CN1130877C - Information processing apparatus, method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, which enables one of a plurality of electronic devices connected to each other through a network to output data to the remaining one or more electronic devices, including: a parameter acquisition device, used to acquire parameters used for control from the electronic device parameters of electronic devices connected to each other through a network; setting means for setting parameters; storage means for storing parameters set by the setting means; and control means for controlling electronic devices based on the parameters stored in the storage means; and registration means , for automatically registering the parameters used to control the newly connected electronic equipment into the parameters stored in the storage device, and one of the electronic equipment is a media player, and the remaining one or more Electronic devices are amplifiers.

Description

Information processing device and method

technical field

The present invention relates to an information processing device and method, and more particularly to an information processing device and method for a system in which a plurality of electronic devices are connected to each other through a network.

Background technique

A scheme for an audio system using multiple amplification devices is now being popularized. Such an audio system using a plurality of amplifying devices can simultaneously amplify a playback signal from a playback device, such as a CD (Compact Disk) drive, with a plurality of amplifying devices, and output the amplified playback signal.

However, a problem that needs to be solved with the audio system described above is that the physical wiring diagram for connecting multiple amplification devices to one playback device is too complex.

There is another problem to be solved in the above-mentioned conventional audio system, that is, when the mode, for example, a movie mode or a music mode is switched along with the playback content, since the switching operation must be performed independently for each amplification device , so complex operations are required.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned conventional audio system is limited in the number of connectable amplification devices and the like by the number of plug-ins of a system controller or the like.

Contents of the invention

One of objects of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and method in which wiring diagrams of a plurality of electronic devices such as amplifiers are simplified.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and method by which a plurality of amplifying devices can be controlled in a centralized manner from a single information processing device in order to optimize the amplifying device according to the content to be played back or output and simplify the amplifying Use of equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided, which is used to make one of a plurality of electronic devices connected to each other through a network output data to the remaining one or more electronic devices. The equipment includes: parameter acquisition means, used to acquire parameters used to control each of the electronic equipment from each of the electronic equipment; setting means, used to set the parameters; storage means, used to store the parameters set by the setting means set parameters; control means for controlling each of said electronic devices based on said parameters stored in said storage means; and registration means for automatically registering parameters for controlling newly connected electronic devices into storage Among the parameters in the storage device, and, the electronic device for outputting data is a media player, and the remaining one or more electronic devices are amplifiers

The present invention also provides an information processing method for an information processing device, so that one of the plurality of electronic devices connected to each other through the network outputs data to the remaining one or more electronic devices, including: a parameter acquisition step , obtaining from the electronic device parameters for controlling the electronic devices connected to each other through the network; a setting step, setting parameters; a storing step, storing the parameters set during the processing of the setting step; a controlling step, according to the stored The parameters stored in the process of step control the electronic equipment; and the registration step is used to automatically register the parameters used to control the newly connected electronic equipment into the stored parameters, and the output for output The data electronic device is a media player, and the remaining electronic device or devices are amplifiers.

In the information processing device and method, it is possible to acquire and set parameters for controlling each electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices connected to each other through a network, and to store these set parameters. Electronics are then controlled according to the stored parameters. Therefore, electronic devices can be optimized in response to data to be transmitted, and finally these electronic devices can be easily used.

Description of drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be clearly understood from the following description and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same parts or units in the drawings are represented by the same symbols.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a network system structure;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of an IRD shown in Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of an amplifier shown in FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a CD drive shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is a diagram describing software stored in the hard drive shown in Figure 2;

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams describing the internal tables;

8 to 11 are diagrams showing an example of a GUI displayed on the monitor shown in FIG. 2;

Figure 12 is a flowchart describing the network management process;

Figure 13 is a flowchart describing the operation of generating an internal table;

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the monitor shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is a flow chart describing the operation when the CD drive plays back a CD;

Figure 16 is a flowchart describing the operation of the volume change process; and

Fig. 17 is a flowchart describing the operation of the CD drive stop process.

Detailed ways

Referring first to FIG. 1, it shows the structure of a network system in which a plurality of amplification devices are connected to one information processing device.

An IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) 1 receives a broadcast signal from a satellite (not shown) through an antenna (not shown) and demodulates the broadcast signal so that a broadcast signal is displayed on the monitor 7 Image. In addition, the IRD 1 receives sound information from a CD drive 5 connected thereto via an IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, and outputs this sound information to Amps (amplifiers) 2, 3, and 4. In addition, IRD 1 also controls Amps 2 to 4. When any one of Amp 2 to 4 and CD drive is connected to IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, it sends a DCM (Device Control Module) and an FCM (Functional Component Module) of the device itself to IRD 1. The details of DCM and FCM will be described below.

The IRD 1 will receive the DCMs and FCMs from the Amps 2 to 4 and the CD drive 5, and detect the connection status of those devices connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6 from these DCMs and FCMs. Then, the IRD 1 control monitor 7 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for controlling devices connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6.

