JPH11328081A - Network control system, controller and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a network control system capable of constructing an operation environment that is easy for the user to understand even if the screen size of the controller and the screen size assumed by the device are different with a simple configuration. And SOLUTION: The device has a plurality of display parts constituting an operation screen of the device, and the display parts have arrangement information indicating arrangement information indicating arrangement relation to be taken with other display parts, The controller reads the display component from the device and displays the display component on the display screen in accordance with the arrangement information, so that the screen is assumed by the device due to the influence of other display items and restrictions such as screen resolution. Even if only a display screen smaller than the size can be used on the controller and the menu of the device can not be displayed completely, by rearranging each display component according to the layout information or dividing and displaying it on multiple pages, the user can An easy-to-understand operation screen can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network control system for operating a device connected on a network through the network, and more particularly, to assist a user in operating the device by using graphics, characters, etc. on a screen. Graphical user interface (GU
The present invention relates to a device control system using I).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, graphics (icons) composed of screen display data and characters indicating the functions of devices are displayed on a TV screen, and these graphics are selected and operated by a TV remote control to control the devices. Device control systems that perform the following are now appearing. Also, using IEEE1394-1995,
Network systems for connecting digital equipment such as DVC and transmitting / receiving video / audio data have also appeared.

A conventional network control system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-149325. Hereinafter, an example of a conventional network control system will be described. AV equipment is IEEE1394
As with digital interfaces such as standards, each AV
The device is connected to another AV device by a serial bus that is periodically provided with an equal communication opportunity by a bidirectional packet communication method without switching connection.

[0004] Here, each AV device stores its own screen display data, and transmits this screen display data to the controller in response to a request from a controller (television receiver) having a graphic display function. The controller displays the screen display data. Also,
The controller has a function of inquiring data necessary for display of the connected AV device and a function of controlling a display screen based on screen display data from the AV device.

[0005] The AV device has a recording medium for storing screen display data and a function of selecting appropriate screen display data in response to an inquiry about the screen display data from the controller. In the network control system configured as described above, screen display data is stored in each device (AV device), and output in response to a display request from a controller (television receiver). (AV equipment) Display a unique graphic on the screen of the controller.

[0006]

However, the above configuration has a problem that when the screen size of the controller is smaller than the screen size assumed by the device, the device information cannot be displayed correctly. Furthermore, when displaying an operation screen for a user's operation, it is necessary to capture screen display data from a device, which has a problem that response is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention can construct an operation environment that is easy for a user to understand even if the screen size of a controller differs from the screen size assumed by a device with a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network control system capable of promptly responding to an operation.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a network control system according to the present invention, a device has a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen of the device, and the display component includes another display component. Having placement information indicating placement information indicating a placement relationship to be taken with the display component, the controller reads the display component from the device,
The display component is displayed on a display screen according to the arrangement information.

Further, the arrangement information is characterized in that it is relation information having the same information for a plurality of display components to be arranged close to each other. And the arrangement information is
This is characterized in that it is an identifier of a display component to be arranged close to.

[0010] Further, the display component has an identifier of a display component to be disposed close to each of the up, down, left, and right directions. Further, one display component has a plurality of arrangement information. The device has a plurality of display parts constituting an operation screen of the device, and a constituent part having a set of display parts among the display parts and having information indicating a display priority. The controller reads the display component and the set information from the device, and displays the display component on a display screen according to the information of the constituent set component.

Further, the constituent parts have a hierarchical structure. Also, the device
The controller has a menu consisting of a plurality of display parts indicating the operation screen of the device, the controller reads the display parts from the device, and when the size of the menu is larger than the display screen of the controller, the controller The controller rearranges the display components, divides and displays the plurality of pages smaller or equal in size to the display screen of the controller, and creates the navigation information between the plurality of pages by the controller. It is characterized by being displayed on a display screen. And a display component having operation information for changing the display of the operation screen by a user operation;
The controller has a menu consisting of a plurality of display parts that show the operation screen. It is characterized by doing.

Further, the control information is characterized in that it is an identifier indicating another display component. The device has a plurality of menus, and includes a display component having an identifier indicating another menu as operation information in the menu. Further, the device has a help menu in which an explanation of a function indicated by each display component is written, and the display component has an identifier indicating the help menu as operation information.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A network control system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a function table in this embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of devices in a network control system in this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller in the network control system according to the embodiment. Here, the configuration and operation of the network system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG.

Here, the devices described in this specification are control targets, and the controller is a device that controls these control targets. Note that a device and a controller may coexist in one device, or only one of them may be provided. Also, the device corresponds to one node on the transmission line, and the device may be configured to have a plurality of nodes in one housing.

First, in FIG. 2, 1 is a transmission path, 2 is a packet transmitting / receiving means, 3 is a synchronous data transmitting / receiving means, 4 is a device signal processing means, 5 is an asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means, and 6
Is device asynchronous data processing means, 7 is device configuration information,
8 is a function table, 9 is a device internal control means, and 15
Is a non-rewritable memory area (ROM) in which a part of the function table 8 is arranged, 16 is a rewritable memory area (RAM) in which a part of the function table 8 is arranged, 17
Denotes function information management means.

Here, the transmission line 1 is, for example, an IEEE1
394 standard (IEEE 1394-1995 and upper standards compatible therewith).
94 bus). Here, the transmission line 1 does not necessarily need to be a 1394 bus, and may use a transmission line such as an ATM, Ethernet, or infrared transmission. The packet transmission / reception means 2 has a physical and electrical interface with the transmission path 1, and also performs arbitration of the right to use the bus, cycle control for synchronous transfer, and the like. Further, the packet transmission / reception means 2 selects and receives packets on the transmission path 1 according to the destination, and transmits packets to the transmission path 1.

At the time of transmission, the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3
It manages the transfer rate (divides data) and adds headers. For example, the 1394 bus AV protocol (IEC6
1883) When using the standard, the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3
Then, a CIP (Common Isochronous Packet) header is added. Conversely, when receiving data, the received packets are rearranged in the correct order, and headers are removed.

The device signal processing means 4 receives the synchronous data from the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3 and performs signal processing according to the device. For example, if the device is a recording / reproducing device such as a digital VTR, the synchronization data is recorded on a recording medium (for example, a magnetic tape). The device signal processing unit 4 also extracts synchronous data from a recording medium, a broadcast wave, or the like, and transmits the synchronous data to the synchronous data transmitting / receiving unit 3.

The asynchronous data transmission / reception means 5 performs transaction processing of asynchronous data according to the protocol of the transmission line 1. For example, in the case of a 1394 bus,
It performs read transaction, write transaction, lock transaction processing, and the like. Here, the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 may be constituted by software. The device asynchronous data processing means 6 processes the asynchronous data received from the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 and transmits the data to an appropriate component in the device. For example, if the asynchronous data received by the device asynchronous data processing means 6 is a control code and user operation information, the validity is determined. If the asynchronous data is valid, the control code and the user are sent to the device internal control means 9. An instruction to execute a function corresponding to the operation information is issued.

Here, the control code and the user's operation information may be transmitted to the function information management means 17, and at this time, the function information management means 17 determines the validity of these,
If it is valid, it instructs the device internal control means 9 to execute the functions indicated by these. Further, when the device configuration information 7 is requested from the controller, the device asynchronous data processing unit 6 asynchronously converts the information described in the device configuration information 7 according to the request received via the asynchronous data transmission / reception unit 5 or the like. The data is transmitted to the controller via the data transmitting / receiving means 5 and the like.

