JP2002033967A - Digital information equipment and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mutually control digital information equipment connected to a digital bus by the completely identical operational procedures, even if the digital equipment is controlled from any equipment. SOLUTION: The digital information equipment has a connection equipment name storage means for storing all equipment name data connected to the digital bus and IDs on the digital bus, and creates a connection equipment display screen for displaying on the display screen by a screen information creation means for transmitting to equipment which has a display function by a packet-creating means and a packet-transmitting/receiving means. The connection equipment selected from a connection equipment name display screen creates a control procedure screen by a self-function storage means and the screen information creation means for transmitting to equipment, having a display function by the packet-creating means and the packet-transmitting/ receiving means. The function to be controlled is selected from the control procedure screen, and the selection information packet is transmitted, equipment to be controlled receives the selected information packet, thus realizing a function selected by an equipment control means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
A digital video camera (hereinafter referred to as DVC), a digital video recorder (hereinafter referred to as DVHS), and a digital multi-user connected to a digital bus for transmitting and receiving data such as images and sounds, control commands, etc. Application disk device (hereinafter referred to as DVD), digital set-top box for receiving digital broadcast (hereinafter referred to as STB)
), An audio-visual (hereinafter abbreviated as AV) device such as a digital TV (hereinafter abbreviated as DTV), or a digital information device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC) that handles data such as images and sounds More particularly, the present invention relates to a technology relating to a digital information device having a function of controlling another device from an arbitrary device connected to a bus using a remote controller or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the spread of AV equipment such as DVC, DVD, STB for receiving digital broadcasting, and equipment (digital information equipment) such as PC which handles digitized video, audio, and data, these equipments have been developed. A device is connected to a digital bus such as IEEE 1394 to transmit and receive video and audio data between the devices, and to control functions between the devices by transmitting and receiving commands. There is an increasing demand for controlling all other devices using a remote controller.

In the information equipment system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-240666, data is exchanged between at least one device and a means for storing device name data of all devices connected to a bus. Means for storing function data of two devices, displaying the model name data and function data received from other connected devices on a device having a display function, and selecting the selected function by the selected device To control the functions of other devices.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of an information device (digital information device) described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-240666. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1000 denotes a bus;
Is a CPU, 1002 is a working memory, 1003 is an image processing unit, 1004 is a connection I / F, 1005 is a tuner, 1006 is a screen display control unit, 1007 is a ROM,
008 is a connected device memory, 1009 is a communication pair function memory, 1010 is a communication setting memory, 1011 is a self information memory, 1012 is a self function memory, 1013 is a self model name memory, and 1014 is a RAM.

[0005] The bus 1000 is connected to main means such as a CPU and a memory. As shown in FIG. 10, this information device has a self-model name memory 1011 holding its own model name data and a self-function memory 1012 holding its own function data. When there is a request to transfer the stored information, it has a function of transmitting its own model name data and its own function data to another device.
In the connected device memory 1008, the model names of all devices connected to the bus to which this information device is connected and their I
D is stored. The communication pair function memory 1009 temporarily stores the functions of two information devices that transmit and receive information, and the communication setting memory 1010 stores the setting data of the started communication.

By these means, the information device shown in FIG. 10 stores the model names and IDs of all the devices connected to the digital bus in advance in the connected device memory 10.
08, and when trying to control another device connected to the digital bus, a request is made to transfer the function data to the devices to be controlled (two devices on the transmission side and the reception side).
The returned function data is stored in the communication pair function memory 100.
9 is stored. Then, based on the data stored in these memories, the information device creates a control screen and displays it on the display unit, so that the device on the source side of data such as video and audio can be displayed. And a device on the target side, and control of those devices can be performed from one information device.

[0007]

However, when the devices are controlled by the above-described method, the devices to be controlled are:
It is necessary to have various means required for control, such as a model name storage memory and a communication pair function memory. Therefore, when trying to control another device from an arbitrary device on the digital bus, it is necessary that all the devices have means such as various memories required for control.

