JP2003078975A - Remote control system and remote control signal receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To enable remote control of a source of an image currently displayed by using any remote control device. SOLUTION: Regardless of the remote control signals of any of the remote control devices 14a to 14c,
When received, the data code indicating the operation content is converted into a common code and supplied to the display device 10. The display device 10 transmits the remote control signal data from the video decks 12a to 12c to the video deck 12a, 12b or 12c that outputs the currently displayed image by using the RS232C cable 1.
8a, 18b and 18c. Display device 10
VCR 12 that has received remote control signal data from
a, 12b or 12c converts the received data into the control code system of the own device and controls the own device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system and a remote control signal receiving device, and more specifically, to a remote control system for remotely controlling a controlled device cordlessly using infrared rays, radio waves and sound waves. The present invention relates to a remote control signal receiving device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a display device such as a television receiver can connect a plurality of VCRs simultaneously.
The reproduced image or the like can be switched or displayed simultaneously. Remote control using an infrared wireless remote control is mainly used for the operation of televisions and VCRs.

FIG. 24 shows a transmission signal format of a general infrared wireless remote controller. The transmission signal is composed of a reader code, a custom code, an inverted data of the custom code, a data code, and an inverted data of the data code. The inversion data of the custom code and the inversion data of the data code are for error detection. The reader code is a code that indicates that the control signal follows the objection, and is necessary for the remote control receiving side to prepare or start the reception of the control signal. The custom code is a code that specifies the manufacturer and model, and thereby prevents interference or erroneous reception when there are multiple infrared remote controllers.
The data code indicates the operation command.

The transmission signal is usually 3 as shown in FIG.
It is modulated with a carrier frequency of 8 kHz and transmitted at the timing shown in FIG. Custom code is' 3
In the case of 5h 'and the data code is'D8h', a data string of '35CAD827h' is transmitted following the reader code.

On the receiving side, the carrier transmitted from the remote controller is detected / received, and the received signal is waveform-shaped to restore / receive the transmitted data. For each of the custom code and data code, after capturing 16 bits, compare the first half 8 bits with the latter half 8 bits, which is the inverted data, to determine whether the reception was successful. To do. This prevents malfunction and improves reliability.

[0006]

The conventional example has the following problems. For example, assume a case where two video decks A and B are connected to one television receiver. When the fast-forwarding or rewinding operation is performed by the remote control device when the image of the video deck A is displayed, it is necessary to use the remote control device for the video deck A. Therefore,
The user needs to confirm the VCR that is the source of the displayed image and the corresponding remote control device to operate. It is very troublesome to check the VCR which is the image source and the remote control device corresponding to it.

Further, in the conventional example, when the light receiving section on the receiving side is covered with some object, the operation by the remote control device corresponding to the receiving side apparatus becomes impossible. Further, when the transmission signal becomes weak due to a voltage drop of the power source of the remote control device, it becomes difficult for the receiving side to receive the signal normally, and the remote control signal reaches a short distance.
As a result, the range in which the user can normally operate the remote control device is narrowed, or the user cannot operate it at all.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system and a remote control signal receiving device which eliminates such troubles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system and a remote control signal receiving device which can be operated even by a remote control device which is not compatible.

[0010]

A remote control system according to the present invention is a remote control including a plurality of controlled devices, a device designation code for designating a controlled device to be remotely controlled, and an operation content code for designating an operation content. The remote control system comprises at least one remote control device that outputs a signal, and operation signal transfer means that transfers a remote control signal between the plurality of controlled devices. Then, each of the controlled devices receives the remote control signal, receives a remote control signal output by the receiver to the control signal transfer means, and transmits the control signal transfer means. The control signal receiving means receives the remote control signal transmitted from the control signal receiving means, and the control means controls the own device according to the operation content code output from the control signal receiving means.
The control signal transfer means includes a transfer switch for transferring the remote control signals supplied from the plurality of controlled devices to a predetermined controlled device, and a designating unit for designating a transfer destination by the transfer switch. .

A remote control signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes receiving means for receiving a remote control signal, control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal output from the receiving means to the control signal transferring means, and the control. A control signal receiving means for receiving the remote control signal transmitted from the signal transferring means, and a control means for controlling the corresponding controlled element according to the operation content code output from the control signal receiving means. To do.

The remote control signal receiving device according to the present invention is also a remote control signal receiving device for receiving a remote control signal including a device designation code designating a controlled device to be remotely controlled and an operation content code designating operation content. , A receiving means for receiving the remote control signal, a signal receiving means for receiving a remote control signal input from a predetermined communication medium, and an output of the receiving means and the signal receiving means to determine whether or not the remote control signal is addressed to itself. The destination discriminating means, the control means for controlling the controlled element according to the operation content code of the remote control signal addressed to itself, and the remote control signal not addressed to itself from the receiving means according to the discrimination result of the destination discrimination means. And a signal transmitting means for transmitting through a medium.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a television display device, which functions as a host of a remote control signal, which will be described later in detail. The television display device 10 can receive three NTSC signals, and selects one of them to display an image on the screen. 12
Reference numerals a, 12b, and 12c are video decks that output NTSC signals. In addition to the VCR, any device can be used as long as it can be operated by remote control (for example, a television receiver, an LD reproducing device, an air conditioner, etc.).

Reference numerals 14a, 14b and 14c are infrared ray remote control devices for the video decks 12a, 12b and 12c, respectively. Remote control devices 14a, 14b, 1
4c has the same structure as the conventional infrared wireless remote control device. VCR 1 as custom code
2a and the remote controller 14a have '35h', VCR 12b and the remote controller 14b have '36h', and VCR 12c and the remote controller 14c have '37h'.
Are set respectively.

The video decks 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected to the display device 10 by the NTSC signals 16a, 16b, and
16c is supplied. Video decks 12a, 12b, 12
c and the display device 10 are RS232C cables 18a, 1
Various data can be exchanged with each other via 8b and 18c. Parameters relating to communication such as transfer rate, protocol and data format of the RS232C connection are not particularly limited.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the display device 10. 20a, 20b, 20c are bidet decks 12
NTSC signals 16a, 16 from a, 12b, 12c
This is a video input circuit for fetching b and 16c. A switch 22 selects one of the video signals from the video input circuits 20a, 20b, 20c and supplies it to the image display device 24. Reference numerals 26a, 26b and 26c are RS232C interfaces to which the RS232C cables 18a, 18b and 18c are connected, and 28 is a switch for supplying signals from the RS232C interfaces 26a, 26b and 26c to any of the RS232C interfaces 26a, 26b and 26c.

Reference numeral 30 is a switch control circuit for controlling the switches 22 and 28. The switch control circuit 30 is
Three states of A ',' B ', and'C' can be designated. When the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'A ', the switch 22
Selects the signal from the video input circuit 20a and supplies it to the image display device 24, and the switch 28 switches the signals from the RS232C interfaces 26a, 26b and 26c to R
It is supplied to the S232C interface 26a. When the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'B ', the switch 22
Selects the signal from the video input circuit 20b and supplies it to the image display device 24. The switch 28 switches the signals from the RS232C interfaces 26a, 26b and 26c to R.
It is supplied to the S232C interface 26b. When the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'C ', the switch 22
Selects the signal from the video input circuit 20c and supplies it to the image display device 24, and the switch 28 switches the signals from the RS232C interfaces 26a, 26b and 26c to R
It is supplied to the S232C interface 26c. The switch control circuit 30 controls which video deck 12a, 12b,
It functions as a display instruction means for instructing whether to display the signal from 12c.

FIG. 3 shows the video decks 12a, 12b, 1
2 shows a schematic block diagram of a portion that handles a control signal of 2c. Reference numeral 40 denotes a light receiving device that receives an infrared remote control signal, and outputs the data carried by the remote control signal.
The custom code determination circuit 42 compares the custom code included in the received remote control signal from the light receiving device 40 with the inverted signal thereof and determines whether or not the custom code has been successfully received. When the determination result is normal reception, the custom code reception determination circuit 42 supplies the received remote control signal to the data code reception determination circuit 44. data·
The code reception determination circuit 44 compares the data code included in the reception remote control signal with its inverted signal,
Determine whether the code was successfully received. When the judgment result is normal reception, the data code reception judgment circuit 44
Receives the received remote control signal from the custom code identification circuit 46.
Output to.

The custom code identification circuit 46 compares the custom code included in the received remote control signal with the stored value of the custom code storage device (not shown), and determines whether the received data relates to the control of its own device. To judge.
For example, in the case of the video deck 12a, '35h' is stored in the custom code storage device (not shown). If the custom code of the received remote control signal is '35h', the custom code identification circuit 46 determines that the received remote control signal is directed to the own device.