Further, based on an instruction from the device internal control means 9, asynchronous data is transmitted from the components in the device to the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5. Here, the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving unit 5 and the device asynchronous data processing unit 6 may be configured as one unit. The device configuration information 7 indicates device configuration information, and is described, for example, in accordance with the rules shown in the configuration ROM of the CSR (Command and Status Registers) architecture shown in the ISO / IEC 13213: 1994 standard. When the 1394 bus is used, information on a bus supported by the device, such as whether a bus manager or an isochronous operation is supported,
It has a unit directory including information as to whether the AV protocol is supported, a unique ID which is an identifier of the device, and the like. In addition, the head address of the ROM 15 is described in the device configuration information 7 to indicate the location of the function table 8.

The function table 8 is a list of information for composing the operation screen of the device. The function table 8 includes objects necessary for operating the device, identifiers (ID) for identifying the objects, and the like. Here, each object has a hierarchical structure in a list format, and in this specification, each display component, information, and the list itself are collectively called an object.

Here, the display components are still image data such as operation buttons of a device, text data indicating functions, audio data such as sound effects, program codes including still image data and text data, and the like. The information in the function table 8 is transferred to the controller via the device asynchronous data processing means 6, the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5, etc., in response to a request from the controller on the transmission path 1.

The function table 8 includes a ROM 15 and an R
The ROM 15 stores information that is unique to the device and does not need to be frequently rewritten, that is, objects such as still image data indicating operation buttons of the device. The ROM 15 is a flash ROM
The function of the device itself can be rewritten at this time.

The R in which the function table 8 is located
In the AM 16, the controller on the transmission line 1 and the device internal control means 9 write the object via the function information management means 17 as necessary. The information written here is content information, status information, and the like. The content information is, for example, information on a program currently being broadcast (information on a program title, a title screen, theme music, an outline, performers, etc.) in the case of STB, and is recorded on a DVD disk in the case of DVD. (Information on the title, title picture, theme music, outline, performers, etc.).

The status information is, for example, in the case of a VTR, the status of the device (reproducing, rewinding,
This is an object such as a display component indicating “recording reservation”.
Further, information necessary for network control, such as identification information of a controller using this device, and the date and time of recording reservation and a channel number may be written here. The function information management means 17 stores an object identifier (ID)
And an address of the ROM 15 or the RAM 16. Further, not only the address conversion but also a new address is assigned when, for example, a data size after a certain display component is rewritten becomes large and cannot be written in the original address area.

Therefore, it becomes possible to read and write each object from the controller on the transmission line 1, the device internal control means 9 and the device asynchronous data processing means 6 with the object ID. If the addresses of the objects are known, the ROM 15 or the RAM 1
The data may be read and written using the address No. 6. further,
These components may be combined to read and write a display component or the like, or may be read and written using a relative address in the display component indicated by the ID.

The function information management means 17 manages an object ID. For example, when a new object is added, an ID which does not overlap with another object is given to this object. Conversely, the object is deleted. Invalidates the ID of this object. Further, when the display component is changed, the function information management unit 17 stores information on the changed display component (the object ID,
Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the ID and the object itself are transmitted to the controller. In this case, the controller does not need to constantly monitor the object that may change, and the processing of the controller can be reduced. It is possible to easily cope with an object indicating status information or content information that changes every moment.

The device internal control means 9 controls each component including the internal mechanism of the device. If the data received by the device asynchronous data processing means 6 is a control code indicating the operation of the device, In response to an instruction from the device asynchronous data processing means 6, the operation according to the control code is performed. The operation of the device in response to a request from the controller or the like is as follows. First, when a device is connected to the transmission line 1 or when a controller is connected to the transmission line 1, the controller first reads the device configuration information 7 of the device, checks the location of the function table 8, Read.

The device configuration information 7 includes a function table 8
And the device configuration information 7 may not have the information of the function table 8 at this time, and at this time, the controller A command for requesting the function table 8 is issued, and information of the function table 8 is obtained. At this time, a command requesting only a part of the function table 8, for example, only the display component is issued, and the display component and this I
The configuration may be such that only D is acquired.

When the control code and the user's operation information are received from the controller, the processing indicated by the control code and the user's operation information is performed according to the situation.
Here, for example, when the control code of this object is transmitted from the controller together with the operation "selection" of the user to the object of the display component indicating the function of the device, the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 Device internal control means 9 to execute the function indicated by the object
To give instructions.

As described above, the GUI from the controller is
In response to a request for (Graphical User Interface) information, the device need only present the function table 8, and the load on the device can be reduced. Also, there is no need to define commands for each function of the device by a standardization organization,
Even a device having a new function that cannot be assumed at present can easily use this new function via the transmission line 1.

Here, the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3,
Components such as the device signal processing means 4 may or may not be arbitrarily configured according to the function of the device. Further, each means may be constituted by either hardware or software. In this case, the function of the device is specified based on the operation information of the user and the control code of the object. However, it is also possible to configure so that the operation of the user is not permitted except for “selection”. Since the function of the device can be specified only by the control code of the object, the device can execute the function of the device only by the control code and reduce the size of the packet to be transmitted.

Although the control code is an object ID here, the control code may be set arbitrarily by the device. For example, the control code may be a number assigned to each type of device function and a serial number for each type. May be configured,
A unique control code used inside the device may be used. At this time, each function in the device is easily mounted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller in the network control system according to the present embodiment. Here, 10 is a controller signal processing means, 11 is a controller asynchronous data processing means, 12 is a function table management means, 13 is a function database, and 14 is a display / function selection means. Note that, in FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG.

The controller signal processing means 10 receives the synchronous data from the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3 and performs signal processing according to the controller. For example, if the controller is a video display device such as a video monitor, the controller decodes synchronous data (for example, an MPEG2 stream) and displays it on a screen. The controller asynchronous data processing means 11 processes the asynchronous data received from the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 and transmits the data to an appropriate component in the controller.

The controller asynchronous data processing means 11 transmits / receives information on devices on the transmission path 1 such as connection of a new device or removal of an existing device from the packet transmission / reception means 2 and the function table 8 of the device. Function table management means 1 received via means 5
2 Further, the controller asynchronous data processing means 11 sends asynchronous data from the components in the controller to the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 based on the instruction from the display / function selecting means 14. Here, the asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 5 and the controller asynchronous data processing means 1
1 may be configured as one means.

When the controller and the device are configured in the same device, the function of the device in the device is known by the controller, or the control inside the device is directly performed by the device internal control means 9. Has a function table 8 as a device, but does not register it in the function database 13 in the device. At this time, the location of the function table 8 may be described in the device configuration information 7 and may be registered in the function database 13 in advance.

When the controller and the device are configured in the same device, the controller signal processing means 10 and the device signal processing means 4 and the controller asynchronous data processing means 11 and the device asynchronous data processing means 6 are configured as the same. You may. Function table management means 1
2 manages the function table 8 received from the device on the transmission path 1. When information indicating that a new device is connected is received from the controller asynchronous data processing unit 11, the function table 8 of the new device is updated. An instruction is issued to the controller asynchronous data processing means 11 to read.

