JP2000224207A - Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system, and providing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An electronic device connected to a bus can be controlled from an arbitrary position via a network. The A domain D ₁ corresponding to the home domain server 61 is disposed, 1 included in the domain D ₁
VCR 4-1 connected to 394 bus 1-1
1. The television receiver 4-12 and the like are managed. AV
Only one manager 2-1 is provided on the 1394 bus 1-1, and controls the electronic device or the forwarder 3-1. The forwarder 3-1 controls data transfer of an electronic device connected to the 1394 bus 1-1. The controller 5-1 receives an input from a user or provides predetermined information to the user. The AV manager 2-1, the forwarder 3-1, the controller 5-1 and the domain server 6-1 are connected via the Internet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an information processing system, and a providing medium, and more particularly, to controlling an electronic device connected to a bus at home through a network. ,
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an information processing system, and a providing medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus (hereinafter simply referred to as a 1394 bus) has been widely used. The 1394 bus is a high-speed serial digital interface mainly used for transferring data between AV (Audio Video) devices such as a video deck and a video camera. The transfer rate is from 100Mbps to 4Mbps.
Up to 00 Mbps is specified. Also, this 13
In the 94 bus, data is transferred by either an isochronous transfer in which the band is compensated or an asynchronous transfer in which the band is not compensated. In the isochronous transfer, data is transferred at a specified rate using a virtual communication path called a channel. Therefore, the isochronous transfer is used to transfer a moving image such as a digital video or audio in real time. On the other hand, asynchronous transfer is mainly used to transfer commands and control data whose real-time properties are not so important.

An electronic device (device) connected to the 1394 bus is assigned a unique device number (unique ID) of 64 bits in the world, thereby identifying each device.

[0004] In addition, the 1394 bus has a Hot Plug In and a Plug & Play (Plug & Pl).
ay) function is provided. The hot plug-in function is a function that allows connection and disconnection of the cable of the 1394 bus when the power is turned on. If a new device is connected or an unnecessary device is removed from the 1394 bus when the power is turned on, a bus reset occurs, the bus settings are reconfigured, and the bus becomes usable again.

[0005] The plug-and-play function is a function in which ID assignment and other settings are automatically performed even when a new device is connected to the 1394 bus (a function in which these settings need not be performed manually). Means For example, the type of a device connected to the 1394 bus can be confirmed without inquiring the user by inquiring the device itself from another device. Therefore, each device can easily confirm whether or not a device such as a video deck or a video camera is connected to the 1394 bus.

In the 1394 bus, an AV / C command is specified by the 1394 Trade Association as a standard for controlling AV equipment. This AV / C command is a command for controlling the device, and is transmitted to the partner device as a message by asynchronous transfer. This allows, for example,
The control of transferring an image captured by a video camera to an isochronous channel and recording the image on a video tape by a video deck connected to the 1394 bus can be performed without directly touching the device.

[0007]

However, such a 1394 bus can be controlled mutually between electronic devices connected to the bus, but is controlled via a network such as the Internet. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize a system in which a plurality of 1394 buses are connected via a network and controlled mutually.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to realize a system capable of controlling an electronic device connected to a bus via a network.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a first interface for executing an interface process with a predetermined network; and a second interface for executing an interface process with a bus. In response to a request input from a first other information processing apparatus connected to the network via the first interface means, And control means for controlling the electronic device via the second interface means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: a first interface step of executing an interface process with a predetermined network; a second interface step of executing an interface process with a bus; A storage step of storing information related to the electronic device connected to the electronic device, and a second step of responding to a request input from the first other information processing apparatus connected to the network through the processing in the first interface step. And a control step of controlling the electronic device through the processing of the interface step.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a providing medium, wherein the first interface step executes interface processing with a predetermined network, the second interface step executes interface processing with a bus, and the medium is connected to the bus. A storage step of storing information related to the electronic device, and a second step in response to a request input from the first other information processing apparatus connected to the network via the processing in the first interface step. A computer-readable program for executing a process including a control step of controlling an electronic device through a process of an interface step is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus which is connected to a first interface for executing an interface process with a predetermined network, a second interface for executing an interface process with a bus, and a bus. When the first other information processing apparatus inputs a request from the first interface means via the network, the electronic apparatus and the second other information processing apparatus connected to another bus are connected to each other. Between the first interface means and the second
And control means for controlling data transfer processing performed via the interface means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: a first interface step for executing an interface process with a predetermined network; a second interface step for executing an interface process with a bus; When the first other information processing device inputs a request based on the first interface step via a network, the second other information processing device connected to the electronic device and another bus And a control step of controlling data transfer processing performed through processing in the first interface step and the second interface step.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the providing medium is connected to a first interface step for executing interface processing with a predetermined network, a second interface step for executing interface processing with a bus, and connected to the bus. When the first other information processing device that has entered the request based on the first interface step via the network, the electronic device and the second other information processing device connected to another bus Providing a computer readable program for executing a process including a control step of controlling a data transfer process performed through a process in the first interface step and the second interface step. Features.

An information processing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes an interface means for executing an interface process with a network, and a first storage for storing information relating to electronic devices connected to all buses within a jurisdiction range. Means, and second storage means for storing information about an electronic device connected at least once to a bus within a jurisdiction range;
Control means for controlling the transfer of information stored in the first storage means or the second storage means via a network.

