JP2008165260A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of an information processor while reducing its cost. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of devices D are connected to a terminal TA of a recording/reproducing device A. A control section 50 judges whether the devices D connected to the recording/reproducing device A are storing JPEG format data. The control section 50 places the device D storing the data in an active state, and the device D not storing the data in an inactive state wherein operations are limited compared with the active state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for controlling communication between an information processing apparatus and a device connected thereto.

Various devices such as a device for storing data to be processed are connected to an information processing apparatus having a function of processing various data. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a configuration in which an imaging device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera is connected to an information processing apparatus. In this configuration, video data captured and recorded by the imaging device is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and various processes such as editing and output of the video data are executed in the information processing apparatus. Furthermore, if a serial bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used, it is possible to connect a large number of devices to the information processing apparatus.
JP 2004-336255 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-228338 (FIG. 1)

  However, if the information processing apparatus performs communication in parallel with all of these devices, there is a problem that an arithmetic device having a high processing capacity and a large-capacity storage device are required, and the cost of the device increases. As a measure for solving this problem, a configuration in which the user selects a device that should be allowed to communicate with the information processing apparatus is conceivable. Under this configuration, a complicated operation of selecting a device is used. There is a problem that it will be forced to the person. Against this backdrop, an example of a problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve convenience while reducing the cost of the apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a determination unit that determines whether or not a connected device stores predetermined data, and one of the devices that is determined by the determination unit to store the predetermined data. And a management means for setting the device determined by the determination means to be in an inactive state when the predetermined data is not stored.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the determination process determines whether the connected device stores predetermined data and the determination process determines that the predetermined data is stored. A part or all of the devices are set in an active state, and when the predetermined data is not stored, the computer is caused to execute a management process for setting the device determined in the determination process into an inactive state.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention determines that a device connected to the information processing apparatus stores predetermined data, and determines that the predetermined data is stored. And a management unit that sets a part or all of the devices determined by the unit to an active state and sets a device that the determination unit determines to not store predetermined data to an inactive state. Each of these means may be realized by an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program, or by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) dedicated to processing by each means. It may be realized.

  The “active state” in the present embodiment means a state in which an operation for exerting an original function of a device in relation to the information processing apparatus is permitted for the device. For example, a state where transmission of data from the device to the information processing device and transmission of data from the information processing device to the device is permitted is the active state. On the other hand, the “inactive state” in the present embodiment means a state in which an operation for exerting the original function of the device is more restricted than the active state in relation to the information processing apparatus. For example, a state where transmission of data from the device to the information processing device or transmission of data from the information processing device to the device is prohibited is an inactive state.

  For example, for a storage device such as a semiconductor memory that stores various data such as video data and audio data and a memory reader that accommodates the data, an operation for reading this data and outputting it to the information processing apparatus should be stored by the storage device A state where an operation of transmitting data from the information processing apparatus to the storage device is permitted corresponds to an active state. Similarly, for an imaging device such as a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a scanner, a state in which an operation of outputting video data generated by imaging by these devices to an information processing apparatus is an active state. For a recording device (for example, an IC recorder) that records sound, an active state is an operation in which the operation of outputting sound data generated by recording by this device to the information processing apparatus is permitted.

  In the present embodiment, a device connected to the information processing apparatus is selectively activated. In addition, since the device that does not store the predetermined data is in an inactive state, the device does not store the predetermined data and thus cannot perform its original function in relation to the information processing apparatus. It is possible to reduce useless processing such that the device is activated and communicates with the information processing apparatus. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared to a configuration in which all devices connected to the information processing device are uniformly activated and the information processing device communicates in parallel with each of the devices, the information processing device requires Processing capacity and storage capacity are reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the information processing apparatus. Further, in the present embodiment, since the device is in an active state or an inactive state depending on the presence or absence of predetermined data, it is not necessary for the user to select a device that is in an active state or an inactive state. can do. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing apparatus can be improved. However, in addition to the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration in which the user can select a device that is in an active state may be employed.

  For example, the determination unit in the present embodiment acquires information indicating the attribute of data stored in a device from the device and determines the presence or absence of predetermined data. A typical example of information used for this determination is an extension indicating the format of data (file). That is, the determination means determines whether video data with an extension such as “jpeg”, “tiff”, or “gif” and audio data with an extension such as “wma” or “wmv” are stored in the device. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the state in which the device is connected to the information processing device means a state in which the presence of the device is recognized by the information processing device. For example, after a device is connected to an information processing device via a transmission line (that is, wired), the device is recognized by the information processing device, or the device exchanges information with the information processing device wirelessly. Thus, the state in which the device is recognized by the information processing device is a state in which the device is connected to the information processing device. In other words, the state in which the device is connected to the information processing device may be understood as the state in which information related to the device (for example, information indicating the classification of the device or information for identifying the device) is acquired by the information processing device. it can.