When control of another device on the digital bus is once completed, and another device is to be controlled again from another device, the function data of the device is requested again. Since the necessity arises, the efficiency of the control deteriorates.

Furthermore, in order to centrally control the control of a device, if it is necessary to continue controlling the same device from another device while one device is controlling another device, first, It is necessary to restart the control from.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to control a device that attempts to control another device on a digital bus. It is possible to perform control without directly knowing the function of the device to be controlled, so that all the devices connected to the digital bus have various memory and other means required for control. It is possible to construct a cost-effective system that does not need to be provided. Also, the object of the present invention is to control the digital devices connected to the digital bus from any device so that they can be controlled mutually by exactly the same operation procedure,
The purpose is to make the system easy to use.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to each claim of the present application has the following technical means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information device connected to a bus system constituted by connecting a plurality of digital information devices including at least one digital information device having a display function. , Means for storing its own device name data, means for storing its own function data, and means for storing a procedure for realizing its own function.

The digital information device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the digital information device according to the first aspect, wherein the other device connected to the bus system requests transmission of the own device name data. It has means for transmitting name data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to the first or second aspect, a procedure screen for creating a screen for selectively executing a procedure for realizing the function of the digital information apparatus is provided. It is characterized by having means for creating.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to the third aspect, a procedure screen transmitting means for transmitting the procedure screen to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. It is characterized by having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital information device according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a device name request unit for requesting all devices connected to the bus system to transmit device name data. It is characterized by the following.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information device according to the fifth aspect, further comprising storage means for storing device name data received from another digital information device connected to the bus system. The means stores all device name data connected to the bus system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising means for creating a device display screen for displaying all devices connected to the bus system.

In the digital information device according to the present invention, a device display screen transmission for transmitting the device display screen to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. It is characterized by having means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, control start information for starting control of any device connected to the bus system includes: According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control start information transmitting means for transmitting to the digital information device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to the eighth aspect, upon receiving the control start information according to the ninth aspect, a device to be operated by a device connected to the bus system. And a control-target-device notifying unit for transmitting control-target-device notification information for notifying the user.

The digital information device according to the present invention transmits the request for displaying the screen of the controlled device to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. And a screen display request transmitting means for the purpose.

In the digital information device according to the twelfth aspect, when receiving the notification of the device to be controlled according to any one of the first to ninth aspects or the eleventh aspect, If the device is a control target device, a procedure screen for realizing the function of itself is created, and the procedure screen is transmitted to a device having a display function among devices connected to the bus system. It has a procedure screen transmission means.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to the twelfth aspect, when the procedure screen is displayed on a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system, A selection information transmitting unit for selecting a function displayed on the procedure screen and transmitting the selected information to the control target device.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to the thirteenth aspect, when the selection information is received,
It is characterized by having selection information analysis executing means for analyzing and executing the selection information.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital information device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the ninth aspect, or the twelfth aspect, the digital information equipment is connected to the bus system. Out of the digital information devices, a device having a display function, when receiving a screen display request for displaying a screen of the digital information device connected to the bus system from the digital information device according to claim 8, A target device screen display means for displaying a screen of a target digital device is provided.

[0027] The digital bus according to claim 16 is a bus system constituted by connecting a plurality of digital information devices including at least one digital information device having a display function. Wherein at least one digital information device according to any one of the above items is connected.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a digital information device connected to a bus system from the digital information device connected to the bus system or another digital information device connected to the bus system. In addition, even when the device to be controlled is switched during the control, the control can be continued without changing the control procedure or method.

A digital information device control method according to claim 18 is a method for controlling the digital information device connected to the bus system or the digital information device connected to the bus system from the digital information device connected to the bus system according to claim 16. To control the screen displayed on the digital information device having the display function, and the device to be controlled, even if the device or the other digital information device is controlled from any device on the bus system. Are exactly the same.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital information device control method for controlling a digital information device connected to the bus system or the other digital information device connected to the bus system from the digital information device connected to the bus system. In order to realize the control method according to claim 17 or claim 18, the device is controlled by operating a key of a remote controller attached to the digital information device.