Figure 2 shows the detailed structure of IRD 1. Referring to FIG. 2, an input/output interface 21 is used as an interface for outputting signals to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) unit 11, which is connected to an internal bus 25.

A tuner 22 demodulates the broadcast signal received by the antenna not shown in the figure, and the demodulated broadcast signal is output to the On the monitor 7, the broadcast signal is displayed on the monitor 7.

A touch panel 23 is provided on the surface of the main body of the IRD 1 . If the user operates the touch panel 23 according to the display on the LCD unit 11, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26 generates a control signal according to the operation of the touch panel 23, and sends it to the Amps 2 to 4 and the CD drive through the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6. Issue various commands.

Application programs, middleware, etc. to be executed by the CPU 26 have been stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24.

Internal bus 25 interconnects input/output interface 21, tuner 22, HDD 24, CPU 26, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 27, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 28, and IEEE 1394 I/F 29 to allow Data communication between them.

The CPU 26 controls the operation of the entire IRD 1, and executes various application programs when required. The various application programs to be executed by the CPU 26 and the latest information required in the execution processing of the equipment have been written in the RAM 27, wherein the equipment is connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6 through the processing described below. In the ROM 28, programs for loading and starting an OS (Operating System) and the like necessary for the processing of the CPU 26 have been stored. The IEEE 1394 I/F 29 is used as an interface with the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, and performs data communication with the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6.

A semiconductor memory 41, a magneto-optical disk 42, an optical disk 43, a magnetic disk 44, and the like can be loaded in one drive 30.

Figure 3 shows the hardware structure of Amp 2. A signal sent by an IRD 1 is input to a CPU 55 through an IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, an IEEE 1394 interface 58 and an internal bus 54. In addition, if the user observes the content displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal display) unit 51 and operates the touch panel 52, a signal representing the user's operation can be input to the CPU 55 through the input/output interface 59 and the internal bus 54 , the CPU 55 controls an amplifier section 53 according to this signal.

The amplifier section 53 converts sound data from digital data into analog data according to a control signal input from the CPU 55, amplifies and outputs the resulting analog sound data to a speaker 61, so that the speaker 61 produces sound based on the analog sound data.

The CPU 55 reads out the program stored in the ROM 57 according to the input signal, develops the program in the RAM 56, and executes the program so as to output a control signal to the amplifier section 53 via the internal bus 54, or via the internal bus 54, IEEE 1394 Interface 58 and IEEE 1394 serial bus 6 send Amp 2's own DCM and FCM to IRD 1. The RAM 56 temporarily stores data generated by the CPU 55 executing a program or data required for processing by the Amp 2 and the like.

Amps 3 and 4 have a structure similar to Amp 2 described above with reference to FIG. 3 , and their repeated descriptions are omitted here to avoid redundancy.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a CD drive 5. As shown in FIG. Referring to Fig. 4, a signal sent by IRD 1 is input to CPU 75 through IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, an IEEE 1394 interface 78 and an internal bus 74. On the other hand, if the user observes the display content displayed on the LCD unit 71 and operates the touch panel 72, a signal representing the user's operation can be input to the CPU 75 through the input/output interface 79 and the internal bus 74 , the CPU 75 controls a playback section 73 according to this signal.

The replay part 73 reads out the data recorded on the CD 81 loaded therein according to the control signal input from the CPU 75; 2 to 4 send data.

The CPU 75 reads out the program stored in the ROM 77 according to the signal input therein, develops the program in the RAM 76, and executes the program so that a control signal is output to the playback section 73 via the internal bus 74, or via the internal bus 74 , IEEE 1394 interface 78 and IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, send the DCM and FCM of CD drive 5 self to IRD 1. The RAM 76 temporarily stores data generated by the CPU 75 executing programs or data necessary for the CD drive 5 to execute processing.

In order for devices on such a network as shown in Fig. 1 to operate in a coordinated manner, intermediate software required to control and manage the network, that is, software at a lower level, such as an OS (operating system), a network control program, or a database system is required , and software between advanced applications and that can provide various services to the applications. Moreover, when devices of different manufacturers are connected to the network, in order for the network to operate normally to achieve the interoperability of the devices, it is essentially necessary for the middleware to comply with common technical requirements. A network system is described here in which middleware for controlling and managing the network employs HAVi (registered trademark applied for in Japan) (Home Audio/Video Interoperability Architecture).

FIG. 5 depicts an example of software stored in the HDD 24 shown in FIG. 2 . Among the elements shown in FIG. 5, those other than a 1394 driver and an application program are used as HAVi-compliant software modules.

The 1394 driver is a module that describes the parts that depend on the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, which is a software that provides a common procedure for devices to access high-level software.