The connection detecting device 48 includes a display device 10 and an RS.
The connection with the 232C cables 18a to 18c is detected. This can be realized by a known technique. When the comparison results of the custom codes match and the connection detection device 48 detects the connection with the display device 10,
The custom code identification circuit 46 outputs the received remote control signal to the data code conversion circuit 50. If the comparison results of the custom codes match, but the connection detection device 48 does not detect the connection with the display device 10, the custom code identification circuit 46 outputs the received remote control signal to the data.
Output to the code analysis circuit 52. When the comparison result of the custom codes does not match, the custom code identification circuit 46 does not output the received remote control signal to either of the circuits 50 and 52.

The data code analysis circuit 52 analyzes the data code included in the received remote control signal supplied from the custom code identification circuit 46, and controls its own device according to the analysis result. For example, in the VCR 12a, if the data code of the received remote control signal is "70h", playback is performed, if "73h" is stopped, if "66h" is fast forward, if it is "72h", rewind is performed. , Control your device. Correspondence between the data code and the operation (control content) is not always the same among the video decks 12a, 12b, and 12c.

The data code conversion circuit 50 converts the data code of the received remote control signal from the custom code identification circuit 46 into a code (common code) which is arranged in advance with the display device (host) 10. It is supplied to the display device 10 via the RS232 interface 54 and the RS232 cable. Here, 'C3h' plays, '
It is assumed that 60h 'is stopped,' 55h 'is fast forward, and' 65h 'is rewind. Therefore, in the above example, the data code conversion circuit 50 is set to '70h'.
To 'C3h', '73h' to '60h', '66
Convert h'to '55h' and '72h' to '65h'. The RS232C interface 54 outputs the data input from the data code conversion circuit 50 to the outside (here, the display device 10).

The RS232C interface 54 outputs the data inputted from the outside (here, the display device 10) to the data code inverse conversion circuit 56. The data code reverse conversion circuit 56 converts a common code from the outside into a data code for its own device. Specifically, the data code reverse conversion circuit 56, contrary to the data code conversion circuit 50, sets “C3h” to “70h” and “60h” to “73”.
h ',' 55h 'to' 66h ',' 65h 'to' 7
2h 'respectively. The data code inverse conversion circuit 56 outputs the inverse conversion result to the data code analysis circuit 52. The data code analysis circuit 52 analyzes the data code from the data code inverse conversion circuit 56, and controls its own device according to the content.

For example, the display device 10 is a video deck 1.
It is assumed that the image from 2a is being displayed. At this time, the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'A '. In this state,
It is assumed that the user instructs "fast forward" with the remote controller 14a. The remote control device 14a uses the custom code '3.
The infrared remote control signal is transmitted with 5h 'and the data code of' 66h '. The infrared remote control signal is received by each light receiving device 40 of the video decks 12a, 12b, 12c. In the video decks 12a, 12b, 12c,
The custom code reception determination circuit 42 and the data code reception determination circuit 44 can determine normal reception, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 46.

In the video decks 12b and 12c, the custom code identification circuit 46 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of its own device, so the processing ends here. VCR 1
Since the custom code of the received remote control signal matches the custom code of the own device and the connection detection device 48 indicates the connection with the display device 10, the custom code identification circuit 46 of 2a of the received remote control signal The data code is output to the data code conversion circuit 50. The data code conversion circuit 50 converts the data code from the circuit 46 into a corresponding common code (from "66h" to "5" in this example).
5h ') and RS232C interface 54
And the display device 10 via the RS232C cable 18a
Send to.

If the connection detecting device 48 does not detect a connection with an external device, the video deck 12a operates as follows. This is, for example, when the RS232C cable is not connected to the RS232C interface 54, when the RS232C cable 18a is not connected to the display device 10 of the present embodiment, and RS2.
This is the case where the device connected by the 32C cable does not have the control signal transfer function of the display device 10 of this embodiment. That is, the custom code identification circuit 46
Although the custom code of the received remote control signal matches the custom code of the own device, the detection result of the connection detection device 48 is "non-connection", so the data code of the received remote control signal is output to the data code analysis circuit 52. To do. The data code analysis circuit 52 has a data code of '66.
Since it is h, it controls its own device to execute “fast forward”. This is the same operation as the conventional example.

The control data "55h" transferred from the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12a to the display device 10 via the RS232 cable 18a is the RS232C interface 26a of the display device 10.
Received and forwarded to the switch 28. Since the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'A ', the switch 28 sends the input data' 55h 'to the RS232C interface 26a.
Transfer to. The RS232C interface 26a is
Data from the switch 28 is sent to the RS232C cable 18
It is supplied to the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12a via a. In the VCR 12a, R
The S232C interface 54 supplies the data “55h” from the display device 10 to the data code reverse conversion circuit 56. The data / code inverse conversion circuit 56 displays the data '
55h 'is converted to' 66h 'and output to the data code analysis circuit 52. As described above, the data code analysis circuit 52 follows the data code '66h',
Controls the device to execute'fast forward '. As a result, the VCR 12a is in the "fast forward" state.

This time, the display device 10 is the VCR 12
It is assumed that the user instructs "fast-forward" with the remote control device 14b while displaying the image from a. The custom code of the remote control signal output from the remote control device 14b is "36h", and the data code is "36h".
This infrared remote control signal is transmitted to the video decks 12a, 12
It is received by each of the light receiving devices 40 of b and 12c. In the video decks 12a, 12b, 12c, the custom code reception determination circuit 42 and the data code reception determination circuit 44 are provided.
However, it can be determined that the reception is normal, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 46.

In the video decks 12a and 12c, the custom code identification circuit 46 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of the own device, so the processing ends here. In the custom code identification circuit 46 of the VCR 12b, the custom code of the received remote control signal matches the custom code of the own device,
Moreover, since the connection detection device 48 indicates the connection with the display device 10, the data code of the received remote control signal is output to the data / code conversion circuit 50. The data code conversion circuit 50 converts the data code from the circuit 46 into a common code (in this example, from “36h” to “55h”), and the RS232C interface 54 and RS232.
It is transmitted to the display device 10 via the C cable 18b.

The control data '55h' transferred from the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12b to the display device 10 via the RS232 cable 18b is the RS232C interface 26a of the display device 10.
Received and forwarded to the switch 28. Since the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'A ', the switch 28 sends the input data' 55h 'to the RS232C interface 26a.
Transfer to. The RS232C interface 26a is
Data from the switch 28 is sent to the RS232C cable 18
It is supplied to the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12a via a. In the VCR 12a, R
The S232C interface 54 supplies the data “55h” from the display device 10 to the data code reverse conversion circuit 56. The data / code inverse conversion circuit 56 displays the data '
55h 'is converted to' 66h 'and output to the data code analysis circuit 52. As described above, the data code analysis circuit 52 follows the data code '66h',
Controls the device to execute'fast forward '. As a result, the VCR 12a is in the "fast forward" state.

As described above, when the display device 10 is displaying the image of the video deck 12a, the user can operate the remote control devices 14b and 14c which do not correspond to the bidet deck 12a.
, The same as when using the remote control device 14a corresponding to the VCR 12a.
a can be operated remotely. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of checking whether or not the remote control device corresponds to the currently displayed VCR each time it is used, and the operability is significantly improved.

When the display device 10 is displaying an image from the video deck 12b, that is, the switch control circuit 3
When the output of 0 is "B", it is assumed that the user instructs "fast forward" with the remote controller 14a.
4a transmits the infrared remote control signal with the custom code of "35h" and the data code of "66h".
This infrared remote control signal is transmitted to the video decks 12a, 12
It is received by each of the light receiving devices 40 of b and 12c. In the video decks 12a, 12b, 12c, the custom code reception determination circuit 42 and the data code reception determination circuit 44 are provided.
However, it can be determined that the reception is normal, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 46.

In the video decks 12b and 12c, the custom code identification circuit 46 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of its own device, so the processing ends here. VCR 1
Since the custom code of the received remote control signal matches the custom code of the own device and the connection detection device 48 indicates the connection with the display device 10, the custom code identification circuit 46 of 2a of the received remote control signal The data code is output to the data code conversion circuit 50. The data code conversion circuit 50 converts the data code from the circuit 46 into a corresponding common code (from "66h" to "5" in this example).
5h ') and RS232C interface 54
And the display device 10 via the RS232C cable 18a
Send to.

The control data '55h' transferred from the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12a to the display device 10 via the RS232 cable 18a is the RS232C interface 26a of the display device 10.
Received and forwarded to the switch 28. Since the output of the switch control circuit 30 is'B ', the switch 28 sends the input data' 55h 'to the RS232C interface 26b.
Transfer to. The RS232C interface 26b is
Data from the switch 28 is sent to the RS232C cable 18
It is supplied to the RS232C interface 54 of the video deck 12b via b. R on the VCR 12b
The S232C interface 54 supplies the data “55h” from the display device 10 to the data code reverse conversion circuit 56. The data / code inverse conversion circuit 56 displays the data '
55h 'is converted into' 36h 'and output to the data code analysis circuit 52. As described above, the data code analysis circuit 52 follows the data code '36h'
Controls the device to execute'fast forward '. As a result, the video deck 12b is in the "fast forward" state.