  In the present embodiment, it is not always necessary to select a state corresponding to the result of determination by the determination unit for all devices connected to the information processing apparatus. For example, when a device connected to the information processing device is classified into any of a plurality of categories, a state is selected based on the determination result by the determination unit only for a specific category among these categories, For devices belonging to other categories, a state may be set regardless of the presence or absence of predetermined data. More specifically, for example, a category determination unit that determines whether or not a device connected to the information processing apparatus belongs to a specific category is further provided, and the management unit stores (i) predetermined data. A device that has been determined by the determination means to be active and at least one of the devices that has been determined by the classification determination means to belong to a specific category is in an active state, and the determination means has determined that predetermined data has not been stored. The equipment determined by the classification determination means as belonging to a specific category is deactivated, and (ii) the equipment determined by the classification determination means as not belonging to a specific classification is active regardless of the presence of predetermined data Either state or inactive state. According to this configuration, only a device that is originally scheduled to store predetermined data (that is, a device that needs to store predetermined data in order to perform its original function in relation to the information processing apparatus). Since the selection of the state according to the presence / absence of data is performed for devices that do not require the storage of predetermined data in order to perform their original functions in relation to the information processing device, regardless of the presence / absence of the data It can be operated properly.

  As described above, according to the configuration in which each device is in an active state or an inactive state for each section, since each device belonging to a separate section can be in an active state at the same time, the convenience of the information processing apparatus can be improved. it can. In particular, when devices that can be connected to the information processing apparatus are classified into each category according to each function, there is an advantage that a plurality of devices having different functions can be operated in parallel. However, the method of device classification is not limited to this. For example, the devices may be classified into each category according to the device manufacturer and model. In addition, the number of devices in an active state for one section is arbitrary. That is, the management unit may activate only one device for each of a plurality of sections, or may simultaneously activate a plurality of devices for one section.

  The configuration for determining the classification of each device is arbitrary. For example, the category information indicating the category of the device is acquired from the device connected to the information processing apparatus and stored in the storage unit, and the category determination unit identifies each device based on the category information stored in the storage unit. A configuration is adopted in which it is determined whether or not it belongs to the category.

  Note that, as a device belonging to a category other than a specific category, for example, an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a remote controller) that outputs operation data for identifying the content of an operation by a user, or a voice or an image is output. There are output devices (for example, sound output devices such as speakers and headphones, and image output devices such as display devices and printing devices). Among these, for the input device, the state in which the operation of outputting the operation data to the information processing apparatus is permitted (or the state in which the operation of the information processing apparatus performing the process according to the operation data is permitted) is in the active state. Equivalent to. In addition, for output devices, an operation for outputting data indicating an output target from the information processing apparatus to each device is permitted (thus, a state in which output of sound or image based on this type of data is permitted for each device). ) Corresponds to the active state. For example, for a sound emitting device, an active state is a state in which an operation for transmitting data indicating sound output from the information processing apparatus to the sound emitting device is permitted. In addition, with respect to the image output device, the operation of outputting data indicating the image output thereby from the information processing apparatus to the image output device is permitted (that is, the display of the image by the display device or the image display by the printing device). The state in which printing is permitted corresponds to the active state.

  In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the device once made inactive by the management unit is changed to the active state under some condition. For example, a configuration is adopted in which a device in an inactive state is changed to an active state in accordance with a user operation. However, this configuration results in requiring complicated work from the user. More preferably, for example, when the operation of the device in the active state is stopped, another device in the inactive state is changed to the active state. The That is, in the information processing apparatus according to this configuration, the detection unit that detects the stop of the operation of the device in the active state and the determination unit determines that the predetermined data is stored when the detection unit detects the stop of the operation. And changing means for changing other devices in the inactive state to the active state.

  The detection means in this configuration is, for example, a change that the power of the device that has been turned on until then is turned off, or the device that is connected to the information processing apparatus via the transmission line is in some circumstances (for example, an overcurrent When a change such as disconnection due to occurrence of a failure such as occurrence or disconnection by a user occurs, the stop of the operation of the device is detected. Alternatively, for example, on the condition of the passage of time, a transition is made from a first mode in which power supply to each element of the device is executed to a second mode (so-called power saving mode or sleep mode) in which power supply to a specific element is stopped. For a device having a function, the transition from the first mode to the second mode also corresponds to “operation stop” detected by the detection means.

  When the device connected to the information processing apparatus is classified into any of a plurality of categories, it is desirable that the changing unit changes the state according to predetermined data only for devices belonging to a specific category. That is, in this configuration, a classification determination unit that determines whether or not a device connected to the information processing apparatus belongs to a specific category is further provided, and the changing unit is classified as (i) belonging to a specific category. When the detection unit detects the stop of the operation of the device determined by the determination unit, the device that is determined by the determination unit to store predetermined data and activates another device in an inactive state that belongs to the specific category. (Ii) When the detection means detects the stop of the operation of the device determined by the category determination unit as not belonging to a specific category, another device in an inactive state belonging to the same category as the detected device is predetermined. It is selected regardless of the presence or absence of data, and changed to the active state.