By adopting the above-described apparatus configuration and method, the function data screen is created and displayed by a device having the function, and the device to be controlled is controlled by moving a cursor, determining control information, or the like. By transmitting only such selection information, it is possible to control other devices. Therefore, there is no need to transmit the function data to the device to be controlled, and it is not necessary for the device to be controlled to have a means for storing the function data.

Further, since it is possible to control another device only by the selection information, when one device is controlling another device, it is necessary to continue the control that has been performed by another device up to that time. Is necessary, it is not necessary to restart the control from the beginning, and the control can be continued in exactly the same procedure.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a system (bus system) in which a plurality of digital information devices according to an embodiment of the present invention are interconnected by a digital bus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital information device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second digital information in a system (bus system) in which a plurality of digital information devices according to an embodiment of the present invention are interconnected by a digital bus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device.

1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a digital bus, 11 denotes a first digital information device connected to the digital bus 10, and 20 denotes a second digital information device connected to the digital bus 10.
Digital information equipment. 12 is a packet transmitting / receiving means, 13 is a packet creating means, 14 is a device controlling means, 15 is a self-device name storing means, 16 is a self-function storing means, 17 is a connected device name storing means, 18 is a screen information generating means, 19 is a selection information analyzing / executing means.

The difference between the first digital information device 11 and the second digital information device is that the first digital information device 11 includes a packet transmission / reception unit 12, a packet creation unit 13, a device control unit 14, a self-device. A second digital information device 20 includes a name storage unit 15, a self-function storage unit 16, a connected device name storage unit 17, a screen information creation unit 18, and a selection information analysis / execution unit 19. Is that there is no connected device name storage means 17 in the first digital information device 11.

In this embodiment, the digital bus 10
Is a serial bus such as the international standard IEEE 1394, but the digital bus is not necessarily an IEEE
The transmission path does not need to be E1394, and may be a transmission path such as USB, ATM, or Ethernet.

The packet transmitting / receiving means 12 receives a synchronous or asynchronous packet transmitted from another device and transmits the synchronous or asynchronous packet created by the packet creator 13. In a synchronous packet, for example, MPEG
Transmission of video and audio streams such as 2 is performed, and command data and the like for controlling the mutual devices connected to the serial bus are transmitted in the asynchronous packet.

For example, the self-device name storage means 15
Data indicating the type of the device itself, such as "television" and "video", or model number data of its own model are stored.

The self-function storage means 16 stores functions provided in the self-device (the digital information device itself) and procedures for realizing the functions.

The connected device name storage means 17 stores all I / O devices connected to the digital bus 10 on the bus.
D and the device name of the device are stored. For example, when the digital bus 10 is IEEE1394, the ID on the bus is a node ID, and the connected device name storage unit 17 stores data so that the node ID and the device name can be associated with each other. Shall be.

The screen information creating means 18 receives the function data and the function realization procedure data from the self-function storage means 16 or the connected equipment name data connected to the digital bus from the connected equipment name storage means 17. For example, screen information to be displayed on a device having a display function such as a liquid crystal display or a digital television is created.

The selection information analyzing / executing means 19 analyzes the selection information transmitted from another device on the digital bus 10 and executes a function corresponding to the selection information.

FIG. 3 shows a DTV (digital television) 30,
STB (Digital Set Top Box) 31, DVD
(Digital versatile disk device) 32, DVC (digital video camera) 33, and DVHS (digital video recorder) 34 are connected to the digital bus 10.

Here, in the following description of the operation, a case where the DVHS 34 is controlled from an arbitrary device on the digital bus 10 will be described as an example. The digital bus 10 is assumed to be IEEE1394, and the STB 31 has the function of the first digital information device 11 shown in FIG. 1 and the other connected devices are the second digital information device 20 shown in FIG. The screen information is all D
It shall be displayed on the TV 30.

