Patent Publication Number: US-2005117609-A1

Title: Data transmitting device, system thereof, method thereof, program thereof and recording medium storing the program

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a data transmitting device adapted to transmit data to a plurality of output devices connected therewith via a network for outputting the data, a data transmitting system, a data transmitting method and a data transmitting program as well as a recording medium storing the program.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Conventionally, a configuration, in which audio data transmitter for transmitting audio data and audio reproducer for outputting the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmitter as sounds are connected to each other via a network, is known (for example, Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-298444, refer to paragraph No. 0036 and FIG. 1). In the configuration according to the document 1, a CD player and a tuner as the audio data transmitter and a speaker as the audio reproducer are connected to each other via a serial bus as the network. In such configuration, when a plurality of speakers is connected to the tuner, such configuration that the serial buses are connected from the tuner to each of the speakers is conceivable.  
      When the serial buses are connected to each of the speakers, which are disposed in different distances from the tuner, it is conceivable such configuration that serial buses having different length corresponding to the distance from the tuner are connected to each of the speakers. However, in the above configuration, when audio data are output synchronously to each of the speakers from the tuner, generally, the transmission time of the audio data is proportional to the length of the serial buses. Accordingly, the times the audio data reach to each of the speakers differ from each other. As a result, sounds output from each of the speakers become asynchronous. Therefore, it is desired to provide such configuration that sounds are output synchronously from each of the speakers.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a data transmitting device capable of causing a plurality of output devices connected therewith to output data via a network at the same time, a data transmitting system, a data transmitting method and a data transmitting program as well as a recording medium storing the program.  
      A data transmitting device according to an aspect of the present invention for transmitting data to a plurality of output devices for outputting the data via a network, the device includes: a transmission time determiner for calculating transmission time of the data for each of the output devices; and a transmission controller for, when transmitting the data to each of the output devices via the network, controlling to delay the data to be transmitted to each of the output devices based on the transmission time.  
      A data processing system according to another aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described data transmitting device; and a plurality of output devices, which is connected to the data transmitting device via the network so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information and provided with a data output section for acquiring the data to be transmitted from the data transmitting device and outputting the data therefrom.  
      A data processing system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described data transmitting device; and a plurality of output devices, which is connected to the data transmitting device via the network so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information, including an confirmation information generator for acquiring the confirmation request information transmitted from the data transmitting device and generating the reception confirmation information to transmit the information to the data transmitting device, and a data output section for acquiring the data transmitted from the data transmitting device and outputting the data therefrom.  
      A data processing system according to a further aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described data transmitting device; and a plurality of output devices, which is connected to the data transmitting device via the network so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information, including a reception information generator for, when the data transmitted from the data transmitting device are received, generating the data reception information and transmitting the information to the data transmitting device, and a data output section for outputting the data therefrom.  
      A data processing system according to a still further aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described data transmitting device; and a plurality of output devices, which is connected to the data transmitting device via the network so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information, including a divided data receiver for receiving the plurality of divided data transmitted from the data transmitting device, a data generator for generating the data by combining the plurality of divided data with each other, and a data output section for outputting the data therefrom.  
      A data processing system according to a yet further aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described data transmitting device; and a plurality of output devices, which is connected to the data transmitting device via the network so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information, including a frame data receiver for receiving the plurality of frame data transmitted from the data transmitting device, a divided data acquiring section for identifying and acquiring the divided data from the plurality of frame data, a data generator for generating the data by combining the plurality of divided data with each other, and a data output section for outputting the data therefrom.  
      A data processing method of transmitting data to a plurality of output devices for outputting the data via a network according to a yet further aspect of the present invention, the method includes the steps of: calculating transmission time of the data to each of the output devices; and when transmitting the data to each of the output devices via the network, controlling to delay the data to be transmitted to each of the output devices based on the transmission time.  
      A data processing program according to a yet further aspect of the present invention executes the above-described data processing method by a computing unit.  
      A recording medium according to a yet further aspect of the present invention stores the above-described data processing program in a manner readable by a computing unit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the AV data reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a data transmitting device in the embodiment;  
       FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of frame data, which are transmitted from the data transmitting device in the embodiment, particularly, part (A) is a conceptual diagram showing a generating processing of frame data in the case where all of the differential times Tz are 0 msec; and part (B) is a conceptual diagram showing a generating processing of frame data in the case where at least any one of differential times Tz is not 0 msec;  
       FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of frame data in the embodiment;  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an audio reproducer in the embodiment;  
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the frame data transmitting process in the data transmitting device according to the embodiment; and  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the frame data receiving process in the audio reproducer according to the embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an AV data reproduction system will be exemplified. In the example, a data transmitting device appropriately divides AV (Audio Video) data into a plurality of pieces of data to generate frame data; and based on the generated frame data and the like, the AV data are reproduced by a plurality of data reproducing devices. But the present invention is not limited to the above.  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the AV data reproduction system according to the embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a data transmitting device.  FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of frame data, which are transmitted from the data transmitting device; particularly, part (A) is a conceptual diagram showing a generating processing of frame data in the case where every differential time Tz is 0 msec; and part (B) is a conceptual diagram showing a generating processing of frame data in the case where at least any one of differential times Tz is not 0 msec.  FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of the frame data. And  FIG. 5  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an audio reproducer.  
      [Configuration of AV Data Reproduction System] 
      In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  100  denotes an AV data reproduction system as a data processing system. The AV data reproduction system (hereinafter, abbreviated to as reproduction system)  100  is a system for reproducing AV data, which are input from, for example, unshown AV data output equipment. The reproduction system  100  includes a network  200 , a data transmitting device  300 , an audio reproducer  400 A as an output device, and an audio reproducer  400 B as an output device, an audio reproducer  400 C as an output device, an audio reproducer  400 D as an output device and an unshown image reproducer. Hereinafter, when the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are described as a collective, these reproducers will be occasionally referred to as audio reproducer set  400 . Also, in this embodiment, a configuration will be exemplified in which the audio reproducer set  400  includes four audio reproducers. But if the number of the audio reproducer is a plural number, the number of the audio reproducer in the audio reproducer set  400  is not limited to four, but the number thereof may be five or more, or three or two.  
      The network  200  is connected to a data transmitting device  300 , the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D, and the unshown image reproducer. The network  200  connects the data transmitting device  300 , the audio reproducer set  400  and the image reproducer in a state that information can be transmitted and received. As the network  200 , for example, LAN (Local Area Network) such as intranet, extranet and Ethernet™ based on multipurpose protocol suite such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), a radio LAN complying IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.1 X-Standard, a radio transmission network employing Bluetooth™, which is a near field communication and protocol, a network such as communication line network and broadcast network in which a plurality of base stations capable of transmitting and receiving information via radio medium form a network, and further, radio medium itself or cable medium itself which serves as a medium for directly transmitting and receiving information among the data transmitting device  300 , the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C,  400 D and the image reproducer are exemplified. Here, as the radio medium, any of the media such as electric wave, light, acoustic wave, electromagnetic wave is applicable. Also, as the cable medium, any medium such as cable, electricity wire, telephone cable complying with USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and/or IEEE 1394 standard is applicable.  
      The data transmitting device  300  appropriately processes audio data SA, SB, SC and SD as the data of the AV data, which are input from the AV data output equipment, and transmits the data timely to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D. These audio data SA, SB, SC and SD are the data, for example, in one music composition, which are output as the sound respectively from the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D. Also, the data transmitting device  300  appropriately processes the image data of the AV data, which are input from the AV data output equipment, and transmits the data timely to the image reproducer. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the data transmitting device  300  includes a communication unit  310 , a delay amount storage  320  as a memory, a delay amount determiner  330  as a transmission time determiner, an audio data input unit  340  as a data acquiring section, a delay processor  350 , a delay amount controller  360  as a transmission controller, a packet generator  370  as a divided data generator, an unshown image data transmitter, and the like.  