The CMM (Communication Media Manager) serves as an interface between the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6 and the software modules of HAVi and applications. CMM provides a transmission mechanism for sending/receiving signals between devices connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6, masters an operating status of the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6 and provides information about this operating status to other software modules.

The messaging system serves as an API (Application Programming Interface) to allow communication between software modules of devices on the network and functions to transfer messages between software modules. Therefore, a network using HAVi allows the sender and receiver of a message to transmit the message without knowing the address of the other party on the network.

The DCM (Device Control Module) manager loads a DCM and an FCM (Functional Component Module) in each device on the network. If a new device is connected to a network using HAVi, the DCM manager installs a DCM and an FCM corresponding to the newly connected device. However, if a device is disconnected from the network, the DCM manager unloads a DCM and an FCM corresponding to the disconnected device.

An application is a piece of software used to perform various processes. In this example, this application program is an output control content (function) specifically for inputting through a GUI for controlling a device as a command that can be recognized by Multi AmpFCM to be described below.

A DCM controls a device. Applications do not directly control devices connected to the network, but instead control devices through these DCMs. An FCM represents the content (function) of control performed by an application program for a device, and sends an AV/C (Audio Video/Control) command or an AV/C protocol to a device designated by the DCM. Since DCM and FCM can be used as an API, the application itself does not need to consider the differences between different devices. Accordingly, a network employing HAVi also allows a device on one network to recognize the capabilities of another network device and be able to operate the other device from a remote location.

Multi AmpFCM sits between AmpFCM 1 to 3, an AVDISCFCM and the application and manages AmpFCM 1 to 3 and AVDISCFCM comprehensively. More specifically, Multi AmpFCM and AVDISCFCM comprehensively control and manage AmpFCM 1 to 3 according to these commands from the application as shown in Table 1 below. Therefore, the application can optimize the devices connected through the network (here Amp 2 to 4 and CD drive 5) through Multi AmpFCM, making it possible to use these devices easily.

<table 1>

init initialization

getTable Returns an internal table

setTable Set an internal table

setAttributes Set the attributes of an amplifier (balance, loudness, equalizer)

selectmode Select a mode

registerAmp Adds an online amplifier to the group

unregisterAmp Removes an online amplifier from the group

openStream connects a stream with a stream manager

closeStream releases a stream connection with the stream manager

The internal table is a table in which the setting contents of AmpFCM 1 to 3 set by the application program are stored in Multi AmpFCM as shown in FIG. 6 . In the example shown, there are two modes available: Music Mode 1 and Movie Mode 1, and in each mode the amplifier can be set individually. In the illustrated example, a CD drive and a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) (not shown) are indicated as audio data sources in the selection column. In addition, as for the name of the mode, it also sequentially indicates the name prepared in advance for the device. As can be seen from FIG. 6, in the selection column, CD is indicated as the first playback device and Music 1 is indicated as a corresponding mode. Whereas a VCR is shown as the second playback device, Movie 1 is shown as a corresponding mode. In addition, since a plurality of Amps 2 to 4 are connected as shown in FIG. 1, this Multi Amp setting screen is displayed as an initial operation screen, and the Multi Amp setting screen will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

Below Amp 2 to 4 in Figure 6, the setting value of the level (volume) of Amp 2 to 4 is shown. Specifically, for music 1, the level setting value of Amp 2 is 40, that of Amp 3 is 30, and that of Amp 4 is 20; for movie 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is 50, and that of Amp 3 is 20, Amp4 is -. The symbol - indicates that the level of Amp 4 is set to None. These values are expressed in dB units (this also applies to the following description).

Below the level, the loudness setting value is indicated. For music 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is 60, that of Amp 3 is 50, and that of Amp 4 is 40; for movie 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is 50, that of Amp 3 is 50, and The setting value is -.

Below the loudness, each setting value of the balancer is given as a percentage value, where the output power ratio between the left and right speakers is indicated by L/R (the output power of the left and right speakers is indicated by L and R respectively) express. For music 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is 50, that of Amp 3 is 50, and that of Amp 4 is 40; for movie 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is 50, that of Amp 3 is 50, and that of Amp 4 is -.

Below the equalizer, setting values for treble (high range), midrange (middle range) and bass (low range) are given as the setting values of the equalizer. For music 1, the treble setting value of Amp 2 is +1, that of Amp 3 is +1, and that of Amp 4 is +1; the value of midrange setting of Amp 2 is +2, that of Amp3 is +2, and that of Amp 4 is +2; Amp 2's bass setting value is +1, Amp 3's is +1, Amp 4's is +1. For movie 1, the treble setting value of Amp 2 is +1, that of Amp 3 is +1, and that of Amp 4 is -; the midrange setting value of Amp 2 is +2, that of Amp 3 is +2, and that of Amp 4 is -; Amp 2's bass setting value is +1, Amp 3's is +1, and Amp 4's is -. It should be noted that the value of the equalizer is expressed in dB units.

