Abstract: An information processing apparatus is connected to another information processing apparatus via a network and has at least one sub-unit for executing a predetermined function. A reservation is made for causing a tuner sub-unit of an IRD to receive a predetermined channel broadcast at a predetermined time and to record it on a VCR sub-unit of a DVCR via an IEEE-1394 serial data bus. Then, a controller of the IRD writes reservation information into a Resource Schedule Board (RSB) built into a Bulletin Board Subunit (BBS) of the IRD and also writes reservation information of the VCR sub-unit into a RSB built into a BBS of the DVCR. With this arrangement, double-booking is prevented.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus and method, and a receiving apparatus and method for communicating a pack of 2,048 bytes using the digital interface in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. A 4-byte time stamp is added to a 2,048-byte pack of MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)—PS (program stream) data. Also, 124 bytes of padding data is added to this pack in order that the overall byte length of data be a multiple of 16. Then the data is divided into a number of fractions which is a multiple of 2 (e.g., 32), thereby being converted into a number of data blocks equal to the number of fractions. Each data block has a byte length of a multiple of 4 (e.g., 68 bytes). A CIP header and the like are added to a predetermined number of the data blocks to form a packet.

Abstract: Between a first equipment and a second equipment connected to a predetermined bus line, it is arranged that data for setting, etc. on input selection in the first equipment is instructed from the second equipment in the form of command having a predetermined format through the bus line, thus allowing an independent remote control to be performed between the first equipment and the second equipment. Moreover, data on input selection in the first equipment is transmitted to the second equipment, so that, for example, the remote control of the input selection in the first equipment linking with the operation of the second equipment will be performed satisfactorily.

Abstract: Communication method and apparatus for allowing restriction-free transmission of various kinds of information, such as control information, among devices constituting, for example, an IEEE 1394 network. At least one of the network-linked devices is provided with a storage region to/from which data can be written/read out by any other device on the network upon transmission of a predetermined command, so that data can be transmitted throughout the network by using the storage region.

Abstract: In order to set a user information such as a nickname, memo or the like easily in an electronic appliance, text data or graphic data about the appliance entered on the basis of a specified manipulation or command is written by using a part of the descriptor which can be read out by the command conforming to a specified protocol from other appliance connected mutually through a bus, and when displaying about the appliance, the nickname, memo or the like by the text data or graphic data written in the descriptor is displayed.

Abstract: A controller of an IRD generates a provisional ID for uniquely identifying an Event within the unit. Then, an Event within the unit is read from a Resource Schedule Board (RSB), and a record ID (Event ID) of the Event is extracted. A provisional ID, which is different from the registered record IDs within the related unit, is searched for. The searched provisional ID is set to be the record ID and is combined with a global unique ID (GUID) of the unit, thereby generating an Object ID. As a result, the Object ID for uniquely identifying the Event within a bus is speedily determined.

Abstract: DVD reproducing apparatus which transmits variable-bit rate data on a digital serial bus having a predetermined transmission rate. The DVD reproducing apparatus reproduces data from a record medium in accordance with a control signal to produce variable rate data. The data rate of the variable rate data is detected at predetermined intervals of time, a rate of transmission of the variable rate data is established in accordance with the detected data rate, and the variable rate data is transmitted in accordance with the established transmission rate. The DVD reproducing apparatus includes an MPEG decoder which MPEG decodes the reproduced data and which generates the control signal in accordance with amounts of data stored within various buffers, such control signal being utilized to control the reproduction of the data from the record medium. A receiver, e.g.

Abstract: The encoded data outputted from a DVD player 1 are outputted to and decoded in the decoders 4-1 to 4-3 of digital television receivers 3-1 to 3-3 through an AV bus 5 comprising the IEEE 1394. When a command for changing a system parameter is inputted to any one of the decoders 4-1 to 4-3, the command corresponding to the change is supplied to the DVD player 1 through the AV bus 5. The DVD player 1 changes the system parameter in response to the command and outputs the system parameter to the respective decoders 4-1 to 4-3 through the AV bus 5. Thereby, the system parameter is changed not only in the DVD player but also in other components.

Abstract: A controller can newly add a BBS board type. A target device assigns a Board Type list Descriptor's list ID to SID's Root_list_ID. Initially, the target device is provided with only the Board Type list Descriptor. The Board Type list Descriptor's List_type specifies a newly defined General Board. The controller issues an instruction for creating an object to the Board Type list Descriptor. The target creates an object with child list ID accordingly. The controller writes to the Child list ID an ID value of the board type to be created, thus adding a new board type.

Abstract: Communication method and apparatus for allowing restriction-free transmission of various kinds of information, such as control information, among devices constituting, for example, an IEEE 1394 network. At least one of the network-linked devices is provided with a storage region to/from which data can be written/read out by any other device on the network upon transmission of a predetermined command, so that data can be transmitted throughout the network by using the storage region.