As described above, when the display device 10 is displaying the image of the video deck 12b, the user controls the remote control devices 14a and 14c which do not correspond to the bidet deck 12b.
Even if the remote control device 14b corresponding to the VCR 12b is used,
b can be operated remotely. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of checking whether or not the remote control device corresponds to the currently displayed VCR each time it is used, and the operability is significantly improved. Display device 1
When 0 is displaying the image of VCR 12c,
The user selects which remote control device 14a, 14b, 14c
It is clear that the VCR 12c can also be operated remotely by using.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the display device 110 and the plurality of video decks 112a, 112b, 112c are I.
They are connected to each other by an EEE1394 serial bus 114. Reference numerals 116a, 116b, 116c are remote control devices corresponding to the video decks 112a, 112b, 112c, respectively.

Before describing the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the IEEE
The basic functions of the E1394 serial bus will be described. I
The EEE1394 serial bus has features such as a highly flexible connection method, automatic setting, and real-time transfer. The IEEE 1394 serial bus can support not only the daisy chain type topology found in the SCSI standard etc., but also the star type topology, and the degree of freedom of connection is extremely high. It has an automatic setting function, and when the power of the connected device is turned on / off or when a new device is connected, it is detected and the bus is automatically reset. Then, after the bus is reset, the topology is automatically recognized again and an ID is assigned to each device. IEEE13
With the 94 serial bus, a new device can be connected or disconnected without turning off the power of the device. The plug and play function is realized by bus reset after this connection and disconnection, automatic recognition of topology, and automatic ID assignment.

The IEEE 1394 serial bus is represented by a hierarchical structure composed of a physical layer, a link layer, a transaction layer and a bus management layer. The physical layer is in charge of mechanical and electrical specifications of cables and connectors, encoding of input / output signals, bus initialization, and arbitration of bus usage rights. The link layer provides a service for realizing transmission / reception of packet data between the physical layer and the transaction layer. The transaction layer provides a service for realizing asynchronous transfer between the link layer and an upper layer such as an application.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, first, the automatic recognition of the topology after the bus reset, that is, the tree identification process will be described. At the beginning of the tree identification process,
Each node holds information indicating whether it is a branch, a leaf, or an isolated state. In FIG. 5, the node A recognizes that it is a leaf because only one port, that is, port # 0, is connected to another node.
For the same reason, the nodes C and F are also recognized as leaves. Node B has multiple ports, namely ports # 0, #
Since 1 and # 2 are connected to other nodes, they recognize themselves as branches. For the same reason, the nodes D and E also recognize that they are branches.

When the tree identification process is started, the leaf node first outputs to the branch node a parent_notify signal declaring the parent port. The branch node that receives the parent_notify signal recognizes the port that receives the parent_notify signal as a child port, and chi from that port.
Output the ld_notify signal to the IEEE 1394 cable. This determines the parent-child relationship between the nodes. In FIG. 5, the node A and the node B, the node C and the node B, and the node F and the node E correspond to these, and the parent_notify signal and the child_notify signal to be exchanged and their transmission directions are illustrated. .

When there is only one port whose parent-child relationship has not been determined, the branch node starts par from that port.
Output the ent_notify signal to the IEEE 1394 cable. The node receiving the parent_notify signal recognizes the port as a child port as before, and outputs the child_notify signal from the port.
Output to EEE1394 cable. As a result, the parent-child relationship is determined between the nodes. In FIG. 6, node B
Between node D and node E, between node E and node D,
The exchange of signals between these nodes is shown. Figure 7
The parent-child relationship determined among all the nodes in this way is shown.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state after the parent-child relationship is determined between the node B and the node D and between the node E and the node D. Node D has all connected ports as child ports,
This causes node D to recognize that it has become the root node. This completes the tree identification process.

The automatic ID assignment after the tree identification process, that is, the self-identification process will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11. In the self-identification process,
First, the root node outputs the grant signal indicating permission of self-identification to the child port having the smallest port number, and outputs the date_prefix signal to the other child ports. The branch node receiving the grant signal from the parent port transmits the grant signal to the child port having the smallest port number and transmits the date_prefix signal to the other child ports, similarly to the root node. By repeating the above, the grant signal finally reaches the leaf node.

The leaf node receiving the grant signal counts the count value of the self-identification packet (at this point,
It is 0 '. ) Is assigned to its physical_ID, and a self-identification packet is broadcasted to all the nodes connected on the bus. The other node receives the self-identification packet and increments its count value. The leaf node that has broadcast-transmitted the self-identification packet then sends an identity_done signal indicating that self-identification is completed to the node of the corresponding parent port, and ends self-identification. This state is shown in FIG.

The branch that received the ident_done signal from the same child port that sent the grant signal.
The node recognizes that self-identification of the child port (node connected to the child port) has ended, and then outputs the grant signal from the child port having the smallest port number among the child ports that have not ended self-identification. And d from the remaining child port
Output the ate_prefix signal. This grant
The signal finally reaches the leaf node as before, and the leaf node's self-identification ends. The state at this time is shown in FIG.

After the self-identification of all child ports (nodes connected to it) is completed, the branch node assigns the count value of the self-identification packet to its physical_ID, broadcasts the self-identification packet, and
The dent_done signal is transmitted to (the node connected to) the parent port, and the self-identification process ends. The state at this time is shown in FIG.

By repeating the above operation, the self-identification of the nodes connected to all the ports of the root node, that is, all the nodes other than the root node is finally completed. Then, the root sword itself determines its own ID and broadcasts a self-identification packet. This state is shown in FIG. This completes the self-identification process.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the self-identification packet. The self-identification packet has a bit string “10b” indicating that the packet is a self-identification packet, p of the transmission source.
a Phy_ID field indicating the physical_ID,
Ga indicating the set value of gap_count of the transmission source node
p_cnt field, sp field indicating the speed capability of the source node, del field indicating the repeater data delay amount of the source node, c indicating that the source node has the capability of an isochronous resource manager
A field, a pwr field indicating the power consumption and supply characteristics of the source node, and p0, p1, p2 fields indicating the state of the port of the source node, and the like.

FIG. 13 shows an address space in the IEEE 1394 serial bus. The IEEE 1394 serial bus is a CSR (Command and Status) defined in ISO / IEC 13213: 1994.
According to the (Register) architecture, a 64-bit wide address space is used. In FIG. 13, the upper 16 bits represent the node ID and provide a node address space of 64 kbytes.

Within the upper 16-bit node 1D, the upper 10 bits are bus_ID for designating a predetermined bus, and the lower 6 bits are Physical_designating for a predetermined node.
Use as ID. If all bits are 1 in bus_ID, it is an address (Bus # 1023) indicating the bus (local bus) to which the node is connected, and if all bits are 1 in physical_ID, it is in the bus. This is a broadcast address (node # 63) to be distributed to all nodes, and both are reserved. Therefore, 63 each on 1023 buses
You can connect up to 4 nodes.

The remaining 48 bits represent the address space in each node, and are divided into 20 bits and 28 bits to obtain 25 bits.
It is managed in units of 6 Mbytes. The address space from 00000h to FFFFDh in the first 20 bits is called the initial memory space. The address space of 256 Mbytes of the subsequent FFFFEh is called a private space and is a space that can be used freely by each node. An address space of 256 Mbytes of FFFFFh is called a register space, and stores information common to devices connected to the bus.

The first 512 bytes of register space is C
It is a register (CSR core) that becomes the core of the SR architecture, and includes STATE_CLEAR register and ST.
It is composed of an ATE_SET register and the like. The next 512 bytes are the serial bus register, CYCLE_TIM
E register, BANDWIDTH_ABAILABLE
It consists of a register and a register used for an application specific to the IEEE 1394 serial bus such as a CHANNELS_ABAILABLE register. The next 1024 bytes is the Configuration ROM space defined by ISO / IEC13213: 1994.

In the IEEE 1394 serial bus, there are two types of data transfer, asynchronous data transfer and isochronous data transfer. Asynchronous transfer is effective for transferring data required to be transferred asynchronously as needed, that is, control signals and file data. The isochronous transfer is effective for transferring data required to continuously transfer a predetermined amount of data at a constant data rate, that is, stream data such as video data and audio data.

In the IEEE 1394 serial bus, in both asynchronous data transfer and isochronous data transfer, it is necessary to acquire the bus use right prior to the data transfer, and arbitration work for that purpose is required.

In the asynchronous transfer, the transfer source data ID and the transfer destination node ID are transferred together with the transfer data.
Transfer as a packet. Each node compares the transfer destination node ID in the data packet with its own ID and captures the data packet when addressed to itself. Then, the node that has captured the data packet returns an acknowledgment signal to the source node.