      The communication unit  310  is connected to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C,  400 D and the image reproducer via the network  200 ; and further, connected to the delay amount determiner  330  and the packet generator  370 . The communication unit  310  is capable of receiving a transmission signal St from the audio reproducer set  400  and the image reproducer via the network  200 . When acquiring the transmission signal St, the communication unit  310  carries out a preset input interface processing to output a determination signal Sk to the delay amount determiner  330 , or a packet signal Sp to the packet generator  370 . Also, when acquiring the determination signal Sk from the delay amount determiner  330  or the packet signal Sp from the packet generator  370 , the communication unit  310  carries out a preset output interface to transmit the signal as the transmission signal St timely to the audio reproducer set  400  via the network  200 . Further, when acquiring an image data signal from the image data transmitter, the communication unit  310  carries out a preset output interface to transmit the signal as an image data transmission signal timely to the image reproducer via the network  200 .  
      The delay amount storage  320  is connected to the delay amount determiner  330  and the delay amount controller  360 . The delay amount storage  320  stores various kinds of information about the transmission time of the audio data to the audio reproducer set  400 , which is generated by the delay amount determiner  330 , so as to be read out timely. As for the delay amount storage  320 , a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is exemplified. Also, the delay amount storage  320  stores various kinds of programs and the like for controlling the operation of the entire data transmitting device  300 .  
      The delay amount determiner  330  is a program. The delay amount determiner  330  generates various kinds of information about the transmission time of the audio data to the audio reproducer set  400 , and causes the delay amount storage  320  to store the generated various kinds of information. Specifically, the delay amount determiner  330  generates ACK request information as confirmation request information, which requests the audio reproducer set  400  to transmit an ACK (Acknowledge) as reception confirmation information, which will be described later. And the delay amount determiner  330  appropriately converts the ACK request information to the determination signal Sk, and outputs the signal to the communication unit  310 . In the following description, the processing to output the ACK request information will be occasionally referred to as processing to carry out polling.  
      After that, based on the determination signal Sk input from the communication unit  310 , the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes the ACK written in the determination signal Sk. And the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes that the device, which has transmitted the ACK, for example, is the audio reproducer  400 A, based on the inherent information-to-device written in the ACK, which will be described later. Further, the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes necessary time from a point of time when the ACK request information is output to a point of time when the ACK is acquired based on the time measured by an unshown timer, and recognizes a half value of the recognized necessary time as a delay time Da for the transmission time of the audio reproducer  400 A. The delay amount determiner  330  appropriately converts the recognized delay time Da to a memory signal Sm, and causes the delay amount storage  320  to store the signal so as to be read out appropriately. Further, the delay amount determiner  330  carries out the same processing as the above to recognize the delay times Db, Dc and Dd as the transmission time of the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D, and appropriately converts the recognized delay times Db, Dc and Dd to the memory signals Sm, and causes the delay amount storage  320  to store the signals so as to be read out appropriately. Hereinafter, when the delay times Da, Db, Dc and Dd are described as a collective, these delay times will be occasionally referred to as delay times Dz.  
      When the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes that all of the delay times Da, Db, Dc and Dd have been stored in the delay amount storage  320 , the delay amount determiner  330  reads out the delay times Da, Db, Dc and Dd stored in the delay amount storage  320  as the memory signals Sm. After that, the delay amount determiner  330  determines the delay time, which has the longest time in the read out delay times Da, Db, Dc and Dd as a reference time Dx. The delay amount determiner  330  calculates a difference between the reference time Dx and, for example, the delay time Da, and recognizes the calculated value as the differential time Ta of the audio reproducer  400 A. After that, the delay amount determiner  330  appropriately converts the recognized differential time Ta to a memory signal Sm and causes the delay amount storage  320  to store the memory signal Sm so as to be read out timely. Further, the delay amount determiner  330  carries out the same processing as the above; thereby, it calculates the differential times Th, Tc and Td of the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D, appropriately, converts these calculated differential times Th, Tc and Td to the memory signals Sm, and causes the delay amount storage  320  to store so as to be read out timely. Hereinafter, when the differential times Ta, Th, Tc and Td are described as a collective, these differential times will be occasionally referred to as differential times Tz.  
      The delay amount determiner  330  timely acquires current time from the timer. When the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes that a preset time Ts has passed, the delay amount determiner  330  deletes the delay times Dz and the differential times Tz stored in the delay amount storage  320 . Hereinafter, when the delay times Dz and the differential times Tz are described as a collective, these delay times Dz and the differential times Tz will be occasionally referred to as transmission time information.  
      The audio data input unit  340  includes an audio input terminal  340 A, an audio input terminal  340 B, an audio input terminal  340 C and an audio input terminal  340 D. The audio input terminal  340 A includes, for example, a connector, which is connected detachably with not shown plug, a terminal, which is connected with a lead wire, and the like. An AV data output equipment, which outputs the AV data, is connected detachably to the audio input terminal  340 A, and output signal Sxa, which is written with audio data SA of the AV data to be output from the AV data output equipment, is input therefrom. The audio input terminals  340 B,  340 C and  340 D are also constituted in the same manner as the audio input terminal  340 A. To these audio input terminals  340 B,  340 C and  340 D, the output signals Sxb, Sxc and Sxd written with the audio data SB, SC and SD of the AV data, which are output synchronously along with the output signal Sxa from the AV data output equipment, are input respectively.  
      Based on output request information, which will be described later; the delay processor  350  appropriately delays the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are synchronously input from the audio data input unit  340 , i.e., at times appropriately different from each other, and outputs the data to the packet generator  370 . The delay processor  350  includes a delay unit  350 A, a delay unit  350 B, a delay unit  350 C and a delay unit  350 D respectively as a program.  
      The delay unit  350 A is connected to the audio input terminal  340 A, the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370 . The delay unit  350 A timely acquires the output signal Sxa, which is input to the audio input terminal  340 A, and temporarily stores the audio data SA written in the acquired output signal Sxa. Then, based on a process signal Sg, which is input from the delay amount controller  360 , the delay unit  350 A recognizes the output request information written in the process signal Sg. And the delay unit  350 A appropriately converts the audio data SA to a data signal Ssa, and outputs the signal to the packet generator  370  at a time written in the output request information.  
      The delay unit  350 B is connected to the audio input terminal  340 B, the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370 . The delay unit  350 C is connected to the audio input terminal  340 C, the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370 . The delay unit  350 D is connected to the audio input terminal  340 D, the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370 . These delay units  350 B,  350 C and  350 D timely acquire the output signals Sxb, Sxc and Sxd, which are input to the audio input terminals  340 B,  340 C and  340 D, and temporarily store the audio data SB, SC and SD written in the acquired output signal Sxb, Sxc and Sxd. And the same processing as that on the delay unit  350 A is carried out based on the process signal Sg, which is input from the delay amount controller  360 . That is, the audio data SB, SC and SD are timely converted to the data signals Ssb, Ssc and Ssd, and output to the packet generator  370  at the time written in the output request information.  
      The delay amount controller  360  is a program. The delay amount controller  360  generates output request information based on the differential times Tz stored in the delay amount storage  320 , and outputs the information to the delay processor  350 . Specifically, when the delay amount controller  360  recognizes that the differential times Tz have been stored in the delay amount storage  320 , the delay amount controller  360  reads out the differential times Tz as a memory signal Sv respectively. When all of the differential times Ta, Tb, Tc and Td written in the memory signals Sv are, for example, 0 msec, the following output request information is generated. That is, the output request information, which is written with information requesting to output the data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd written with the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD to the delay unit  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D at an arbitrary time, is generated. In the following description, the arbitrary time will be occasionally referred to as signal output reference time.  
      When at least any one of the differential times Tz written in the above-mentioned read out memory signal Sv is not 0 msec, for example, when the differential time Ta is 1 msec, the differential times Tb and Td are 0 msec, and the differential time Tc is 2 msec, the delay amount controller  360  generates the following output request information. That is, the following output request information is generated; i.e., information requesting to output the data signal Ssa written with the audio data SA to the delay unit  350 A 1 msec later from the signal output reference time; information requesting to output the data signals Ssb and Ssd written with the audio data SB and SD to the delay units  350 B and  350 D at the signal output reference time; and information requesting to output the data signal Ssc written with the audio data SC to the delay unit  350 C 2 msec later from the signal output reference time. The delay amount controller  360  converts the generated output request information appropriately to the process signal Sg, and outputs the signal to the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D.  
