Electronic equipment control apparatus, electronic equipment control method and electronic equipment

Abstract: An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) is connected to one or more pieces of external electronic equipment by communication lines (12) and used for controlling the electronic equipment through the communication lines (12). The electronic equipment control apparatus comprises: a communication means for communication with the pieces of external electronic equipment through the communication lines; a control means (71) for controlling operations to request the pieces of external electronic equipment to transmit user interface information for controlling the pieces of external electronic equipment to the electronic equipment control apparatus (1); and a storage means (72) for storing the user interface information transmitted by the pieces of external electronic equipment through the communication lines (12). In the electronic equipment control apparatus (1), it is not necessary for the user to perform operations to install software, that is, the user interface information required for controlling the external electronic equipment from the PC module (1), on the PC module (1) in order to control the external electronic equipment from the PC module (1).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention relates to an electronic equipment control apparatus, an electronic equipment control method and electronic equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic equipment control apparatus, an electronic equipment control method and electronic equipment which improve operability of the electronic equipment control apparatus by requiring no operation to install software for controlling the electronic equipment in the case of a plurality of pieces of such electronic equipment connected to each other and to the electronic equipment control apparatus by communication lines. In recent years, the personal computer has been becoming popular and is used not only at work places, but also at homes. At many homes, the so-called AV (Audio Visual) equipment such as a television receiver, a cassette deck and a video disk player are also used as well in addition to the personal' computer. In such a case, the personal computer is connected to each piece of AV equipment by a home bus, making it possible to control the AV equipment centrally from the personal computer. As a result, there are more and more cases in which the personal computer is used as a computer generally called an all-in-one computer. To put it in detail, as shown in Fig. 17, the all-in-one personal computer is configured to have a variety of functions so as to allow the personal computer to be used in a number of applications such as video entertainment, games, multimedia creation, art, graphics, communication and office use. With a personal computer having an all-in-one configuration as described above, however, there are raised some problems that the configuration becomes complicated and that the cost is increased. In addition, when the personal computer is connected to newly added AV equipment or a peripheral apparatus, it is necessary to install software or a program for controlling the newly added AV equipment in the personal computer by doing predetermined operations. Thus, the user must have the knowledge to install the software. As a result, there is also raised a problem that a user who does not have such knowledge will not be capable of controlling the newly installed peripheral apparatus from the personal computer. Furthermore, even a user with the knowledge to install the software must carry out the predetermined operations. Particularly, in the case of a plurality of personal computers connected to a home bus, the predetermined installation operations have to be carried out for each of the personal computers, giving rise to a problem of cumbersome installation work. On the top of that, even though it is possible to install numerous kinds of software in the personal computer in advance so as to allow the personal computer to be used for controlling a number of external peripheral apparatuses, when the system comprising the personal computer and the peripheral apparatuses is upgraded by sequentially adding new peripheral apparatuses one after another, the versions of the software installed in advance in the personal computer become obsolete, making it no longer possible to control the newly added peripheral apparatuses in some cases. In such a case, it is necessary to install software with most recent versions in the personal computer for the newly added peripheral apparatuses. In addition, if the software is installed in the personal computer in advance, the maker of the peripheral apparatus is placed under restraint by specifications of the software, giving rise to a problem that it is difficult to build in the originality of the maker of the peripheral apparatus in the peripheral apparatus connected to the personal computer. EP 0 637 157 A2 discloses a control system which comprises a plurality of peripheral devices and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line. Furthermore, it is proposed that the controller loads, when connected to an arbitrary peripheral device selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, the object data from the arbitrary peripheral device to form an object corresponding to the arbitrary peripheral device and also to display under control of the controller a manipulation picture for manipulating the arbitrary peripheral device on the basis of the object data. The controller outputs an instruction to the communication line via the object in accordance with a manipulation based on the manipulation picture displayed on the controller, and controls arbitrary peripheral device. According to EP 0 637 157 A2 the object data from the arbitrary peripheral devices is loaded by the controller either each time an arbitrary peripheral device is connected to the communication line or in response to a check time provided by a counter. It is the object of the present invention to provide an electronic equipment control system, an electronic equipment control apparatus and a method for controlling an electronic equipment control system and an electronic equipment control apparatus that require no operations to install software in the electronic equipment control apparatus, whereby the electronic equipment control apparatus can be made simple and at reduced costs. The invention is defined in the independent claims. Further developments are set forth