In isochronous transfer, the channel number is transferred as a data packet together with the transfer data.
Each node compares the channel number in the data packet with the channel number of the data it wants and, if applicable, captures the data packet. In isochronous transfer, no acknowledge signal is returned.

In the IEEE 1394 serial bus, asynchronous transfer and isochronous transfer can be mixed. FIG. 14 shows a timing chart of this transfer example. Figure 15
Shows a timing chart of isochronous transfer, and FIG. 16 shows a timing chart of asynchronous transfer.

The IEEE 1394 serial bus has a node called a cycle master on the bus. The cycle master broadcasts a cycle start packet to all nodes on the bus every 125 μs. Upon receiving the cycle start packet, the node desiring the isochronous transfer requests the right to use the bus to the root node. The root node determines to which node the bus is granted. The root node usually doubles as a cycle master. root·
The node that has acquired the bus use right by the arbitration of the node executes the isochronous transfer, and the node that loses the arbitration waits for a period (gap) in which the bus becomes idle. When the isochronous transfer of the node that has won the arbitration ends, the bus becomes idle. If this idle state lasts for a time called an isochronous gap, the node that loses the arbitration earlier can request the bus right again, and the root node arbitrates it when multiple bus rights conflict. To do.

By repeating the above, all the nodes that desire isochronous transfer can sequentially execute isochronous transfer. After that, the bus becomes idle.

Asynchronous transfer becomes possible when the idle state elapses for a period called the sub-action gap while the isochronous gap period has elapsed and there is no request for isochronous transfer. That is, a node desiring asynchronous transfer can request the bus use right from the root node. The node that wins the arbitration by the root node and acquires the bus use right executes the asynchronous transfer, and the node that loses the arbitration waits for the passage of the sub-action gap. When the node that has won the arbitration completes the asynchronous transfer, the bus becomes idle. When this idle state elapses for the sub-action gap period, the node that has previously lost arbitration can request the bus right again.

By repeating this, each node can transfer data asynchronously. However, when 125 μs has elapsed from the cycle start packet, the root node does not give the bus use right to any node in response to a new request for the bus use right, and the root node itself does not start the cycle start packet. To send. Thereafter, as described above, the isochronous transfer is performed again, and the asynchronous transfer is subsequently performed. After another 125 μs, the cycle master outputs a cycle start packet, which starts a new cycle. The IEEE 1394 serial bus employs fair arbitration in which bus usage rights are evenly allocated among competing nodes in response to a request for a bus usage right for isochronous transfer.

FIG. 17 shows data of isochronous transfer.
Indicates the packet format. The isochronous data packet has a date_length that indicates the data length.
h field, tag field providing upper level label for data format, channel field specifying isochronous channel number, tcode field specifying transaction type, sy field indicating synchronization code, header_CRC for detecting transfer error A field, a data_field field containing transfer data, and a data_CRC field for detecting a transfer error.

FIG. 18 shows data of asynchronous transfer.
Indicates the packet format. The illustrated asynchronous data packet has a quadlet (4 bytes) format when a write request is made, a destination_ID field for designating a transfer destination node, a tl field for allocating a tag unique to a transaction,
An rt field that specifies the retry of the packet, a tcode field that specifies the type of transaction,
A pri field that specifies the priority, a source_ID field that indicates the physical_ld of the source node, a destination_offset field that specifies the lower 48 bits of the transfer destination node address, and a qu that specifies the value to be written as a result of the request.
It is composed of an adlet_data field and a header_CRC field for detecting a transfer error. The asynchronous data packet also specifies other formats such as a quadlet read request, a block (4 bytes or more) read request, and a block write request, but the description thereof is omitted here.

For details of the IEEE 1394 serial bus,
Published by the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers, "IE
EE Standard for a High pe
See “rformatance Serial Bus”.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic block diagram of the display device 110. An IEEE 1394 interface 120 is composed of a physical layer, a link layer, a transaction layer, etc., and provides the function of the above-mentioned IEEE 1394 serial bus. IEEE 1394 interface 1
20 outputs the data received by the isochronous transfer to the channel separation circuit 122, and outputs the data received by the asynchronous transfer to the IEEE1394 control circuit 124. The IEEE 1394 interface 120 also outputs the data output from the IEEE 1394 control circuit 124 to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 114 by asynchronous transfer.

The channel separation circuit 122 uses the IEEE1
The value of the channel field of the isochronous data packet supplied from the 394 interface 120 is identified, and the data in the packet is output to any of the decoders 126, 128 and 130 according to the value.
For example, isochronous channels # 0, # 1, and # 2
When the data packet is received, the channel separation circuit 122 determines that the channel # 0 is isochronous data.
The data in the packet is sent to the decoder 126 and channel # 1
The data in the isochronous data packet of 1 is output to the decoder 128, and the data in the isochronous data packet of channel # 2 is output to the decoder 130. The decoders 126 to 130 decode the data from the channel separation circuit 122 into a data format that can be displayed by the display device 110. Under the control of the control circuit 134, the memory control circuit 132 performs address conversion and timing control of the data from the decoders 126 to 130, and the image display device 138.
Is written in the frame memory 136 so as to match the display mode on the screen. FIG. 20 shows an example of a display image on the screen of the image display device 138.

The control circuit 134 controls the channel numbers of the isochronous data packets and the decoders 126 to 130.
The operation of the decoders 126 to 130 is designated according to the above, and further, in order to obtain the display image as shown in FIG.
The write address of the frame memory 136 is generated for the output data of ~ 130. The control circuit 134 determines where the isochronous transferred data of each channel is displayed on the screen of the image display device 138, and
It recognizes what the display image looks like. This is not only achievable by known techniques, but is not related to the features of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control circuit 134 notifies the IEEE 1394 control circuit 124 of the channel number of the image data of the screen having the highest priority. The priority is determined according to, for example, a display order, a display area, an active screen, or the like. For example, in the display image example shown in FIG. 20, the display order is that the screen C is the farthest, the front is the screen B, and the front is the screen A. As for the display area, screen C is the largest,
The screen A is next, and the screen B is the smallest. The active screen is screen B. Usually, the foreground, the largest area, or the active screen has the highest priority, but the invention is not so limited. In this embodiment, the display area is given priority, and the frontmost screen is given the highest priority. Therefore, in the display image example shown in FIG. 20, the screen A is the highest priority screen. The priority does not deviate from the gist of the present invention even if it is other than the display order, the display area, and the active screen.

The IEEE 1394 control circuit 124 includes a host ID control circuit 124a and a data control circuit 124b. After the bus reset of the IEEE 1394 serial bus including the power-on reset, the tree identification, and the self identification are completed, the host ID control circuit 124a sends a packet indicating the host to the destination_I.
The broadcast address (63) is set in D, and the destination_offse of all nodes is set.
t: FFFFF0000F00h to data '0000'
Write transfer to IEEE 1394 interface 1
Request 20. Where offset address and FFF
F0000F00h and data “0000” are Physical_I assigned to this device whose source_ID field included in the packet is the host.
It has a meaning in indicating that it is D, and does not particularly care about its value. I that received this write transfer request
The EEE1394 interface 120 executes this write transfer.

The data control circuit 124b uses the IEEE13
Out of the transfers to the 94 interface 120
station_offset: FFFFF000
For the write transfer to 0F00h other than the data “0000”, the destination channel ID of the highest priority screen notified from the control circuit 134 is set as the destination_ID and the destination_offset: FFFF.
Write transfer of the data to F0000F00h
Command the EEE 1394 interface 120. Here, the offset address FFFFF0000F00h
Other than "0000" and data "0000", it means that the data field included in the packet contains remote control data, and the value is not particularly limited. The remote control data includes custom code, custom code inverted data, data code, and data code.
Since it consists of code inversion data, it will never be '0000'. Therefore, it is possible to completely identify the data packet indicating the host and the data packet that is the remote control data.

FIG. 21 shows the video decks 112a and 112.
The schematic block diagram of the functional parts of the remote control signals b and 112c is shown. Light receiving device 140, custom code reception determination circuit 142, data code reception determination circuit 144, custom code identification circuit 146 and data
The code analysis circuit 148 includes a light receiving device 40, a custom code reception determination circuit 42, and a data
Code reception determination circuit 44, custom code identification circuit 4
6 and the data code analysis circuit 52, and operates in the same manner.

Differences from FIG. 3 are as follows. That is, the IEEE 1394 interface 150 serving as a communication means is provided, and the IEEE 1394 interface 15 is provided.
The host ID storage device 152 in 0 is the connection detection device 48
Equivalent to. Data code conversion circuit 50 and data
There is no component corresponding to the code reverse conversion circuit 56.

An operation part different from the configuration shown in FIG. 3 will be described. Host I stored in host ID storage device 152
D is set to '63' after a bus reset of the IEEE 1394 serial bus including power-on reset.
The IEEE 1394 interface 150 is an IEEE
Of the transfers to the 1394 interface 150,
destination_offset: FFFFF0
For the write transfer of data '0000' to 000F00h, the source_ID of the data packet
The value of the field is stored in the host ID storage unit 152.