An information processing method according to claim 11, wherein an interface step for executing an interface process with a network and a first storage for storing information relating to electronic devices connected to all buses within a jurisdiction range. A step, a second storage step of storing information related to an electronic device connected at least once to a bus within a jurisdiction range, and information stored in the first storage step or the second storage step. And a control step of controlling transmission / reception via a network.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the providing medium includes an interface step of executing an interface process with a network, and a first storing step of storing information relating to electronic devices connected to all buses within a jurisdiction. A second storage step of storing information related to an electronic device connected at least once to a bus within a jurisdiction range, and a network of information stored in the first storage step or the second storage step. And a control step of controlling transmission and reception through the computer.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a first interface unit that executes an interface process with a network; a second interface unit that executes an interface process with a user; and a second interface unit. And control means for controlling the first other information processing apparatus via the first interface means and for controlling the electronic equipment in response to the input of the information processing apparatus.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: a first interface step for executing interface processing with a network; a second interface step for executing interface processing with a user; and a second interface step. In response to the input in the processing, the first
And a control step of controlling the electronic device by controlling the first other information processing apparatus through the processing in the interface step.

The providing medium according to claim 18, wherein the first interface step executes an interface process with a network, the second interface step executes an interface process with a user, and the process of the second interface step A computer-readable program that controls a first other information processing apparatus through a process in a first interface step and executes a process including a control step of controlling an electronic device in response to the input in It is characterized by providing a program.

An information processing system according to claim 19 is
Management means for managing electronic devices connected to a predetermined network and connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction range; and at least one electronic device connected to the network and provided for each bus. First control means for controlling data transfer performed via a bus of an electronic device connected to the bus, and a network connected to the network and provided only once for each bus A first control unit or a second control unit that controls the electronic device in response to a request input via the network, and is connected to a network and located within or outside a jurisdiction. And interface means for performing interface processing with a user.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: a management step of communicating with a predetermined network to manage electronic devices connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction; A first control step of controlling data transfer performed via a bus of an electronic device connected to each of the buses, and a first control step of communicating with a network and responding to a request input through the network. A second control step of controlling the processing in the control step or the electronic device for each bus, and an interface step of communicating with a network and performing an interface process with a user within or outside a jurisdiction. Features.

[0023] The providing medium according to claim 21 communicates with a predetermined network, manages electronic devices connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction, and communicates with the network to communicate with the bus. A first control step of controlling data transfer performed via a bus of a connected electronic device for each bus; and a first control step of communicating with a network and responding to a request input via the network. The information includes a process in a step or a second control step of controlling an electronic device for each bus, and a process including an interface step of communicating with a network and performing an interface process with a user within or outside a jurisdiction. A computer-readable program to be executed by the processing system is provided.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 3.
In the information processing method according to the above aspect and the providing medium according to the fourth aspect, a request input from a first other information processing apparatus connected to a network through a process in a first interface is provided. Correspondingly, the electronic device is controlled via the processing in the second interface.

[0025] The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, and claim 6.
In the information processing method according to the first aspect and the providing medium according to the seventh aspect, when the first other information processing apparatus inputs a request via a network, the electronic apparatus and the second other information processing apparatus are connected to each other. Data transfer processing with the device is controlled.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, claim 1
In the information processing method according to the first aspect and the providing medium according to the twelfth aspect, information regarding electronic devices connected to all buses within a jurisdiction range is stored and at least once connected to the bus. Information about the electronic device that has been set is stored. Then, the stored information is exchanged via a network.

[0027] In the information processing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the information processing method according to the seventeenth aspect, and the providing medium according to the eighteenth aspect, in response to an input in an interface process with a user, a network connection is established. The first other information processing apparatus is controlled via the interface processing of the above, and thereby the electronic device is controlled.

[0028] In the information processing system according to the nineteenth aspect, the information processing method according to the twentieth aspect, and the providing medium according to the twenty-first aspect, an electronic device connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction range. The device is managed, and the operation of the electronic device or the data transfer by the electronic device is controlled based on the interface processing with the user from within or outside the jurisdiction.

[0029]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a domain configuration to which the present invention is applied. In the present invention, a domain is a structural unit of a system having at least one IEEE 1394 bus, and specifically corresponds to a home or a workplace where the 1394 bus is drawn. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the domain D includes 1394 buses 1-11 and 1394 buses.
It has a bus 1-12. An AV manager (AVM) 2-11 and a forwarder (FWD) are provided on the 1394 bus 1-11.
3-11, a video deck 4-11, and a television receiver 4-12 are connected. AV manager is 1
There is only one for each 394 bus and manages and controls devices connected to that 1394 bus. Forwarders are
One or more 1394 buses receive data from an isochronous channel of the 1394 bus, and receive data from another 139 bus.
4 bus or the data of the isochronous channel received from another 1394 bus.
A process for transferring data to the isochronous channel of the bus is executed. In addition, a video deck 4-11 and a television receiver 4-12 are connected as devices (electronic devices) to the 1394 bus 1-11.
From 0 to 64 devices can be connected to the 94 bus.

The 1394 bus 1-12 includes an AV manager 2-12, forwarders 3-121 and 3-122, a video deck 4-121, and an IRD (Integrated Receiver / D).
ecoder) 4-122 is connected.

AV connected to the 1394 bus 1-11
Manager 2-11, forwarder 3-11, and 1
AV manager 2- connected to the 394 bus 1-12
12 and the forwarders 3-121 and 3-122 are connected to the Internet 7 as a typical network. The Internet 7 here may be a wide-area so-called Internet, but includes an intranet and a home LAN using the Internet. The Internet 7 also includes controllers (CTRL) 5-11 and 5-12.
And a domain server (DS) 6 are connected.