      The packet generator  370  is a program. The packet generator  370  generates frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . (n is a natural number) sequentially as shown in the parts (A) and (B) in  FIG. 3  based on the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD output from the delay processor  350 , and transmits the data to the audio reproducer set  400 .  
      Here, first of all, the configuration of the frame data  50   n  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the frame data  50   n  includes a frame header  51   n  (n is a natural number), a packet data  52   h  (h is a natural number), a packet data  53   i  (i is a natural number), a packet data  54   j  (j is a natural number) and a packet data  55   k  (k is a natural number). The packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  have substantially the same configuration each other. Therefore, the packet data  52   h  will be described in detail below.  
      In the frame header  51   n,  various kinds of information about the frame data  50   n  are stored. Specifically, the frame header  51   n  stores sync (synchronous)  51   n A (n is a natural number), which is a signal for synchronizing, SOF (Start Of Frame)  51   n B (n is a natural number) indicating the head of the frame data  50   n,  frame number  51   n C (n is a natural number) indicating that the frame data  50   n  are the n-th frame data, and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check character)  51   n D (n is a natural number), which is a signal for detecting transmission error.  
      The packet data  52   h  are data used for output processing of the audio data SA in the audio reproducer  400 A. The packet data  52   h  includes a segment-determining data area  52   h A in which information about the packet data  52   h  is stored, and an AV data area  52   h B in which information about the audio data SA to be output by the audio reproducer  400 A is stored. Specifically, in the AV data area  52   h B, divided audio data SAh (h is a natural number) as a divided data, which are a partial data of the audio data SA output from the delay unit  350 A, and data sync (Data Synchronous)  52   h E, which is a signal indicating the start of a divided audio data SAh, are stored. In the segment-determining data area  52   h A, receiver number  52   h C, which is, for example, an ID (Identification) number for identifying the audio reproducer  400 A, and segment number  52   h D as order information indicating that the divided audio data SAh are the h-th data from the head of the audio data SA are stored.  
      The packet data  53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  are the data used for output processing of the audio data SB, SC and SD in the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D. The packet data  53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  include, the segment-determining data area  53   i A,  54   j A and  55   k A stored with, same as the segment-determining data area  52   h A, various kinds of information, and AV data area  53   i B,  54   j B and  55   k B stored with, same as the AV data area  52   h B, various kinds of information such as, for example, divided audio data SBi (i is a natural number), SCj ( is a natural number) and SDk (k is a natural number) as the divided data.  
      The packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  may have such configuration that various kinds of information is not stored in each of the data areas  52   h A,  52   h B,  53   i A,  53   i B,  54   j A,  54   j B,  55   k A or  55   k B. In the following description, the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  with the configuration stored with no various kinds of information will be occasionally referred to as idle packet data  56   n.  Also, the configuration of the frame data  50   n  is not limited to the above-described configuration, but another appropriate configuration may be employed.  
      Next, the process to generate the frame data  50   n  in the packet generator  370  will be described. Here, first of all, referring to the part (A) in  FIG. 3 , the generating processing of the frame data  50   n,  in the case where all of the differential times Ta, Tb, Tc and Td are 0 msec, i.e., the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D output data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd at the signal output reference time, will be described.  
      The packet generator  370  carries out a processing to recognize whether or not at least any one of the data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd is acquired from the delay processor  350 . In this case, since the data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd are output from the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D at the signal output reference time, the packet generator  370  recognizes that the data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd have been acquired synchronously after a predetermined time elapsed from the signal output reference time. In the following description, the time after a predetermined time elapsed from the signal output reference time will be occasionally referred to as signal acquiring time. The packet generator  370  recognizes, for example, the acquired audio data SA written in the data signal Ssa, and reads out the data of predetermined data amount from the head position of the recognized audio data SA as divided audio data SA 1 . After that, data sync  521 E, receiver number  521 C and segment number  521 D corresponding to the divided audio data SA 1  are generated respectively, and packet data  521 , which store these various kinds of information, are generated. Also, the packet generator  370  recognizes the audio data SB, SC and SD written in the acquired data signals Ssb, Ssc and Ssd. And the packet generator  370  carries out the same processing as the above to generate the packet data  521 , and generates the packet data  531 ,  541  and  551  stored with the divided audio data SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  respectively.  
      Further, the packet generator  370  generates a frame header  511 . And a frame data  501 , which store the frame header  511  and packet data  521 ,  531 ,  541  and  551 , are generated, and the generated frame data  501  are timely converted to a packet signal Sp and outputted to the communication unit  310 . In the following description, the time when the frame data  501  are output will be occasionally referred to as frame output time.  
      Then, the packet generator  370  carries out the, above-described processing to generate frame data  502 , and outputs the data to the communication unit  310 , for example, 1 msec later from the frame output time. Specifically, for example, the data of the predetermined data amount are read out as the divided audio data SA 2  from the tail position of the divided audio data SA 1  in the audio data SA. And packet data  522 , which stores the read out divided audio data SA 2  and the like, are generated. Further, the packet generator  370  carries out the same processing to generate packet data  532 ,  542  and  552  stored with the divided audio data SB 2 , SC 2  and SD 2  and the like. After that, a frame header  512  is generated, and the frame data  502  stored with the generated frame header  512  and packet data  522 ,  532 ,  542  and  552 , are generated. And the packet generator  370  converts the generated frame data  502  to the packet signal Sp and outputs the signal to the communication unit  310  1 msec later from the frame output time.  
      After that, the packet generator  370  generates the frame data  503  and  504  . . . sequentially, and outputs these generated frame data  503  and  504  . . . sequentially to the communication unit  310  every 1 msec. Here, the configuration in which the frame data  50   n  are output every 1 msec is exemplified. However, the configuration is not limited to the above. Such configuration in which the frame date are output, for example, every 5 msec or 10 msec may be adopted.  
      Next, the generating processing of the frame data  50   n  in the case where at least any one of the differential times Ta, Th, Tc and Td is not 0 msec; i.e., in the case where the data signal Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd are not output synchronously from the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D will be described. Here, the following will be exemplified. That is, a case where the differential time Ta is 1 msec, the differential times Th and Td are 0 msec, the differential time Tc is 2 msec; i.e., the delay units  350 B and  350 D output the data signals Ssb and Ssd at the signal output reference time; the delay unit  350 A outputs the data signal Ssa 1 msec later from the signal output reference time; and the delay unit  350 C outputs the data signal Ssc 2 msec later from the signal output reference time.  
      The packet generator  370  carries out a processing to recognize whether or not at least any one of the data signals Ssa, Ssb, Ssc and Ssd is acquired from the delay processor  350 . In this example, since the data signals Ssb and Ssd are output from the delay units  350 B and  350 D at the signal output reference time, the packet generator  370  recognizes that the data signals Ssb and Ssd have been acquired after a predetermined time elapsed from the signal output reference time. In the following description, the time after a predetermined time elapsed from the signal output reference time will be occasionally referred to as signal acquiring time. The packet generator  370  recognizes the audio data SB and SD, which are written in the acquired data signals Ssb and Ssd, and reads out the data of predetermined data amount from the head position of these recognized audio data SB and SD as the divided audio data SB 1  and SD 1 . After that, data sync  531 E and  551 E, receiver number  531 C and  551 C, and segment number  531 D and  551 D corresponding to the divided audio data SB 1  and SD 1  are generated respectively, and packet data  531  and  551  stored with these various kinds of information are generated. Also, since the data signals Ssa and Ssc are not acquired, the packet generator  370  generates packet data  52   h  and  54   j,  in which various kinds of information are not stored, i.e., two idle packet data  561 .  
      After that the packet generator  370  generates the frame header  511 . The frame data  501 , in which the frame header  511 , the packet data  531  and  551  and two idle packet data  561  are stored, are generated, and the generated frame data  501  is converted timely to the packet signal Sp, and outputted to the communication unit  310 . In the following description, the time when the frame data  501  are output will be occasionally referred to as frame output time.  