  Note that the type of data determined by the determination unit may be the same for all the categories of each device, but may be different for each category of the device. For example, the determination means includes a first determination means for determining whether or not a device belonging to the first category stores first data, and a device that belongs to the second category is different from the first data. 2nd determination means which determines whether 2 data is memorize | stored. For example, assuming that the digital camera is classified in the first category and the digital video camera is classified in the second category, the first determination means determines whether or not there is data having an extension “jpeg”. The second determination means determines whether or not there is data having an extension “jpeg” or “mpeg”. According to this configuration, since the state is appropriately selected according to the function of each device, it is possible to further improve convenience when devices of various categories are connected to the information processing apparatus.

  Furthermore, in a desirable aspect of the present embodiment, a notification unit that notifies the user of the device that has been activated by the management unit or the change unit is further provided. According to this aspect, since the user can recognize the device in the active state, the convenience of the information processing apparatus is further improved. The notifying means may be a means for displaying an image for identifying the device in the active state on the display device, or a means for causing the sound emitting device to emit sound for identifying the device. Good.

  Another embodiment of the present invention includes a program executed by a computer. This program includes a determination process for determining whether or not a device connected to the computer stores predetermined data, and a part or all of the devices determined by the determination process to store predetermined data. Is made active, and the computer executes management processing for making the device determined in the determination processing that predetermined data is not stored be inactive.

  Next, a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, an apparatus that records and reproduces video data and audio data (hereinafter referred to as “recording / reproducing apparatus”) will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus. It is not limited at all.

<A: Configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment and peripheral devices. The recording / reproducing apparatus A has a terminal TA and a terminal TB each compliant with the USB standard. A large number of devices are connected to the terminals TA and TB directly or indirectly through other devices. In FIG. 1, two digital cameras D1 and D2 are connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A via a hub (USB hub) H1 connected to a terminal TA by a cable, and a hub H2 connected to the hub H1 by a cable is connected. One digital camera D4 and two keyboards D3 and D5 are connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A, and one digital camera D6 is connected to the hub H2 via a cable. The state connected to A is illustrated. The recording / reproducing apparatus A exchanges various information with these devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “device D”).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus A. As shown in the figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus A includes a recording / reproducing system A1 for recording and reproducing video data and audio data, and a control processing system A2 for controlling the operation of the recording / reproducing system A1.

  The recording / reproducing system A 1 includes a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as “HD”) drive 10, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive 20, a recording processing system 30, and a reproducing processing system 40. Among these, the HD drive 10 drives the HD 11 in which video data and audio data are recorded, and executes writing and reading of these data. On the other hand, the DVD drive 20 drives the DVD 21 on which video data and audio data are recorded, and executes writing and reading of these data.

  The recording processing system 30 is a means for generating data recorded on the HD 11 and the DVD 21 and executing various processes on the data. The TV receiver 31 shown in FIG. 2 includes an antenna 311 that receives radio waves (for example, RF signals such as VHF and BS broadcasts) transmitted from each broadcasting station, and receives them in a band selected by the user. The signal wave is converted into an IF (intermediate frequency) signal, which is then demodulated into a video signal and an audio signal and output. The input switching unit 32 arranged at the subsequent stage of the TV receiver 31 selects either the video signal output from the TV receiver 31 or the video signal supplied from the input terminal Tin1 and outputs the selected video signal to the A / D converter 331. And a switch 322 that selects either the audio signal output from the TV receiver 31 or the audio signal supplied from the input terminal Tin2 and outputs the selected signal to the A / D converter 332. The switches 321 and 322 are controlled by the control processing system A2.

  Digital video data generated from an analog video signal by the A / D converter 331 is supplied to the video decoder 34. The video decoder 34 converts the video data into video data of another format such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) and outputs the video data to the input switching unit 35 and the playback processing system 40. Similarly, digital audio data generated from an analog audio signal by the A / D converter 332 is supplied to the input switching unit 35 and the reproduction processing system 40.

  The input switching unit 35 is supplied with video data and audio data read from the HD 11 or DVD 21 from the reproduction processing system 40 for dubbing data from one of the HD 11 and the DVD 21 to the other. The input switching unit 35 selects either the video data output from the video decoder 34 or the video data supplied from the reproduction processing system 40 and outputs it to the video encoder 361, and the A / D converter 332 outputs it. A switch 352 that selects any one of the audio data and the audio data supplied from the reproduction processing system 40 and outputs the selected audio data to the audio encoder 362. The switches 351 and 352 are controlled by the control processing system A2.

  The video encoder 361 converts the video data supplied from the switch 351 into video data in another format such as an MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) format and outputs the video data. The audio encoder 362 converts the audio data supplied from the switch 352 into audio data of another format such as AC-3 (Audio Code number 3) and outputs it. The multiplexer 37 generates and outputs a program stream based on the video data output from the video encoder 361 and the audio data output from the audio encoder 362. The above are the elements that constitute the recording processing system 30.