in the dependent claims. With the electronic equipment control apparatus and the method provided by the present invention as claimed, user interface information stored in advance in a first piece of electronic equipment can be transferred to a second piece of electronic equipment to be stored therein, allowing a system with an advance function in an application of interest to the user to be implemented at a low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will be described by referring to the following drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of an AV system to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a 1394 cable used in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing more detailed interconnection of control lines employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a typical internal configuration of a PC module employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of an AV interface board employed in the PC module shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a typical internal configuration of a DVD-ROM / movie player module employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a diagram used for explaining operations to record a signal reproduced from an MD deck into a cassette tape deck employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a diagram used for explaining operations to monitor a signal reproduced from a video disc player employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a flowchart used for explaining operations carried out during initialization by the PC module employed in the AV system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying icon pictures of AV equipment; Fig. 11 is a flowchart used for explaining initialization processing of the DVD-ROM / movie player; Fig. 12 is a flowchart used for explaining processing carried out by the PC module to select a piece of AV equipment; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying buttons for controlling the DVD-ROM / movie player module; Fig. 14 is a flowchart used for explaining processing which is carried out when a button on the DVD-ROM / movie player module is operated; Fig. 15 is a diagram used for explaining transmission of user interface information; Fig. 16 is a diagram used for explaining functions of the PC module and other modules added thereto; and Fig. 17 is a diagram used for explaining functions of an all-in-one personal computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying diagrams. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of an AV system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the AV system comprises a PC (Personal Computer) module 1, an MPEG1 video deck module 2, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) changer module 3, a DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disc Read Only Memory) / movie player module 4 and a device-bay module 5 which are connected to each other by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 cables 6 referred to hereafter simply as 1394 cables. The PC module 1 is a personal computer which has only a relatively restricted number of basic functions. The MPEG1 video module 2 includes an encoder for generating an image signal conforming to MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 1 specifications, a decoder for decoding such a signal and an embedded hard disc. In addition, the MPEG1 video module 2 is also provided with a drive unit for driving a video CD, allowing the MPEG1 video module 2 to be used independently as a video CD player. The CD-ROM changer module 3 has 100 to 200 pieces of CD-ROM incorporated therein and an embedded drive unit for driving a CD-ROM selected from them. By mounting an ordinary CD that is, an audio CD, on the CD-ROM changer player 3, the CD-ROM changer player 3 can be used independently as a CD player. A detailed configuration of the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 will be explained later by referring to Fig. 6. The DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 has an embedded drive unit for driving a mounted DVD-ROM in an operation to reproduce data recorded in the DVD-ROM. When used independently, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 functions as a DVD player. The device-bay module 5 allows a new function to be added by mounting parts which are manufactured in accordance with specifications provided by manufacturers such as Intel (a trade mark) or Compaq (a trade mark). The PC module 1 is connected to a monitor 13 and speakers 14 by signal lines 21. Pictures and sound generated by the PC module 1 are displayed and outputted by the monitor 13 and the speakers 14 respectively. The PC module 1 is also connected to AV equipment not conforming to IEEE1394 specifications such as a cassette tape deck 15, an MD (Mini Disc) deck 16, a video disc player 17, a television receiver 18, an amplifier 19 and an AV selector module 11. The PC module 1 is also capable of controlling these pieces of AV equipment through control lines 12. The AV selector module 11 is also connected to each of the cassette tape deck 15, the MD deck 16, the video disc player 17, the television receiver 18 and the amplifier 19 by a signal line 21. The AV selector module 11 is capable of selecting one of video or audio signals supplied by the pieces of AV equipment connected thereto and outputting the selected signal to one of the pieces of AV equipment. The amplifier 19 is connected to speakers 20 by a signal line 21. It should be noted that, here, the cassette tape deck 15 is an apparatus having a tape driving unit and a signal processing unit for recording and playing back a signal to/from a music cassette tape. By the same token, the MD deck 16 is an apparatus having a disk driving unit and an audio signal processing unit for playing back and recording an audio signal from and to an MD (mini disc). Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the 1394 cable 6. As shown in the figure, the 1394 cable 6 has an outer cylindrical portion 31 and inner cylindrical portions 32 and 33 inside the outer cylindrical portion 31. Inside the inner cylindrical portion 32, a twisted line 34 comprising wires 34A and 34B is provided. By the same token, inside the inner cylindrical portion 33, a twisted line 35 comprising wires 35A and 35B is provided. The twisted lines 34 and 35 form signal paths which are independent of each other. In addition, lines 36A and 36B are provided outside the outer cylindrical portion 31 for supplying power. The PC module 1 exchanges control, video and audio signals with the AV equipment having functions conforming to IEEE1394 specifications such as the MPEG1 video deck module 2, the CD-ROM changer module 3, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 and the device-bay module 5 through the 1394 cables 6. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing more detailed interconnection of the control lines 12 and the signal lines 21. The PC module 1 is capable of controlling the AV equipment in accordance with three kinds of specifications, i. e., Control S, Control A1 and LANC (Local Application Control Bus System). The control lines 12 comprise control lines 12A, 12B and 12C conforming to the Control S, Control A1 and LANC specifications respectively. The control lines 12A, 12B and 12C are connected to pieces of AV equipment which conform to their respective specifications. In the case of this embodiment, the cassette tape deck 15, the AV selector 11 and the television receiver 18 each have a control function based on the Control S specifications. Thus, the cassette tape deck 15, the AV selector 11 and the television receiver 18 are connected to the PC module 1 by the control line 12A. On the other hand, the MD deck 16 and the amplifier 19 each have a control function based on the Contorol A1 specifications. Thus, the MD deck 16 and the amplifier 19 are connected to the PC module 1 by the control line 12B. Finally, the video disc player 17 has a control function based on the LANC specifications. Thus, the video disc player 17 is connected to the PC module 1 by the control line 12C. It should be noted that, if the pieces of AV equipment shown in the figure all have a control function based on the same specifications, the control line 12 can be implemented by only one kind of control line. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a typical internal configuration of the PC module 1. As shown in the figure, the PC module 1 comprises a mother board 41 and an AV interface (I/F) board 42. On the mother board 41, a variety of components for implementing a function as a personal computer are mounted. The components include a CPU 51 for executing various kinds of processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) unit 52 for storing constants and programs required by the CPU 51 in the execution of the processing and a RAM (Random Access Memory) unit 53 for storing data required by the CPU 51 in the execution of the processing. The mother board 41 is either directly connected to a public telephone line of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) or provided with a modem 54 which is connected to equipment such as a telephone or a facsimile machine not shown in the figure. The modem 54 is used for carrying out communication through the telephone line. A video capture unit 55 receives a video signal supplied by the AV selector module 11 and carries out capturing processing on the video signal. A TV output unit 56 outputs a video signal from the mother board 41 to the AV selector module 11. For this reasons, the video capture unit 55 and the TV output unit 56 are each connected to the AV selector module 11 by a signal line 21. A 1394 interface (I/F) 57 for processing data exchanged through the 1394 cable 6 is connected to the other AV equipment, that is, the MPEG1 video deck module 2 and the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 in the case of this embodiment, by the 1394 cable 6. A graphic accelerator 58 generates graphical data, outputting it to the monitor 13 in order to display the data thereon. An audio input/output unit 59 outputs an audio signal generated by the mother board 41 to the speakers 14. The AV interface board 42 is connected to a control panel 61 and an IR (Infrared) blaster 62. The AV interface board 42 controls the mother board 41 in accordance with a signal received from the control panel 61 or the IR blaster 62. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the AV interface board 42. As shown in the figure, the AV interface board 42 includes a microcontroller 71 for executing various kinds of processing in accordance with signals received from a variety of switches provided on the control panel 61. In addition, the microcontroller 71 also controls operations to turn on and off LEDs provided on the control panel 61. An NVRAM (Non-volatile Random Access Memory) unit 72 is used for storing, among other information, data which is also required by the microcontroller 71 even after the power supply is turned off. A communication buffer 73 is connected to an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) used as an extension slot of the mother board 41 or a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a kind of serial bus. The communication buffer 73 is located between the microcontroller 71 and the mother board 41. The microcontroller 71 outputs signals conforming to PS/2 (Personal System 2, a trade mark) specifications. In general, the PS/2 specifications are specifications used as an interface for connecting components such as a mouse and a keyboard of a computer to the computer. The IR blaster 62 receives an infrared light signal output from an infrared light keyboard (or a radio keyboard) 81 or a remote commander 82, converting the infrared light signal into an electrical signal which is then supplied to the microcontroller 71 by way of a terminal 75 as a KBD signal or an SIRCS (Standard Code for Infrared Remote Control Systems, a trade mark) signal. The KBD signal is a signal representing a key code received from the infrared light keyboard 81. The microcontroller 71 converts the KBD signal received from the infrared light keyboard 81 to represent a key code into a PS/2 signal described above, transferring the PS/2 signal to the mother board 41. In this way, the mother board 41 is capable of recognizing the signal received from the infrared light keyboard 81 in the same manner as a signal received from an ordinary keyboard connected by a wire. Generated by the remote commander 82, the SIRCS signal is a command signal for controlling AV equipment. The microcontroller 71 converts the SIRC signal received from the remote commander 82 into a control signal, that is, a Control-S, Control-Al or LANC control signal, for controlling AV equipment, transferring the control signal to the respective AV equipment through the control line 12. In this way, the microcontroller 71 is capable of controlling the AV equipment connected to the control line 12 in accordance with the control line received from the remote commander 82 for the AV equipment. The IR blaster 62 receives a control signal conforming to SIRCS specifications from the microcontroller 71 by way of the terminal 75, converting the control signal into an infrared light signal which is used for controlling AV equipment. The AV interface board 42 is located between the mother board 41 and the IR blaster 62, facilitating exchanges of signals conforming to IrDA (Infrared Data Association) specifications between the mother board 41 and the IR blaster 62. The mother board 41 transmits data to apparatuses such as another personal computer and AV equipment by using an IrDA signal, a kind of infrared light signal, by way of the IR blaster 62. Control signals conforming to the Control-S, Control-A1 and LANC specifications are inputted and outputted from and to the AV interface board 42 through the terminal 74. For this reason, the control lines 12A, 12B and 12C shown in Fig. 3 are connected to the terminal 74. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a typical internal configuration of the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4. A CPU 91 executes various kinds of processing in accordance with programs stored in a ROM unit 92. A RAM unit 93 is used for properly storing, among other information, data required in the execution of the various kinds of processing by the CPU 91. A drive unit 94 drives a DVD-ROM 95. A decoder 96 executes processing to decode data reproduced from the DVD-ROM 95. A 1394 interface unit 97 executes processing to exchange data with the 1394 cable 6. An input/output interface unit 98 is connected to an input unit 99 and an output unit 100. A signal representing an input from the input unit 99 is passed on by the input/output interface unit 98 to the CPU 91 while data output by the CPU 91 is forwarded by the input/output interface unit 98 to the output unit 100. In this embodiment, the input/output interface unit 98 is an interface conforming to the IEEE1394 specifications. The DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 is connected to the 1394 serial bus through the input unit 99 and the output unit 100. That is to say, the input unit 99 and the output unit 100 are each connected to the 1394 cable 6 The PC module 1 controls AV equipment not conforming to the 1394 specifications through the control line 12. Figs. 7 and 8 are each a diagram showing an example of this control. In the example shown in Fig. 7, control to carry out dubbing of a signal reproduced from the MD deck 16 and recorded to the cassette deck 15 and, at the same time, to output sound played back from the MD deck 16 to the speakers 20 is executed. First of all, the PC module 1 outputs a command conforming to the Control A1 specifications to the MD deck 16 through a control line 12B, requesting that a signal be played back from an MD mounted on the MD deck 16. Receiving the command, the MD deck 16 reproduces an analog audio signal from the MD mounted thereon, outputting the signal to the AV selector module 11 through a signal line 21. Then, the PC module 1 outputs a command conforming to the Control-S specifications to the AV selector module 11 through a control line 12A, requesting the AV selector module 11 that the playback signal received from the MD deck 16 be passed on to the amplifier 19, the cassette tape 15 and the PC module 1 itself. The PC module 1 further outputs a command conforming to the Control A1 specifications to the amplifier 19 through a control line 12B, requesting the amplifier 19 that the playback signal passed on thereto by the AV selector module 11 from the MD deck 16 be amplified and the amplified signal be outputted to the speakers 20. Then, PC module 1 also outputs a command conforming to the Control S specifications to the cassette tape deck 15 through a control line 12A, requesting the cassette tape deck 15 that the playback signal passed on thereto by the AV selector module 11 from the MD deck 16 be recorded into a cassette tape mounted on the cassette tape deck 15. In addition, the PC module 1 also outputs the playback signal passed on thereto by the AV selector module 11 from the MD deck 16 to the speakers 14 by way of the audio input/output unit 59 employed in the PC module 1. In the example shown in Fig. 8, on the other hand, control to display a video signal reproduced by the video disc player 17 on the television receiver 18 and to display images created in the PC module 1 on the monitor 13 is carried out. First of all, the PC module 1 outputs a command conforming to the LANC specifications to the video disc player 17 through a control line 12C, requesting the video disc player 17 that a video signal be reproduced from a video disc mounted thereon. The playback signal is then outputted by the video disc player 17 to the AV selector module through a signal line 21. Then, the PC module 1 outputs a command conforming to the Control S specifications to the AV selector module 11 through the control line 12A, requesting the AV selector module 11 that the playback video signal received from the video disc player 17 be passed on to the television receiver 18. At the same time, the PC module 1 outputs a command conforming to the Control S specifications to the television receiver 18 through the control line 12A, controlling the television receiver 18 to display a picture conveyed by the playback video signal passed on thereto by the AV selector module 11 from the video disc player 17. In addition, the PC module 1 controls the AV selector module 11 through the control line 12A, requesting the AV selector module 11 that the playback video signal received from the video disc player 17 be passed on also to the PC module 1 itself. In the PC module 1, the playback video signal is put in the video picture unit 55 employed there in and, if necessary, mixed with a predetermined image in the graphic accelerator 58 before being outputted to the AV selector module 11 by way of the TV output unit 56. The PC module 1 is also capable of having the mixed signal displayed on the television receiver 18. In this case, the PC module 1 controls the AV selector module 11 through the control line 12A, requesting the AV selector module 11 that the mixed video signal transmitted by the PC module 1 be selected in place of the playback video signal generated by the video disc player 17 and be displayed on the television receiver 18. The PC module 1 is also capable of displaying the mixed video signal on the monitor 13. In this case, the mixed video signal is outputted to the monitor 13 from the graphic accelerator 58. The following is description