Next, when the function table 8 of the new device is read, the function table 8 is registered in the function database 13. When information such as the removal of an existing device on the transmission path 1 is received, the corresponding function table 8 is deleted from the function database 13. Here, the function table 8 is not deleted when the existing device is removed, but is stored in the storage means in the controller. And the function table 8 is stored in the storage means in the controller.
May be read out and registered in the function database 13, so that the connection device can be registered quickly.

The function database 13 is arranged in a rewritable memory space, and the function table 8 received from the device is configured as a database. By searching this database using the function table management means 12, each function Objects such as device information and information on each function, IDs corresponding to these objects, display parts for notifying the user of the objects, and display parts to be displayed when the user operates the display parts And control codes to be transmitted.

The function database 13 does not always need to have all the information of the function table 8 and may hold only necessary parts. The display / function selection unit 14 is a display component (video / audio / video / audio / video / audio / video
In addition to notifying the user of character information and the like, the device and the function are selected and the execution of each function is instructed according to the operation of the user.

It is also possible to display / reproduce data (for example, video and audio data) received from the controller signal processing means 10 and data received from the controller asynchronous data processing means 11. At this time, G
The UI information and the like may be displayed as an overlay on the video data received from the controller signal processing means 10, or may be displayed by switching between a GUI information display screen and a video data display screen according to a user instruction or the like.

Further, an instruction is issued to the function table management means 12 to search the function table 8, and display devices (device names, function names, display still images, etc.) indicating the devices on the transmission path 1 and the functions of the devices. Display on the screen. When the user selects a display component indicating a device, the menu of the device is read from the function table 8 and displayed on the display screen.

When the user selects a display component indicating a function, a control code corresponding to the display component obtained from the function table 8 and operation information of the user are issued through the controller asynchronous data processing means 11 or the like. The display / function selection means 14 receives the response of the device to the control code and the operation information of the user via the controller asynchronous data processing means 11, and further responds to this response with a display component change instruction from the device (for example, to change the display component). When there is a notification of the display component ID), the display component to be changed is fetched from the device in accordance with this instruction, and the display component appropriate for the current state of the device on the display screen is displayed on the display screen. Notify.

Here, the controller does not necessarily need to understand each function of the device. For example, even for a device having a new function that cannot be assumed at present, the controller displays the display component for the new function in the function table 8.
And display it on the screen to notify the user. Then, when the user understands the new function by using these display components and selects this function, the display / function selecting means 14 of the controller refers to the function table 8 and performs control corresponding to the new function. Once the code is obtained, the control code and user operation can be issued to the device to cause the device to perform the new function.
Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, the user can execute a new function that cannot be assumed at present.

Here, the synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 3,
The constituent elements such as the controller signal processing means 10 may or may not be arbitrarily configured according to the function of the controller. FIG. 4 shows a system configuration of the network control system of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, 21 is a television, 22 is a remote controller for the television, and 23 is a personal computer (P
C), 31 is a recordable / reproducible DVD, 32 is a DV digital VTR (DVC), 33 is a VHS digital VTR (DVHS), 34 is a DV digital movie (DVC movie), and 35 is CS digital broadcasting , Etc., and these are collectively referred to as video / audio / information equipment.

These video / audio / information devices are connected by a transmission line 1 to form an AVC system. It should be noted that the video / audio / information devices are not limited to the above-mentioned devices only, but include all the current devices (for example, printers and mini-discs, etc.) in the fields of video, audio and information, and all devices that will appear in the future. It is a thing. Here, the television 21
Is a device comprising a controller and devices (terrestrial tuner, video monitor), and the user gives an instruction to the display / function selecting means 14 using the remote controller 22. PC2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a device including a controller and a device (a modem for interfacing with a telephone line, a video monitor, and the like).
An instruction is given to the function selecting means 14.

Here, the television 21 and the PC 23 are defined as a device in which the device and the controller are integrated, and among the device functions in the device, the functions that can be used from other devices are described in the function table 8, and Does not register its own function in the function database 13 of the controller section. Note that the television 21 and the PC 23 are defined as a device including each device and a controller, and each device in the device has a function table 8. The function database 13 of the controller in the device includes the function table 8 in the device. May be registered.

The DVD 31 and the DVC movie 34
It is a device that can record and reproduce V data. Also, DV
C32 and DVHS33 are devices including a device capable of recording and reproducing AV data and a device having a digital broadcast tuner function. The STB 35 is a device having a tuner function for receiving CS digital broadcasting.

Here, DVD 31, DVC 32, DVH
The S33, the DVC movie 34, and the STB 35 are devices. However, even if the size is small, an environment in which other devices can be operated with a liquid crystal panel or the like is realized, and a user selects a function of another device with a touch panel or a remote controller. If the above operation can be performed, a device including a controller and a device may be used.

These devices include a processing function as a controller and have a remote controller for the devices. Only a display and a sound are displayed on a monitor by analog connection or the like. It is also possible to configure so as to be operated by a remote controller. At this time, this device may be a device including a controller and a device. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a function table according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a device information component;
Reference numeral 51 denotes a constituent assembly part, and reference numeral 52 denotes a display part. here,
Each component is composed of an object in the form of a list, and a data object (text object, still image object, etc.) having no child objects and a list are collectively called an object.

Each object has an identifier (ID) for identifying each object, type information indicating the type of the object, attribute information indicating whether the object has a child object or the like, and size information indicating the size of the object. Etc. in the header portion. Each object indicates a child object by ID information in an entry described in the list.

Note that an object having a small data amount, such as a text object, may be described in the entry part of the list. It is also assumed that unique information of each list is described in a header or the like in each list, and unique information of a data object is described in an entry. The unique information may be described in either the object or the entry.

The device information component 50 is a component indicating device information. The device information list in the device information component 50 includes a protocol and a command type supported by the device, and a device obtained by encoding the type of the device. Type, version information of this device, etc. are described as original information. The device type is, for example, an AV / C Digital Interface Command Set (AV / C) discussed in 1394TA (1394 Trade Association).
It may be a code or character string indicated by subunit_type of (C-CTS).

It should be noted that the device information component 50 can also have information of the function table 8 itself, such as the support level and size of the function table 8 and the maximum transfer amount that can be sent in one asynchronous transfer of this device. It may be described as original information. Here, these pieces of information may be described in the device information list, or a route list may be created as a parent list of the device information list and described here.

At this time, the controller operates the function table 8
Before reading all the data, the controller determines, for example, whether it is of a level that can be supported, how much memory space should be secured, how much transfer amount should be transferred at a time, etc. By just looking at this part, it is possible to make a decision, and wasteful transfer can be eliminated.

Further, the device information component 50 may be configured so as to be directly readable and writable from the controller via the transmission line 1 as a part of the device configuration information. The device information component 50 also has device user interface information, such as a device name in which the name of the device is represented by a character string, a model name in which the manufacturer indicates a model number of the product in a character string, and the like. Display components 52 are arranged, and each of them is one text object.

Further, here, as a still image object, there is a display component 52 such as a still image object indicating a device such as a device icon. These text objects, still image objects, and the like have entries in the device information list. Here,
It may have an audio object and arrange data such as music indicating this device.