  On the other hand, a drive interface 14 compliant with a standard such as ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) is connected to the HD drive 10. Similarly, a drive interface 24 compliant with, for example, ATAPI is connected to the DVD drive 20. The drive interface 24 receives the program stream read from the DVD 21 from the DVD drive 20 and outputs it to the first switching unit 15 and the reproduction processing system 40. The first switching unit 15 selects either the program stream output from the multiplexer 37 of the recording processing system 30 or the program stream supplied from the drive interface 24 and outputs the selected program stream to the drive interface 14. The program stream is supplied from the drive interface 14 to the HD drive 10 and then written to the HD 11.

  The drive interface 14 receives the program stream read from the HD 11 from the HD drive 10 and outputs it to the second switching unit 25 and the playback processing system 40. The second switching unit 25 selects either the program stream output from the multiplexer 37 of the recording processing system 30 or the program stream supplied from the drive interface 14 and outputs the selected program stream to the drive interface 24. The program stream output from the second switching unit 25 is supplied from the drive interface 24 to the DVD drive 20 and then written to the DVD 21. The first switching unit 15 and the second switching unit 25 are controlled by the control processing system A2.

  Next, the reproduction processing system 40 is a means for executing various processes for data read from the HD 11 and the DVD 21 and reproducing the data. The output switching unit 41 shown in FIG. 2 controls either the program stream supplied from the HD drive 10 via the drive interface 14 or the program stream supplied from the DVD drive 20 via the drive interface 24. The signal is selected according to the control by A2 and output to the demultiplexer 42. The demultiplexer 42 separates and outputs the MPEG format video data and the AC-3 format audio data from the program stream supplied by the output switching unit 41. The video decoder 431 decodes the video data output from the demultiplexer 42 and outputs the decoded video data to the switch 351 of the recording processing system 30 and the switch 441 of the output switching unit 44. On the other hand, the audio decoder 432 decodes the audio data output from the demultiplexer 42 and outputs the decoded audio data to the switch 352 of the recording processing system 30 and the switch 442 of the output switching unit 44.

  The switch 441 selects and outputs either the video data supplied from the video decoder 34 of the recording processing system 30 or the video data supplied from the video decoder 431 under the control of the control processing system A2. Similarly, the switch 442 selects either the audio data supplied from the A / D converter 332 of the recording processing system 30 or the audio data supplied from the audio decoder 432 under the control of the control processing system A2. And output. The audio data selected by the switch 442 is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 472 and output from the output terminal Tout2. For example, a sound emitting device such as a speaker or headphones is connected to the output terminal Tout2.

  On the other hand, the video data selected by the switch 441 is supplied to a thumbnail OSD (On Screen Display) 45. The thumbnail OSD 45 is means for superimposing and outputting an image such as a character or a code on the video data output from the switch 441. Characters and codes combined with the video data by the thumbnail OSD 45 are designated by the control processing system A2.

  The video encoder 46 converts the video data output from the thumbnail OSD 45 into a format suitable for display by a display device and outputs the converted data. The video data output from the video encoder 46 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 471 and then output from the output terminal Tout1. Various output devices such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and a liquid crystal panel are connected to the output terminal Tout1.

  Next, the control processing system A2 is means for controlling the recording / reproducing system A1 described above. The control unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and implements various processes such as writing data to the HD 11 and the DVD 21 and reproducing data read therefrom. Therefore, each part of the recording / reproducing apparatus A is controlled based on a program. The memory 51 is a means for storing various programs and various data used in executing the programs. More specifically, the memory 51 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program executed by the control unit 50 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area by the control unit 50. In this RAM, data input from the device D connected to the terminal TA and data output to these devices D are temporarily stored.

  The light receiving unit 521 receives and demodulates light emitted from the remote control device 60 according to the operation by the user, thereby generating operation data indicating the content of the operation on the remote control device 60 and outputting the operation data to the operation unit 522. The operation unit 522 includes various operators (not shown) such as numeric keys, cursor keys, and confirmation keys, and generates operation data for identifying the operator operated by the user. The operation data generated here and the operation data output from the light receiving unit 521 are output to the control unit 50. The control part 50 specifies the content of the operation by the user by receiving this operation data. On the other hand, the display unit 53 includes a display device using a liquid crystal or an LED, and displays various information such as the contents of operations performed by the user on the remote control device 60 and the operation unit 522 under the control of the control unit 50.

  The USB host controller 561 is means for controlling communication executed between the device D connected to the terminal TA and the USB controller 55. The device D connected to the terminal TA operates as a peripheral (peripheral device) with respect to the recording / reproducing apparatus A. On the other hand, the USB peripheral controller 562 is a means for controlling communication executed between the device connected to the terminal TB and the USB controller 55. A device (for example, a personal computer) connected to the terminal TB operates as a host for the recording / reproducing apparatus A. The USB controller 55 is means for controlling the USB host controller 561 and the USB peripheral controller 562. More specifically, the USB controller 55 outputs data received from the external device D via the USB host controller 561 or the USB peripheral controller 562 to the control unit 50, and transmits data supplied from the control unit 50 to the USB host. The data is output to the controller 561 or the USB peripheral controller 562. As described above, the USB host controller 561, the USB peripheral controller 562, and the USB controller 55 function as means for the recording / reproducing apparatus A to communicate with each device D.