The custom code identification circuit 146 controls the remote control from the data code reception determination circuit 144 when the comparison result of the custom codes is the same and the stored value of the host ID storage device 152 is other than "63". The signal data is output to the IEEE1394 interface 152. If the comparison results of the custom codes match and the stored value of the host ID storage device 152 is “63”,
The custom code identification circuit 146 outputs the remote control signal data from the data code reception determination circuit 144 to the data code analysis circuit 148. When the comparison result of the custom codes does not match, the custom code identification circuit 146 does not output the remote control signal data from the data code reception determination circuit 144 to either the data code analysis circuit 148 or the IEEE 1394 interface 150. .

The data code analysis circuit 148 analyzes the data code and controls its own device according to the analysis result. For example, in the VCR 112a, if the data code of the remote control signal data is'C3h ', it may be'play', '60h' may be'stop ',' 55h 'may be'fast forward', and'65h '. It controls its own device, such as "rewind". Correspondence between these data codes and control contents is determined by the video decks 112a and 112a.
It is pre-arranged between b and 112c.
In the example, it is the same. Of course, as in the case of the first embodiment, the function of converting to a common code and the function of reverse conversion is applied to each VCR 1.
You may incorporate in 12a, 112b, 112c.

IEEE 1394 interface 150
Uses the remote control data received from the custom code identification circuit 146 as the destination_ID of the storage value of the host ID storage unit 152 and the destination.
ation_offset: FFFFF0000F00
Write transfer to h.

IEEE 1394 interface 150
Also, of the transfers to the IEEE 1394 interface 150, the destination_offse
t: Data '000 to FFFFF0000F00h
For write transfers other than 0 ', receive data
Output to the code analysis circuit 148. As described above, the data code analysis circuit 148 analyzes the data code and controls its own device.

Video decks 112a, 112b, 112
c is an isochronous transfer mode in which its own physical_ID is used as a channel number, and the image data is IEEE
1394 interface 150 to IEEE 1394
Output on the serial bus.

The overall operation of the second embodiment will be described. In FIG. 4, after the bus reset, tree identification and self identification of the IEEE 1394 serial bus are completed, the display device 1
10 IEEE 1394 interface 120 ph
The physical_ID is "0", and the PHYSI of the IEEE1394 interface 150 of the video deck 112a.
cal_ID is '1', VEE 112b IEEE
E1394 interface 150 physical
_ID is '2', IEEE13 of VCR 112c
94 interface 150 physical_ID
Is now '3'. Under this condition, the video deck 112a isochronously transfers the image data on the channel # 1, the video deck 112b isochronously transfers the image data on the channel # 2, and the video deck 112c.
Performs isochronous transfer of image data on channel # 3.

The display screen of the image display device 138 is shown in FIG.
The image from the channel # 1, that is, the video deck 112a is displayed on the screen A, the image from the channel # 2, that is, the video deck 112b is displayed on the screen B, and the image from the channel # 3, that is, the video deck 112c is displayed. Screen C
, Respectively. The highest priority screen is screen A
Is. The control circuit 134 notifies the IEEE 1394 control circuit 124 of "1" which is the channel number of the screen A.

The host ID control circuit 124a uses the dest
The destination_ID is '63' and the destination is
ation_offset: FFFFF0000F00
Write transfer of data '0000' to h by IEEE1
394 request to interface 120, IEEE13
The 94 interface 120 does this. VCRs 112a, 112b that received this write transfer,
112c IEEE 1394 interface 15
0 is destination_offset: FFF
Since this is a write transfer of data "0000" to FF0000F00h, the source of the data packet
The value of the _ID field ('0' in this case) is set to the host I
The data is stored in the D storage device 152.

Here, the user selects the remote control device 116a.
Suppose that you instructed "fast forward". Remote control device 11
6a outputs an infrared remote control signal with a custom code of "35h" and a data code of "55h".
This infrared remote control signal is transmitted to the video decks 112a, 1a.
It is received by each of the light receiving devices 140 of 12b and 112c. In the video decks 112a, 112b, 112c, the custom code reception determination circuit 142 and the data code reception determination circuit 144 can determine normal reception, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 146.

In the video decks 112b and 112c, the custom code identification circuit 146 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of its own device, so the processing ends here. Since the custom code identification circuit 146 of the video deck 112a has the custom code of the received remote control signal that matches the custom code of its own device and the stored value of the host ID storage device 152 is other than '63', Data code of signal is IEEE 1394 interface 1
Output to 50. IEEE 1394 interface 1
Reference numeral 50 denotes the data code from the custom code identification circuit 146, which is stored in the host ID storage device 152 (in this case, is “0”, and is the IEEE 139 of the display device 110).
4 interface 120 is shown. ) Destina
destination_of as the location_ID
fset: Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h.

A case where the storage value of the host ID storage device 152 is '63' will be described. In this situation, destination_offset: FFFF
This is a situation where there is no target device that performs write transfer of data “0000” to F0000F00h, and more specifically, there is no device having a control signal transfer function such as the display device 110 in the network. With this information, custom code identification circuit 146
Since the codes match and the stored value of the host ID storage device 152 is '63', the data code of the remote control signal is output to the data code analysis circuit 148. Since the data code from the circuit 146 is “55h”, the data code analysis circuit 148 controls its own device to execute “fast forward”. That is, the operation is similar to that of the conventional technique.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112a
The data write-transferred from the interface 150 is received by the IEEE 1394 interface 120 of the display device 110 and sent to the data control circuit 124b. The data control circuit 124b has a destination
n_offset: to FFFFF0000F00h,
Since this is a write transfer other than the data "0000", the highest priority channel number (that is, "1") notified from the control circuit 134 is set as the destination_data.
As an ID, destination_offset:
Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h
Instruct the EEE1394 interface 120. I
The EEE1394 interface 120 executes this write transfer. This gives the physical_ID
The device whose number is “1”, that is, the video deck 112 a receives the control data from the display device 110.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112a
The interface 150 is destination_
offset: Write transfer of data other than "0000" to FFFFF0000F00h, so the received data is output to the data code analysis circuit 148. As mentioned above, the data code analysis circuit 148 is
Data from E1394 interface 150 '55
In accordance with "h", the self device is controlled to execute the "fast forward" corresponding to this. As a result, VCR 112a
Is in the "fast forward" state.

Next, the user uses the remote controller 116b to
The operation when instructing'fast forward 'will be described. The remote control device 116b uses the custom code '36h', data
An infrared remote control signal with a code of "55h" is output. This infrared remote control signal is transmitted to the VCR 112.
It is received by each of the light receiving devices 140 of a, 112b, and 112c. In the video decks 112a, 112b, 112c,
The custom code reception determination circuit 142 and the data
The code reception determination circuit 144 can determine normal reception, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 146.

In the video decks 112a and 112c, the custom code identification circuit 146 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of its own device, so the processing ends here. The custom code identification circuit 146 of the VCR 112b receives the remote control signal because the custom code of the received remote control signal matches the custom code of its own device and the storage value of the host ID storage device 152 is other than '63'. Data code of signal is IEEE 1394 interface 1
Output to 50. IEEE 1394 interface 1
Reference numeral 50 denotes the data code from the custom code identification circuit 146, which is stored in the host ID storage device 152 (in this case, is “0”, and is the IEEE 139 of the display device 110).
4 interface 120 is shown. ) Destina
destination_of as the location_ID
fset: Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112b
The data write-transferred from the interface 150 is received by the IEEE 1394 interface 120 of the display device 110 and sent to the data control circuit 124b. The data control circuit 124b has a destination
n_offset: to FFFFF0000F00h,
Since this is a write transfer other than the data "0000", the highest priority channel number (that is, "1") notified from the control circuit 134 is set as the destination_data.
As an ID, destination_offset:
Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h
Instruct the EEE1394 interface 120. I
The EEE1394 interface 120 executes this write transfer. This gives the physical_ID
The device whose number is “1”, that is, the video deck 112 a receives the control data from the display device 110.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112a
The interface 150 is destination_
offset: Write transfer of data other than "0000" to FFFFF0000F00h, so the received data is output to the data code analysis circuit 148. As mentioned above, the data code analysis circuit 148 is
Data from E1394 interface 150 '55
In accordance with "h", the self device is controlled to execute the "fast forward" corresponding to this. As a result, VCR 112a
Is in the "fast forward" state.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the image from the video deck 112a is displayed with the highest priority on the image display device 138, the user performs "fast forward" with the remote control device 116b that does not correspond to the video deck 112a. Even if the instruction is given, the video deck 112a is in the "fast-forward" state.
Even when the remote control device 116c is used, the VCR 112a is also in the "fast-forward" state.