Note that a pseudo moving image composed of a plurality of still images may be used instead of a still image object. At this time, it is possible to construct an operation screen that is more familiar to the user. The pseudo moving image can be used as a substitute for a still image in the function menu 51, the display component 52, or the like. Here, it is assumed that each object has an entry in the device information list. However, for objects having the same purpose, a list may be defined and the list may have an entry. Furthermore, G
Classification of UI (display, selection, operating, in use, error, etc.)
Alternatively, each of them may be configured to have a list. At this time, a display that is more understandable to the user can be provided.

Next, the function menu 51 indicates a menu which is a set of display components 52 indicating the functions of the device, and is composed of a function menu list. The function menu list is linked from the entry in the device information list, and has an entry of the display component 52 for the operation screen and for indicating the list itself. It should be noted that the function menu 51 may be directly accessible without being traced from the device information list entry by, for example, determining the ID of the function menu list in advance. Here, the display components 52 for the operation screen and for indicating the list itself are arranged using the display component list, and the entry and the operation (display, identification, , Control, etc.) or a flag indicating whether or not this function may be lost dynamically.

Then, the data object is arranged in the display component list indicated by the display component entry. In addition,
Here, each display component 5 is directly used without using the display component list.
2 may be arranged in the function menu list. At this time, a flag indicating the purpose is displayed in each display component 52.
It is also possible to describe in the entry of.

Further, the function menu list also has information for composing the operation screen of the device, and the screen size assumed by the function table 8 and information such as background color and background pattern are included in the header as unique information. And so on. On the other hand, a data object (text, still image, or the like) indicating the function menu list itself has an entry directly in the function menu list.

A display component list may be used for a data object indicating the list itself. The information indicating the list itself may be distinguished from other data objects and the display components 52 by using a flag or the like. The display component 52 includes an icon, a button, a slider,
This is a component for displaying a check box, a text entry, and the like.
Information required for each display component 52 (for example,
Variable range, step value, initial value, etc. for a slider)
It has unique information such as

The display component list has entries of text objects, still image objects, and the like. In these entries, flags indicating the types (formats) of texts and still images, sizes of still images, and the like are provided. ,
Further, the data object has unique information such as position information on the screen indicated by a relative position with respect to the menu assumed by the device.

Further, in each display component list, for the display components 52 closely related to each other in terms of function or screen design, the same information (for example, the same value) is used as the placement information indicating the relationship between the display components. As related information. That is, when the screen size assumed by the function table 8 of the device is larger than the screen size of the controller, the controller cannot display the display screen shown in the function table 8 as it is. The controller rearranges the arrangement of the parts 52,
Divide and display multiple pages.

At this time, the plurality of display components 52 having a close relationship have relationship information having the same information (value) and belong to one display group to be arranged close to the display component 52. Then, according to this relationship information, the display components 52 belonging to the same display group are arranged close to each other in one page. Here, the display component 52 having a close relationship is, for example, V
Used as a pair such as a play button and a stop button of a TR, an up button and a down button of a TV channel, a 10 key indicating a TV channel and a TV aspect switching key (4: 3, 16: 9) , Letterbox, full-screen display, etc.), or one that is easier for the user to understand when placed close to the screen design.

It is up to the device manufacturer to determine which display component 52 is to be arranged close to this relationship information. Note that this related information may be described in the header as unique information. Further, this relationship information does not need to be possessed by all the display components 52, and is added only to the display components 52 belonging to any of the display groups to be arranged close to each other.

Even in the case of a new function that cannot be assumed at present, a still image or the like indicating the new function is arranged as the display component 52, so that the data of the new function is transmitted to the controller and is transmitted to the user. Can provide information about this new feature. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the network control system according to the first embodiment, and the control operation of the controller and the device will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, when a device is connected to the transmission line 1, the controller on the transmission line 1 recognizes a new device by bus reset or the like in the case of a 1394 bus, for example. Function table 8 from the new device through the transmission path 1
And reads and registers this function table 8 in the function database 13 of the controller.

Here, each function table 8 is distinguished by a unique ID or the like unique to each device, and has a list structure having an entry for each device. Here, the function table 8
May be read at once, or only a part of the function table 8 may be read. Further, the data may be read for each object or list. Here, if the controller does not have a sufficient memory area, for example, when a device is newly connected, the device information component 50
Just read in. That is, each component in the function table 8 does not necessarily have to physically have a link (association between an entry and an entity) as shown in FIG.

For example, the IDs of the device information list and the function menu list may be determined in advance, and the controller may directly access using these IDs. May be obtained and accessed. In the controller, each display component 52 is distinguished by a unique ID unique to the device and an ID of the display component 52 attached to the device.

It should be noted that the controller operates the I
D may be newly added, and the controller may have a conversion table between the new ID and (the unique ID of the device + the ID assigned to the device). The function table 8 includes a display component 52 having an ID. The display / function selection unit 14 refers to the function table 8 (or a part of the function table 8) in the function database 13 through the function table management unit 12.

When the display / function selection means 14 displays a list of devices connected to this controller,
The display / function selection unit 14 is a function table management unit 12
The data objects (text objects, text objects, etc.) in the device information component 50 are extracted from the function tables 8 of all the devices registered in the function database 13 by using
(A still image object, etc.) and displays them on the screen.

Further, it is not necessary to display all the data objects of the device information component 50 on the screen, and they may be appropriately selected and displayed. Here, if there is an audio object in the device information component 50, it is not used when displaying the device list. For example, when a new device is connected while the device list is already displayed. The still image object of the new device is displayed, and if there is an audio object, the audio object is reproduced.

Next, when the user selects, for example, a still image object of a device by using a pointing function (for example, a cross key) of the remote controller, the display / function selecting unit 14 uses the function table managing unit 12. From the function table 8 of this device, the display component 5 is displayed from the function information list of each function described in the function menu list.
2 is read, and display components 52 corresponding to the respective functions are displayed on the screen. As a result, it is possible to display the display component 52 indicating all functions of the device on the screen.

Here, the identification of each display component 52 is also performed by the unique ID of the device and the ID of each display component 52. Here, since the display component 52 is provided for each function, there is a sufficient place to display the display component 52 of all functions due to the influence of other display items (display of a plurality of devices) and restrictions on screen resolution. Can be flexibly dealt with by dividing and displaying a plurality of pages using the related information.

Further, when the display screen is small, it is possible to display only the text data using the text data of each display component 52. That is, since each device has the display component 52 for each function, the controller can have the final determination right of screen display, and flexible display is possible. Next, when the user selects, for example, the display component 52 indicating the playback function of the device by the pointing function of the remote controller, the display /
The function selecting means 14 is provided with the display component 5 attached to the device.
2 is transmitted as a control code to the device together with user operation information (for example, “select”). That is, the display component 52 is operated by a cross key indicating up, down, left and right of the remote controller.
Even when the cursor is moved upward and the selection button is pressed and then released, the ID (control code) of the display component 52 and the operation information ("selection") of the user are transmitted to the device.

Further, it is also possible to send more detailed user operation information to the device. By operating the remote controller or the pointing device, the display component 52 is "pressed", "released", and "pressed twice". When such an operation is performed, it is also possible to send such operation information to the device. Here, the operation information of the user is coded and displayed on the display component 52.
May be sent together with each other, or each may be sent as one command (operand is a control code such as the ID of the display component 52).