  The above is the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus A. As shown in FIG. 1, various devices D are connected to the terminal TA of the recording / reproducing apparatus A. In this way, devices that are scheduled to be connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A (devices that conform to the USB standard) are classified into a plurality of categories according to their functions and applications. For example, keyboards and mice are classified into input device categories, digital cameras and digital video cameras are classified into imaging device categories, and memories and memory readers are classified into storage device categories. Each device D holds information indicating its own classification (hereinafter referred to as “classification information”) in an internal storage device. On the other hand, the memory 51 stores in advance classification information of all the devices D that can appropriately communicate with the control unit 50 by being connected to the terminal TA (that is, complying with the USB standard). Yes. By determining whether or not the category information held in each device D matches any of the category information stored in the memory 51, the control unit 50 records the device D connected to the terminal TA. Whether the device is supported by the playback apparatus A can be recognized.

  Further, when the device D is connected to the terminal TA as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 generates information related to the device D (hereinafter referred to as “connection information”) and stores it in the memory 51. FIG. 3 shows the contents of this connection information. As shown in the figure, connection information corresponding to one device D includes information uniquely assigned to the device D (hereinafter referred to as “identification information”), classification information received from the device D, and , Information indicating the state of the device D (hereinafter referred to as “state information”). The identification information is, for example, a continuous number assigned to the device D connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A in the order of each connection.

  In the present embodiment, not all devices D connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A are allowed to communicate with the recording / reproducing apparatus A, but a specific device selected based on a predetermined rule. Only D is in an active state capable of communicating with the recording / reproducing apparatus A, and the other devices D are in an inactive state in which communication with the recording / reproducing apparatus A is restricted. The state information shown in FIG. 3 is information (for example, a flag) indicating whether each device D is in an active state or an inactive state.

<B: Operation of recording / reproducing apparatus>
Next, the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus A according to the present embodiment will be described by paying particular attention to the method of managing communication with each device D.

  When the power of the recording / reproducing apparatus A is turned on, the control unit 50 sequentially executes a process for controlling communication with each device D by sequentially executing the programs stored in the memory 51. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the specific contents of this processing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when this process is started, the control unit 50 first determines whether or not a new device D has been detected (step S1). If it is determined that no detection has been made, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a power-off of the device D that has already been connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A (including the case where the device D is removed) is detected. If it is determined (step S9) and this is not detected, the process proceeds to step S1. That is, by repeating step S1 and step S9 sequentially (polling), the control unit 50 functions as a means for detecting connection of each device D and stop of operation.

  If it is determined in step S1 that a new device D has been detected, the control unit 50 is a device that is supported by the recording / reproducing apparatus A for this device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “detected device”) D. Whether or not (step S2). More specifically, the control unit 50 requests the category information from the detected device D, and when the category information transmitted in response thereto is registered in the memory 51 in advance, the detected device D is supported. While this classification information does not match any classification information in the memory 51 or when the detected apparatus D does not transmit the classification information, the detected apparatus D is not supported. It is determined that If it is determined in step S2 that the device is not supported, the control unit 50 returns the processing to step S1 without executing any processing for the detected device D.

  On the other hand, when it determines with it being a support object apparatus by step S2, the control part 50 produces | generates the connection information of the to-be-detected apparatus D, and stores it in the memory 51 (step S3). That is, the control unit 50 assigns identification information to the device D to be detected, and associates the identification information, the previously acquired classification information, and the state information indicating the inactive state, and writes them in the memory 51 as connection information.

  Next, the control unit 50 refers to the classification information and the status information of the connection information stored in the memory 51 to determine whether any device D belonging to the same category as the detected device D has already been activated. It is determined whether or not (step S4). More specifically, the control unit 50 searches the memory 51 for the category information common to the detected device D. If the status information corresponding to the category information searched here indicates an active state, “Yes” is obtained in step S4. On the other hand, if the status information indicates an inactive state or if the category information common to the detected device D is not retrieved (that is, the device D of the category has not been connected so far), step S4 To determine “No”.

  If it is determined as “Yes” in step S4, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S1 without updating the state information of the detected device D (that is, the content indicating the inactive state). Here, for the device D in the inactive state, transmission of video data or audio data to the recording / reproducing apparatus A and transmission of video data or audio data from the recording / reproducing apparatus A to the apparatus D are prohibited. .