Below the equalizer, the delay setting value is indicated. For music 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is the standard value, Amp 3 is +15, and Amp 4 is +30; for movie 1, the setting value of Amp 2 is the standard value, and Amp 3 is +10 , Amp 4 is -; It should be noted that the standard value represents a reference sound source, and the delay value of each Amp is the delay added to the standard sound source. It should be noted that the unit of delay is nsec.

Figure 7 shows an internal table in which the settings for the Multi Amp are recorded. The internal table of FIG. 7 is used to control the set values recorded in the internal table of FIG. 6 according to the values set therein. In the example shown in Figure 7, CD is displayed in the selection column, and in terms of the setting values of Amp (Multi Amp), Level is set to 40, Loudness to 60, and Balance to 50. In addition, as far as the setting value of the equalizer is concerned, the treble is +1, the midrange is +2, and the bass is +1. Note that the units used here are the same as in Fig. 6 . For example, in the setting of Multi Amp shown in Figure 7, the level is 40, which means that when the setting values of Amp 2 to 4 of Music 1 are 40, 30 and 20 respectively, they are set to be multiplied by their respective values. Values obtained at 40/100. In this way, by changing one setting value of Mu1ti Amp, the output power of Amp 2 to 4 can be changed without changing the ratio of the setting value of Amp 2 to 4. This also applies to other setting values.

Referring back to Figure 5, if the state of the network changes because a new device is connected to the network or a device is disconnected from the network, the event manager can be used to generate an event and send this event to other software modules . In this way, plug and play can be realized with a network using HAVi.

The registry stores and updates device-related information, such as what devices are connected to the network and what functions these devices have. It also allows interaction between different devices, and the application program obtains the necessary information from the registry. In addition, each device on the network can refer to the registry to determine the location of essential software modules for other devices on the network.

The stream manager supervises and manages the flow of one stream data (continuous data) on the network. In addition, the stream manager manages connections within and between devices to secure or release network resources, and provides connection information for the entire network. In addition, the stream manager can also support reconnection after network restart.

The resource manager handles usage rights conflicts for a device, manages scheduled events such as processing reserved for connected devices, and monitors the network to detect disconnection after a device is registered.

DCM 1 to 3 correspond to the devices installed on Amp 2 to 4 respectively. DCM 4 is a DCM uploaded from CD drive 5. AmpFCM 1 to 3 are uploaded from Amp 2 to 4, corresponding to the FCM of each device. AVDISCFCM is an FCM uploaded from CD drive 5 .

The above-mentioned software modules do not have all functions, and HAVi specifies four types of equipment at this point.

FAV (full AV (audio video) device) corresponds to a device with the function of managing the network, which includes all the software modules of HAVi mentioned above (although sometimes there may be no DCM and FCM, but it can be obtained from, for example, a BAV which will be described below , upload them). FAV can execute an application program using Java(trademark) using HAVi binary code. Correspondingly, the FAV can own the DCM and FCM of other equipment, and control other equipment by possessing the DCM and FCM of other equipment.

IAV (Intermediate AV Device) corresponds to a device having a function of managing a network similar to FAV, but differs from FAV in that it cannot execute applications using Java (trademark) using HAVi binary code; therefore, although it You can have a DCM and FCM of the IAV itself, but you cannot upload the DCM and FCM of other devices. Therefore, in order to control some other devices, the IAV must include the DCM and FCM of these devices in advance.

BAV (Basic AV Device) corresponds to a controlled device that can be directly connected to the network of HAVi. The LAV (Legacy AV Device) has only one function as a device connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 6. Since the LAV waits for AV/C commands at any time, it can not only operate automatically, but also act as a controlled device.

Here, a case is described in which IRD 1 is a device corresponding to FAV, and Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 are devices corresponding to BAV. As can be seen from Figure 5, IRD 1 in FAV form can bring Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 under its control by uploading the DCM and FCM of Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5, both in FAV form . In this way, the device IRD 1 for managing the HAVi network is able to generate connections to the controlled devices Amp 2 to 4 and CD drive 5, usually using a stream manager so that streaming data can be streamed.

Now, a GUI for controlling Amp displayed on the LCD unit 11 of FIG. 2 is described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 . The GUI runs on the application program, and the commands generated by the operation of the GUI can be sent to the MultiAmpFCM. Multi AmpFCM sends instructions to AmpFCM 1 to 3 and AVDISCFCM according to this command, so that AmpFCM 1 to 3 and AVDISCFCM send AV/C commands to Amp 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 according to this command.

In a mode display column 101 in FIG. 8, a list of modes to be selected is displayed, and a desired mode can be selected by moving the cursor. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the character - Music 1 displayed in white is selected.

The Amp list display column 102 is located to the right of the mode display column 101 . In the example of Fig. 8, which amplifier is selected is shown. It should be noted that in the Amp list display column 102, when multiple Amps are connected together and function as a MultiAmp, they can be represented in a list, but when a single Amp is involved, only one Amp can be represented.