With the configuration described above, in this embodiment,
Since the ID of the display component 52 was used as the control code,
There is no need to define a special control code such as a command corresponding to the function by a standardization organization or the like, and all functions of the device can be controlled with a simple configuration. When the user selects, for example, the display component 52 indicating the playback function of the device, the display / function selection unit 14 displays the playback image from the device on the screen when a normal response is returned from the device. indicate. At this time, if the device wants to change the display component, the device changes the display component 52 to be changed.
Send D to the controller. Therefore, the controller knows that the display component 52 of this ID has been changed, takes in the display component 52 of this ID from the device, and overwrites and displays the display component 52 of that ID.

Therefore, for example, when the reproduction of the VTR is executed, the display component 52 indicating the state of the VTR is displayed.
Can be rewritten by the instruction of the device,
A display indicating the reproduction of the TR can be performed. In addition,
Here, when the device wants to change the display component, the data of the display component 52 (including text data and still image data) may be transmitted to the controller together with the ID of the display component 52. Also, instead of display component units,
The ID or the ID and data may be transmitted to the controller in data object units.

If the control code transmitted by the controller is not received by the device for some reason, the display / function selecting means 14 informs the device that the control code has not been received in response to the transmitted control code or the like. By detecting and displaying the display component 52 that the controller independently has (for example, a large display at a conspicuous position such as the center of the screen), the user is notified that the control has failed.

In this embodiment, the relation information is used as the arrangement information. However, the identifiers of other display parts to be arranged close to each other may be mutually included as the arrangement information. When the number of display parts to be displayed is large, the number of identifiers included in the display parts increases, but the same effect can be obtained.
Further, for one display set including a plurality of display parts to be arranged close to each other, each display part has only one identifier of another display part to be arranged close to the display set as arrangement information, and When the components are arranged close to each other, the display group to be arranged close may be indicated by sequentially following the identifier described in the arrangement information, and the processing of the controller increases, but the same effect is obtained. Can be At this time,
The last display component in the display set has, as the placement information, an identifier indicating the end of the display set instead of the identifiers of the other display components.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the device has a plurality of display parts constituting the operation screen of the device, and the display parts indicate the arrangement relationship to be taken with other display parts. The controller reads the display component from the device and displays the display component on the display screen in accordance with the layout information, thereby controlling the influence of other display items. Due to restrictions on screen size and screen resolution, only display screens smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, each display component is rearranged according to the layout information Alternatively, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand can be provided by dividing the display into a plurality of pages.

The arrangement information is related information having the same information for a plurality of display components to be arranged close to each other, and for one of a display set including a plurality of display components to be arranged close to each other, Having one arrangement information, and each display component having this arrangement information, it is easy to define the arrangement information, and the arrangement information of the display parts can be described with additional information having a small data amount. At the same time, even when a large number of display components are instructed to be arranged close to each other, the arrangement information can be easily described with additional information having a small data amount.

(Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a display component showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the components other than the display components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description will be omitted. In FIG. 6, the display component 52 in the function table 8 has a plurality of pieces of related information indicating arrangement information of each display component on the screen. Here, the first relationship information is relationship information 1, the second relationship information is relationship information 2, and the third relationship information is relationship information 3, and each relationship information has a different value.

Here, when there is only one piece of related information, the value is described in the related information 1, but not in the related information 2 and 3. At this time, the relationship information 2 and 3 may be omitted, or an invalid value may be described. Further, a flag or the like indicating the related information may be added, and this may be distinguished from other entries or the like. Similarly, when there are two pieces of related information, different values are described in the related information 1 and the related information 2, but not in the related information 3. That is, the relationship information has meaning only in the value, and the description position such as whether it is described in the relationship information 1 or the relationship information 2 has no meaning.

It is also easy to give priority to the value of the related information. For example, it is defined that the smaller the value of the related information is, the higher the priority is. When the controller displays these display components 52, it is possible to display the display component 52 having the relationship information with a small value on the first page of the display screen.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the display component of this embodiment and the related information. FIG. 7A shows the VTR 3
The two display components 52 indicate “play”, “stop”, and “record”. The display component 52 of “play” has the value of the related information “01”, and the recording “02” and “stop” , "01" and "02".
In other words, “play” and “stop” should be arranged close to each other and belong to the display set 01. “Stop” and “Recording” are also to be arranged close to each other and belong to the display group 02.

FIG. 7B shows an example where the screen size of the controller is larger than or equal to the screen size assumed in the function menu 51 of the function table 8 of the device. At this time, the controller displays each display component 52 on the screen as instructed by the function menu 51 and the display component 52 in the function table 8. FIG.
(C) and (d) are examples in which the screen size of the controller is smaller than the screen size assumed in the function menu 51 of the function table 8 of the device.

Here, this controller has two
It is assumed that only one button (still image) can be displayed. The controller detects from the screen size information and the like in the function menu 51 that the function menu 51 cannot be displayed as instructed by the device, and divides each display component 52 into a plurality of pages to display. At this time, the relation information is used when determining which display component 52 is to be allocated to which page. That is, since "play" and "stop" belong to the display set 01, they should be arranged close to each other, and the value of the relation information is smaller than the others.

As a result, it is determined that the priority is the highest, and “reproduction” and “stop” are displayed on the first page.
Since "stop" and "recording" belong to the display group 02 and should be arranged close to each other, the "stop"
And "Record" are displayed. Here, switching of each page is performed by a screen scroll key or the like of a remote controller. As mentioned above,
According to the present embodiment, there is a large number of display components belonging to a display group to be displayed close to each other by setting the placement information to the related information having the same information for a plurality of display components to be placed close to each other. Even if there are multiple display sets in one menu or multiple menus, there are multiple sets of display components to be used. Due to restrictions on screen size and screen resolution, only display screens smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, each display component is rearranged according to the layout information Alternatively, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand can be provided by dividing and displaying a plurality of pages.

Further, since one display component has a plurality of pieces of arrangement information, when there are a plurality of display components to be arranged close to one display component, that is, when one display component has a plurality of display information, Even when belonging to a set, the arrangement information can be easily described. Also, due to the influence of other display items and restrictions on screen resolution, etc., only the display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, When each display component is divided and displayed on multiple pages according to the information, displaying one display component multiple times makes it possible to always display closely related display components close to one screen. Thus, it is possible to provide an operation screen which is easy for the user to understand and has good operability.

(Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a display component showing a third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the components other than the display components are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description will be omitted. 8, the display components 52 in the function table 8 have identifiers (for example, IDs) of other display components 52 to be arranged in four directions, up, down, left, and right.