  When it determines with "No" at step S4, the control part 50 determines whether the classification information of the to-be-detected apparatus D corresponds to the classification information of an imaging device (step S5). Here, when it is determined that the information does not correspond to the classification information of the imaging device (for example, when the detected device D is a keyboard), the control unit 50 updates the status information of the detected device D to the content indicating the active state. To activate the device D (step S8). Further, the control unit 50 outputs the category information of the detected device D to the thumbnail OSD 45, thereby displaying the category of the detected device D on the display device connected to the output terminal Tout1. As described above, the control unit 50 according to the present embodiment is configured to determine whether or not each device D belongs to a specific category (here, a category of imaging devices), and each device D is in an active state or inactive. It functions as a means for selecting one of the states.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected device D belongs to the category of the imaging device, the control unit 50 converts video data in JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) format (hereinafter referred to as “JPEG data”) to the detected device. It is determined whether or not D is held (step S6). This determination is made, for example, by adding the extension of the file held in the detected device D to FAT (File
Allocation Table) If it is determined that JPEG data is not held, the control unit 50 adds information indicating that JPEG data is not held (hereinafter referred to as “no image information”) to the connection information of the detected device D. (Step S7), the process proceeds to Step S1. In this case, the status information of the detected device D remains the content indicating the inactive state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected device D holds JPEG data, the control unit 50 sets the status information of the detected device D to the content indicating the active state, as in the device D of the category other than the imaging device. After updating and outputting the classification information to the thumbnail OSD 45 (step S8), the process proceeds to step S1. As a result of the above processing, for the device D belonging to the imaging device category, only the device D that holds the JPEG data is set to the active state, and the device D that does not hold the JPEG data is set to the inactive state.

  Next, when the power source of the device D already connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A is cut off (step S9: Yes), the control unit 50 performs this device (hereinafter referred to as “stop device”) in the same procedure as in step S2. It is determined whether D is a device to be supported (step S10). If it determines with it being out of support object here, the control part 50 will transfer a process to step S1, without performing any process about this stop apparatus D. FIG.

  On the other hand, when determining that the stopped device D is a support target, the control unit 50 deletes the connection information of the stopped device D from the memory 51 (step S11). Further, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the stopped device D has been in the active state so far by determining whether or not the state information of the connection information to be deleted in step S11 indicates the active state (step S12). ). If it determines with not having been in an active state here, the control part 50 will transfer a process to step S1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the stopped device D has been in the active state (step S12: Yes), the control unit 50 changes another device D in the inactive state that belongs to the same category as the stopped device D to the active state. To execute the process. That is, the control unit 50 first determines whether or not the stop device D belongs to the category of the imaging device (step S13). Here, when it is determined that it does not belong to the category of the imaging device (for example, when the stop device D is a keyboard), the control unit 50 determines whether or not the category information common to the current stop device D is stored in the memory 51. By determining whether or not another device D belonging to the same category as the stopped device D is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A (step S15). If “Yes” is determined in step S15, the control unit 50 activates the device D (step S8), and then proceeds to step S1. On the other hand, when it determines with "No" at step S15, the control part 50 transfers a process to step S1, without passing through step S8. In this case, there is no active device D belonging to the same category as the stopped device D.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the stopped device D belongs to the category of the imaging device, the control unit 50 adds the no-image information to the connection information because the device D is in the same category as the stopped device D (that is, the imaging device). It is determined whether there is a device D that has not been processed (step S14). Then, if the result of this determination is “No”, the control unit 50 shifts the processing to step S1 without causing any device D in that category to transition to the active state. On the other hand, if it determines with "Yes" at step S14, the control part 50 will transfer a process to step S6. That is, the control unit 50 determines whether or not JPEG data is held in the device D determined in step S14, and changes the device D to the active state only when it is held.

<C: Specific example of operation>
Next, a specific example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In each of these drawings, the identification information (AD # 1 and the like) of each device D and the classification information (CL # 1 and the like) of the device D are written together in a block indicating each device D.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that a digital camera D1 that does not store JPEG data is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A via a hub H1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the connection information including the identification information “AD # 1” assigned to the digital camera D1 and the classification information “CL # 3” acquired from the digital camera D1 is stored in the memory. 51 is written (step S3). In this state, the other device D in the same category as the digital camera D1 is not connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A (step S4: No), and the determination result in step S5 is “Yes”. The process proceeds to step S6. Here, since the digital camera D1 does not store JPEG data, the result of determination in step S6 is “No”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the digital camera D1 is maintained in an inactive state, and no-image information is added to the connection information (step S7).

  Subsequently, when the keyboard D3 belonging to the section “CL # 1” as shown in FIG. 6 (a) is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A via the hub H2, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), The keyboard D3 connection information is stored in the memory 51 (step S3). Furthermore, since the keyboard D3 does not belong to the category of the imaging device (step S5: No), the state information of this connection information is updated to the content indicating the active state, and the keyboard D3 is made active (step S8). 6 to 9, the block of the device D in the active state is shaded.

  Next, it is assumed that a digital camera D6 that stores JPEG data is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A via a hub H3 as shown in FIG. In this case, since the determination result in step S6 is “Yes”, as shown in FIG. 7B, the state information of the digital camera D6 is updated to the content indicating the active state in step S8. That is, the digital camera D6 is in an active state while the digital camera D1 is maintained in an inactive state.

  Even if the digital camera D4 for storing JPEG data is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A via the hub H2 as shown in FIG. 8A from the state shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. As shown in b), the digital camera D4 is inactivated. This is because the digital camera D6 of the same category as the digital camera D4 is already active at this time (step S4: Yes).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, a case is assumed in which the power supply of the digital camera D6 that has been in an active state is cut off. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the connection information of the digital camera D6 is deleted from the memory 51 (step S11). Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the digital camera D4 that belongs to the same section as the digital camera D6 and holds JPEG data is activated (step S8). Even in this state, the digital camera D1 remains in an inactive state.