FIG. 4 is an example of a screen on which the DTV 30 receives the device display screen created by the STB 31 and displays it on its own display. IEEE 1394 bus 1
0, DTV30, DVD32, STB
31, DVHS34, DVC33 are displayed on the screen in the form of icons 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and the like. In the display state of the device display screen, a device to be controlled can be selected by moving a cursor 46 indicating a selection candidate of a device to be controlled.

FIG. 5 shows a case where a device to be controlled is a DV device.
This is an example of a screen on which the DTV 30 receives a function selection screen created by the DVHS 34 based on its own function data and control procedure data and displays it on its own display when the HS 34 is selected. On the DVHS function selection screen, an icon 5 for selecting a function of the DVHS 34 is displayed.
0, 51, 52, and 53 (reproduction 50, recording 51, channel switching 52, and others 53) are displayed.

FIG. 6 shows a reproduction function 5 in the function selection screen of FIG.
This is an example of a screen on which the DTV 30 receives a function control procedure screen created by the DVHS 34 from its own function data and control procedure data and displays the screen on its own display when 0 is selected. On the function control procedure screen for reproduction, an icon 60 for selecting a function of the DVS 34,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 are displayed. In the display state of the function control procedure screen shown in FIG. 6, a function to be controlled (a function such as reproduction or stop) can be selected by a cursor 67 displayed below the icon. .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of a remote controller 70 attached to a digital information device connected to the IEEE 1394 bus 10. While looking at the screen displayed on the DTV 30, use the cursor keys 72, 73, 74, and 75 to move the cursor to necessary information and functions to be controlled,
By pressing the decision key 76, the decision information is transmitted to the transmitting section 71.
Sent by The control mode selection key 77 is
When the control of other devices connected to the 1394 bus 10 is started or the control is ended, pressing this button controls a mode for controlling other devices on the bus and a mode for controlling the own device. Is used to switch between the normal operation mode and the normal operation mode.

Next, an arbitrary device on the digital bus 10 typified by the IEEE 1394 described above transmits a DVHS3
An actual operation example in the case of controlling No. 4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an example of a processing flow of the first digital information device, and FIG. 9 shows an example of a processing flow when controlling a device connected to the digital bus. As mentioned earlier, here, the digital bus 10 is an IEEE 1394 bus,
The STB 31 has the function of the first digital information device 11 shown in FIG. 1, and the other digital information devices have the function of the second digital information device 20 shown in FIG.
It is assumed that all screen information is displayed on the DTV 30.

When a reset is applied to the digital bus 10 due to factors such as power-on of a device connected to the digital bus 10 or connection of a new device (S
80), after performing a predetermined initialization process defined in international standards such as IEEE 1394-1995,
The TB 31 provides all devices connected to the bus 10 with
A packet for requesting the device name data and its node ID is transmitted (S81). When the device connected to the bus 10 receives this device name data request packet (S
90), creates a packet including its own device name data and node ID, and transmits it to STB 31 (S91). ST
Upon receiving the packet including the device name data and the node ID transmitted from each device connected to the bus 10 (S82), the B31 transmits the node ID and the device name data to all the devices on the bus 10. Is created (S83).

When the user presses the control mode selection key 77 of the remote controller 70 attached to the device such as the DVD 32 after the above-described initialization work is performed, the DVD 32
Transmits a device name display request packet (S92).

When receiving the device name display request packet (S84), the STB 31 creates a device display screen for displaying all devices connected to the bus 10,
The data is transmitted to the DTV 30 (S85).

Thus, the DTV 30 displays the device display screen on the display. The user can use the DTV30
In order to select a device to be controlled from the device display screen displayed on the
Press the cursor key 72, 73, 74 or 75 of. Thereby, the DVD 32 transmits the device selection information packet (S93). At this time, even if the user switches from the remote control attached to the DVD 32 to an arbitrary device other than the DVD 32 connected to the bus 10, for example, the remote control attached to the DTV 30, the DTV 30 transmits the device selection information packet similarly to the DVD 32. It can be performed.