Here, the identifier of the display component 52 to be arranged close to the upper direction is described in the upper arrangement identifier.
The identifiers of the display components 52 to be arranged close to each other in the downward direction, the right direction, and the left direction are respectively described in the downward arrangement identifier, the right arrangement identifier, and the left arrangement identifier. Here, for example, when only the right placement information is included, the identifier of the display component 52 to be displayed is described in the right placement identifier, and is not described in the upward identifier, the downward identifier, and the left identifier. At this time,
The upward identifier, the downward identifier, and the left identifier may be omitted, or an invalid value may be described. Further, a flag or the like indicating relational information is added to distinguish it from other entries and the like. Is also good. Therefore, when only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, as the placement information, the identifier of the display component to be placed close to the device is used, and each display component is rearranged according to this placement information. Alternatively, by dividing the display into multiple pages, it is easy to define the placement information, and the controller can directly detect the display parts to be placed close to each other and easily display the display parts to be placed close to each other on the display screen become. Further, by having the identifiers of the display components to be arranged close to each other in the up, down, left, and right directions, it is possible to more finely specify a display method such as rearrangement of the device or division into a plurality of pages. It is also possible to give priority to the value of the related information. For example, each arrangement information is distinguished by a flag, and it is defined that the closer the description position of the identifier indicating the arrangement information to the header is, the higher the priority is. When a controller having a screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device displays these display components 52, the display position of the identifier indicating the layout information is the display component 5 having the layout information close to the header.
2 may be displayed on the first page of the display screen with priority.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to define the placement information by using the placement information as the identifier of the display component to be placed close to the controller. Display components to be detected can be easily displayed on the display screen, and the display size should be smaller than the screen size assumed by the device due to the influence of other display items and restrictions on the screen resolution. Even if only the display screen can be used on the controller and the device menu can not be displayed completely, the operation screen that is easy for the user to understand by rearranging each display component according to the layout information or dividing and displaying it on multiple pages Can be provided.

Further, since the display component has an identifier of the display component to be arranged close to each of the upper, lower, left, and right directions, the device can specify the display method more finely, and the display size is smaller than the screen size assumed by the device. Even if the controller has only a screen, it is easy to convey the intention of the device menu creator to the user. (Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a function menu and constituent components showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here, the device information component (not shown) and the display component (not shown)
The description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the display component does not have to have the arrangement information.

In FIG. 9, the function menu 51 in the function table 8 (not shown) is composed of a function menu list and has a configuration set entry. This configuration set entry points to the configuration set list. Here, the controller can directly access the configuration set list by previously determining the identifier (for example, ID) of the configuration set list or by communicating with the controller and the device to obtain the identifier of the configuration set list. It is good.

The constituent assembly part 55 indicates a set of display parts 52 in the function menu 51, and is a set of display parts 52 (display parts A and B) closely related from a functional or design standpoint. It is. This constituent assembly part 5
5 is configured using a configuration set list, and the configuration set list includes display components 52 (display component A, display component B and text object, static Picture object) entry.

Here, the display component 52 for showing a part of the operation screen is arranged using the display component list (FIG. 1 or FIG. 8), and the entry of each display component 52 includes A flag indicating the purpose or operation (for display, identification, control, etc.) or a flag indicating whether there is a possibility that this function may be lost dynamically may be added. Here, the display component list does not need to have the arrangement information.

Then, the data object entry is arranged in the display component list (FIG. 1 or FIG. 8) indicated by the display component entry. Here, instead of using the display component list, the entry of each data object (text object, still image object) may be directly arranged in the constituent set list. It is also possible to describe in the entry.

On the other hand, data objects (texts, still images, etc.) indicating the constituent set list itself have entries directly in the constituent set list. Note that a display component list may be used for a data object indicating the list itself. The information indicating the list itself may be distinguished from other data objects and the display components 52 by using a flag or the like.

Further, the component set list also has information for composing the operation screen of the device, and the screen size and the position information for the function menu 51 necessary for displaying the component set component 55, and the background color And information such as background pattern and the like as unique information in a header or the like. further,
The configuration set list has information indicating the priority when the controller displays the configuration set components. For example, it is defined that the smaller the value of the priority is, the higher the priority is. When a controller having a screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device displays the function menu 51 of the device, the smaller priority is assigned to the device. Is displayed on the first page of the display screen.

As shown in FIG. 9, there may be a plurality of constituent parts in the function menu 51, and there may be a display part 52 which does not belong to the constituent parts. Here, the function menu 51 indicates a VTR menu,
The constituent assembly part 55 has the display part 52 of the deck part of the VTR as a part thereof. The display component 52 having an entry in the configuration set list is a component for displaying an icon, a button, a slider, a check box, a text entry, and the like, as in the first embodiment. In addition, the type of the display component 52,
Each display component 52 has unique information such as information necessary for the display component 52 (for example, in the case of a slider, a variable range, a step value, an initial value, and the like).

The display component list includes entries such as text objects and still picture objects. In the entries, flags indicating the type (format) of the text and the still picture, the size of the still picture, etc. ,
Further, the data object has unique information such as position information on the screen, which is indicated by a relative position with respect to the constituent parts assumed by the device.

Here, the position information on the screen is provided in the entry of each data object, but may be provided in the entry of the display component list. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment. The function menu 51 shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which the screen size of the controller is larger than or equal to the screen size assumed in the function menu 51 of the function table 8 of the device.

At this time, the controller operates the function table 8
Each display component 52 is displayed on the screen as instructed by the function menu 51, the constituent assembly component and the display component 52.
Here, the data object (still image and text data) indicating the function menu 51 itself is displayed as a title on the screen of the controller, but the data object indicating each component group 55 itself is not displayed. Further, for example, by enclosing the display component 52 belonging to one component collective component with a rectangle or the like, it is not displayed that each display component 52 belongs to the component collective component 55.

In the case where it is possible to display a data object indicating the constituent assembly part 55 itself or to indicate that each display part 52 belongs to the constituent assembly part 55, it is possible to provide a display that is easy for the user to understand. Is the constituent assembly part 5
5 or a data object may have a flag indicating that these are displayed. FIG. 10B and FIG.
This is an example when the screen size of the controller is smaller than the screen size assumed in the function menu 51 of the function table 8 of the device. Here, this controller is 1
It is assumed that only the constituent parts indicating the deck of the VTR can be displayed on the screen.

The controller cannot display the function menu 51 as instructed by the device due to the screen size information in the function menu 51 and the size of the component parts in the component parts, but it can display it in units of component parts. Is detected, and a page is created and displayed for each component. At this time, it is determined which component collective part is to be allocated to which page based on the priority order in the component collective part. Then, the controller allocates the components to the pages in ascending order of the constituent parts having the highest priority. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the menu of the deck unit of the VTR having the highest priority is displayed on the first page.

Here, navigation information notified to the user by an icon indicating “next menu” (FIG. 10B)
"Next menu" and (c) "previous menu")
Are uniquely added by the controller. As described above, when the device displays the menu specified by the function menu 51 on a plurality of pages, the controller independently creates navigation information such as icons and scroll bars for displaying the next page and the previous page, Display on the display screen.

Here, it is also possible to provide a key indicating UP or DOWN of the page in a pointing device such as a remote controller, and control the displayed page of the operation screen with these keys. Further, on the display screen of the controller, a data object (still image and text data) indicating the constituent assembly part 55 itself is used as a title.

When the user clicks on the icon indicating "next page" on the operation screen shown in FIG. 10B, the controller displays the screen display / function selecting means 14.
This operation is detected, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), a component assembly (VTR tuner) indicating the next priority is displayed on the screen. Here, the icon and the text data indicating the “previous menu” are those that are uniquely displayed by the controller.

Although not shown, the display parts 52 which do not belong to the constituent parts are displayed on the page after all the constituent parts. Note that the display component 52 that does not belong to the constituent aggregate component may have a flag indicating the priority order,
At this time, even if the display part 52 does not belong to the constituent parts,
It can be displayed on the display screen with an appropriate priority. In addition,
In this embodiment, the constituent component has priority information. However, the component collective component may also be used as an identifier (for example, ID) of the component collective component. It can also be handled, and a similar effect can be obtained.