      Then, the packet generator  370  carries out the same processing as described above; thereby, the frame data  502  are generated and output to the communication unit  310 , for example, 1 msec later from the frame output time. Specifically, the packet generator  370  carries out a processing to recognize whether or not at least any one of the data signals Ssa and Ssc, which have not been acquired from the delay processor  350 , is acquired 1 msec later from the signal acquiring time. Here, the packet generator  370  recognizes that the data signal Ssa, which is output from the delay unit  350 A 1 msec later from the signal output reference time, has been acquired. The packet generator  370  recognizes the audio data SA written in the data signal Ssa, and reads out the data of the predetermined data amount as the divided audio data SA 1  from the head position of the recognized audio data SA. And the packet data  521 , which store the read out divided audio data SA 1  and the like, are generated. Also, data of the predetermined data amount are read out from the tail position of the divided audio data SB 1  and SD 1  in the audio data SB and SD as the divided audio data SB 2  and SD 2 . And, the packet data  532  and  552 , which store these read out divided audio data SB 2  and SD 2  and the like, are generated. Further, since the packet generator  370 , which does not acquire the data signal Ssc, generates a packet data  54   j,  in which no various kinds of information is stored, i.e., one idle packet data  562 . And the frame header  512  is made to generate, and then the frame data  502 , in which the generated frame header  512 , packet data  521 ,  532 ,  552  and one idle packet data  562  are stored, is made to generate. After that, the frame data  502  are made to convert appropriately to the packet signal Sp, and the packet signal Sp is made to output to the communication unit  310  1 msec later from the frame output time.  
      Furthermore, the packet generator  370  carries out the same processing as described above to generate the frame data  503 , and outputs the data to the communication unit  310 , for example, 2 msec later from the frame output time. Specifically, 2 msec later from the signal acquiring time, the packet generator  370  carries out a processing to recognize whether or not the data signal Ssc, which have not been acquired yet, is acquired from the delay processor  350 . Here, the packet generator  370  recognizes that data signal Ssc, which are output from the delay unit  350 C 2 msec later form the signal output reference time, has been acquired. The packet generator  370  recognizes the audio data SC, which are written in the data signal Ssc, and reads out the data of the predetermined data amount as the divided audio data SC 1  from the head position of the recognized audio data SC. Thus, the packet data  541 , which stores the read out divided audio data SC 1  and the like, are generated. And the packet generator  370  reads out data of the predetermined data amount as the divided audio data SA 2 , SB 3  and SD 3  from the tail position of the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 2  and SD 2  in the audio data SA, SB and SD. After that, the packet data  522 ,  533  and  553 , which store these read out divided audio data SA 2 , SB 3  and SD 3 , are generated. And the frame header  513  is generated; and thus the frame data  503 , which stores these generated frame header  513 , packet data  522 ,  533 ,  541  and  553 , are generated. After that, the frame data  503  are converted timely to the packet signal Sp and output to the communication unit  310  2 msec later from the frame output time.  
      The packet generator  370  generates the frame data  504 , . . . sequentially, and these generated frame data  504 , . . . are output sequentially to the communication unit  310  every 1 msec. Here, the configuration in which the frame data  50   n  are output every 1 msec, is exemplified. However, the configuration is not limited to the above. For example, such configuration that the frame data  50   n  are output every 5 msec or 10 msec may be adopted.  
      Further, the packet generator  370  appropriately recognizes a reception complete signal as data reception information, which will be described later, written in the packet signal Sp based on this packet signal Sp input from the communication unit  310 . Based on the inherent information-to-device written in the reception complete signal, the packet generator  370  recognizes that the device, which has transmitted the reception complete signal, is, for example, the audio reproducer  400 A. And based on the reception frame information written in the reception complete signal, the packet generator  370  recognizes the frame data  50   n  received by the audio reproducer  400 A. And the packet generator  370  determines whether or not, for example, the reception complete signal, which is written with reception frame information indicating the fact that the frame data  501  are received, has acquired from the audio reproducer set  400  in a predetermined time. After that, when it is determined that the reception complete signal has been acquired from audio reproducer set  400 , no particular processing is carried out. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reception complete signal has failed to be acquired from the audio reproducer set  400 , the frame data  501  are converted to the packet signal Sp and outputted to the communication unit  310  again. The packet generator  370  carries out the same processing as the above on the frame data  502 ,  503 , . . . , and outputs the frame data  502 ,  503 , . . . appropriately to the communication unit  310 .  
      The audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are connected to the data transmitting device  300  via the network  200  so that various kinds of information can be transmitted and received therebetween. Since the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D have the same configuration each other, the audio reproducer  400 A will be described below.  
      The audio reproducer  400 A acquires the frame data  50   n,  which are transmitted from the data transmitting device  300 , and outputs the audio data SA appropriately based on the acquired frame data  50   n.  As shown in  FIG. 5 , the audio reproducer  400 A includes a communication unit  410 , a data storage  420 , a data reproducing unit  430  and the like.  
      The communication unit  410  is connected to the data transmitting device  300  via the network  200  as well as the data storage  420  and the data reproducing unit  430 . The communication unit  410  receives a reception signal Su from the data transmitting device  300  via the network  200 . When the frame data  50   n  are written in the received reception signal Su, the frame data  50   n  are appropriately converted to memory signals Sq and outputted to the data storage  420 . When ACK request information is written in the received reception signal Su, the ACK request information is appropriately converted to reproduction signal Se and outputted to the data reproducing unit  430 . Also, when the communication unit  410  acquires the reproduction signal Se from the data reproducing unit  430 , the communication unit  410  carries out a preset output interface to transmit the reception signal Su to the data transmitting device  300  via the network  200 .  
      The data storage  420  is connected to the data reproducing unit  430 . The data storage  420  stores the frame data  50   n  so as to be read out appropriately. As for the data storage  420 , a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), or the like may be exemplified. Also, the data storage  420  stores various kinds of programs and the like for controlling the operation of the entire audio reproducer  400 A.  
      The data reproducing unit  430  includes a various kinds of programs such as an ACK (Acknowledge) generator  431  as an confirmation information generator, a data output section  432  and a reproduction controller  433  as a reception information generator, a frame data receiver, a divided data acquiring section and a data generator.  
      The ACK generator  431  generates, so to speak, an ACK, which is a piece of information indicating the fact that ACK request information transmitted from the data transmitting device  300  has been acquired. Specifically, based on the reproduction signal Se input from the communication unit  410 , the ACK generator  431  recognizes the ACK request information written in the reproduction signal Se. And the ACK generator  431  generates ACK including information indicating the fact that the ACK request information has been acquired, the inherent information-to-device for identifying the audio reproducer  400 A and the like. After that, the generated ACK is appropriately converted to a reproduction signal Se and outputted to the communication unit  410 .  
      The data output section  432  has a sound generator such as, for example, unshown speaker. The data output section  432  is controlled by the reproduction controller  433  to output audio data SA as sounds via the sound generator.  
      The reproduction controller  433  timely reads out the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . included in the frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . stored in the data storage  420 . The reproduction controller  433  timely carries out a processing to combine these read out divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . with each other and controls the data output section  432  to output the data as the audio data SA. Specifically, the reproduction controller  433  timely reads out the frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . stored in the data storage  420  as a memory signal Sr. Based on the receiver numbers  52   h C,  52 ( h +1)C, . . . of the read out frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . , the packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . are identified and appropriately acquired. After that, based on the order indicated by the segment numbers  52   h D,  52 ( h +1)D, . . . of these acquired packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . , the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . are appropriately combined with each other and output by the data output section  432  as the audio data SA.  
      The reproduction controller  433  generates inherent information-to-device for identifying the audio reproducer  400 A and reception complete signal having reception frame information indicating the fact that, for example, the frame data  501  has been received. After that, the generated reception complete signal is timely converted to reproduction signal Se and output to the communication unit  410 . The reproduction controller  433  timely generates a reception complete signal written with reception frame information indicating the fact that the frame data  50   n  has been received and the like and timely outputs the signal to the communication unit  410 .  