When the STB 31 receives the device selection information packet (S86), the cursor 4 on the device display screen is displayed.
6 is updated, and a new device display screen is created.
(S85).

By repeating the same operation as above,
When the cursor 46 on the device display screen moves to the device to be controlled (here, the DVHS 34 (icon 44)) (S94), the user presses the enter key 76 of the remote controller 70. Thereby, the DVD 32 transmits the device determination packet (S95). At this time, the user
From the remote control attached to VD32, connect D
Even if the operation is performed by switching to an arbitrary device other than the VD32, for example, a remote control attached to the DTV 30, the DTV 30 is
The device determination packet can be transmitted similarly to D32.

When receiving the device determination packet (S87), the STB 31 receives the device to be controlled (here, DVH).
A control target device notification packet for notifying the node ID in S34) is transmitted to all devices on the bus 10 (S88).

When the device connected to the bus 10 receives this control target device notification packet (S96), the node ID of the transmitted control target device and its own node I
D is compared (S97), and if they match, a function control procedure screen for controlling own function is created,
The data is transmitted to the DTV 30 (S98). In the description of the operation here, the DVHS 34 is set as a control target device as an example as described above. Therefore, for example, a screen as shown in FIG.
It will be displayed on V30.

In order to select a function to be controlled from the function control procedure screen (FIG. 5) displayed on the DTV 30, the user moves the cursor by using the cursor keys 72, 73, 74 or 75 of the remote controller 70 attached to the DVD 32. push. Thereby, the DVD 32 transmits the function selection information packet (S99). At this time, the user
DVD32 connected to the bus 10 from the attached remote control
The DTV 30 can transmit the function selection information packet as in the case of the DVD 32 even if the device is switched to an arbitrary device other than the above, for example, a remote control attached to the DTV 30.

When the DVHS 34 receives the function selection information packet (S910), it analyzes the function selection information (S911). If the function selection information is a cursor movement request, the DVHS 34 changes the cursor position to 50, 51, 52, or 53, the screen is moved to a position corresponding to the request, and the DTV
30 (S98). If the control information is to notify the determination of the function to be controlled (here, the reproduction function 50 is selected and determined as an example), the DVHS 34 executes the function if the function is executable. (S911), and if there is a next procedure, a next function control procedure screen is created and transmitted to the DTV 30 (S9).
8). Here, since the reproduction 50 is selected as described above, the function control procedure screen shown in FIG.
30 is displayed.

In order to select a function to be controlled from the function control procedure screen (FIG. 6) displayed on the DTV 30, the user moves the cursor by using the cursor keys 72, 73, 74 or 75 of the remote control 70 attached to the DVD 32. push. Thereby, the DVD 32 transmits the function selection information packet (S99). At this time, the user
DVD32 connected to the bus 10 from the attached remote control
The DTV 30 can transmit the function selection information packet as in the case of the DVD 32 even if the device is switched to an arbitrary device other than the above, for example, a remote control attached to the DTV 30 to perform the operation.

When the DVHS 34 receives the function selection information packet (S910), it analyzes the function selection information (S911). If the function selection information is a cursor movement request, the DVHS 34 moves the position of the cursor 67 to a position corresponding to the request. The created screen is created and transmitted to the DTV 30 (S98). Also, D
When the control information notifies the determination of the function to be controlled, the VHS 34 executes that function (S91).
1). For example, in FIG. 6, functions such as frame advance (reverse direction) 60, rewind 61, pause 62, stop 63, playback 64, fast forward 65, and frame advance (forward) 66 can be selected and executed. Has become.

By controlling the devices connected to the digital bus with each other according to the above control method, it is possible to perform control in exactly the same operation method regardless of control from any device on the digital bus. Therefore, there is no need to learn different complicated operation methods for each device.