The controller controls devices (video decks 4-11, 4-121, television receivers 4-121, IRD 4-122) existing in the domain via the AV manager, and controls isochronous data of the 1394 bus. Is transferred to the AV manager via the Internet 7. The controller may belong to a domain, but may also exist independently of the domain. The controller typically has a user interface such as a GUI, and is used when a user controls a device existing in any domain or obtains information.

The domain server manages only one device in the domain and all devices connected to the 1394 bus in the domain. AV Manager 2
-11, 2-12, forwarders 3-11, 3-121,
An IP address or a combination of an IP address and a port number is assigned to the 3-122, the controllers 5-11 and 5-12, and the domain server 6, and the three-122, the controllers 5-11 and 5-12 communicate with each other via the Internet 7 using the IP addresses. Can be. If a DNS (Domain Name System) exists and a host name can be associated with an IP address, the host name can be used instead of the IP address.

AV manager 2 (hereinafter referred to as AV manager 2)
When it is not necessary to distinguish between 11 and 12-12 individually,
Described as AV manager 2. The same applies to other devices), for example, is configured as shown in FIG.
The 1394 control unit 33 executes an interface process with the 1394 bus 1. Network interface 3
2 executes interface processing for the Internet 7 and communicates with another AV manager 2, forwarder 3, controller 5 or domain server 6.

The control unit 31 detects a bus reset in the 1394 bus 1 via the 1394 control unit 33,
For example, a process of acquiring information on devices connected to the bus 1 is performed. In the bus device table 34, the unique ID of the device connected to the 1394 bus 1 to which the AV manager 2 is connected and the type of the device are registered.
FIG. 3 shows an example of this registration. In the example of FIG. 3, 64-bit data 0x080 is used as the unique ID.
046010131412c is registered, and the device type is video camera. Also, 0x
A video deck having a unique ID of 0800460101131412d is also registered in the bus device table 34. For example, in the bus device table 34 of the AV manager 2-11, unique IDs and device types of the video deck 4-11 and the television receiver 4-12 are registered.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the forwarder 3. The 1394 interface 43 is connected to the 1394 bus 1
And performs an interface process with the 1394 bus 1. Network interface unit 42
Is connected to the Internet 7 and executes interface processing with the Internet 7. Transfer unit 44-
1 receives isochronous data of a predetermined channel transferred via the 1394 bus 1 and transmits it to the Internet 7 via the network interface unit 42.
Output to Conversely, the transfer unit 44-2 receives the data transferred from the Internet 7 via the network interface unit 42 and outputs the data to the 1394 bus 1 as isochronous data of a predetermined channel via the 1394 interface unit 43. . The control unit 41 communicates with the AV manager 2, another forwarder 3, the controller 5, or the domain server 6 via the network interface unit 42, and accordingly, the transfer units 44-1, 4
4-2 is controlled.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the domain server 6. The network interface unit 52 performs an interface process with the Internet 7. The control unit 51 is provided via the network interface unit 52,
It exchanges information with the AV manager 2, the forwarder 3, the controller 5, or another domain server 6. In the domain device table 53, all devices connected to the 1394 bus 1 of the domain controlled by the domain server 6 are registered. In the device name table 54,
At least once, the name of the device connected to the 1394 bus 1 in the domain controlled by the domain server 6 is registered. The control unit 51 includes a domain device table 53
And the registration process and the read process of the device name table 54 are controlled.

FIG. 6 shows an example of registration of the domain device table 53. As shown in the figure, in the domain device table 53, the unique ID of the device represented by 64 bits, the type of the device, and the address or name of the AV manager 2 that manages the device are correspondingly stored. It is registered. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the unique address of 0x0800460101131412c is
Video camera with ID, 0x0800460101
The video camera having the unique ID of 31412d is managed by the first AV manager avm1, and has a 0x0
The video deck having a unique ID of 800400101303003 is managed by the second AV manager avm2.

For example, since the domain D controlled by the domain server 6 in FIG. 1 includes the 1394 bus 1-11 and the 1394 bus 1-12, the video deck 4-11 and the television receiver connected thereto are connected. IDs and types of the video recorder 4-12, the video deck 4-121, and the IRD 4-122, and an AV manager that manages them (for the video deck 4-11 and the television receiver 4-12, the AV manager 2-11 , VCR 4-12
1 and the IRD 4-122, the AV manager 2-1
The address or name of 2) is registered.

FIG. 7 shows an example of registration in the device name table 54. In the device name table 54, a 64-bit unique ID of the device and its name are registered. As the name of the device, for example, a name that allows the user to intuitively identify the device from the name such as “Dad's video camera”, “VCR on the second floor”, “VCR on the living room”. Used. The devices registered in the bus device table 34 of the AV manager 2 and the domain device table 53 of the domain server 6 are 1394 devices at that time.
Although only the devices connected to the bus 1 are registered in the device name table 54, all the devices that have been connected to the 1394 bus 1 at least once are registered. That is, the device once connected and registered is 1394
Even if it is removed from the bus 1, the registration is kept as it is. Therefore, this device name table 54
For example, it is stored in a nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the controller 5. The network interface unit 62 executes an interface process with the Internet 7, and
Communicates with the AV manager 2, the forwarder 3, the other controller 5, or the domain server 6 via the network interface unit 62. The user interface unit 63 provides predetermined information to the user via a predetermined GUI, and receives a predetermined command input from the user in accordance with the provided information.