of operations carried out by the PC module 1 to control pieces of AV equipment connected to the PC module 1 by 1394 cables 6. when the power supply is turned on, the PC module 1 carries out initialization processing represented by a flowchart shown in Fig. 9. As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S1 at which the CPU 51 employed in the PC module 1 requests AV equipment connected to the PC module 1 by a 1394 cable 6, for example, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4, that icon picture information of the DVD-ROM /movie player module 4 be transmitted to the PC module 1. The DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 has its icon picture data stored in the ROM unit 92 employed therein. The icon picture data is picture data for an icon 114 like ones shown in Fig. 10. Receiving the request made by the PC module 1 through the 1394 cable 6, the CPU 91 employed in the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 executes processing of a step S11 of a flowchart shown in Fig. 11 to read out the icon picture data stored in the ROM unit 92 and output the data to the 1394 cable 6 by way of the 1394 interface unit 97. At a step S2 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 9, the icon picture data is put in the 1394 interface unit 57 before being supplied to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 receives the incoming icon picture data, storing it in the RAM unit 53. The flow of processing then goes on to a step S3 at which the CPU 51 forms a judgment as to whether or not icon picture data has been received from all pieces of AV equipment connected to the PC module 1 by 1394 cables 6. If there is a piece of AV equipment from which the icon picture data thereof has not been received, the flow of processing returns to the step S1 to execute the same processing. By the same token, the PC module 1 also receives pieces of icon picture data 112, 113 and 115 shown in Fig. 10 from the MPEG1 video deck module 2, the CD-ROM changer module 3 and the device-bay module 5 respectively, storing the icon picture data in the RAM module 53. If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S3 indicates that icon picture data has been received from all pieces of AV equipment connected to the PC module 1 by 1394 cables 6, on the other hand, the initialization processing is ended. It should be noted that, while the PC module 1 carries out the initialization processing when the power supply of the PC module 1 is turned on in the example described above, the timing with which the initialization processing is carried out is not necessarily the power-on time. For example, the CPU 51 employed in the PC module 1 may perform the initialization processing for the AV equipment on a bus connected by 1394 cables 6 to the PC module 1 for every predetermined period based on a program stored in the RAM unit 51 employed in the PC module 1. In addition, in the case of the IEEE1394 bus, a new piece of electronic equipment can be connected to the bus without turning off the power supply of pieces of electronic equipment already connected to the bus. In this case, the setting on the bus is reset and initialization processing of the bus (bus reset processing) is carried out. The PC module 1 may then execute the initialization processing represented by the flowchart shown in Fig. 9 after knowing that the bus reset processing has been done. With such a scheme, the PC module 1 is capable of controlling pieces of AV equipment connected thereto without the need to again turn on the power supply of the PC module 1 for a piece of AV equipment which is newly connected to the 1394 serial bus after the power supply of the PC module 1 has been once turned on. The following is description of an example of processing to control operations of AV equipment connected to the PC module 1 by a 1394 cable 6 with reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 12. As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S21 at which the user operates, for example, a predetermined key of the infrared light keyboard 81, requesting that a selected screen of AV equipment be displayed. When the predetermined key of the infrared light keyboard 81 is operated, an infrared light signal corresponding to the operated key is outputted by the infrared light keyboard 81 to the IR blaster 62. The IR blaster 62 converts the infrared light signal into an electrical signal (a KBD signal), outputting the electrical signal to the microcontroller 71. Receiving the electrical signal which represents the operated key of the infrared light keyboard 81, the microcontroller 71 converts the electrical signal into a PS/2 signal which is then supplied to the CPU 51 employed in the mother board 41. Receiving the PS/2 signal, the CPU 51 reads out icon picture data from the ROM unit 53 and outputs the data to the graphic accelerator 58. The graphic accelerator 58 converts the icon picture data supplied thereto into bit map data, outputting the bit map data to the monitor 13 to be displayed on a screen. In this way, icon pictures 112 to 115 shown in Fig. 10 for example are displayed on the monitor 13 for some AV equipment connected by 1394 cables 6. In addition, at that time, the PC module 1 reads out its own icon picture data stored the ROM unit 52 in advance, displaying the data as an icon picture 111 as shown in Fig. 10. The user specifies a piece of AV equipment to be used by selecting one of the pieces of icon picture data displayed on the screen as shown in Fig. 10. The piece of icon picture data for the desired piece of AV equipment is selected by moving a cursor to point to the piece of icon picture data by operation of a predetermined key on the infrared light keyboard 81. When the key is operated, a key signal is transmitted to the CPU 51 by way of the IR blaster 62 and the microcontroller 71. At a step S22, the CPU 51 enters a state waiting for an icon picture to be selected by the user. As an icon picture is selected, the flow of processing goes on to a step S23. At the step 23, the CPU 51 requests the selected AV equipment to transmit display data of operation buttons on the AV equipment to the CPU 51. The display data is user interface information required for controlling the AV equipment. To put it in detail, the CPU 51 issues a command requesting the transmission of the display data to the AV equipment by way of the 1394 interface unit 57 and the 1394 cable 6. For example, assume that an icon picture 114 of the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 is selected. In this case, the CPU 51 requests the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 to transmit display data of buttons on the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 required for operations thereof. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing typical display data of the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4. As will be described by referring to Fig. 14, receiving the request made by the CPU 21, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 outputs the display data of its buttons required for controlling itself to the 1394 cable 6 as requested by the command at a step S31. As shown in Fig. 13, the display data includes picture of buttons, information on the layout of the buttons, a text (strings of characters) explaining the functions of the buttons and a script (program). In addition, the display data can be described by using a HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or JavaScript (a trade mark). Generally used in a network, the HTML is a language for describing a format of a document. Much like the HTML, JavaScript is a programming language generally used in a network. Normally, JavaScript is called from a point in a description written in the HTML and used for carrying out predetermined processing specified in a document. At a step S24, the CPU 51 employed in the PC module 1 receives, through the 1394 interface module 57, the display data transmitted by the DVD-ROM / movie player interface 4 via the 1394 cable 6 and stores the display data in the RAM unit 53. The flow of processing then goes on to a step S25 at which the CPU 51 reads out the display data back from the RAM unit 53, outputting the data to the graphic accelerator 58. The graphic data is then converted by the graphic accelerator 58 into bit map data which is finally outputted to the monitor 13 to be displayed thereon. In this way, display data including information on buttons required for operating the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 such as the one shown in Fig. 13 for example is displayed on the monitor 13. In the example of the display data shown in Fig. 13, a string of characters 'DVD-ROM player' appears on the screen as the name of the DVD-ROM /movie player module 4. Beneath the string of characters, buttons to be operated to request rewind, stop, playback and fast feed operations are displayed. In addition, buttons to be operated to specify a track are displayed below the operations buttons. The flow of processing then goes on to a step S26 at which the CPU 51 employed in the PC module 1 enters a state waiting for one of the buttons shown in Fig. 13 to be operated. The user then selects one of the buttons displayed on the monitor 13 by operating the infrared light keyboard 81. When the CPU 51 recognizes that one of the buttons is selected by the user at the step S26, the flow of processing proceeds to a step S27 at which the CPU 51 detects the coordinates of the position of the selected button on the monitor 13, that is, information used for recognizing the selected button, and then outputs the positional coordinates to the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 by way of the 1394 interface unit 57. As will be described later, receiving the positional coordinates, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 carries out processing corresponding to the button specified by the positional coordinates at a step S33 of a flowchart shown in Fig. 14. Next, operations carried out by the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 are explained by referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S31 at which the CPU 91 employed in the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 receives a command issued by the PC module 1 at the step S23 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 12 through the 1394 interface unit 97. Receiving the command, the CPU 91 reads out display data of the buttons on the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 stored in advance in the ROM unit 92 such as the one shown in Fig. 13 and outputs the display data to the PC module 1 by way of the 1394 interface unit 97. As described earlier, the PC module 1 receives the display data outputted by the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 at the step S24 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 12. The PC module 1 then outputs coordinates of the position of an operated one of the buttons shown in Fig. 13 at the step S27 in case the user operates the button also as described earlier. When the CPU 91 employed in the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 receives the coordinate data through the 1394 interface unit 97, at a step S32 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 14, the CPU 91 forms a judgment as to which function the button specified by the received coordinates has. For example, the CPU 91 determines whether the button specified by the coordinates is the playback button, the fast feed button or the rewind button. The flow of processing then goes on to a step S33 at which the CPU 91 carries out processing corresponding to the function identified at the step S32. For example, when the playback button was judged at the step S32 to have been operated, the CPU 91 controls the drive unit 94 to reproduce a signal from the DVD-ROM 95 or, when the fast feed button was judged at the step S32 to have been operated, the CPU 91 puts the CD-ROM 95 in a fast feed state. Data reproduced from the DVD-ROM 95 is decoded by the decoder 96 before being outputted to the 1394 cable 6 by way of the 1394 interface unit 97. The PC module 1 receives the reproduced data transmitted by the DVD-ROM /movie player module 4 via the 1394 cable 6 through the 1394 interface unit 57, outputting the video data to the graphic accelerator 58 and the audio data to the audio input/output unit 59. The graphic accelerator 58 converts the video data supplied thereto into bit map data, outputting the bit map data to the monitor 13 to be displayed thereon. On the other hand, the audio input/output unit 59 passes on the audio data supplied thereto to the speakers 14 to be thereby outputted. In this way, the user can enjoy pictures and sound played back from the DVD-ROM 95 by using the monitor 13 and the speakers 14 respectively. Fig. 15 is a model diagram showing an operation to read in user interface information of AV equipment connected by a 1394 cable 6 to the PC module 1. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the AV equipment 121 such as the MPEG1 video deck module 2, the CD-ROM changer module 3, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 or the device-bay module 5 shown in Fig. 1 can be used as a stand alone unit or in conjunction with AV equipment 122 independently, that is, without utilizing the PC module 1. When the AV equipment is connected to the PC module 1 by a 1394 cable 6 to be controlled by the PC module 1, however, user interface information stored in advance in the AV equipment 121 is transferred to the PC module 1 to be stored therein through the 1394 cable 6. In other words, user interface information of other AV equipment is not stored in the PC module 1 initially. When the AV equipment 121 is connected to the PC module 1 by the 1394 cable 6, user interface information (UI) stored in the AV equipment 121 is transferred to the PC module 1 automatically, that is, without special operations which need to be carried out by the user. As a result, when the user purchases the AV equipment 121, it is not necessary for the user to install the user interface information, that is, software for controlling the AV equipment 121 from the PC module 1, in the PC module 1. The user needs only to connect the AV equipment 121 to the PC module 1 by a 1394 cable 6 and, by merely turning on the power supply, the software installation processing is carried out automatically. In addition, in this embodiment, since each piece of AV equipment, that is, each external electronic apparatus, is requested to carry out its respective unique processing, the PC module 1 can be configured as a computer including only very basic functions. That is to say, the performance level of the PC module 1 in a number of specific applications such as video entertainment, games, multimedia creation, art, graphics, communication and office courses shown in Fig. 16 is low. In comparison with the applications of an all in one personal computer shown in Fig. 17, the PC module 1 obviously has only very basic functions in each of the applications. When using the AV system in the fields of video entertainment and multimedia creation, for example, modules each having an advanced function are purchased and connected to the PC module 1 by 1394 cables 6. Examples of such modules are a VAM 1 and a VAM 2 shown in Fig. 16 corresponding to the MPEG1 video module 2, the CD-ROM changer module 3, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 and the device-bay module 5 shown in Fig. 1, corresponding to the MPEG1 video module 2, the CD-ROM changer module 3, the DVD-ROM / movie player module 4 and the device-bay module 5 shown in Fig. 1. In this way, in an all but irrelevant application, it is not necessary to provide an advanced function from the beginning, allowing the configuration of the PC module 1 to be made simple and, thus, the cost thereof to be reduced. Then, by connecting a module having an advanced function in a certain application to the PC module 1, as an overall, an advanced AV system can be implemented in the application of interest to the user. As a result, not only is it unnecessary to carry out operations to install software for newly added AV equipment but, when a module for adding a new function is purchased to replace an existing module of the previous generation, software (or a program) with a most recent version for controlling the new module is also stored in the module in advance, allowing the function of the new module to be prevented from becoming inoperative due to a version mismatch. In addition, as a peripheral apparatus, the AV equipment can be configured to include embedded user interface information used for controlling the equipment, allowing the designer and/or the manufacturer of the peripheral apparatus, that is, the AV equipment in the case of the present embodiment, to display the originality thereof without being placed under restraint by functions of the PC module 1. It should be noted that, while 1394 cables are employed as a home bus in the embodiment described above, another kind of home bus can also be utilized as well. In addition, as described above, AV equipment is used as peripheral apparatuses in the embodiment as an example. It is worth noting, however, that another kind of electronic equipment can also be employed as well. With the electronic equipment control apparatus and the electronic equipment control method provided according to one aspect of the present invention as described earlier, electronic equipment external to the electronic equipment control apparatus is requested to transmit user interface information required for controlling the equipment to the electronic equipment control apparatus. The user interface information transmitted in response to the request is then stored in the electronic equipment control apparatus. As a result, it is no longer necessary for the user to manually carry out operations to install the information in the electronic equipment control apparatus, enhancing the operability of the electronic equipment control apparatus. In addition, when new external electronic equipment is put to use, the electronic equipment control apparatus for controlling the electronic equipment is prevented from becoming obsolete only because the apparatus does not have the function for controlling the new electronic equipment. In addition, with the electronic equipment and the electronic equipment control method provided according to the other aspect of the present as described earlier, in response to a request issued by the electronic equipment control apparatus, user interface information stored in advance in the electronic equipment is transmitted to the apparatus. As a result, electronic equipment which can be controlled by the electronic equipment control apparatus can be implemented without necessity to install the information in the apparatus, allowing the originality of the electronic equipment to be displayed with ease. Furthermore, electronic equipment with the most recent function can be implemented without being placed under restraint by the version of the software on the electronic equipment control apparatus. On the top of that, with the electronic equipment control apparatus and the electronic equipment control method provided according to the further aspect of the present invention as described earlier, user interface information stored in advance in a first piece of electronic equipment can be transferred to a second piece of electronic equipment to be stored therein, allowing a system with an advance function in an application of interest to the user to be implemented at a low cost.