Further, since the function data and control procedure data of each device need not be transmitted and received on the bus, and only the function selection information and the decision information are transmitted and received, efficient communication can be performed. Become.

[0064]

The effects of the invention according to each claim of the present application are listed below.

Since the digital information device according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the device to be controlled is provided with function data and control procedure data for controlling its own function. By creating and displaying a control procedure screen, it is possible to control another device on the digital bus without directly knowing the function data of the device to be controlled.

Since the digital information device according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention has the above-described configuration, by creating a screen for displaying all devices connected to the digital bus, It is easy and reliable for the user to select a device to control.

Since the digital information device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the digital information device notifies the device connected to the digital bus of the start of control of another device. It is possible to switch from any device connected to the digital bus to a mode for controlling the device in exactly the same operation procedure.

The digital information device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration. Therefore, by notifying all devices connected to the digital bus of the device to be controlled, Can transmit a control request to a device to be controlled.

Since the digital information device according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to control a device having a display function among devices connected to the digital bus. Can be displayed.

The digital information device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration. By displaying a procedure screen for realizing its own function on a device having a display function, The user can easily control the devices connected to the digital bus in a selection format.

The digital information device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is configured as described above, so that the user can change the function of the device to be controlled from any device connected to the digital bus. Control can be easily performed while viewing the procedure screen displayed on the device having the display function.

The digital information device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration. Therefore, by analyzing the selection information having received the control information and executing the processing, the function information itself is transmitted and received. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data flowing through the digital bus as compared with the case where control is performed between devices.

Since the digital information device according to the present invention described in claim 15 has the above-described configuration, a screen required for control is controlled by the digital information device according to claim 8. It can be displayed.

The bus system according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration, so that it is possible to select and control a device to be controlled and to select a screen to be displayed on a device having a display function. .

The digital device control method according to the invention of claim 17 has the above-described configuration, and therefore, at any stage during the control of another device on the digital bus, the control is performed by another device. Control can be continued in exactly the same procedure.

The digital device control method according to the present invention has the above-described configuration. Therefore, when an attempt is made to operate another device connected to the same digital bus, the digital device control method is executed. The same user interface can be provided even when operated from any device.

The digital device control method according to the present invention has the above-described configuration.
It is possible to control a plurality of devices connected to the digital bus by a very simple operation by pressing a cursor key, an enter key, or the like of a remote controller.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first digital information device in a system (bus system) in which a plurality of digital information devices according to an embodiment of the present invention are interconnected by a digital bus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second digital information device in a system (bus system) in which a plurality of digital information devices according to an embodiment of the present invention are interconnected by a digital bus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a system (bus system) constructed by the digital information devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a device display screen for selecting a device to be controlled is displayed on a device having a display function.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a control procedure screen for controlling DVHS is displayed on a device having a display function.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example in which a control procedure screen for controlling DVHS is displayed on a device having a display function.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a remote controller attached to the digital information device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a device having a unit for storing device name data, among devices connected to the digital bus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when controlling a device connected to a digital bus.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital information device for controlling another device according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital bus 11 First digital information equipment 12 Packet transmission / reception means 13 Packet creation means 14 Equipment control means 15 Self equipment name storage means 16 Self-function storage means 17 Connected equipment name storage means 18 Screen information creation means 20 Second digital information Equipment 30 DTV (Digital Television) 31 STB (Digital Set Top Box for Digital Broadcast Reception) 32 DVD (Digital Versatile Disk Device) 33 DVC (Digital Video Camera) 34 DVHS (Digital Video Recorder)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00321 H04N 5/782 K F term (Reference) 5B089 HA08 KB04 KE02 KE03 5C018 FA01 FA03 FA04 FB01 FB03 FB05 5C025 AA30 BA14 BA18 BA21 BA27 BA28 CA09 CB03 DA01 DA08 5C056 AA07 BA01 BA08 BA10 CA06 CA08 CA13 CA19 DA06 DA11 EA05 5K048 BA03 DA05 EA16 EB02