Add button 103 is located on the right side of Amp list display column 102 . The addition button 103 is operated to selectively determine one Amp. A delete button 104 is located below the add button 103 and is operated to delete a selected amplifier. The setting button 105 is located below the delete button 104 and is operated to set an amplifier selected in the Amp list display column 102 . When the setting button 105 is operated, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the LCD unit 11 .

A store button 106 is located below the mode display column 101 and is operated to store the setting of the setting screen. The level adjuster 107 is installed to move left and right, and it is used to adjust the volume according to the setting states of all the amplifiers represented in the Amp list. When the level adjuster 107 moves to the left, the volume increases; but when the level adjuster 107 moves to the left, the volume increases; When the 107 is moved to the right, the volume decreases. The balance adjuster 108 is located below the level adjuster 107 for moving left and right to adjust the balance of output power between the left speaker and the right speaker according to its position. A selection display portion 109 is located below the balance adjuster 108 and indicates a sound source. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a CD, an MD (Mini Disc), a DAT (Digital Audio Tape), a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) are shown as sound sources, It can be seen that CD is selected among these sound sources. An end button 110 is displayed at the upper right corner of the setting screen of FIG. 8 and is operated to close the setting screen.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in an Amp display column 121, the amplifier selected in the Amp list display column 102 of FIG. 8 is shown. In the illustrated example, it can be seen that Amp 3 is selected as the amplifier.

Below the Amp display column 121, the setting parameters of level, loudness, equalizer treble, equalizer midrange, equalizer bass and balance have been shown, which can be adjusted by moving a level adjuster 122 in Fig. 9 up and down. Loudness adjuster 123, an equalizer treble adjuster 124, an equalizer midrange adjuster 125, an equalizer bass adjuster 126, and a balance adjuster 127 to set them.

A cancel button 128 is located on the right side of the balance adjuster 127 and is operated to cancel the setting screen, thereby restoring the previous setting screen (as shown in FIG. 8 ) while maintaining the original setting state. A setting completion button 129 is located below the cancel button 128 and is operated to fix the setting. In this way, the previous setting screen (as shown in FIG. 8 ) can be restored with the maintained setting state. A delay display column 130 is located below the setting completion button 129. In the example shown in FIG. 9, it can be seen that +15nsec is indicated in the delay display column 130. Each time the button 130a is pressed, the delay value in the delay display column 130 will increase by 1nesc; and each time another button 130b is pressed, the delay value in the delay display column 130 will be decreased by 1nesc.

Figure 10 shows the GUI for an initial operation screen involving a single amplifier. In the example shown in Figure 10, only Amp 3 was detected. Because of the inclusion of a single amplifier, instead of the MultiAmp operation screen shown in FIG. 8, a single Amp operation screen is shown with a selection screen section 109 added to the setup screen of FIG. 9 and the mode display column 101 includes Indicators for a single Amp shown in Figure 10.

The setting screens of FIGS. 8 and 9 or the setting screen of FIG. 10 can be operated in the manner described above to set the above-mentioned various parameters in such internal tables as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .

Now, a GUI for controlling the CD drive 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . In the playback device display column 141, the name of the playback device selected in the selection display section 109 (shown in FIG. 8) is indicated. In the illustrated example, a CD drive is selected.

The track display column 142 is located below the playback device display column 141 and indicates a current track being played back from the CD in the playback device display column 141 . In the illustrated example, [01]AAA12:05 is selected.

If you move the cursor to the play button 143 and click on it, the play button 143 located at the top right of the GUI of FIG. put. Below the play button 143, there is a Rev (backward) button 144, a Forwd (advance) button 145, a pause button 146 and a stop button 147, and below the buttons 143 to 147, a Prev (previous ) track button 148, a Forwd track button 149 and a eject button 150. If the Rev button 144 is clicked, then while the Rev button 1444 is kept in the clicked state, the track currently being played back will be replayed in a state of fast rewinding. If the Forwd (advance) button 145 is clicked, then when the Forwd button 145 is kept in the clicked state, the track currently being played back will be played back in a state of fast forward. If the pause button 146 is clicked, the replay will be temporarily stopped, and when the play button 143 is clicked again, the replay will be started at the temporarily stopped position. If the stop button 147 is clicked, playback will stop. If the Prev track button 148 is clicked, the playback point will return to the previous track of the current track, and start playback from the previous track. The Forward track button 149 is operated to move the playback point to the next track and start playback of the next track. The eject button 150 is operated to input an instruction to remove the disc indicated in the display list 141 of the playback device.

If the random button 151 is clicked once, it changes its display color to black to turn random reposition on, but if it is clicked again, it changes the display color of black back to white so that random reposition in the closed state. When this random playback is on, the tracks of the specified disc are reproduced in a randomly rearranged order. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the random button 151 is displayed in white, so random playback is off.