When the screen B becomes the highest priority screen, the control circuit 134 sets the channel number "2" of the image data to I.
Notify the EEE1394 control circuit 124. In this state, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction for "fast forward" with the remote control device 116a. The remote control device 116a outputs an infrared remote control signal with a custom code of "35h" and a data code of "55h". The infrared remote control signal is received by each of the light receiving devices 140 of the video decks 112a, 112b, 112c. VCR 112a,
In 112b and 112c, the custom code reception determination circuit 142 and the data code reception determination circuit 144 are provided.
However, it can be determined that the reception is normal, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 146.

In the video decks 112b and 112c, the custom code identification circuit 146 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match the custom code of its own device, so the processing ends here. Since the custom code identification circuit 146 of the video deck 112a has the custom code of the received remote control signal that matches the custom code of its own device and the stored value of the host ID storage device 152 is other than '63', Data code of signal is IEEE 1394 interface 1
Output to 50. IEEE 1394 interface 1
Reference numeral 50 denotes the data code from the custom code identification circuit 146, which is stored in the host ID storage device 152 (in this case, is “0”, and is the IEEE 139 of the display device 110).
4 interface 120 is shown. ) Destina
destination_of as the location_ID
fset: Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112a
The data write-transferred from the interface 150 is received by the IEEE 1394 interface 120 of the display device 110 and sent to the data control circuit 124b. The data control circuit 124b has a destination
n_offset: to FFFFF0000F00h,
Since this is a write transfer other than the data "0000", the data is assigned the highest priority channel number (that is, "2") notified from the control circuit 134 in the destination_
As an ID, destination_offset:
Write transfer to FFFFF0000F00h
Instruct the EEE1394 interface 120. I
The EEE1394 interface 120 executes this write transfer. This gives the physical_ID
The device of “2”, that is, the VCR 112 b receives the control data from the display device 110.

IEEE 1394 of the video deck 112b
The interface 150 is destination_
offset: Write transfer of data other than "0000" to FFFFF0000F00h, so the received data is output to the data code analysis circuit 148. As mentioned above, the data code analysis circuit 148 is
Data from E1394 interface 150 '55
In accordance with "h", the self device is controlled to execute the "fast forward" corresponding to this. As a result, VCR 112b
Is in the "fast forward" state.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the image from the video deck 112b is displayed on the image display device 138 as the highest priority, the user instructs "fast forward" with the remote control device 116a which does not correspond to the video deck 112b. Even so, the video deck 112b is in the "fast-forward" state.
Even when the remote control device 116c is used, the VCR 112b is also in the "fast-forward" state.

Next, an embodiment in which a remote control signal from an unsupported remote control device is transferred to a controlled device to which the remote control device corresponds will be described. FIG. 22 shows a schematic block diagram thereof. In FIG. 22, the controlled devices 210a, 210b, 210c that can be operated by remote control are IEEE1.
They are connected to each other via a 394 serial bus 212. Reference numerals 214a, 214b and 214c are remote control devices corresponding to the controlled devices 210a, 210b and 210c, respectively. Remote control devices 214a, 214b, 214c
Has the same configuration as a conventional infrared wireless remote control device. Controlled device 210a as a custom code
'35h' for remote control device 214a, '36h' for controlled device 210b and remote control device 214b, and '37' for controlled device 210c and remote control device 214c.
It is assumed that h'is set respectively.

Controlled equipment 210a, 210b, 210c
Can be anything that can be remotely controlled by a remote control device, and specifically includes a television receiver, a video deck, an air conditioner, and the like.

FIG. 23 shows controlled devices 210a, 210b,
The schematic block diagram of the part which handles the remote control signal of 210c is shown. A light receiving device 220 receives the infrared remote control signal, and outputs the data carried by the remote control signal to the microcomputer 222. The microcomputer 222 includes a custom code reception determination circuit 22.
4, data code reception determination circuit 226, custom code identification circuit 228 and data code analysis circuit 230
Consists of. These circuits 224 to 230 are actually realized by a program operating on the microcomputer 222, but it is obvious that some or all of them may be realized by hardware.

The custom code judging circuit 224 compares the custom code included in the received remote control signal from the light receiving device 40 with its inverted signal, and judges whether or not the custom code can be normally received. When the determination result is normal reception, the custom code reception determination circuit 224 supplies the received remote control signal to the data code reception determination circuit 226. The data code reception determination circuit 226 compares the data code included in the received remote control signal with its inverted signal and determines whether or not the data code could be received normally. When the determination result is normal reception, the data code reception determination circuit 226 outputs the received remote control signal to the custom code identification circuit 228.

The custom code identification circuit 228 compares the custom code included in the received remote control signal from the circuit 226 with the stored value of the custom code storage device (not shown), and the received data relates to the control of the own device. Or not. For example, in the case of the controlled device 210a, '35h' is stored in the custom code storage device (not shown).
Is remembered. If the custom code of the remote control signal is '35h', the custom code identification circuit 22
8 determines that the remote control signal is directed to its own device.

The custom code identification circuit 228 outputs the comparison result of the custom code and the remote control signal data to the control circuit 232, and when the comparison result of the custom code matches, the remote code signal data is transmitted. Output to the analysis circuit 230. The data code analysis circuit 230 analyzes the input data code and controls its own device according to the analysis result.

The control circuit 232 includes a buffer 234 for temporarily storing remote control signal data, a request flag 236 indicating a request for asynchronous transfer on the IEEE 1394 serial bus, an execution flag 238 indicating whether or not remote control is performed by the device itself, and a transmission control circuit. 240 and reception control circuit 242
Consists of. The operation of the control circuit 232 will be described below. Based on the comparison result sent from the custom code identification circuit 228 of the microcomputer 222, the control circuit 232 sets the execution flag 238 to “1” when the comparison result is “match”, In the case of "mismatch", the request flag 236 is set to "1". At the same time, the control circuit 232 stores the remote control signal data from the custom code identification circuit 228 in the buffer 234.

When the request flag 236 is set to "1", the transmission control circuit 240 causes the IEEE 1394 interface 244 to request the bus use right for asynchronous transfer. IEEE 1394 interface 2
The control unit 44 notifies the transmission control circuit 240 that it has acquired the bus use right. In response to this notification, the transmission control circuit 240 executes the asynchronous transfer, and therefore, in the asynchronous data packet shown in FIG.
000F00h data = sends the parameter value of the contents of the buffer 234 to the IEEE 1394 interface 244.

IEEE 1394 interface 244
Executes asynchronous transfer on the 1394 serial bus based on the supplied parameters. Sou in the field of the asynchronous data packet to be transferred
Parameter values are not supplied to the rce_ID and the header_CRC from the control circuit 232. IEEE13
94 interface 244 itself has source_I
D is the physical layer phy assigned at bus reset
The serial_ID is set, and the header_CRC is set to the CRC value calculated in the IEEE 1394 interface 244. A packet having such a parameter value is a broadcast transfer, and the offset addresses FFFFF0000F00h of all nodes are
This means to write-transfer the contents of the buffer 234.

The transmission control circuit 240 which has transmitted necessary parameter values to the IEEE 1394 interface 244.
Clears the contents of the buffer 234, and the request flag 23
6 is reset to "0", and the asynchronous transfer request to the IEEE 1394 interface 244 is canceled. Offset address FFFF0000F00h
Means that the data in the packet is remote control signal data, and is not particularly limited to that value.

IEEE 1394 interface 244
Outputs write data to the write control address FFFFFF0000F00h to the reception control circuit 242 in the case of write transfer to its own node. The reception control circuit 242 checks the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238, and both are
Only when it is 0 ', the remote control signal data is sent to the custom code identification circuit 22 of the microcomputer 222.
Output to 8.

Customization of microcomputer 222
As described above, the code identification circuit 228 compares the custom code of the remote control signal data from the reception control circuit 242 with the stored value of the custom code storage device (not shown). , And outputs the remote control signal data to the data code analysis circuit 228.
Needless to say, the custom code identification circuit 228
Does not output the comparison result and the remote control signal data to the control circuit 232 for the remote control signal data from the reception control circuit 242.

Assuming that the user operates the controlled device 210a with the remote controller 214a, the overall operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 will be described. Remote control device 21
4a outputs an infrared remote control signal composed of a custom code '35h' and a data code having contents according to the user's operation. For example, if the data code is'D8 ', the remote controller 214a follows the reader unit with'D8'.
A data string of 35CAD827h 'is output.

The remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a is transmitted to all controlled devices 210a, 210b, 210c.
If received, it operates as follows. In each of the controlled devices 210a, 210b, 210c, the light receiving device 220
The normally received data '35CAD827h' is output to the custom code reception determination circuit 224 of the microcomputer 222. Controlled devices 210a, 210b, 2
In 10c, the custom code reception determination circuit 224
The data code reception determination circuit 226 determines that the reception is normal, and the remote control signal data is supplied to the custom code identification circuit 228.