Abstract: In the information processing system, the user can easily grasp the names of terminals that the main information processing device possesses. By transmitting the name data showing each name of multiple terminals 13, 14, 15 that the main information processing device 4 has to the control device 2 via the predetermined communication means 8, 11, and displaying each name of each terminal that said name data shows on the display means 33 of the control device 2, the user can easily grasp names of terminals that the main information processing device 4 has.

Abstract: An apparatus controlling method for performing control between apparatuses connected to a predetermined bus line is provided. In data transmission between a first apparatus and a second apparatus, presetting of settings for inputting or outputting of data in the first apparatus is directed by a transmission of a command in a predetermined format via the bus line. Further, an identification data unique to the second apparatus is transmitted upon the transmission of the directing command, and the first apparatus stores the transmitted unique identification data when performing the presetting in accordance with the command.

Abstract: Any of the AV devices or the users of a network system to which the present invention is applied can input detailed information on a recording reservation and provide the remaining AV devices and the users with the detailed information on the recording reservations that the AV device or the user has and it is possible to realize a means to be used by any of the AV devices or the users to provide the remaining AV devices and the users with the detailed information on the recording reservations that the AV device or the user has. Such a system can effectively avoid occurrence of so-called double booking and is easy to use for the users. In a specific processing operation, raw_text_information_block containing a raw text showing details of a reservation and character_code_information_block and language code_information_block showing the coding of the raw text are described in a Resource Schedule Entry of an RSB.

Abstract: The problem is to facilitate alteration of a transmission line in the case where the target device establishes a connection on the bus and thereby secures a transmission line in order to transmit stream data in a network of the IEEE 1394 scheme or the like. Stream data outputted from an output device 1 connected to a predetermined network is received by an input device 2. When the output device or a different device has sent an order for setting so that output data of the output device 1 may be inputted to a data input section 2b of the input device 2, the input device 2 conducts input setting based on the order. In addition, when the device which sent the order has sent an order to cancel the input setting, the input device 2 conducts processing of canceling the input setting.

Abstract: Analog connections between plural electronic devices in an integrated digital network system connected via the IEEE-1394 bus can be easily recognized according to the invention. A DVHS requests an IRD, which are connected to the IEEE-1394 bus, to read the object entry which describes the object ID of an oEXT of the IRD (step 21). The IRD opens the plug descriptor stored therein (step 32). Then, the IRD reads out the contents of the object entry which describes the object ID of the oEXT from the plug descriptor opened in step 32, and transfer the contents thereof to the DVHS (step 33). The DVHS is allowed to recognize the status of analog connections from the contents of the object entry thus transferred (step 23).

Abstract: The encoded data outputted from a DVD player 1 are outputted to and decoded in the decoders 4-1 to 4-3 of digital television receivers 3-1 to 3-3 through an AV bus 5 comprising the IEEE 1394. When a command for changing a system parameter is inputted to any one of the decoders 4-1 to 4-3, the command corresponding to the change is supplied to the DVD player 1 through the AV bus 5. The DVD player 1 changes the system parameter in response to the command and outputs the system parameter to the respective decoders 4-1 to 4-3 through the AV bus 5. Thereby, the system parameter is changed not only in the DVD player but also in other components.

Abstract: In a system having a digital video disc (DVD) player and a number of presentation devices (such as a television receiver, video cassette recorder/reproducer, and so forth), the DVD player may transmit presentation data and a portion of control or navigation data obtained from a digital video disc (DVD) to a desired one of the presentation devices in an isochronous communication manner so as to enable the respective presentation device to process or decode the presentation data in accordance with the transmitted portion of the navigation data without substantial time delays (or in real time). The remaining portion of the navigation data (which is not utilized in such real time processing) may be transmitted from the DVD player to the respective presentation device in an asynchronous communication manner.

Abstract: Data that is an MPEG program stream (PS) read out from a disc is supplied to a PS/TS converter via a variable rate control section. The PS/TS converter converts the PS MPEG data into a transport stream (TS) and transmits it to a presentation device via a 1394 transmission/reception section. Data received by a 1394 transmission/reception section of the presentation device is classified by a DEMUX section. An audio decoder and a video decoder decode the TS MPEG data. D/A converters convert resulting digital data into analog signals and output the analog signals.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus and method, and a receiving apparatus and method for communicating a pack of 2,048 bytes using the digital interface in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. A 4-byte time stamp is added to a 2,048-byte pack of MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-PS (program stream) data. Also, 124 bytes of padding data is added to this pack in order that the overall byte length of data be a multiple of 16. Then the data is divided into a number of fractions which is a multiple of 2 (e.g., 32), thereby being converted into a number of data blocks equal to the number of fractions. Each data block has a byte length of a multiple of 4 (e.g., 68 bytes). A CIP header and the like are added to a predetermined number of the data blocks to form a packet.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus is provided which can reproduce data for decoding without overflowing or underflowing the decoder. Time information contained in the reproduced data is extracted, compared to a reference time and, depending upon such comparison, the reproduction and temporary holding of such data is controlled. Timing of the writing and reading of a temporary storage device (e.g. a FIFO buffer) and timing of the decoder are resettable simultaneously if discontinuous data are reproduced.