If the repeat button 152 is clicked once, it changes its display color to black so that the repeat reset is on, but if it is clicked again, it changes the black display color back to white so that the random reset is turned on. in the closed state. When this repeat playback is on, a track is reproduced repeatedly. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the repeat button 152 is displayed in black, so repeat playback is on.

A network management process performed by IRD 1 is now described in conjunction with the flowchart of FIG. 12 . Although not explicitly stated, the software modules described in conjunction with FIG. 5 may be copied from the HDD 24 into the RAM 27, read from the RAM 27 and executed by the CPU 26.

In step S1, the event manager identifies whether a new device is plugged into the network, that is, whether a new device is connected to the network. If it recognizes that a new device has been connected to the network, the Event Manager will notify the DCM Manager of the insertion of this new device.

In step S2, the DCM manager uploads a DCM and an FCM from the inserted new device, and the process proceeds to step S3. In the example described in Figure 12, since Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 have been newly inserted, DCM 1 to 3 will be installed from Amp 2 to 4, DCM 4 will be installed from CD drive 5, and DCM 4 will be installed from Amp 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 installs AmpFCM 1 to 3 and AVDISCFCM.

In step S3, the event manager notifies each software module according to the message from the CMM: a new device has been connected. The registry registers information about the newly connected device based on this notification. In this example, the event manager notifies that Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5 have been newly added, and the registry registers information related to Amps 2 to 4 and CD drive 5.

In step S4, the event manager identifies whether there are new devices in the network. If it is identified that the network no longer contains new devices, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the CMM identifies whether a device is released from the network, that is, whether any device is disconnected from the network. If it is recognized that the network has released a device, for example, if the Amp 2 has been released, the CMM will notify the event manager of this release, and the event manager will notify the software module of this release. In step S6, the DCM manager unloads the released DCM 1 and AmpFCM 1 of Amp2 according to the notification.

In step S7, the registration form erases the information of Amp 2. In step S8, the resource manager identifies whether to remove another device from the network. If it is identified that no device has been removed, the process ends.

If it is recognized in step S1 that no new device has been plugged in, steps S2 and S3 are skipped and the process proceeds directly to step S4. If it is recognized in step S4 that there is a new device, the process returns to step S2 to repeat a process similar to the above.

If it is recognized in step S5 that the network has not released new devices, then steps S6 and S7 are skipped and the process ends immediately. On the other hand, if it is recognized in step S8 that a certain device has been removed, the processing returns to step S6 to repeat processing similar to the above.

It is to be noted that the process of installing a device's FCM and DCM and registering device information in steps S2 and S3 can be performed not only when inserting a new device, for example, when connecting Amp2 to 4 plug-in, but also when , for example, executes when power is available to any of Amps 2 to 4. Furthermore, the process of unmounting the FCM and DCM of a device and erasing device-related information can be performed not only when releasing a consolidated device, for example, when Amps 2 to 4 are unplugged; but also when, for example, supplying Amps 2 to 4 Execute when any of the 4 power supply is turned off.

The operation when IRD 1 generates an internal table is described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 13 .

In step S11, Multi AmpFCM receives the command setTable provided by the application program, and obtains the device information recorded in the registry. Then, the processing proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, Multi AmpFCM identifies whether the detected device contains multiple devices of the same type. This identification is based on a comparison of the corresponding FCM types. In this example, Amps 2 through 4 are of the same type. Therefore, in step S13, the Multi AmpFCM will notify the application program that Amps 2 to 4 have the same type, so that the GUI displayed on the monitor 7 is converted into the GUI displayed in the MultiAmp mode. This allows the GUI to display Amps in a list in the Amp list display column 102 shown in FIG. 8 .

In step S14, Mu1ti AmpFCM displays the setting screen shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9, and the user can set the level, loudness, balance, equalizer (treble, midrange, bass) and delay of each amplifier according to this setting screen . The value thus set is then stored. Afterwards, in step S15, an internal table as shown in FIG. 6 is generated and recorded according to the setting information. The processing is then ended.

If it is identified in step S12 that the detected device does not contain multiple devices of the same type, the application program will identify whether there is an Amp in step S16. If it is recognized that the Amp exists, a setting screen for a single Amp as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed in step S17, and then the processing proceeds to step S14 to perform processing similar to the above. However, if it is recognized in step S16 that there is no Amp, then in step S18, a GUI with the message "No associated amplifier found" as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the LCD unit 11, and the processing ends.

Now, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 15, the operation when the CD drive 5 reproduces an audio signal will be described.

When the user operates the touch panel 23 according to the display of the GUI shown in FIG. 11, moves the cursor to the play button 143 and clicks it, the processing starts. In step S21, the application program reads in the setting information of the selected playback mode and sends an instruction to the Multi AmpFCM to set Amp according to the setting information. In the example shown in Fig. 8, it reads in the setting information of the music 1 mode, and issues an instruction to set the amplifier according to the setting information.