Since the custom code of the remote control signal data is '35h', the controlled devices 210b, 210
In c, the custom code identification circuit 228 determines that the custom code of the received remote control signal does not match with its own device, and outputs the comparison result and the remote control signal data to the control circuit 232. In the controlled device 210a, the custom code identification circuit 228 outputs the remote control signal data to the data code analysis circuit 230 because the custom code of the received remote control signal matches that of the self device. The data code analysis circuit 230 controls the own device 210a according to the data value'D8 'of the remote control signal data. Needless to say, in the controlled devices 210b and 210c,
Since the remote control signal data is not supplied to the data code analysis circuit 230, the operating states of the controlled devices 210b and 20c are not affected by the remote control signal from the remote control device 214a.

Controlled equipment 210a, 210b, 210c
However, when they are not connected to each other via the IEEE 1394 serial bus 212, the controlled devices 210a, 21
0b and 210c end with the above operation. That is, only the corresponding controlled device 210a operates in response to the operation of the remote control device 214a, and the other controlled devices 210b and 210c are not affected by the operation content of the remote control device 214a.

The control circuit 232 of the controlled device 214a is
The remote control signal data from the custom code identification circuit 228 is stored in the buffer 234, and since the comparison result in the custom code identification circuit 228 is “match”, the execution flag 238 is set to “1”. The control circuit 232 of the controlled devices 210b and 210c similarly has
The remote control signal data from the custom code identification circuit 228 is stored in the buffer 234. However, since the comparison result in the custom code identification circuit 228 is “mismatch”, the request flag 236 is set to “1” and IEEE1
Asynchronous transfer is requested to the 394 interface 244. In response to this request, the controlled device 210
b, 210c IEEE1394 interface 24
4 outputs a bus use right request signal for asynchronous transfer onto the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

Of the controlled devices 210b and 210c, the device which has won the arbitration and acquired the usage right, the IEEE13
The 94 interface 244 notifies the transmission control circuit 240 that the bus right has been acquired. Transmission control circuit 2
The 40 outputs the required parameter value for asynchronous transfer to the IEEE 1394 interface 244. The IEEE 1394 interface 244 executes asynchronous transfer using the parameters from the transmission control circuit 240 and the internally generated parameters. The packet at this time is to write-transfer the data '35CAD827h' to the offset addresses FFFFF0000F00h of all the nodes by broadcast transfer. The content "35CAD827h" of the buffer 234 of the controlled devices 210b and 210c is asynchronously transferred as remote control signal data, and after the transfer, the buffer 234
Is cleared and both the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are reset to "0".

Controlled device 210a and controlled device 210
Among the devices b and 210c that cannot acquire the bus use right, the IEEE 1394 interface 244 is used.
However, the remote control signal data broadcast from the device that has acquired the bus right to use the asynchronous transfer is once written in the write address FFFFF0000F00h and is output to the reception control circuit 242.

In the controlled device 210a, since the execution flag 238 is "1" as described above, the contents of the buffer 234 are cleared and the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are reset to "0". . Therefore, the controlled device 210a does not duplicately execute the same control content as the content directly received by the remote control signal data received by the broadcast transfer.

The reception control circuit 242 of the controlled device 210b or 210c which has not acquired the bus use right.
The request flag 236 is "1", the buffer 2
The contents of 34 are cleared, and the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are reset to "0". Since the data code of the remote control signal received via the IEEE 1394 serial bus is not supplied to the data code analysis circuit 230, the controlled device 210b or 210c which is not able to acquire the bus use right is broadcast-transmitted. Not affected by the remote control signal.

At this point, all controlled devices 210a, 210a,
Since the request flag 236 in 210b and 210c is "0", transfer of remote control signal data on the IEEE 1394 serial bus does not occur.

As described above, the remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a is transmitted to all the controlled devices 210a and 210a.
b, 210c, only the controlled device 210a corresponding to the remote control device 214a changes to the operation according to the operation content, and the other controlled devices 210b, 2c.
The operation of 10c does not change according to the operation content. Controlled device 210 that does not correspond to the used remote control device 210a
b and 210c transfer the received contents to other controlled devices, the controlled device 210a receives the operation contents directly received,
The operation content received via another controlled device will not be duplicated.

The controlled device 210a does not receive the remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a, and the controlled devices 210b and 210 not corresponding to the remote control device 214a.
The operation when c is received will be described.

The controlled device 210a which does not receive the remote control signal from the remote control device 214a is in the initial state, the content of the buffer 234 thereof is "0", and the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are both "0".

In the controlled devices 210b and 210c that have received the remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a, the microcomputer 222 operates as described above, and the comparison result of the "mismatch" of the custom code identification circuit 228 and the remote control signal. The data is output to the control circuit 232. The control circuit 232 also operates as described above, and the custom
The remote control signal data from the code identification circuit 228 is stored in the buffer 234, and the request flag 236 is obtained because the comparison result of the custom codes is “mismatch”.
Is set to "1" to request the IEEE 1394 interface 244 for asynchronous transfer.

The controlled device 210b or 210c that has acquired the bus use right by arbitration (for example, the controlled device 210).
It is assumed that b acquires the bus use right. ) Broadcasts the remote control signal data '35CAD827h in the asynchronous transfer mode, clears the contents of the buffer 234, and resets the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 to' 0 '.

The device that has lost the arbitration (here, the controlled device 210c) is the IEEE 1394 interface 24.
4 receives the broadcast-forwarded packet,
Output to the reception control circuit 242. Request flag 236 is'
Since it is 1 ', the contents of the buffer 234 are only cleared, the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are reset to' 0 ', and the reception control circuit 242 does not supply the reception remote control data to the custom code identification circuit 228. . Therefore, the controlled device 210c does not change its operation according to the remote-control signal broadcast-transferred.

The controlled device 210a is an IEEE1394 device.
The interface 244 receives the broadcast-transferred packet and outputs it to the reception control circuit 242.
Since both the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are “0”, the reception control circuit 242 outputs the received remote control signal data to the custom code identification circuit 228 of the microcomputer 222. The custom code identification circuit 228 includes the reception control circuit 24 of the control circuit 232.
The custom code of the remote control signal data supplied from 2) is compared with the stored value of the custom code storage device (not shown). Naturally the custom code will match. Since the custom codes match, the custom code identification circuit 228 outputs the remote control signal data to the data code analysis circuit 230, and the data code analysis circuit 230
It controls its own device according to the content of the remote control signal data.

At this point, all controlled devices 210a, 210a,
Since the request flags 236 of 210b and 210c are "0", transfer of remote control signal data on the IEEE 1394 serial bus does not occur.

In this way, when the controlled device 210a is operated by the remote control device 214a, the remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a is not directly received by the controlled device 210a and the controlled device 210a is not received. 210
Even when it is received by another controlled device 210b or 210c that is connected to a by the IEEE 1394 serial bus,
The remote control signal is transferred to the controlled device 210a,
The controlled device 210a can be operated as intended. Of course, the other controlled devices 210b and 210c only transfer the received remote control signal, and the remote control signal does not affect the operation.

The operation when only the controlled device 210c receives the remote control signal output from the remote control transmission device 214a will be described. Controlled device 2 that does not receive remote control signals
10a and 210b are in the initial state in which the contents of the buffer 234 are cleared and the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are "0". Upon receiving the remote control signal, the controlled device 210c outputs the comparison result indicating that the microcomputer 222 operates as described above and the custom codes do not match and the remote control signal data to the control circuit 232.
Output to. The control circuit 232 also operates as described above, stores the remote control signal data from the microphone computer 222 in the buffer 234, and sets the request flag 236 to “because” because the comparison result of the custom codes is “mismatch”.
Set to 1 ', IEEE1394 interface 2
44 to request asynchronous transfer. Accordingly
The IEEE 1394 interface 244 is an IEEE
A bus usage right request signal for asynchronous transfer is output onto the 1394 serial bus.

Since the other controlled devices 210a and 210b do not request the bus use right for the asynchronous transfer, the controlled device 210c acquires the bus use right and, as described above, the data '35CAD827h' as the remote control signal data.
Write transfer is performed, the buffer 234 is cleared, and the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are reset to “0”.

The controlled device 210a also operates as described above. That is, IEEE 1394 interface 2
44 receives the remote control signal broadcast from the controlled device 210c and sends the received data to the reception control circuit 242. The reception control circuit 242 uses the request flag 2
36 and the execution flag 238 are both "0", the received remote control signal data is output to the custom code identification circuit 228 of the microcomputer 222. The custom code identification circuit 228 compares the custom code of the remote control signal from the transmission control circuit 242 with the stored value of a custom code storage device (not shown). Here, since the two match, the custom code identification circuit 228
The remote control signal data is converted into the data code analysis circuit 23.
0, and the data code analysis circuit 230 controls its own device according to the content of the remote control signal data.