FIG. 9 shows the AV manager 2, forwarder 3, controller 5, and domain server 6 as described above.
1 shows an example of a system constituted by. In this example, the domain D ₁ is, AV manager 2-1, forwarders 3-1, has a controller 5-11,5-12, and domain server 6-1. The domain D ₂ includes an AV manager 2-2, a forwarder 3-2, and a controller 5-
2 and a domain server 6-2. Since only one AV manager 2 is provided for each of the domains D ₁ and D ₂ , only one 1394 bus 1 (not shown in FIG. 9) is provided. become.

The domain D ₃ includes the AV manager 2-31,
2-32, forwarders 3-31 and 3-32, a controller 5-3, and a domain server 6-3.
Since the domain D ₃ has two AV managers 2, there are two 1394 buses 1 in the domain D ₃ .

In this system, the controllers 5-51 through 5-5 that do not belong to any domain
There are six. The domain server 6 grasps information of all devices (AV devices) in the domain D (home). The controller 5 in the domain D is disposed in each room in the home, for example, and the user can control each device from each room via the controller 5. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 5-11 domains D ₁ is the same domain D ₁
Device (AV equipment) connected to the 1394 bus 1 connected to the AV manager 2-1 via the AV manager 2-1. In FIG. 9, this control is indicated by the arrow (1).

The controller 5 is arranged outside the domain D. The user can, for example, use the controller 5-51 located at a predetermined position, such as when going out.
, The device at home (domain D ₁ ) can be controlled via the AV manager 2-1. In FIG. 9, this control is indicated by the arrow (2).

[0046] Furthermore, the user of the domain D ₁ can control the device in other domains D ₂ from the domain D _1. In this case, the user, the controller 5-11 domains D _1, domain D ₂ of the AV Manager 2-2
1 managed by the AV manager 2-2 via
394 controls devices connected to the bus 1. In FIG. 9, this control is indicated by the arrow (3).

[0047] In this case, the controller 5-11, the domain server 62 of the domain D _2, what kind of device in that domain D ₂ are present inquiry, it is possible to confirm it. In such a case, an authentication mechanism may be provided to maintain confidentiality when controlling devices in another domain D (home).

Next, the operation will be described. Now
As shown in FIG. 10, AV manager domain D ₁ 2-
1, a forwarder 3-1, a controller 5-1, and a domain server 6-1.
-1 and the 1394 bus 1-1 to which the forwarder 3-1 is connected, as a device, a video deck 4-11
And the television receiver 4-12 are connected. Although not shown, the AV manager 2
-1, the forwarder 3-1, the controller 5-1 and the domain server 6-1 each have an IP address and are mutually connected via the Internet 7.

First, the operation of the AV manager 2-1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13
In the 94 bus 1-1, the power of each device is turned on, a new device is mounted on the 1394 bus 1-1, or a device already mounted is 139.
4 When removed from bus 1-1, 1394 bus 1
At 1, a bus reset occurs. AV Manager 2
In step S1, the control unit 31 of −1
When the notification of the occurrence of the bus reset is received from the 1394 bus 1-1 via the control unit 33, the reconfiguration processing of the bus device table 34 is executed in step S2. That is, the control unit 31 refers to the table held by the bus manager (for example, the television receiver 4-12) of the 1394 bus 1-1 via the 1394 control unit 33, and makes the connection to the 1394 bus 1-1. Information about the connected electronic device (eg, unique ID and type)
To get. When a bus reset occurs, the television receiver 4-12 as a bus manager communicates with each device and registers information on devices connected to the 1394 bus 1-1 in a table containing the information. Then, the AV manager 2-1 reads the registered contents from the table of the television receiver 4-12 as the bus manager.

If the AV manager 2-1 is also a bus manager of the 1394 bus 1-1, it has a table as a bus manager of the 1394 bus 1-1. Is read from the table, and registered in the bus device table 34.

In step S3, the control section 31 determines whether or not the contents of the device table 34 reconstructed in step S2 have been changed from the contents so far.
If there is a change, the process proceeds to step S4, where the network interface 32 is controlled to
-1, the contents of the device table 34 are transmitted. If it is determined in step S3 that the content of the device table 34 has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S3.
Step 4 is skipped.

When the power is turned on, the domain server 6-1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. After executing the initialization process in step S11, the control unit 51 of the domain server 6 executes the initialization process in step S12 via the network interface unit 52.
When the content of the device table 34 transferred from the device 1 via the Internet 7 is received, it is registered in the domain device table 53. That is, as described above, during the initialization operation, the AV manager 2-1
In step S4, the contents of the device table 34 are transmitted to the domain server 6-1. In step S12, the control unit 51 of the domain server 6 receives and registers the contents of the device table 34.

In the example of FIG. 10, the domain D ₁ has 1
Only one 394 bus 1-1 is provided. If a plurality of 394 buses 1-1 are provided, the contents of the bus device table 34 are transmitted from the AV manager 2 of each 1394 bus 1 in the same manner. When the operation is completed, the domain server 6
1, all of the 1394 bus 1 belonging to the domain D ₁
You can know the device connected to.

When the contents of the bus device table 34 are transmitted from each AV manager 2, the domain server 6 also executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, in step S21, the control unit 51 of the domain server 6
-1 through the network interface unit 52,
When the transfer of the contents of the bus device table 34 is received,
This is received in step S21, and is stored in the domain device table 53 in step S22. Note that the above process can be replaced by the process of step S12 in FIG.

Next, in step S23, the control unit 5
1 judges whether there is a device whose name is not yet registered in the device name table 54 among the devices registered in the domain device table 53. If there is a device whose name has not been registered in the device name table 54, the process proceeds to step S24, and the control unit 51 transmits, via the Internet 7, the domain D to which the device belongs from the network interface unit 52. ₁ transmits a name registration request to the controller 5-1. If it is determined in step S23 that all device names are registered in the device name table 54, the process of step S24 is skipped.