      The image reproducer is connected to the data transmitting device  300  via the network  200  so that various kinds of information can be transmitted and received therebetween. The image reproducer includes an unshown communication unit, a data storage, a data reproducing unit and the like. The communication unit acquires image data transmitted from the data transmitting device  300 , and causes the data storage to store the data so as to be read out timely. The data reproducing unit timely reads out the image data stored in the data storage to output the image.  
      [Operation of AV Data Reproduction System] 
      Next, the operation of the reproduction system  100  will be described with reference to the related drawings. In the following description, a case where the delay time Da of the audio reproducer  400 A is 4 msec; the delay time Db, Dd of the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D is 5 msec; and the delay time Dc of the audio reproducer  400 C is 3 msec, will be exemplified.  
      (Frame Data Transmitting Process in Data Transmitting Device)  
      First of all, as the operation of the reproduction system  100 , the transmission process of the frame data  50   n  in the data transmitting device  300  will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the frame data transmitting process in the data transmitting device.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , a user turns ON the power supply for the reproduction system  100  to supply the power. When the power is supplied, the delay amount determiner  330  of the data transmitting device  300  generates the ACK request information, and carries out the processing to transmit the generated ACK request information to the audio reproducer set  400 ; i.e., the polling (step S 101 ). Here, the configuration in which the polling is carried out immediately after the power is supplied, is exemplified. However, the configuration is not limited to the above. For example, such configuration in which the polling is not carried out immediately after the power is supplied; but for example, when a setting input requesting to carry out the polling is made by the user, the polling is carried out, may be employed.  
      After that, the delay amount determiner  330  carries out the processing to determine whether or not the ACKs have been received from the audio reproducer set  400  (step S 102 ).  
      In step S 102 , when it is determined that the ACKs have not been received from audio reproducer set  400 , the processing returns to step S 101 .  
      On the other hand, in step S 102 , when it is determined that the ACKs have been received from the audio reproducer set  400 , the delay amount determiner  330  calculates the delay times Dz based on the necessary time from a point when the polling is carried out to a point when the respective ACKs of the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are acquired (step S 103 ). And the calculated delay times Dz are stored in the delay amount storage  320  so as to be read out timely.  
      Then, when the delay amount determiner  330  recognizes that delay times Dz have been stored in the delay amount storage  320 , the delay amount determiner  330  determines the longest delay time in the stored delay times Dz as the reference time Dx (step S 104 ). Here, 5 msec of the delay times Db and Dd is determined as the reference times Dx.  
      After that, the delay amount determiner  330  calculates the differential times Tz of the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D based on the delay times Dz calculated in step S 103  and the reference times Dx determined in step S 104  (step S 105 ). Here the differential time Ta is 1 msec; the differential times Th and Td are 0 msec; and the differential time Tc is 2 msec. And these calculated differential times Tz are stored in the delay amount storage  320  so as to be read out timely (step S 106 ).  
      After that, the data transmitting device  300  causes the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370  to generate the frame data  50   n  based on the differential times Tz stored in the delay amount storage  320  (step S 107 ).  
      Specifically, first of all, the data transmitting device  300  causes the delay amount controller  360  to generate output request information requesting to output audio data SA, SB, SC and SD at the times based on the differential times Tz. And then, the generated output request information is made to output to the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D. Here, the output request information written with the information requesting to output the audio data SA to the delay unit  350 A 1 msec later from the signal output reference time; the information requesting to output the audio data SB and SD to the delay units  350 B and  350 D at the signal output reference time; and the information requesting to output the audio data SC to the delay unit  350 C 2 msec later from the signal output reference time is generated.  
      When the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D acquire the output request information, the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D timely output the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are input to the audio input terminals  340 A,  340 B,  340 C and  340 D, to the packet generator  370  at the times based on the acquired output request information. Here, the delay unit  350 A outputs the audio data SA 1 msec later from the signal output reference time; the delay unit  350 B and  350 D output the audio data SB and SD at the signal output reference time; and the delay unit  350 C outputs the audio data SC 2 msec later from the signal output reference time.  
      When the packet generator  370  acquires the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD from the delay units  350 A,  350 B,  350 C and  350 D, the packet generator  370  generates the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . based on the times to acquire the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD. Here, since the differential time Ta is 1 msec; the differential times Th and Td are 0 msec; and the differential time Tc is 2 msec, the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . shown in the part (B) in  FIG. 3  are generated. And the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . are transmitted to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D at the intervals of, for example, 1 msec from the frame output time (step S 108 ).  
      After that, the data transmitting device  300  causes the packet generator  370  to determine whether or not the reception complete signals, which are written with the fact that the frame data  50   n  are received, have been received from the audio reproducer set  400  in a predetermined time (step S 109 ).  
      In step S 109 , when it is determined that the reception complete signals have not been received from audio reproducer set  400 , the processing returns to step S 107 . In this step S 107 , the packet generator  370  recognizes the frame data  50   n,  which at least any one device of audio reproducer set  400  has failed to receive, based on the reception complete signal. And the recognized frame data  50   n  is transmitted to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D again.  
      On the other hand, when the packet generator  370  determines that the reception complete signals have been received from audio reproducer set  400  in step S 109 , the delay amount determiner  330  determines whether or not that, for example, the time from the delay times Dz are calculated has exceeded; for example, 5 minutes of the preset time Ts (step S 110 ). Here, the configuration, in which it is determined whether or not that the time from the delay times Dz are calculated has exceeded the preset time Ts, is exemplified. The configuration is not limited to the above. Such configuration that, for example, it is determined whether or not that the time from the time when the differential times Tz are stored in the delay amount storage  320  or the time when the polling is carried out or the like has exceeded the preset time Ts, may be employed. Also, such configuration that the preset time Ts is 5 minutes is exemplified. However, the configuration is not limited to the above. For example, the preset time Ts may be set to 10 minutes or 30 minutes.  
      In step S 110 , when the delay amount determiner  330  determines that the preset time Ts is not exceeded, the process returns to step S 107 . On the other hand, in step S 110 , when the delay amount determiner  330  determines that the preset time Ts has been exceeded, the transmission time information stored in the delay amount storage  320 , i.e., the delay times Dz and differential times Tz are deleted (step S 111 ). And the process returns to step S 101  and the polling is carried out again.  
      (Frame Data Receiving Process in Audio Reproducer)  
      Next, as the operation of the reproduction system  100 , the reception processing of the frame data  50   n  in the audio reproducer set  400  will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the frame data receiving process in the audio reproducer.  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, when the audio reproducer  400 A recognizes that the ACK generator  431  has received ACK request information; i.e., a polling, which is transmitted from the data transmitting device  300  (step S 201 ), the audio reproducer  400 A generates an ACK. The generated ACK is transmitted to the data transmitting device  300  (step S 202 ). The audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D also carry out the processing from step S 201  to step S 203 .  
      After that, when the communication unit  410  receives the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . shown in the part (B) in  FIG. 3 , which are transmitted from the data transmitting device  300  (step S 203 ), the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D cause the data storage  420  to store the received frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . so as to be read out timely (step S 204 ). As described above, the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . are transmitted from the data transmitting device  300  at 1 msec intervals from the frame output time. Since the delay time Da is 4 msec; the delay times Db and Dd are 5 msec; and the delay time Dc is 3 msec, the audio reproducer  400 C receives the frame data  501 , 3 msec later from the frame output time; the audio reproducer  400 A receives the frame data  501 , 4 msec later from the frame output time; and the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D receive the frame data  501 , 5 msec later from the frame output time. After that, the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D receive the frame data  502 ,  503 , . . . sequentially every 1 msec.  
      And, for example, when the reproduction controller  433  recognizes that the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . have been stored in the data storage  420 , the audio reproducer  400 A timely acquires the divided audio data SA 1 , SA 2 , . . . stored in the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . (step S 205 ). And the reception complete signal is transmitted to the data transmitting device  300 , and the audio data SA is reproduced based on the divided audio data SA 1 , SA 2 , . . . (step S 206 ).  