It is also possible to use the constituent assembly parts 55 hierarchically, and another constituent assembly part 55 may be provided in the constituent assembly part 55. At this time, the display components 52 can be further finely divided, and the display size of the controller can be more flexibly dealt with. Further, similarly to the first, second, and third embodiments, the arrangement information indicating the arrangement relationship that the constituent assembly part 55 should take with other constituent assembly parts 55 (the arrangement information indicating the close arrangement).
May be used, only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller. By dividing the display into a plurality of pages, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand and has good operability can be provided.

As described above, according to the present invention, a device is composed of a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen of the device, and a component assembly component representing a set of some display components among the display components. The controller reads the display component and the aggregation information from the device, and displays the display component on a display screen according to the information of the constituent assembly components, thereby affecting the influence of other display items and the screen resolution. Due to such restrictions, only the display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, it can be divided and displayed on multiple pages according to the component set information. Thus, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand can be provided. Further, the menu creator of the device can create a menu assuming a plurality of screen sizes, and can communicate the intention of the menu creator to the user even for controllers having different screen sizes. In addition, the controller can handle display components in units of constituent assembly components and display them on the screen, thereby simplifying the processing.

Further, since each constituent component has information indicating the display priority, even if the controller has only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device, the controller is important information for the user. Can be displayed on the screen in order from the beginning, and a display screen that is easy to see and use can be realized. In addition, the menu creator can freely design the optimal design for one screen size, and the appearance of each screen for another screen size, in particular, The design can be performed in consideration of the relation with the page.

Since the constituent parts have a hierarchical structure, a menu creator can create a device menu assuming many screen sizes, and
For many screen sizes, the controller can each display an appropriate menu screen. Further, the device has a menu including a plurality of display components indicating an operation screen of the device, the controller reads the display components from the device, and the size of the menu is larger than the display screen of the controller. In this case, the controller divides and displays a plurality of pages smaller or equal in size to the display screen, and creates navigation information between the plurality of pages by the controller and displays the navigation information on the display screen. Due to the influence of other display items and restrictions on screen resolution, etc., only a display screen smaller than the expected screen size of the device can be used on the controller and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, By dividing the display into pages, it is possible to provide a user-friendly operation screen. Furthermore, since the controller has the initiative in creating the navigation information between the plurality of pages, it is possible to easily cope with controllers having various display screen sizes.

(Fifth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a display component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Here, the components other than the display components are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description will be omitted. In FIG. 11A, a display component 52 in a device function table 8 (not shown) has operation information indicating information such as movement of a cursor in a display screen and switching of a display screen. In the present embodiment, the device has a plurality of menus, and the operation information of the display component indicating “Menu 1” is an identifier (for example, ID) of a menu different from the “Main Menu” to which the display component belongs. It is. Here, on the function table 8, the plurality of menus have an entry as the function menu 51 in the device information list or the function menu list of FIG. 1, and it is possible to read from the device to the controller using this information. .
Note that it is not always necessary to adopt the configuration of the function table 8 as shown in FIG. 1, and it is possible to determine the IDs of a plurality of function menus 51 in advance or to make an inquiry to a device. The function menu list indicating the menu may be directly read without following the entry of the above. When reading the "main menu", the controller displays the "menu 1" display component 52 having an entry in the function menu 51 indicating the "main menu".
11 (a) as shown in FIG. 11 (b).
Are displayed. Here, the display components 52 other than “Menu 1” are the same as those shown in the display component 52 of FIG. 1, but need not have the related information. The display component list may be read individually by reading only the function menu list first and acquiring the ID of the display component 52 described in each entry. In the main menu shown in FIG. 11B, when the display component 52 (for example, an icon) of “Menu 1” is selected (the cursor is on this display component, and the selection key of the remote control 22 is pressed in this state). 11), the menu 1 shown in FIG. 11C is displayed on the screen of the controller. Here, the displayed menu is a submenu that assists the main menu.
In addition, each display component of the device has a help menu showing a description of the function of each display component, and each display component has operation information to the help menu as an identifier of the help menu, and each display component has a cursor. When the help button of the remote controller 22 is pressed in a state where there is, a help menu for each display component may be displayed on the screen, and the user can easily display the explanation of each function and each menu, An easy operation screen can be provided. Here, the operation information for the help menu is distinguished from other operation information by a flag or the like indicating the operation information for the help menu. Therefore,
With a simple configuration, the menu creator can create a menu assuming the user's operation, so that an easy-to-use operation screen can be provided to the user. Furthermore, by reading a plurality of menus in advance by the controller, it is not necessary to read the information on the display screen from the device every time the user operates, so that the display screen can be changed quickly. In this embodiment, the display screen of the controller is switched and displayed. However, the main menu and the menu 1 are displayed in an overlapped manner or the like, and the menu 1 is activated (a state in which the user can operate the menu 1). ), Or the main menu may be reduced, and the menu 1 may be displayed and activated in an empty space. Further, the menu has the constituent parts, and the display part 52 having the ID of the constituent parts as the operation information is used. When this icon is selected, the constituent parts indicated by the operation information are activated (the constituent parts). The display component in the component can be operated by the user), and the same effect can be obtained. In addition, the display component 52 has an identifier of another display component 52 as operation information, and when the display component 52 having the operation information is selected, the cursor may be moved to the display component 52 indicated by the operation information. . For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display component 52 has operation information indicating cursor movement in the up, down, left, and right directions on the display screen. Here, the operation information is an identifier (for example, ID) of a display component. As the control information, for example, control information in up, down, left, and right directions as shown in FIG. Here, the display component 5 indicating the reproduction
2, the upward operation information is the identifier (ID) of the display component 52 itself indicating "play", the downward operation information is the identifier (ID) of the display component 52 indicating "stop", and the left operation information is "rewind". Is the identifier (ID) of the display component 52 that indicates "Fast Forward". These display components 52 are displayed as shown in FIG. 13B based on the position information included in the unique information in each header or the like, and the cursor indicating the point of interest of the user indicates "rewind". When the user presses the “right button” of the cross key indicating the up, down, left, and right directions using the remote controller 22 shown in FIG.
The cursor moves to the display component 52 indicating "fast forward". Similarly, when the "up button" is pressed, the cursor moves to the display component 52 indicating "play", and when the "down button" is pressed, the cursor moves to the display component 52 indicating "stop". , "
If the left button is pressed, the cursor does not move.
Thus, with a simple configuration, the menu creator can create the menu on the assumption of the user's operation such as cursor movement, so that an easy-to-use operation screen can be provided to the user. Further, these cursor movements are performed by the controller in accordance with the operation information instructed by the device to each display component, and there is no need to inquire the device. Therefore, it is possible to quickly update the display screen. For example, if only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller and the menu of the device can not be displayed completely, even if the position of each display component is rearranged by the controller, By defining the movement of the cursor, the user can easily and clearly present the cooperation of each function and each menu to the user, so that an operation screen with good operability can be provided. Here, when the control information is the identifier of the display component, the cursor is moved to the display component indicated by the control information in the display screen, but the controller rearranges the display component and divides the display component into a plurality of pages. If the display component 52 specified in the control information is not on the same page, the display page is updated by scrolling the screen or updating the screen, and the page including the display component described in the control information is displayed. May be moved to this display component. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the device has the display component having the operation information for changing the display of the operation screen by the operation of the user and the menu including the plurality of display components indicating the operation screen. Then, the controller reads the display components from the device, displays the menu of the device on the display screen, and changes the display of the display screen by a user operation according to the control information, so that the menu creator controls the user operation. Since menus can be created on the assumption that it is easy to use, we can provide users with an easy-to-use operation screen,
Since there is no need to read the information on the display screen from the device every time the user performs an operation, the display screen can be changed quickly. Furthermore, if only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller,
Even if the position of each display component is rearranged by the controller, the movement of the cursor is regulated by the operation information, so that the user can easily and clearly present the cooperation of each function and each menu, so that operability is good. Operation screen can be provided.