[0057] In step S24, if the device is present a plurality of controllers 5 in the domain D ₁ that belongs to all of the controller 5, the name registration request is transmitted. Thus, no matter which room the user is in, the registration request is reliably notified to the user.

When each controller 5 receives the transmission of the name registration request in this way, it executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, first,
In step S31, when a control unit 61 of the controller 5-1 receives a name registration request from the domain server 6-1 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 62, the control unit 61 receives the request in step S31. Then, in step S32, the control unit 61 controls the user interface unit 63 and requests input of a name for the device. Specifically, a message requesting an input is displayed via the GUI. When this request is made via the user interface unit 63, the user inputs a name for the device in response to the request. When acquiring this name from the user interface unit 63, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S3
3, the network interface 62 is controlled, and the domain server 6-1 is controlled via the Internet 7.
Then, the name input by the user is transmitted.

As described above, when the response to the registration request is transmitted from the controller 5-1, the domain server 6-1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S41, the control unit 51 of the domain server 6-1 sends the controller 5 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 52.
Upon receiving the name registration response transmitted from −1, it is determined in step S 42 whether or not the device name has not yet been registered in the device name table 54. If the name has not been registered yet, the process proceeds to step S43, and the control unit 51 registers the name received in step S41 in the device name table 54. If it is determined in step S42 that the name received in step S41 has already been registered in the device name table 54, the processing in step S43 is skipped.

In this way, for example, when the device names are transmitted from a plurality of controllers 5,
The device name received first is validated and registered.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, a process in the case where the user acquires information on a device in an arbitrary domain D will be described. In step S51, the user controls the user interface unit 63 of the predetermined controller 5 and inputs the address or name of the domain server 6 of the domain D from which information is to be obtained. At this time, the control unit 61 causes the domain server 6 specified in step S51 to transmit a request to acquire information of a device registered in at least one of the domain device table 53 and the device name table 54. . When this request is received, the domain server 6 transmits the information stored in the table in response to the request in step S62 of FIG. 17, as will be described later. Acquires this information via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 62, outputs the acquired information to the user interface unit 63 in step S54, and presents the content to the user.

The controller 5 determines in step S5 in FIG.
In step 2, when a request to acquire the contents of the table is transmitted,
The domain server 6 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the control unit 51 of the domain server 6
Receives the request transmitted by the controller 5 in step S61 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 52, and in step S62, stores the request in the domain device table 53 or the device name table 54 in response to the received request. The registered contents are read out and transmitted to the controller 5 which has transmitted the request via the network interface unit 52 and the Internet 7. As described above, the transmitted content is transmitted to the controller 5 in step S53 of FIG.
Get in.

When the user receives the information of the device registered in the domain D designated by the user through the user interface unit 63 in this way, the controller 5 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Execute That is, first, in step S71, the user specifies predetermined information from the information presented via the user interface unit 63. At this time, in step S72, the control unit 61 requests the specified control to the AV manager 2 that manages the device specified in step S71. This request
The information is transmitted from the network interface unit 62 to the AV manager 2 that manages the device specified by the user via the Internet 7.

When this request is received, the AV manager 2
Executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S81, the control unit 31 receives the request transmitted from the controller 5 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 32. In step S82, the device corresponding to the request received in step S81 is 13 you control yourself
It is determined whether or not it exists on the 94 bus 1. This determination can be made based on the bus device table 34.

The designated device manages 1
If it exists on the 394 bus 1, the process proceeds to step S83, and the control unit 31 sends a control signal corresponding to the control request received in step S81 from the 1394 control unit 33 to 139.
4 to the target device via the bus 1. The device receiving the control signal executes a process corresponding to the control signal. For example, if the user instructs the video deck 4-11 to reproduce, the video deck 4-11 starts reproduction in response to this instruction.

If it is determined in step S82 that the specified device does not exist on the managed 1394 bus 1, the process in step S83 is skipped.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the domain D ₁
, An AV manager 2-1 connected to the 1394 bus 1-1, a forwarder 3-1, a video camera 4-13, a television receiver 4-12, and a domain server 6
Has a -1, domain D ₂ is, AV manager 2-2 connected to the 1394 bus 1-2, forwarders 3-2,
VCR 4-21, TV receiver 4-22,
And a domain server 6-2, in which a controller 5-51 is arranged outside of the domains D ₁ and D ₂ , the video camera 4 of the domain D ₁ is provided.
The image captured by -13 described processing in the case of recording a video deck 4-21 domain D _2.

First, the operation of the controller 5-51 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S91, the user inputs the video camera 4 from the user interface unit 63 of the controller 5-51.
1394 bus 1 for transferring image data output by -13
With specifying the channel (C1) -1, specifying the channel (C2) of the 1394 bus 1-2 for transferring image data to the video deck 4-21 domain D _2. Further, the user designates start or stop of data transfer via the user interface unit 63. In this case, transfer start is specified.

At this time, the image of the video camera 4-13 is output to the channel C1, and the image of the video deck 4-21 is input in advance from the channel C2 by using the controller 5-51. Shall be

Next, in step S92, the control unit 6
1 determines whether or not the request input via the user interface unit 63 is a transfer start request. If the request is a transfer start request, the process proceeds to step S93 where the network interface unit 62 and the Internet 7 through, AV to manage 1394 bus 1-2 domains D ₂
It requests the manager 2-2 to perform isochronous transfer of the data transferred via the Internet 7 to the channel C2 of the 1394 bus 1-2. At this time, as described later, the AV manager 2
-2 is 1394 in step S104 of FIG.
Forwarder 3-2 for executing processing for transferring to bus 1-2
The control unit 61 receives this address A1.