In step S22, Multi AmpFCM reads in the setting information of Music 1 from the internal table shown in Figure 6 according to the received setting information read-in instruction, and sets the read-in setting information to Amps 2 to 4.

In step S23, Multi AmpFCM identifies whether there is a delay according to the information read in from the internal table. If it is recognized in step S23 that the delay does not exist, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, Multi AmpFCM sends an instruction to establish a connection to the stream manager, AmpFCM is assigned to an oPCR (output plug-in control register) of AVDISCFCM, and AVDISCFCM is assigned to the iPCR (input plug-in control register) of each AmpFCM. oPCR and iPCR are a virtual output terminal and a virtual input terminal on HAVi, which can output data to a device specified by oPCR, and can also input data from a device specified by iPCR.

In step S25, the flow manager establishes the PCR connection according to the instruction from the Multi AmpFCM.

In step S26, AVDISCFCM sends an AV/C command to CD driver 5 according to the instruction from application program, makes the CD driver 5 that selectively specifies in playback device display column 141 carry out playback, so that CD driver 5 can to replay.

In step S27, the AVDISCFCM outputs the playback data from the CD drive 5 to the AmpFCMs 1 to 3, causing the Amps 2 to 4 to output sound data, thereby ending the process.

If it is recognized in step S23 that there is a delay, the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the Multi AmpFCM sends an instruction to the stream manager so that the oPCR of the AVDISCFCM specifies the Multi AmpFCM itself, the iPCR of the Multi AmpFCM specifies the AVDISCFCM, the oPCR of the Muti AmpFCM specifies the AmpFCM, and the iPCR of each AmpFCM specifies the MultiAmpFCM, and establish a connection.

In step S29, the flow manager establishes the connection according to the instruction from the Multi AmpFCM.

In step S30, AVDISCFCM causes CD drive 5 to perform playback according to an instruction from the application program.

In step S31, Multi AmpFCM fetches the sound data from AVDISCFCM into RAM at one time, and reads it from RAM at other times, so that the sound data is output to Amp 2 to 4 after a period of delay set in the delay column . Then, the processing proceeds to step S27 to perform processing similar to the above.

Note that if Amps 2 to 4 have a delay function, the above delay operation can be performed in each Amp 2 to 4.

Now, the processing procedure when the GUI in FIG. 8 is operated to change the level will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 16 .

When the application program issues an instruction to the Multi AmpFCM to change the volume according to the operation result of the level adjuster 107 shown in FIG. 8, the processing shown in FIG. 16 starts.

In step S41, Multi AmpFCM commands setVolume, which is a command to change the volume, to AmpFCM 1 to 3 according to the instruction from the application program.

In step S42, each AmpFCM converts the command setVolume input from the Multi AmpFCM into the AV/C protocol, and outputs the AV/C protocol to a corresponding one of Amps 2 to 4.

In step S43, the CPU 55 of each of Amp 2 to 4 controls the amplifier section 53 to adjust the volume according to the input AV/C protocol, and then ends the processing.

Now, the processing procedure when the CD drive 5 as the playback device stops its operation according to the operation of the stop button 147 of the GUI shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17 .

If the stop button 147 of the GUI shown in Figure 11 is operated, and the application program sends a stop command to Multi AmpFCM, the processing shown in Figure 17 starts. In step S51, the MultiAmpFCM controls the AVDISCFCM to output an AV/C command for stopping the CD driver 5 to the CD driver 5, and controls the stream manager to release the oPCR connection of the AVDISCFCM. The CD drive 5 stops its playback operation according to the command from AVDISCFCM.

In step S52, the Multi AmpFCM control flow manager releases the connection of the iPCR of AmpFCM, thereby ending the processing.

It should be noted that various parameters forming an internal table can be selectively included in each FCM, so that predetermined values can be set in advance. In this example, when FCM is installed, an internal table will be generated according to the parameters with preset values contained in FCM. Therefore, even without specifically performing a setting operation on the setting screen shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 or on the setting screen shown in Fig. 10, it is possible to set a standard mode in which the Standard value.

Furthermore, although the foregoing description has dealt with an example in which a playback device is set using the selection column and playback is performed after setting amplifiers for each mode, if the above-mentioned standard can be selected from the pull-down list of the above-mentioned mode display column 101 mode, multi-amplifier sound reproduction with the standard settings is possible instead of the amplifier settings in the new mode, only if a playback device is selected from the selection bar.

In addition, for example, when a playback device is selected from the selection column, it is also possible to search for a registered pattern in which the same playback device and the same amplifier configuration are used according to the configuration of the playback device and amplifier; and in The patterns thus searched are preferentially displayed in the pattern display column 101 of FIG. 8 . In this example, multi-amplifier sound playback can be performed with the parameters set in the pre-registered mode only when the setting of the registered mode is selectively clicked after selecting the playback device from the selection column .