      Specifically, based on the receiver numbers  521 C,  522 C, . . . , the audio reproducer  400 A acquires the packet data  521 ,  522 , . . . timely from the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . using the reproduction controller  433 . Here, since the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . as shown in the part (B) in  FIG. 3  have been received, the packet data  521  is acquired from the frame data  502 , which has been received 1 msec later from the time when the frame data  501  is received; i.e., 5 msec later from the frame output time based on the receiver number  521 C. Also, the packet data  522 ,  523 , . . . are acquired from the frame data  503 ,  504 , . . . , which are received 6, 7, . . . msec later from the frame output time. And the reproduction controller  433  acquires the divided audio data SA 1 , SA 2 , . . . based on the segment number  521 D,  522 D, . . . in the acquired packet data  521 ,  522 , . . . After that, the reproduction controller  433  carries out a processing to combine the divided audio data SA 2  with the tail position of the divided audio data SA 1 . Further, the processing to combine the divided audio data SA 3 , SA 4 , . . . with the tail position of the divided audio data SA 2 , SA 3 , . . . is carried out timely. Owing to this, following the divided audio data SA 1 , the divided audio data SA 2 , SA 3 , SA 4 , . . . are output consecutively from the data output section  432 . Further, the reproduction controller  433  timely generates the reception complete signal informing the fact that the frame data  501  has been received, the fact that the frame data  502  has been received and the like, and transmits the information timely to the data transmitting device  300 .  
      The reproduction controller  433  causes the data output section  432  to output divided audio data SA 1 , which are the header portion of the audio data SA as sounds at the time when the frame data  502  stored with the packet data  521  are acquired; i.e., at the time when, for example, a predetermined time U has further elapsed from the time 5 msec later from the frame output time. That is to say, the reproduction controller  433  starts the reproduction processing of the audio data SA at the time when 5 msec and the predetermined time U has passed from the frame output time. After that, the data output section  432  is made to output the divided audio data SA 2  combined with the tail position of the divided audio data SA 1 , the divided audio data SA 3  combined with the tail position of the divided audio data SA 2 , and the like successively. Owing to this, the audio data SA are output from the data output section  432 .  
      The audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D also carry out the processing step S 205  and step S 206 . Here, the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D also have received the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . shown in the part (B) in  FIG. 3 .  
      Owing to this, the audio reproducer  400 B acquires the packet data  531  from the frame data  501 , which have been received 5 msec later from the frame output time. And the packet data  532 ,  533 , . . . are acquired from the frame data  502 ,  503 , . . . , which have been received 6, 7, . . . msec later from the frame output time. The processing to combine the divided audio data SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 3 , . . . , which are stored in the acquired packet data  531 ,  532 ,  533 , . . . , with each other is carried out appropriately.  
      Also, the audio reproducer  400 C acquires the packet data  541  from the frame data  503 , which have been received 2 msec later from the time when the frame data  501  are received; i.e., 5 msec later from the frame output time. And the packet data  542 ,  543 , . . . are acquired from the frame data  504 ,  505 , . . . , which have been received 6, 7, . . . msec later from the frame output time, and the processing to combine the divided audio data SC 1 , SC 2 , SC 3 , . . . , which are stored in the acquired packet data  541 ,  542 ,  543 , . . . , with each other is carried out appropriately.  
      Further, the audio reproducer  400 D acquires the packet data  551  from the frame data  501 , which have been received 5 msec later from the frame output time. And the packet data  552 ,  553 , . . . are acquired from the frame data  502 ,  503 , . . . , which have been received 6, 7, . . . msec later from the frame output time, and the processing to combine the divided audio data SD 1 , SD 2 , SD 3 , . . . , which are stored in the acquired packet data  551 ,  552 ,  553 , . . . , with each other is carried out appropriately.  
      After that, same as the audio reproducer  400 A, the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D generate the reception complete signal timely and transmit the signal to the data transmitting device  300 . Also, the audio reproducer  400 B,  400 C and  400 D cause the data output section  432  to output the divided audio data SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1 , which are the header portion of the audio data SB, SC and SD, as sounds at the time when the frame data  501 ,  503  and  501 , which are stored with the packet data  531 ,  541  and  551 , are acquired; i.e., at the time when a predetermined time U has further elapsed from the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. That is, the reproduction controller  433  starts the reproduction processing of the audio data SB, SC and SD at the time when 5 msec and the predetermined time U have elapsed from the frame output time.  
      After that, for example, the audio reproducer  400 A timely deletes the frame data  501 ,  502 , . . . stored in the data storage  420  using the reproduction controller  433  (step S 207 ). And the audio reproducer  400 A determines whether or not the ACK generator  431  has received the polling again (step S 208 ).  
      In step S 208 , when it is determined that the polling has been received, the processing returns to step S 202  and an ACK is generated and transmitted to the data transmitting device  300 . And the processing from step S 203  to step S 208  is carried out.  
      On the other hand, in step S 208 , when it is determined that the polling has not been received, the processing returns to step S 203  and the audio reproducer  400 A receives the frame data  50   n  transmitted from the data transmitting device  300  using the communication unit  410 . And the processing from step S 204  to step S 208  is carried out.  
      The audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D also carry out the processing step S 207  and step S 208 .  
      According to the above-described embodiment, the data transmitting device  300  in the reproduction system  100  calculates the delay time Da of the audio reproducer  400 A as, for example, 4 msec; the delay time Db and Dd of the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D as, for example, 5 msec; and the delay time Dc of the audio reproducer  400 C as, for example, 3 msec using the delay amount determiner  330 . And based on the delay times Dz, the differential time Ta of the audio reproducer  400 A is calculated as 1 msec; the differential times Th and Td of the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D are calculated as 0 msec; and the differential time Tc of the audio reproducer  400 C is calculated as 2 msec. After that, the delay amount controller  360  generates the output request information based on the differential times Tz. And the delay processor  350  and packet generator  370  delay the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  based on the output request information and transmits the information to the audio reproducer set  400 . Specifically, the packet generator  370  transmits the packet data  531  and  551  stored with the divided audio data SB 1  and SD 1  to the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D at the time when 0 msec as the differential times Th and Td has elapsed from the frame output time; i.e., at the frame output time. Also, the packet data  521  stored with the divided audio data SA 1  is transmitted to the audio reproducer  400 A at the time when 1 msec as the differential time Ta has elapsed from the frame output time. Further, the packet data  541  stored with the divided audio data SC 1  is transmitted to the audio reproducer  400 C at the time when 2 msec as the differential time Tc has elapsed from the frame output time.  
      Accordingly, the data transmitting device  300  causes the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D to receive packet data  531  and  551  at the time when 5 msec as the delay times Db and Dd has elapsed from the time when the packet data  531  and  551  are transmitted; i.e., at the time when the 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Also, the audio reproducer  400 A is made to receive the packet data  521  at the time when 4 msec as the delay time Da has elapsed from the time when the packet data  521  is transmitted; i.e., at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Further, the audio reproducer  400 C is made to receive the packet data  541  at the time when the 3 msec as the delay time Dc has elapsed from the time when the packet data  541  is transmitted; i.e., at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. That is to say, the data transmitting device  300  causes the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  stored in the packet data  521 ,  531 ,  541  and  551  at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Accordingly, the data transmitting device  300  causes the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1 , which are the header portions of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD at the same time.  
      Also, the data transmitting device  300  acquires audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are input from the AV data output equipment, using the audio data input unit  340 . And the packet generator  370  timely transmits the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are acquired by the audio data input unit  340 , to the audio reproducer set  400 . Owing to this, since it is not necessary to provide any storage for storing the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD to the data transmitting device  300 , the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  can be simplified. Also, the cost of the data transmitting device  300  can be reduced and the data transmitting device  300  can be miniaturized.  