Claims: An electronic equipment control system comprising a first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) and a second piece of electronic equipment (1) connected to said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) by a communication line (6) and used for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) wherein: said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) comprises: a first communication means (97) for carrying out communication with said second piece of electronic equipment (1) through said communication line (6); a first storage means (92) for storing user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) required for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5); and a first control means (91) which is used for reading out said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) from said first storage means (92) and transmitting said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) to said second piece of electronic equipment (1) when a request for transmission of said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) is received from said second piece of electronic equipment (1), and said second piece of electronic equipment (1) comprises: a second communication means (57) for carrying out communication with said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication line (6); a second control means (51) for requesting said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) to transmit said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) required for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121; 2,3,4,5) by said second piece of electronic equipment (1) to said second piece of electronic equipment (1); and a second storage means (53) for storing said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) transmitted by said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication line (6), characterised in that said second control means (51) makes a request for said user interface information (UI;112,113, 114,115) from said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) when said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is selected. An electronic equipment control system according to claim 1 wherein said first control means (91) determines processing for select information of said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) when said select information is received from said second piece of electronic equipment (1). An electronic equipment control system according to claim 2 wherein said first control means (91) executes said processing for said select information after determining said processing. A method for controlling an electronic equipment control system comprising a first piece of electronic equipment (121; 2,3,4,5) and a second piece of electronic equipment (1) connected to said first piece of electronic equipment (121; 2,3,4,5) by a communication line (6) and used for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121; 2,3,4,5) wherein, in said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3, 4,5), said method comprises: a first communication step of carrying out communication with said second piece of electronic equipment (1) through said communication line (6); a first storage step of storing user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) required for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) in a first storage means (92); and a first transmission step at which said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) is read out from said first storage means (92) and transmitted to said second piece of electronic equipment (1) when a request for transmission of said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) is received from said second piece of electronic equipment (1), and in said second piece of electronic equipment (1), said method comprises: a second communication step of carrying out communication with said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication line (6) ; a request step of requesting said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) to transmit said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) required for controlling said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2, 3,4,5) to said second piece of electronic equipment (1); and a second storage step of storing said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) transmitted by said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication line (6), characterised in that at said request step, a request for said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) from said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is made when said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is selected. A method according to claim 4 wherein in said first piece of electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) said method further comprises a processing determining step of determining processing for select information of said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) when receiving said select information from said second piece of electronic equipment (1). A method according to claim 5 further comprising a processing executing step of executing said processing for said select information determined at said processing determining step. An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) for controlling one or more pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) connected to said electronic equipment control apparatus (1) by communication lines (6), said electronic equipment control apparatus (1) comprising: a communication means (57) for communication with said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication lines (6) ; a control means (51) for controlling operations to request said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2, 3,4,5) to transmit and receive user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) for controlling said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) to said electronic equipment control apparatus (1); and a storage means (53) for storing said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) transmitted by said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication lines (6), characterised in that said control means (51) makes a request for said user interface information (UI;112,113, 114,115) from one of said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) when said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is selected. An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) according to claim 7 further comprising a display control means (58) for carrying out control to display said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) stored in said storage means (53). An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said user interface information (UI; 112,113,114,115) includes at least one of image data, layout information, a text and a program. An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9 wherein said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is AV equipment and said communication lines (6) are an IEEE1394 serial bus. An electronic equipment control apparatus (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10 wherein said control means (51) has a supplying means for supplying select information selected from said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) received thereby to said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5). A method for controlling an electronic equipment control apparatus (1) to control one or more pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) connected to said electronic equipment control apparatus (1) by communication lines (6), said method comprising: a requesting step of requesting said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) to transmit user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) for controlling said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) to said electronic equipment control apparatus (1); a receiving step of receiving said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) transmitted by said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) through said communication lines (6); and a storing step of storing said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) received from said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5), characterised in that at said requesting step, a request for said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) from one of said pieces of external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is made when said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is selected. A method according to claim 12 further comprising a display control step of carrying out control to display said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) stored in said storage step. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said user interface information (UI;112,113,114,115) includes at least one of image data, layout information, a text and a program. A method according to one of claims 12 to 14 wherein said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5) is AV equipment and said communication lines (6) are an IEEE1394 serial bus. A method according to one of claims 12 to 15 wherein said requesting step has a supplying sub step of supplying select information selected from said user interface information (UI; 112,113,114,115) received at said requesting step to said external electronic equipment (121;2,3,4,5).

Inventors: FUCHU KATSUKI, FUCHU, KATSUKI
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G11B31, G11B27, G06F15, H04N5, H04L12, H04N7, H04B1