[0072] Further, in step S94, the control unit 61, via the network interface unit 62 and the Internet 7, 1394 bus domains D ₁ 1-1
The AV Manager 2-1 to manage the data video camera 4-13 is output, forwarder third address A1 from channel C1 of the 1394 bus 1-1 (AV manager domain D ₂ at step S93 2-2 Requesting the forwarder 3-2) of the address notified from the server to perform the isochronous transfer. In response to this request,
The AV manager 2-1 executes the processing in step S1 of FIG.
At 04, the control unit 61 of the controller 5-51 notifies the address A2 of the forwarder 3-1.
Receive this.

In step S92, step S91
That the user has requested in, rather than a transfer start request, if it is determined that the transfer stop request, the process proceeds to step S95, the control unit 61 manages the 1394 bus 1-1 of the transmitting side domain D ₁ The AV manager 2-1 has the address A
Requesting that the forwarding process by the forwarder 3-1 of the _second domain be stopped, and the 1394 of the domain D2 on the receiving side.
It requests the AV manager 2-2 that manages the bus 1-2 to end the transfer processing of the address A1 by the forwarder 3-2.

Domain D receiving the request generated in step S93 of FIG. 21 from controller 5-51
_{The second} AV manager 2-2 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S101, the control unit 31 receives a transfer start request or a stop request for isochronous data output from the controller 5-51 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 32, and in step S102, the request is It is determined whether the request is a transfer start request. If the request received in step S101 is a transfer start request, the process proceeds to step S103, where the control unit 31 of the AV manager 2-2 selects an idle state from among the forwarders 3 connected to the 1394 bus 1-2. Select (free) forwarder 3. The control unit 31 performs isochronous transfer of the transferred data to the forwarder (in this case, the forwarder 3-2) to the video deck 4-21 using the channel C2 of the 1394 bus 1-2. Request from the network interface unit 32 via the Internet 7. Next, in step S104, the control unit 31 sends the controller 5-5 via the network interface unit 32 and the Internet 7.
1, the forwarder 3 selected in step S103
-2 address A1 is notified. As described above, the controller 5-51 transmits this notification in step S9 of FIG.
3 to receive.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the request received in step S101 is not a transfer start request but a transfer stop request, the process proceeds to step S105, and the control unit 31 proceeds to step S103. 2 via the network interface 32 and the Internet 7 to stop the transfer.

As described above, when receiving the transfer start request from the AV manager 2-2, the forwarder 3-2
The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23 is executed. First, in step S111, the control unit 41 of the forwarder 3-2 receives a transfer start request from the AV manager 2-2 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 42, and in step S112, the transfer unit 44-2. To control the network interface unit 4
The image data transferred via the H.2 is isochronously transferred from the 1394 interface unit 43 to the video deck 4-21 using the channel C2 of the 1394 bus 1-2.

On the other hand, when the controller 5-51 receives the transfer request transmitted in step S94 of FIG.
AV Manager 2-1 transmitting side domain D _1, as in the AV manager 2-2 of recipient domain D _2, FIG. 22
The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the AV manager 2 of the domain D ₁
When the control unit 31 receives a request to start transfer of isochronous data from the controller 5-51 via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 32 in step S101, the request is a transfer start request in step S102. It is determined whether or not. If the request is a transfer start request, the process proceeds to step S103, and the control unit 31 determines that the forwarder 3 in idle among the forwarders 3 connected to the 1394 bus 1-1.
(In this case, the forwarder 3-1) is selected, and the forwarder 3-1 is selected via the network interface unit 32.
To, by utilizing the channel C1 of the 1394 bus 1-1, image data output from the video camera 4-13, forwarder 3 (in this case the address A1, a forwarder 3-2 domains D _2, which is Controller 5-51). In step S104, the control unit 31 notifies the controller 5-51 of the address (address A2) of the forwarder 3-1 selected in step S103 via the network interface unit 32.

In step S102, step S1
When it is determined that the request received in step S01 is not a transfer start request but a transfer stop request, the process proceeds to step S105, and the control unit 31 stops the transfer process for the forwarder 3-1 selected in step S103. Request.

The AV manager 2-1 determines in step S103
When the transfer start request is transmitted to the forwarder 3-1, the forwarder 3-1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S121, the control unit 41 of the forwarder 3-1 transmits the AV manager 2- via the Internet 7 and the network interface unit 42.
1 receives the request output in step S103 of FIG. 22, in step S122, the control unit 41 controls the 1394 interface unit 43 via the transfer unit 44-1 and sets the channel C1 of the 1394 bus 1-1 to The image data output from the video camera 4-13 is fetched, and transferred from the network interface unit 42 to the forwarder 3-2 at the address A1 via the Internet 7.

[0081] As described above, the image data output from the video camera 4-13 domains D ₁ is, by utilizing the channel C1 of the 1394 bus 1-1, the forwarder 3-1, the domain through the Internet 7 It is sent to the D _2. In domain D ₂ side, forwarders 3-2
Receives this data, supplies it to the video deck 4-21 using the channel C2 of the 1394 bus 1-2, and records it.

AV manager 2-2 or AV manager 2
-1 requests the forwarder 3-2 or the forwarder 3-1 to stop the transfer in step S105 in FIG. 22, the forwarder 3-2 or the forwarder 3
The control unit 41 of -1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in step S131,
Upon receiving a transfer stop request from the AV manager 2-2 or the AV manager 2-1 via the network interface unit 42, the control unit 41 controls the transfer unit 44-2 or the transfer unit 44-1 in step S132. And
Stop the transfer process. Thereby, the video camera 4-
13 is output to the video deck 4-21.
Is stopped.