      The data transmitting device  300  is provided with the delay amount storage  320 , which stores the delay times Dz calculated by the delay amount determiner  330 . Using the delay processor  350  and the packet generator  370 , the data transmitting device  300  delays the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  based on the differential times Tz, which are calculated from the delay times Dz stored in the delay amount storage  320 , and transmits the data timely to the audio reproducer set  400 . Owing to this, for example, when transmitting the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD of a new music composition, the data transmitting device  300  can use the differential times Tz, which are calculated from the delay times Dz stored in the delay amount storage  320 ; thus, it is possible to eliminate the processing to newly calculate the delay times Dz using the delay amount determiner  330 . Accordingly, the processing to transmit the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  can be carried out more swiftly.  
      The data transmitting device  300  calculates the delay times Dz first using the delay amount determiner  330 , and then, determines whether or not the preset times Ts are exceeded. And when it is determined as exceeded, the data transmitting device  300  calculates the delay times Dz again. Owing to this, even when the delay times Dz have altered, the data transmitting device  300  can delay the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  based on the differential times Tz, which are calculated from the recalculated appropriate delay times Dz and transmit the data timely to the audio reproducer set  400 . Accordingly, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to carry out the processing to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  at the same time more appropriately. As for the cause why the delay times Dz alter, it is conceivable as one example. That is, for example, in such configuration that the network  200  includes a radio medium, between the data transmitting device  300  and, for example, the audio reproducer  400 A, a foreign object is disposed altering the transmission path of the frame data  50   n.    
      The data transmitting device  300  generates the ACK request information using the delay amount determiner  330  and transmits the information to the audio reproducer set  400 . And the delay times Dz are calculated from the necessary time from the time when the ACK request information is transmitted to the time when the ACK is acquired. And when the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D acquire the ACK request information using the ACK generator  431 , the ACK is made to generate and transmitted to the data transmitting device  300 . Owing to this, the delay amount determiner  330  can calculate the delay times Dz in such simple manner; i.e., by just recognizing that the necessary time from the time when the ACK request information is generated and transmitted to the audio reproducer set  400  to the time when the ACK is acquired. Accordingly, the processing to calculate the delay times Dz more swiftly. Also, the configuration of the delay amount determiner  330  can be simplified.  
      The data transmitting device  300  determines whether or not the reception complete signal, which informs the fact that the frame data  50   n  have been received, has been received from audio reproducer set  400  using the packet generator  370 . And when it is determined as not received, the frame data  50   n  are transmitted again. Also, when the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D receive the frame data  50   n  using the reproduction controller  433 , the reception complete signal is generated and transmitted to the data transmitting device  300 . Owing to this, when at least any one of the devices in the audio reproducer set  400  fails in receiving, data transmitting device  300  transmits the frame data  50   n  again. Thus, it is possible to cause the audio reproducer set  400  to reliably receive all frame data  50   n.  Accordingly, since the data transmitting device  300  causes the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive every divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk, the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD can be output without interruption  
      Using the packet generator  370 , the data transmitting device  300  generates the frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . , in which packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  54   k  stored with the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk are included, based on the differential times Tz calculated from the delay times Dz, and transmits the data to the audio reproducer set  400 . And, for example, using the reproduction controller  433 , the audio reproducer  400 A acquires the frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . transmitted from the data transmitting device  300 , and the packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . are identified from the acquired frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . After that, the reproduction controller  433  acquires divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . , stored in the packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . . Further, the audio reproducer  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are also provided with the same function as that of the audio reproducer  400 A.  
      Owing to this, with one transmission of the frame data  50   n  using the packet generator  370 , the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to acquire the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk timely and simultaneously. Accordingly, compared to such configuration that the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  stored with the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk are transmitted independently, the number of the transmission of the data can be reduced; and thus, the load of the packet generator  370  can be reduced.  
      Further, the data transmitting device  300  transmits the frame data  50   n,  in which divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk including the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD divided into plural pieces, to the audio reproducer set  400 . And for example, the audio reproducer  400 A combines the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . acquired from the frame data  50   n,    50 ( n +1), . . . , with each other, and outputs the data from the data output section  432  as the audio data SA. Further, the audio reproducers  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are also provided with the same function as that of the audio reproducer  400 A. Owing to this, since the data transmitting device  300  divides the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD into plural pieces and transmits the data to the audio reproducer set  400 , when the data transmitting device  300  recognizes that, for example, the audio reproducer  400 A has failed in receiving the frame data  50   n  stored with divided audio data SAh, the frame data  50   n  can be compensated by transmitting the recognized frame data  50   n  only again. Accordingly, when the above condition is recognized, the data amount to be transmitted again can be minimized. Also, since the data amount per transmission from the data transmitting device  300  can be reduced, for example, even when the network  200  is under congestion, the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD can be transmitted to the audio reproducer set  400  swiftly.  
      For example, the audio reproducer  400 A recognizes the order of the divided audio data SAh in the audio data SA based on, for example, the segment number  52   h D of the packet data  52   h  using the reproduction controller  433 . The divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . are combined with each other in the recognized order to generate the audio data SA. Owing to this, the reproduction controller  433  can generate the audio data SA from the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . in such simple manner as just referring to the segment number  52   h D of the packet data  52   h.  Accordingly, the processing to generate the audio data SA from the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1) . . . can be carried out more swiftly.  
      [Modification of Embodiment] 
      The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, but the following modifications are included therein within a range where the object of the present invention is achieved.  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., the audio data input unit  340  for acquiring the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are input from the AV data output equipment, is provided to the data transmitting device  300 . However, for example, the following configuration may be employed. That is, in place of providing the audio data input unit  340 , such configuration that, for example, a storage for storing the AV data is provided, and the packet generator  370  transmits the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD of the AV data stored in the storage to the audio reproducer set  400 , may be employed. By adopting the configuration as described above, the process to connect between the AV data output equipment and the audio data input unit  340  can be eliminated resulting in an enhanced user-friendliness of the data transmitting device  300 .  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., the data transmitting device  300  is provided with the delay amount storage  320  for storing the delay times Dz. However, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, in place of providing the delay amount storage  320 , for example, such configuration may be adopted; i.e., every time when the delay processor  350  and the packet generator  370  carry out the processing to generate the frame data  50   n  including new audio data SA, SB, SC and SD of a music composition, the delay amount determiner  330  calculates the delay times Dz, and the frame data  50   n  are generated based on the calculated delay times Dz. By adopting the configuration as described above, since it is not necessary to provide the delay amount storage  320  to the data transmitting device  300 , the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  can be simplified. Also, the cost of the data transmitting device  300  can be reduced as well as the data transmitting device  300  can be miniaturized. Further, since the data transmitting device  300  generates and transmits the frame data  50   n  based on the latest delay times Dz, the processing to cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  at the same time can be carried out more appropriately.  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., when the preset time Ts has elapsed after the delay times Dz are calculated, the delay amount determiner  330  in the data transmitting device  300  calculates the delay times Dz again. However, the configuration is not limited to the above, but, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, for example, the following configuration may be adopted; i.e., every time when the transmission of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD of one or plural music compositions has completed, the delay times Dz are calculated. By adopting such configuration, since the delay amount determiner  330  does not have to acquire the current time timely from the timer, the load of the delay amount determiner  330  can be reduced.  
      Further, the following configuration may be adopted; i.e., once the delay times Dz are calculated, the delay times Dz are not calculated until, for example, the power supply is turned OFF and ON again. By adopting such configuration, since it is possible to reduce the number of times when the delay amount determiner  330  is made to calculate the delay times Dz, the load of the delay amount determiner  330  can be reduced.  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., the delay amount determiner  330  in the data transmitting device  300  calculates the delay times Dz based on the necessary time from the time when ACK request information is transmitted to the time when the ACKs are received. However, the configuration is not limited to the above, but, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, for example, such configuration may be adopted: i.e., a user sets and inputs the distance from the data transmitting device  300  to the audio reproducer set  400 , and the length of a wire medium connecting the data transmitting device  300  and the audio reproducer set  400  therebetween and the like, the delay times Dz are calculated based on the input values. By adopting such configuration, it is not necessary to provide the delay amount determiner  330  with such function to generate and transmit the ACK request information. Also, it is not necessary to provide the audio reproducer set  400  with the ACK generator  431 . Owing to this, the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  and the audio reproducer set  400  can be simplified.  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., there is provided with such function that, when it is determined that the packet generator  370  in the data transmitting device  300  has not received the reception complete signal from the audio reproducer set  400 , a frame data  50   n,  which at least any one of the audio reproducer set  400  has failed in receiving, is transmitted again. However, a configuration without the above function may be adopted. By adopting such configuration, it is not necessary to provide the packet generator  370  with such function to recognize whether or not the reception complete signal has been received to transmit the frame data  50   n  again. Further, it is not necessary to provide the reproduction controller  433  in the audio reproducer set  400  with such function to generate the reception complete signal to transmit the signal to the data transmitting device  300 . Owing to this, the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  and the audio reproducer set  400  can be simplified.  