  In the above description, the case where the devices D are sequentially connected after the recording / reproducing apparatus A is turned on is illustrated, but the recording / reproducing apparatus A is turned on after the plurality of devices D are connected. There is also a case. In this case, the control unit 50 sequentially detects these devices D in step S1. At this time, the order in which the control unit 50 detects each device D is arbitrary. For example, when the devices D are connected in a hierarchical manner as shown in FIG. 1, the devices located in a deep hierarchy from the equipment D located in a shallow hierarchy (for example, the digital camera D1 or D2 connected to the hub H1). Each device D is detected in the order toward D (for example, the digital camera D6 connected to the hub H3).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the device D connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A is selectively activated, the communication with all the devices D is executed in parallel. In comparison, the processing capacity required for the control unit 50 and the USB controller 55 and the capacity required for the memory 51 are reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the recording / reproducing apparatus A can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the power of the device D in the active state is cut off, the state of the other device D that has been in the inactive state is changed to the active state. Therefore, it is possible to change the active device D without forcing the user to perform complicated operations such as specifying the active device D and turning the recording / reproducing apparatus A on again.

  Also, in this embodiment, since transition to the active state is allowed on condition that JPEG data is retained, it contributes to the convenience of the user who connected the digital camera to the recording / reproducing apparatus A for the purpose of capturing JPEG data. Can do. For example, under a configuration in which a digital camera can be in an active state regardless of the presence or absence of JPEG data, when a user connects a digital camera D1 that does not hold JPEG data to the recording / playback apparatus A, the JPEG data is subsequently held. Even when the digital camera D6 is connected, it is necessary to turn off the power of the digital camera D1 in order to use the JPEG data of the digital camera D6. In contrast, in this embodiment, the digital camera D1 that does not hold JPEG data is not activated, and the digital camera D6 is activated only when the digital camera D6 that holds JPEG data is connected. Therefore, the work of turning off the power supply of the digital camera D1 connected first is unnecessary.

<D: Modification>
Various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above. An example of a specific modification is as follows. In addition, you may combine each following aspect suitably.

(1) Modification 1
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the devices D that are in the active state are selected for each section is illustrated. However, for example, from all the devices D connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A regardless of the section of each device D. The active device D may be selected. However, in consideration of the possibility that a plurality of devices D having different categories are used simultaneously by the user (for example, when a digital camera and a keyboard are used in parallel), the active state for each category as in the embodiment It is desirable to further improve convenience by the configuration in which the device D is selected. Further, in the configuration in which the active device D is selected regardless of the category of the device D, for example, when one digital camera is turned off, the user intends to use another digital camera. On the other hand, there may be a case where the keyboard changes to the active state. According to the embodiment, since the active device D is selected for each section, there is an advantage that such inconsistency with the user's intention can be easily eliminated.

(2) Modification 2
In the embodiment, the configuration in which only one device D is in an active state for each section is illustrated, but a configuration in which a plurality of devices D belonging to one section are in an active state may be employed. For example, in the state where each device D is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A as shown in FIG. 8 (a) through the states from FIG. 5 (a) to FIG. 7 (a), JPEG data is stored. The two digital cameras D6 and D4 in the section “CL # 3” may be in an active state. When the power of the digital camera D6 is turned off in this state, another digital camera in the same section storing JPEG data is newly activated while the digital camera D4 is maintained in the active state. Even with this configuration, compared with a configuration in which communication with all the devices D connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus A is executed in parallel, the processing capability required for the control unit 50 and the memory 51 are required. The expected effect of reducing the capacity is certainly achieved.

  Note that the number of devices D that are in an active state for one category is determined according to the processing capability of the control unit 50. For example, if the processing capacity of the control unit 50 is sufficient, a plurality of devices D may be allowed to enter an active state. In addition, the number of devices D in the active state may be the same for all sections, or the number of devices D in the active state may be set separately for each section.

(3) Modification 3
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the device D holding JPEG data is selectively activated is exemplified, but holding other types of data may be used as a condition for transition to the active state. For example, when connection of a device belonging to the category of a digital video camera is assumed, the presence / absence of MPEG-format video data (hereinafter referred to as “MPEG data”) may be determined, or a device that stores audio data may be determined. When connection is assumed, the presence or absence of AC-3 format data or WMV format data may be determined. In other words, it is sufficient to determine whether or not predetermined data is stored in the device D, and it is sufficient if the device D is in an active state or an inactive state according to the determination result. It does not matter how the data is targeted. In addition, as long as any one of a plurality of predetermined types of data is held, the transition to the active state may be allowed. For example, in step S6 of FIG. 4, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the detected device D holds at least one of JPEG data and MPEG data, and if it is determined that it is held, In step S8, the detected device D is activated.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the format of the data used as the conditions for the transition to an active state was selected for every division. For example, for device D belonging to the digital camera category, JPEG data storage is set as a condition for transition to the active state, and for device D belonging to the digital video camera category, storage of at least one of JPEG data and MPEG data is active. A configuration as a condition for transition to is adopted. This configuration will be described in detail as follows.