In the above description, the Internet 7 is used as a network, but the network may be an ATM network or another network.

In this specification, the system is
It is assumed that the device as a whole is constituted by a plurality of devices.

Further, as a providing medium for providing a user with a computer program for performing the above-described processing,
In addition to recording media such as magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, and solid-state memories, communication media such as networks and satellites can be used.

[0086]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information processing method according to the third aspect, and the providing medium according to the fourth aspect, the first apparatus connected to the network. The electronic device is controlled through the processing of the second interface in response to a request input from another information processing device through the processing of the first interface. Can be controlled.

[0087] The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, and claim 6
According to the information processing method described in the item (1) and the providing medium described in the item (7), when a request is input from the first other information processing device connected to the bus via the network, the electronic device and the information processing device 2 to control the data transfer process performed between the electronic device and the other information processing device.
It is possible to control data transfer with another information processing device via a network.

[0088] The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
According to the information processing method of the first aspect and the providing medium of the twelfth aspect, the electronic device connected to the bus at least once is stored, so that the electronic device is temporarily disconnected from the bus. After that, when the electronic device is connected to the bus again or the predetermined electronic device is replaced with a corresponding new electronic device, there is no need to newly input the name of the electronic device. Thus, operability can be improved.

According to the information processing apparatus described in claim 13, the information processing method described in claim 17, and the providing medium described in claim 18, in response to an input through an interface process with a user, a network connection is established. The first other information processing apparatus is controlled via the interface processing of the first embodiment, and the electronic device is controlled. Therefore, the electronic device connected to the bus via the network from a position remote from the bus can be controlled. Becomes possible.

According to the information processing system described in claim 19, the information processing method described in claim 20, and the providing medium described in claim 21, an arbitrary number of buses in an area under the jurisdiction are managed. In addition, the electronic device is controlled or the data transfer by the electronic device is controlled based on the interface processing with the user within or outside the scope of the jurisdiction. It is possible to construct a controllable network system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a domain to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an AV manager 2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a bus device table shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a forwarder 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a domain server 6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a domain device table 53 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a device name table 54 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a controller 5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a domain to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the AV manager 2-1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a domain server 6-1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another processing example of the domain server 6-1 in FIG. 10;

14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the controller 5-1 in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another processing example of the domain server 6-1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the controller 5-1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the domain server 6-1 in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating another processing example of the controller 5-1 in FIG. 10;

19 is a flowchart illustrating another processing example of the AV manager 2-1 in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of a network to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a controller 5-51 in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the AV managers 2-1 and 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating processing of forwarder 3-2 in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process of forwarder 3-1 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating processing of forwarders 3-1 and 3-2 in FIG. 20;

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1-1,1-2,1-11,1-12 1394 bus, 2,2-1,2-2,2-11,1-2,2-
31,2-32 AV manager, 3,3-1,3-
2,3-31,3-32 Forwarder, 4-11 VCR, 4-12 Television receiver, 4-
21 VCR, 4-22 Television receiver, 4-121 VCR, 4-122 IR
D, 5,5-2,5-3,5-11,5-12,5-
51 to 5-56 controllers, 6, 6-1 to 6
-3 domain server, 7 Internet, 31
Control unit, 32 network interface unit,
33 1394 control unit, 34 bus device table,
41 control unit, 42 network interface unit, 43 1394 interface unit, 44-1,
44-2 transfer unit, 51 control unit, 52 network interface unit, 53 domain device table, 54 device name table, 61 control unit,
62 network interface unit, 63 user interface unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Teruichi Kitajima 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa F-term on Keio University Hiyoshi Campus 5B077 AA01 NN07 5K032 BA01 BA08 DA08 DB19 DB22