In the controlled device 210b, the IEEE 139
The 4th interface 244 receives the remote control signal broadcast from the controlled device 210c and sends the received data to the reception control circuit 242. Reception control circuit 2
42, since the request flag 236 and the execution flag 238 are both “0”, the received remote control signal data is set to the custom code identification circuit 22 of the microcomputer 222.
Output to 8. The custom code identification circuit 228 compares the custom code of the remote control signal from the transmission control circuit 242 with the stored value of a custom code storage device (not shown). Here, because the two do not match,
The code identification circuit 228 does not output the remote control signal data to the data code analysis circuit 230. Therefore, the controlled device 210b does not follow the broadcast remote control signal.

At this point, all controlled devices 210a, 210a,
Since the request flags 236 of 210b and 210c are "0", the remote control signal data transfer on the IEEE 1394 serial bus does not occur.

As described above, as long as the remote control device 214a corresponding to the controlled device 210a is used, whichever controlled device receives the remote control signal output from the remote control device 214a, the target controlled device 210a. Can be operated, and yet other controlled devices do not malfunction. For example, when the remote control device 214a corresponding to this is used at a position where the controlled device 210a to be operated cannot receive light, the controlled device 21 to be operated is
This is effective when the light receiving device 220 of 0a is out of order, or when the light receiving device 220 of the controlled device 210a to be operated cannot directly receive the remote control signal. Since it is not necessary to point the remote control device at the controlled device to be operated, the usability is significantly improved.

The case where the user operates the controlled device 210a with the remote control device 214a has been described, but the case where the controlled device 210b is operated with the remote control device 214b, and
Obviously, the same applies when operating the controlled device 210c with the remote control device 214c.

The three controlled devices 210a to 210c are I
Although the case of connecting to the EEE1394 serial bus has been described, it is clear that the same applies to the case of two or four or more. It is also clear that the communication medium is not limited to the IEEE 1394 serial bus as long as it can transfer remote control signals to each other.

[0136]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, a remote control device which does not correspond to an image source of an image of interest at present is used to remotely operate the image source. You can Therefore, the user
It is possible to save the trouble of searching around the remote control device corresponding to the image source. That is, the user can remotely operate the image source of the image of interest at present from any remote control device without confirming whether or not the remote control device corresponds to the image source of the image of interest. There is no need to check the correspondence between the image source and the remote control device. The user can remotely control a plurality of image sources with one remote control device.

Further, no matter which controlled device is operated by the remote control device, the controlled device corresponding to the remote control device can be operated remotely. In other words, it becomes possible to substitute the light-receiving unit for the remote control signal with another controlled device, which greatly improves the operability of remote operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic block diagram of a display device 10. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a portion that handles control signals of the video decks 12a, 12b, and 12c.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic topology recognition process.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic topology recognition process.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic topology recognition process.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a self-identification process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a self-identification process.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a self-identification process.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a self-identification process.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a self-identification packet.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an address space in the IEEE1394 serial bus.

FIG. 14 is a timing diagram of general data transfer on the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of isochronous transfer.

FIG. 16 is a timing diagram of asynchronous transfer.

FIG. 17 is a format of a data packet for isochronous transfer.

FIG. 18 is a format of a data packet for asynchronous transfer.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a display device 110.

20 is an example of a display image on the screen of the image display device 138. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of a functional part relating to remote control signals of the video decks 112a to 112c.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23: Controlled devices 210a, 210b, 210c
3 is a schematic block diagram of a portion that handles a remote control signal of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a transmission signal format of a general infrared wireless remote controller.

FIG. 25 is a signal schematic diagram of a transmission signal of a general infrared wireless remote controller.

FIG. 26 is a timing diagram of a transmission signal of a general infrared wireless remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: TV display device 12a, 12b, 12c: Video deck 14a, 14b, 14c: Remote control device 16a, 16b, 16c: NTSC signal 18a, 18b, 18c: RS232C cable 20a, 20b, 20c: Video input circuit 22: Switch 24 : Image display devices 26a, 26b, 26c: RS232C interface 28: Switch 30: Switch control circuit 40: Infrared remote control signal light receiving device 42: Custom code determination circuit 44: Data code reception determination circuit 46: Custom code identification circuit 48: Connection detection device 50: Data code conversion circuit 52: Data code analysis circuit 54: RS232C interface 56: Data code reverse conversion circuit 110: Display devices 112a, 112b, 112c: Video deck 114: IEEE1 94 serial buses 116a, 116b, 116c: Remote control device 120: IEEE 1394 interface 122: Channel separation circuit 124: IEEE 1394 control circuit 124a: Host ID control circuit 124b: Data control circuits 126, 128, 130: Decoder 132: Memory control circuit 134: Control circuit 136: Frame memory 140: Light receiving device 142: Custom code reception determination circuit 144: Data code reception determination circuit 146: Custom code identification circuit 148: Data code analysis circuit 150: IEEE1394 interface 152: Host ID storage Devices 210a, 210b, 210c: Controlled device 212: IEEE1394 serial buses 214a, 214b, 214c: Remote control device 220: Remote control signal light receiving device 22 : Microcomputer 224: Custom code reception determination circuit 226: Data code reception determination circuit 228: Custom code identification circuit 230: Data code analysis circuit 232; Control circuit 234: Buffer 236: Request flag 238: Execution flag 240: Transmission control circuit 242: reception control circuit 244: IEEE 1394 interface

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C018 HA08 HA11                 5C056 AA05 BA01 BA08 CA01 DA01                       DA08 DA11 DA20 EA20                 5K048 AA04 BA03 CA08 DA05 DB04                       DC01 DC04 EA11 EB02 FB00                       FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07                       HA21

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of controlled devices, at least one remote control device for outputting a remote control signal including a device designation code for designating a controlled device to be remotely controlled and an operation content code for designating an operation content, and the plurality of remote control devices. A remote control system comprising operation signal transfer means for transferring a remote control signal between controlled devices, wherein each controlled device receives the remote control signal, and is output by the receiving means. Control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal to the control signal transferring means, control signal receiving means for receiving the remote control signal transmitted from the control signal transferring means, and operation output from the control signal receiving means. A control means for controlling the self-device according to the content code, and the control signal transfer means supplies the remote control supplied from the plurality of controlled devices. Remote control system according to claim signal, a transfer switch for transferring a predetermined controlled device, by comprising a designating means for designating a transfer destination according to the transfer switch. 2. The control signal transmitting means includes code converting means for converting an operation content code of the remote control signal into a common code, and the control signal receiving means transmits the remote signal transmitted from the control signal transferring means. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising code reverse conversion means for reverse converting an operation content code of the control signal into an operation content code corresponding to the own device. 3. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of controlled devices is an image source for outputting image information, and the operation signal transfer means is provided in an image display device. 4. A receiving unit for receiving a remote control signal, a control signal transmitting unit for transmitting a remote control signal output from the receiving unit to the control signal transferring unit, and a remote unit for transmitting the control signal transferring unit. A remote control signal receiving device comprising: a control signal receiving unit that receives a control signal; and a control unit that controls a corresponding controlled element according to an operation content code output from the control signal receiving unit. 5. The control signal transmitting means comprises code converting means for converting an operation content code of the remote control signal into a common code, and the control signal receiving means transmits the remote signal transmitted from the control signal transferring means. The remote control signal receiving device according to claim 4, further comprising code reverse conversion means for reverse converting an operation content code of the control signal into a corresponding operation content code of the own device. 6. A remote control signal receiving device for receiving a remote control signal including a device designation code for designating a controlled device to be remotely controlled and an operation content code for designating operation content, the receiving means receiving the remote control signal. A signal receiving means for receiving a remote control signal input from a predetermined communication medium, a destination determining means for determining whether or not the remote control signal is addressed to itself from the output of the receiving means and the signal receiving means, and the destination determination According to the determination result of the means, a control means for controlling the controlled element according to the operation content code of the remote control signal addressed to itself, and a signal transmission means for transmitting the remote control signal not addressed to itself from the receiving means via the predetermined communication medium. And a remote control signal receiving device. 7. The remote control signal receiving device according to claim 6, wherein said receiving means comprises infrared light receiving means. 8. The predetermined communication medium is IEEE 1394.
The remote control signal receiving device according to claim 6, which complies with the standard. 9. The signal receiving means, in accordance with the discrimination result of the destination discriminating means, in the case of a remote control signal destined for itself, the executed storage means for storing execution completion, and the discrimination result of the destination discriminating means, except for self-addressing. In case of remote control signal of
When the transmission request completion storage means for storing the transmission request completion by the signal transmission means, the execution completion storage means, and the transmission request completion storage means are referred to, and when neither the executed status nor the transmission request completed status is present, A remote control signal input from a predetermined communication medium is output to the destination determination means,
When either one of the executed state and the transmission requested state, the transmission request state by the signal transmitting means is stopped, and the reception control means for clearing the executed storage means and the transmission requested storage means is provided. The remote control signal receiving device according to claim 6, which is provided.