  First, following step S4 in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the detected device D belongs to the digital camera category. If it is determined that the detected device D belongs to the digital camera category, the control unit 50 stores JPEG data. Then, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that the device does not belong to the category of the digital camera, the control unit 50 further determines whether or not the detected device D belongs to the category of the digital video camera. The process proceeds to step S8 on condition that at least one of data and MPEG data is stored. On the other hand, if it is determined that the detected device D does not belong to any of the categories of the digital camera and the digital video camera, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S8 as it is (that is, regardless of whether there is data). Further, when predetermined data is not stored in the detected device D belonging to the category of the digital camera or the digital video camera, the control unit 50 adds imageless information to the connection information of the detected device D (step S7), the process proceeds to step S1. According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the embodiment while improving the convenience of the recording / reproducing apparatus A by simultaneously switching the digital camera and the digital video camera to the active state.

(4) Modification 4
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the state information indicating whether each device D is in the active state or inactive state is generated, but the state of each device D (the distinction between the active state and the inactive state) is illustrated. The mode of information for recognition is arbitrarily changed. For example, information indicating that the device D is in the active state may be added to the connection information of the device D, while information indicating the state is not added to the connection information of the device D in the inactive state. . In short, it suffices if the connection information is stored in such a manner that the control unit 50 can recognize whether each device D is in the active state or the inactive state.

(5) Modification 5
In the embodiment, the recording / reproducing apparatus A that records and reproduces video data and audio data is illustrated, but the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, a recording device that records at least one of video data and audio data on the HD 11 or DVD 21, a playback device that reproduces this data, or various types of predetermined arithmetic processing performed on various data including video data and audio data. This apparatus corresponds to the information processing apparatus referred to in the present embodiment.

(6) Modification 6
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the terminal TA conforms to the USB is illustrated, but the form of the terminal TA to which each device D is connected is arbitrarily changed. For example, each device D may be connected to a terminal TA of another standard such as IEEE 1394.

It is a block diagram which shows a mode that several apparatuses were connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific content of connection information. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a control part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the apparatus was connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the content of the connection information at this time. It is a figure which shows a mode that the apparatus was connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the content of the connection information at this time. It is a figure which shows a mode that the apparatus was connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the content of the connection information at this time. It is a figure which shows a mode that the apparatus was connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the content of the connection information at this time. It is a figure which shows a mode that the power supply of one apparatus was cut | disconnected and the content of the connection information after this cutting | disconnection.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Recording / reproducing device (information processing device), A1 ... Recording / reproducing system, A2 ... Control processing system, 50 ... Control unit, 51 ... Memory, 53 ... Display unit, 55 ... USB controller, 561 ... USB host controller, 562 ... USB peripheral controller.

Claims (6)

Determining means for determining whether the connected device stores predetermined data; and
A part or all of the devices determined by the determination unit when the predetermined data is stored are set in an active state, and the device determined by the determination unit when the predetermined data is not stored are set in an inactive state. An information processing apparatus comprising management means. The equipment connected to the information processing apparatus is classified into one of a plurality of categories,
Comprising a category determination means for determining whether a device connected to the information processing apparatus belongs to a specific category among the plurality of categories;
The management means includes
(I) At least one of the devices that are determined by the determination unit as having stored the predetermined data and that has been determined by the classification determination unit as belonging to the specific category is activated, and the predetermined data The device determined by the determination unit as not storing and the device determined by the category determination unit as belonging to the specific category is in an inactive state,
(Ii) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the equipment determined by the classification determination unit as not belonging to the specific classification is in an active state or an inactive state regardless of the presence or absence of the predetermined data. apparatus. Detection means for detecting the stop of the operation of the device in the active state;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a changing unit that changes another device in the inactive state that is determined by the determining unit to store the predetermined data when the detecting unit detects the stop of the operation. The information processing apparatus described. The equipment connected to the information processing apparatus is classified into one of a plurality of categories,
Comprising a category determination means for determining whether a device connected to the information processing apparatus belongs to a specific category among the plurality of categories;
The changing means is
(I) a device that is determined by the determination unit to store the predetermined data when the detection unit detects a stop of the operation of the device that is determined to belong to the specific category. Set other devices in the inactive state belonging to the specific category to the active state,
(Ii) When the detection unit detects the stop of the operation of the device determined not to belong to the specific category, the other device in the inactive state belonging to the same category as the detected device The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is selected and changed to an active state regardless of the presence or absence of data. 2. The determination unit acquires information indicating an attribute of data stored in a device connected to the information processing apparatus from the device, and determines presence or absence of the predetermined data based on the acquired information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. On the computer,
A determination process for determining whether the connected device stores predetermined data; and
If the predetermined data is stored, some or all of the devices determined in the determination process are in an active state, and if the predetermined data is not stored, the device determined in the determination process is in an inactive state A program that executes the management process.

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