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for controlling electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, wherein: first interface means for executing interface processing with a predetermined network; and executing interface processing with the bus. A second interface unit for storing information on the electronic device connected to the bus; and a first interface unit from a first other information processing device connected to the network. Control means for controlling the electronic device via the second interface means in response to a request input via the information processing apparatus. 2. The control means controls a second other information processing device connected to the bus when transmitting and receiving data to and from the electronic device via the bus and the network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus for controlling electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, comprising: a first interface step of executing an interface process with a predetermined network; A second interface step of executing an interface process; a storage step of storing information relating to the electronic device connected to the bus; and a first other information processing device connected to the network. A control step of controlling the electronic device through the processing in the second interface step in response to a request input through the processing in the interface step. 4. A first interface step of executing an interface process with a predetermined network to an information processing device that controls electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, and executing an interface process with the bus. A second interface step for storing information relating to the electronic device connected to the bus, and a first interface step from a first other information processing device connected to the network. And a control step of controlling the electronic device through the processing in the second interface step in response to a request input through the processing of (a). A providing medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. An information processing apparatus for controlling electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, wherein: first interface means for executing interface processing with a predetermined network; and executing interface processing with the bus. A second interface unit, and a first other information processing device connected to the bus,
When a request is input from the first interface means via the network, the first interface between the electronic device and another second information processing device connected to the other bus An information processing apparatus comprising: means for controlling data transfer processing performed via the second interface means. 6. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus for controlling electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, comprising: a first interface step of executing an interface process with a predetermined network; A second interface step of performing an interface process; and a first other information processing device connected to the bus,
When a request is input based on the first interface step via the network, the first device is connected between the electronic device and another second information processing device connected to the other bus. An information processing method, comprising: an interface step of (a) and a control step of controlling data transfer processing performed through the processing of the second interface step. 7. A first interface step of executing an interface process with a predetermined network to an information processing device that controls electronic devices connected to each other via a bus, and executing an interface process with the bus. A second interface step, and a first other information processing device connected to the bus,
When a request is input based on the first interface step via the network, the first device is connected between the electronic device and another second information processing device connected to the other bus. Providing a computer-readable program for executing a process including an interface step of (a) and a control step of controlling a data transfer process performed through the process of the second interface step. . 8. An information processing apparatus for controlling, via a network, electronic devices connected to each other via a bus within an area under the jurisdiction, wherein: an interface means for executing an interface process with the network; First storage means for storing information on the electronic devices connected to all the buses within a range to be controlled, and information on the electronic devices connected to the buses at least once in the range under the jurisdiction. A second storage unit for storing, and a control unit for controlling transmission and reception of information stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit via the network. Information processing device. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second storage unit stores a name of the electronic device. 10. An inquiry for inquiring another information processing device provided for each bus, which stores information on the electronic device connected to the bus, about the electronic device connected to the bus. Means for requesting registration of the name of the electronic device obtained as a result of the inquiry by the inquiry means when the name is not stored in the second storage means. The information processing device according to claim 9. 11. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus for controlling, via a network, electronic devices connected to each other via a bus within a jurisdiction, an interface step for executing an interface process with the network. A first storage step of storing information about the electronic devices connected to all the buses in the jurisdiction range; and the electronic device connected to the buses in the jurisdiction range at least once. A second storage step of storing information related to a device; and a control step of controlling transmission and reception of the information stored in the first storage step or the second storage step via the network. An information processing method characterized by the following. 12. An interface step of executing an interface process with the network to an information processing device that controls electronic devices connected to each other via a bus within a jurisdiction over the network, A first storage step of storing information relating to the electronic devices connected to all the buses within a range to be performed, and information relating to the electronic devices connected to the buses at least once within the jurisdiction range. A computer for executing a process including a second storage step of storing, and a control step of controlling transmission / reception of information stored in the first storage step or the second storage step via the network. A providing medium for providing a program readable by a user. 13. The network and the electronic device, wherein the electronic device connected to each other via the bus is controlled via the network together with the first other information processing device connected to the bus and the network. An information processing device connected to a bus, wherein: first interface means for executing interface processing with the network; second interface means for executing interface processing with the user; In response to the input,
Control means for controlling the first other information processing apparatus via the first interface means and for controlling the electronic device. 14. The control unit, when receiving a request for registration of the name of the electronic device from a second other information processing device connected to the network, controls the first interface, 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a name of the electronic device input via a second interface is transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus. 15. The control means, when receiving a request for providing information on the electronic device connected to the bus from a user via the second interface,
The first interface controls the first interface, and provides the second other information processing device connected to the network with information on the electronic devices connected to all the buses within a range controlled by the second information processing device. Requesting, and when receiving information about the electronic device from the second other information processing apparatus via the first interface, controlling the second interface and sending it to the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information processing apparatus is provided. 16. The control means is connected to the bus when a request for data transmission / reception to / from the electronic device connected to the bus is received from a user via the second interface. Requesting a second other information processing device connected to the network to transfer the data to a third other information processing device connected to the bus and connected to the network. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 17. The network and the electronic device, wherein the electronic device connected to each other via the bus is controlled via the network together with the first other information processing device connected to the bus and the network. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a bus, wherein: a first interface step of executing an interface process with the network; a second interface step of executing an interface process with a user; A control step of controlling the first other information processing apparatus via the processing in the first interface step and controlling the electronic device in response to an input in the processing in the interface step. Characteristic information processing method. 18. The network and the electronic device, wherein the electronic device connected to each other via the bus is controlled via the network together with the first other information processing apparatus connected to the bus and the network. A first interface step of executing an interface process with the network, a second interface step of executing an interface process with a user, and a process of the second interface step. A computer that controls the first other information processing apparatus via the processing in the first interface step in response to the input in A providing medium characterized by providing a readable program. 19. A management means for managing an electronic device connected to a predetermined network and connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction range, and a management unit connected to the network and for each of the buses. A first control means for controlling data transfer performed via the bus of the electronic device connected to the bus, wherein the first control means is connected to the network; and A second control means for controlling the first control means or the electronic device in response to a request input via the network, provided only once for each bus, and connected to the network And interface means for performing interface processing with a user, which is arranged within or outside the range of the jurisdiction. Processing system. 20. A management step of communicating with a predetermined network and managing electronic devices connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction, and said electronic device communicating with said network and being connected to said bus. A first control step of controlling data transfer performed through the bus of a device for each of the buses; and a first control step of communicating with the network and responding to a request input via the network. A second control step of controlling the processing in the step or the electronic device for each of the buses; and an interface step of communicating with the network and performing an interface process with a user within or outside the jurisdiction. An information processing method comprising: 21. A management step of communicating with a predetermined network and managing electronic devices connected to one or more buses within a jurisdiction, and said electronic device communicating with said network and connected to said bus. A first control step of controlling data transfer performed through the bus of a device for each of the buses; and a first control step of communicating with the network and responding to a request input via the network. A second control step of controlling the processing in the step or the electronic device for each of the buses; and an interface step of communicating with the network and performing an interface process with a user within or outside the jurisdiction. Providing a computer-readable program for causing an information processing system to execute a process including Serving medium.