connection information device, and at least one of the model name data and the function data. A display means for displaying characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc., a means for selecting the function of the other connection information device and the function of the other connection information device, and the other connection selected by the selection means. A first connection information device having a transmission means for transmitting the functional data of the selected function to the information device, and It has a self-model name storage means for storing its own model name data and a second connection information device having its own function storage means for storing its own function data. The display means visually displays the model name of the second connection information device with characters, symbols, pictures, icons, etc., and the first connection information device is the selected second connection information device. Is requested to transmit the functional data, the display means displays the received functional data using characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc., and the first connection information device is selected. An information device system characterized in that a second connection information device executes the selected function command by transmitting the function command to the selected second connection information device. (42) An information device system that constitutes an information device system in which at least two information devices are connected. A connection device storage means for storing model name data of another connection information device, a connection device function storage means for storing function data of the other connection information device, and at least one of the model name data and the function data. A display means for displaying characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc., a means for selecting the function of the other connection information device and the function of the other connection information device, and the other connection selected by the selection means. A first connection information device having a transmission means for transmitting the functional data of the selected function to the information device, and It has a self-model name storage means for storing its own model name data and a second connection information device having its own function storage means for storing its own function data. The first connection information device requests the selected second connection information device to transmit the model name data, and the display means displays the received model name data in characters, symbols, pictures, or the like. Visually displayed by an icon or the like, the first connection information device requests the selected second connection information device to transmit the function data, and the display means receives the received function data. Is displayed as characters, symbols, pictures, icons, panels, etc., and the selected function command is transmitted to the selected second connection information device, whereby the second connection information device causes the selected function command. An information equipment system characterized by running. (43) The information device system according to (41) or (42), wherein the information device system is an information device system connected via a digital interface. (44) The information device system according to (43), wherein the digital interface is either IEEE1394, USB, SSA, Fiber Channel, FC-EL or SCSI. (45) The information device system according to any one of (41) to (44), wherein the conversion code for displaying the model name data and the function data on the display means is an ASCII code. (46) It is characterized in that it has a means for receiving data indicating the model name of the other connected device from another connected device connected to the bus and displaying that the other connected device is connected to the bus. Information equipment.

102 ... IRD, 103 ... Digital Video Recorder Player, 104 ... Digital TV receiver, 106 ... personal computer, 206 ... select button, 208 ... Start button, 209 ... Communication mode display LCD, 210 ... Communication mode button, 211 ... Communication program button, 212 ... Stop button, 213 ... Communication confirmation button, 304 ... Connection interface, 311 ... own model name memory, 312 ... self-functioning memory, 308 ... Connected device memory, 309 ... Communication pair function memory, 1800 ... IRD control panel, 1900 ... D-VCR operation panel.