However, when the FCM does not contain various parameters (including the case where values are not set for the parameters), it is necessary to set such parameters using the setting screens of FIGS. 8 and 9 or the setting screen of FIG. 10 .

Although the above-described series of processing procedures can be executed by hardware, they can also be executed by software. When the series of processes are executed by software, the programs constituting the software may be installed from a recording medium to a dedicated computer integrated in hardware, or, for example, a general-purpose computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs on the personal computer.

The recording medium can be processed not only into a hard disk drive 27 incorporated in the IRD 1 shown in FIG. 2 that is provided to the user and in which the program is recorded, but also into an assembly medium in which the program is recorded in or on which the program is provided to the user through distribution. , such as a magnetic disk 44 (including a floppy disk), an optical disk 43 (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), a magneto-optical disk 42 (including an MD (MiniDisk)), or a semiconductor memory 41.

It should be noted that in this application, the steps described in the program recorded in or on the recording medium may, but not necessarily, be processed in time series in the stated order, including parallel or separate execution that is not processed in time series process.

It is to be noted that in this application the term "system" is used to denote an entire device consisting of several devices.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in specific terms, this description is for the purpose of illustration only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and adjustments can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. messaging device, be used for making by one in the interconnective a plurality of electronic equipments of network to remaining one or more electronic equipment dateout, this messaging device comprises:

Parameter obtaining device is used for obtaining the parameter that is used to control each described electronic equipment from each described electronic equipment;

Setting device is used for being provided with described parameter;

Storage device is used for storing the parameter that is provided with by described setting device;

Control device is used for controlling each described electronic equipment according to the described parameter that is stored in the described storage device; With

Register device, the parameter that is used for being used for controlling the electronic equipment of new connection registers in the described parameter that is stored in described storage device automatically, and the described electronic equipment that is used for dateout is a media player, and remaining one or more electronic equipment is amplifiers.

2. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises an eraser, is used for wiping automatically from the described parameter that is stored in described storage device being used for controlling the parameter that disconnects the electronic equipment that connects.

3. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described network is made up of IEEE 1394 universal serial bus.

4. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, one of described electronic equipment itself is described messaging device.

5. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that described parameter comprises volume, loudness, balance, equalizer information or time of delay.

6. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, data are voice data.

7. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1, also comprise and be used for obtaining the control program deriving means of control program for described each electronic equipment, it is characterized in that, described control device uses control program to control described electronic equipment, and wherein control program is that described control program deriving means is according to parameter acquiring.

8. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 also comprises command device, is used for sending transmission data and the instruction that stops transfer of data; With the electronic equipment jockey, be used for virtually one in the described electronic equipment being connected on remaining one or more electronic equipment, or disconnect from remaining one or more electronic equipment, wherein, when described command device sends the instruction of transmission data, described electronic equipment jockey can be connected on all the other one or more described electronic equipments one in the described electronic equipment virtually, but, when described command device sends one when stopping to transmit the instruction of data, described electronic equipment jockey discharges this electronic equipment and is connected with the virtual of other electronic equipments.

9. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 also comprises recognition device, is used for the type of the functional component module by discerning each described electronic equipment to discern the equipment whether described electronic equipment comprises a plurality of same types.

10. a kind of messaging device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described setting device can be provided for parameter by the interconnective described electronic equipment of described network at every kind of pattern.

11. a kind of messaging device according to claim 10, also comprise and be used for the mode selector of preference pattern, it is characterized in that described setting device can be provided for the parameter by the interconnective described electronic equipment of described network at the pattern that described mode selector is selected.

12. a kind of messaging device according to claim 11, also comprise screen display device is set, be used for showing with the model selection screen of described mode selector preference pattern and with described setting device be provided for by the interconnective described electronic equipment of described network parameter screen is set.

13. a kind of messaging device according to claim 12 is characterized in that, the described screen display device that is provided with can preferentially be presented at the pattern that sets in advance on the model selection screen.

14. an information processing method that is used for messaging device, make by one in the interconnective a plurality of electronic equipments of network to remaining one or more electronic equipment dateout, comprising:

The parameter acquiring step is obtained the parameter that is used to control by the interconnective described electronic equipment of described network from described electronic equipment;

Step is set, parameter is set;

Storing step is stored in the parameter that is provided with in the processing procedure that step is set;

Controlled step is controlled described electronic equipment according to stored parameters in the processing procedure of storing step; With

Registration step, the parameter that is used for being used for controlling the electronic equipment of new connection registers to the described parameter of described storage automatically,

And the described electronic equipment that is used for dateout is a media player, and remaining one or more electronic equipment is amplifiers.

15. a kind of information processing method according to claim 14 is characterized in that, also comprises and wipes step, is used for wiping automatically from the described parameter of described storage being used for controlling the parameter that disconnects the electronic equipment that connects.

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