      The following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., for example, the reproduction controller  433  in the audio reproducer  400 A recognizes the order of the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . based on, for example, segment numbers  52   h D,  52 ( h +1)D . . . of the packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . And the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . are combined with each other in accordance with the recognized order to generate the audio data SA. However, for example, such configuration may be adopted; i.e., for example, the divided audio data SAh, SA(h+1), . . . are combined with each other based on the order the packet data  52   h,    52 ( h +1), . . . stored in the data storage  420  to generate the audio data SA. By adopting such configuration, for example, since it is not necessary to store the segment number  52   h D in the packet data  52   h,  the data amount of the packet data  52   h  can be reduced. Owing to this, the generation process and the transmission process of the frame data  50   n  can be carried out more swiftly.  
      Further, the following configuration has been exemplified; i.e., the data transmitting device  300  divides the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD to a plurality of divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk, and these divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk are transmitted to the audio reproducer set  400  stored with frame data  50   n.  However, for example, the following configuration may be adopted.  
      That is, in place of providing the packet generator  370 , the following configuration may be adopted; i.e., the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are delayed based on the differential times Tz and output from the delay processor  350 , are transmitted directly to the corresponding audio reproducer  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D. In such configuration also, owing to substantially the same effect as that in the above-described embodiment, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD at the substantially same time. Owing to this, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD at the substantially same time. Further, since it is not necessary to provide packet generator  370  to the data transmitting device  300 , the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  can be simplified. Furthermore, compared to such configuration that the frame data  50   n  stored with divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk are transmitted, the data amount received by the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced. Owing to this, since the capacity of the data storage  420  in the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced, the cost of the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced.  
      Further, in place of such configuration that the packet generator  370  incorporates the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  in the frame data  50   n,  the following configuration may be adopted; i.e., the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  corresponding to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are delayed and transmitted based on the differential times Tz. In such configuration also, owing to the substantially same effect as the above-described embodiment, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk at the same time. Owing to this, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1 , which are the header portion of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, at the same time. Also, since it is not necessary to provide the packet generator  370  in the data transmitting device  300  with such function to generate frame data  50   n  including the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k,  the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  can be simplified. Further, in the packet generator  370 , since the processing to generate the frame data  50   n  can be eliminated, the processing to transmit the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  can be carried out more swiftly. Also, compared to such configuration that the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  are transmitted as the frame data  50   n,  the data amount to be received by the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced. Owing to this, since the capacity of the data storage  420  in the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced, the cost of the audio reproducer set  400  can be reduced.  
      The following configuration have been exemplified; i.e., the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, which are input from the AV data output equipment via the audio data input unit  340 , are delayed by the delay processor  350  based on the differential times Tz and outputted to the packet generator  370 . However, the configuration is not limited to the above, but, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, such configuration may be adopted; i.e., in place of providing the delay processor  350 , the audio data input unit  340  and the packet generator  370  are directly connected to each other. Also, the delay amount controller  360  and the packet generator  370  are connected to each other. And the packet generator  370  acquires the output request information, which is generated by the delay amount controller  360 , and generates the frame data  50   n  including the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  based on the differential times Tz to transmit the data to the audio reproducer set  400 . Further in place of providing the packet generator  370  with the function to generate the frame data  50   n,  such configuration may be adopted; i.e., the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  corresponding to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D are delayed and transmitted based on the differential times Tz. In such configuration, owing to substantially the same effect as that in the above embodiment, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive the divided audio data SAh, SBi, SCj and SDk at the same time. Owing to this, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1 , which are the header portion of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD at the same time. Further, since it is not necessary to provide the data transmitting device  300  with the delay processor  350 , the configuration of the data transmitting device  300  can be simplified.  
      The following reproduction system  100  has been exemplified; i.e., the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD are output from each of the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D at the same time. However, the configuration is not limited to the above, but, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, in addition to the delay times Dz of the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D, the delay amount determiner  330  in the data transmitting device  300  calculates the delay time De of the image reproducer. Then, the delay amount controller  360  generates the output request information based on the delay time De and the delay times Dz. And the delay processor  350 , the packet generator  370  and the like generate packet data stored with divided image data, in which the image data are divided into a plurality of pieces, and frame data  50   n  appropriately including the packet data  52   h,    53   i,    54   j  and  55   k  based on the output request information. After that, the generated frame data  50   n  may be transmitted to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D and the image reproducer. By adopting such configuration, the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, and the image data can be output from the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C the  400 D and the image reproducer at the same time. Owing to this, the versatility of the reproduction system  100  can be further increased.  
      Further, the present invention may be applied to such configuration that control signals as data, which are transmitted from a control signal transmitting device as data transmitting device, are output from the controller as a plurality of output devices at the same time.  
      Each of the above-described functions is achieved as the programs. However, for example, the functions may be built in a piece of hardware such as a circuit board, or in one device such as IC (Integrated Circuit). Any mode of the configuration is available. When such configuration that the functions are read out from a programs or a separate recording medium is adopted, since they are easy to handle, the usage range thereof can be expanded easily.  
      Particular structures and steps for carrying out the present invention may be appropriately modified to another structure and the like within a range that the object of the present invention is achieved.  
      [Effect of Embodiment] 
      As described above, according to the above described embodiment, using the delay amount determiner  330 , the data transmitting device  300  in the reproduction system  100  performs the calculation as described below. That is, the delay time Da of the audio reproducer  400 A is calculated as, for example, 4 msec; the delay times Db and Dd of the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D are calculated as, for example, 5 msec; and the delay time Dc of the audio reproducer  400 C is calculated as, for example, 3 msec. And the packet generator  370  delays the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  based on the differential times Tz, which are calculated based on the delay times Dz, and transmits the data to the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D. Specifically, the packet generator  370  transmits the packet data  531  and  551  stored with the divided audio data SB 1  and SD 1  to the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D at the time when 0 msec as the differential times Th and Td has elapsed from the frame output time; i.e., at the frame output time. Also, the packet data  521  stored with the divided audio data SA 1  are transmitted to the audio reproducer  400 A at the time when 1 msec as the differential time Ta has elapsed from the frame output time; and further the packet data  541  stored with the divided audio data SC 1  are transmitted to the audio reproducer  400 C at the time when  2  msec as the differential time Tc has elapsed from the frame output time.  
      Owing to this, the data transmitting device  300  causes the audio reproducers  400 B and  400 D to receive the packet data  531  and  551  at the time when 5 msec as the delay times Db and Dd has elapsed from the time when the packet data  531  and  551  are transmitted; i.e., at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Also, the audio reproducer  400 A is made to receive the packet data  521  at the time when the 4 msec as the delay time Da has elapsed from the time when the packet data  521  is transmitted; i.e., at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Further, the audio reproducer  400 C is made to receive the packet data  541  at the time when 3 msec as the delay time Dc has elapsed from the time when the packet data  541  is transmitted: i.e., at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. That is to say, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to receive the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1  stored in the packet data  521 ,  531 ,  541  and  551  at the time when 5 msec has elapsed from the frame output time. Accordingly, the data transmitting device  300  can cause the audio reproducers  400 A,  400 B,  400 C and  400 D to output the divided audio data SA 1 , SB 1 , SC 1  and SD 1 , which are the header portions of the audio data SA, SB, SC and SD, at the same time.  
      The priority application Number JP2003-367038 upon which this patent application is based is hereby incorporated by reference.