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A digital information device connected to a bus system constituted by connecting a plurality of digital information devices including at least one digital information device having a display function, and stores its own device name data. A digital information device comprising: means for performing the function of the user; means for storing its own function data; and means for storing a procedure for realizing the function of the user. 2. The digital information device according to claim 1, wherein, when another device connected to the bus system requests transmission of the own device name data, the own device name data is transmitted. A digital information device characterized by having means for performing. 3. The digital information device according to claim 1, wherein a procedure screen for creating a screen for selectively executing a procedure for realizing the function of the digital information device is created. A digital information device comprising: 4. The digital information device according to claim 3, further comprising: a procedure screen transmitting unit for transmitting the procedure screen to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. And digital information equipment. 5. The digital information device according to claim 4, further comprising device name request means for requesting all devices connected to the bus system to transmit device name data. Digital information equipment. 6. The digital information device according to claim 5, further comprising a storage unit for storing device name data received from another digital information device connected to the bus system, wherein the storage unit stores the device name data. A digital information device storing all device name data connected to a bus system. 7. The digital information device according to claim 6, further comprising means for creating a device display screen for displaying all devices connected to the bus system. 8. The digital information device according to claim 7, further comprising a device display screen transmitting unit for transmitting the device display screen to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. Digital information equipment characterized by the following. 9. The digital information device according to claim 1, wherein control start information for starting control of any device connected to the bus system is provided. A digital information device comprising a control start information transmitting means for transmitting to a digital information device. 10. The digital information device according to claim 8, wherein when the control start information according to claim 9 is received, a device connected to the bus system is notified of a device to be operated. A digital information device comprising a control target device notification unit for transmitting control target device notification information. 11. The digital information device according to claim 8, wherein a screen display for transmitting a request to display a screen of the control target device to a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system. Digital information equipment having request transmission means. 12. The digital information device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the digital information device according to claim 11, wherein when receiving the notification of the control target device according to claim 10, the digital information device itself controls the control target device. If the device is a device, create a procedure screen for realizing the function of itself, and transmit a procedure screen for transmitting the procedure screen to a device having a display function among devices connected to the bus system. Digital information equipment comprising means. 13. The digital information device according to claim 12, wherein when the procedure screen is displayed on a device having a display function among the devices connected to the bus system, the digital information device is displayed on the procedure screen. A digital information device comprising a selection information transmitting unit for selecting a function and transmitting the selection information to the control target device. 14. The digital information device according to claim 13, further comprising a selection information analysis executing means for analyzing and executing the selection information when receiving the selection information. 15. The digital information device according to claim 1, wherein the digital information device is connected to the bus system. An apparatus having a display function, the apparatus having a function of receiving a screen display request for displaying a screen of a digital information apparatus connected to the bus system from the digital information apparatus according to claim 8. A digital information device comprising target device screen display means for displaying a device screen. 16. A bus system constituted by connecting a plurality of digital information devices including at least one digital information device having a display function, according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Wherein at least one digital information device is connected. 17. A digital information device control method for controlling a digital information device connected to a bus system or the digital information device connected to the bus system according to claim 16, wherein the control is performed during the control. Even if you switch the device that
A digital information device control method characterized in that control can be continued without changing a control procedure or method. 18. A digital information device control method for controlling a digital information device connected to the bus system from itself or another digital information device connected to the bus system according to claim 16, No matter which device controls itself or another digital information device, the screen displayed on the digital information device having the display function and the control procedure for controlling the device to be controlled are completely different. A digital information device control method, which is the same. 19. A method for controlling a digital information device connected to the bus system from the digital information device connected to the bus system according to claim 16, or another digital information device. Item 18. A method for controlling a digital information device, wherein the device is controlled by operating a key of a remote controller attached to the digital information device in order to realize the control method according to Item 18.