Further, the operation information is an identifier indicating another display component, so that the movement of the cursor can be easily specified, and the user can clearly show the cooperation of each function indicated by the display component. Can intuitively know the relationship between the functions, and can move the cursor quickly because there is no need to query the device for cursor movement, thereby improving operability.

Further, the menu has constituent parts, and the operation information is an identifier indicating the constituent parts, so that the user can easily recognize the association between the constituent parts. An easy operation screen can be provided. The device has a plurality of menus, and a display component having an identifier indicating another menu as operation information is provided in the menu. Menu switching can be realized.

Further, the device has a help menu in which the explanation of the function indicated by each display component is described. The display component has an identifier indicating the help menu as operation information, so that the user can easily perform each function and each menu. Can be displayed and an easy-to-use operation screen can be provided.

[0125]

The device has a plurality of display parts constituting an operation screen of the device, and the display parts have arrangement information indicating arrangement information indicating arrangement relation to be taken with other display parts. The controller reads the display component from the device and displays the display component on the display screen in accordance with the arrangement information. Even if only the display screen can be used on the controller and the device menu can not be displayed completely, the operation screen that is easy for the user to understand by rearranging each display component according to the layout information or dividing and displaying it on multiple pages Can be provided.

By setting the arrangement information as relation information having the same information for a plurality of display parts to be arranged close to each other, it is possible to use a case where there are a large number of display parts belonging to a display set to be displayed close to each other, or one display part. Regardless of whether there are multiple display sets in the menu or multiple display parts to be displayed, it is possible to easily describe the arrangement information with additional information with a small amount of data, and the effect of other display items and screen resolution Due to such restrictions, only display screens smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, rearrange each display component according to the layout information, or By dividing the display into pages, it is possible to provide a user-friendly operation screen.

Since one display component has a plurality of arrangement information, even if there are a plurality of display components to be arranged close to one display component, the arrangement information can be easily described. Also, due to the influence of other display items and restrictions on screen resolution, etc., only the display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, When each display component is divided and displayed on multiple pages according to the information, displaying one display component multiple times makes it possible to always display closely related display components close to one screen. , Easy for the user to understand,
An operation screen with good operability can be provided.

By using the placement information as an identifier of a display component to be placed close to the display device, it is easy to define the placement information. The controller can directly detect the display component to be placed close to the display component, and can easily place the display component. Display parts to be displayed can be displayed on the display screen, and due to the influence of other display items and restrictions on screen resolution, etc., only display screens smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, Even if the menu cannot be displayed completely, rearrange each display component according to the layout information, or
By dividing the display into a plurality of pages, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand can be provided.

Since the display components have the identifiers of the display components to be arranged close to each other in the up, down, left, and right directions, the device can more precisely specify the display method, and only the display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used. Even when the controller is not provided, the intention of the menu creator of the device can be easily transmitted to the user. The device has a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen of the device, and a component assembly component having a set of display components among the display components and having information indicating display priority, and a controller. Read the display parts and the assembly information from the device, and display the display parts on the display screen according to the information of the constituent assembly parts, so that the device assumed due to the influence of other display items and restrictions such as screen resolution. Only display screens smaller than the screen size can be used on the controller,
If you ca n’t see the full menu on your device,
The controller can display information important to the user on the screen in order, thereby realizing a display screen that is easy to see and use. In addition, the menu creator can freely design the optimal design for one screen size, and the appearance of each screen for another screen size, in particular, The design can be performed in consideration of the relation with the page.

The device has a plurality of display parts constituting the operation screen of the device, and constituent parts showing a set of some display parts among the display parts. By reading the set information and displaying the display parts on the display screen according to the information of the constituent parts, only the display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and the device menu is completely displayed Even in the case where it is not possible, an operation screen that is easy for the user to understand can be provided by dividing and displaying each display part on a plurality of pages according to the information of the constituent assembly parts.

Further, the menu creator of the device can create a menu assuming a plurality of screen sizes, and can communicate the menu creator's intention to the user even for controllers having different screen sizes. In addition, the controller can handle display components in units of constituent assembly components and display them on the screen, thereby simplifying the processing. The constituent parts have a hierarchical structure, so that a menu creator can create a menu of a device assuming a large number of screen sizes, and for many screen sizes, the controller sets an appropriate menu screen. Can be displayed.

The device has a menu composed of a plurality of display parts indicating the operation screen of the device. The controller reads the display parts from the device, and when the size of the menu is larger than the display screen of the controller, the controller reads the display part. Is divided into a plurality of pages smaller or equal in size to the display screen and displayed, and navigation information between the plurality of pages is created by the controller and displayed on the display screen, so that the influence of other display items and Due to restrictions such as screen resolution, only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, and even if the device menu can not be displayed completely, it is used by dividing it into multiple pages and using it The user can be provided with an easy-to-understand operation screen. Furthermore, since the controller has the initiative in creating the navigation information between the plurality of pages, it is possible to easily cope with controllers having various display screen sizes.

The device includes a display component having operation information for changing the display of the operation screen by a user operation,
The controller has a menu consisting of multiple display parts that indicate the operation screen, the controller reads the display parts from the device, displays the menu of the device on the display screen, and changes the display of the display screen by the user's operation according to the control information By doing so, the menu creator can create a menu assuming the user's operation, so that an easy-to-use operation screen can be provided to the user and the display screen information must be read from the device every time the user operates Because there is no display, the display screen can be changed quickly. Furthermore, when only a display screen smaller than the screen size assumed by the device can be used on the controller, even if the position of each display component is rearranged by the controller, the movement of the cursor is regulated by the operation information, Since the user can easily and clearly present the cooperation of each function and each menu to the user, an operation screen with good operability can be provided.

Further, since the operation information is an identifier indicating another display component, the movement of the cursor can be easily specified, and the cooperation of each function indicated by the display component can be clearly presented to the user. Can intuitively know the relationship between the functions, and can move the cursor quickly because there is no need to query the device for cursor movement, thereby improving operability.

Further, the menu has constituent parts, and the operation information is an identifier indicating the constituent parts, so that the user can easily recognize the association between the constituent parts. An easy operation screen can be provided. The device has a plurality of menus, and a display component having an identifier indicating another menu as operation information is provided in the menu. Menu switching can be realized.

Further, the device has a help menu in which the explanation of the function indicated by each display component is described. The display component has an identifier indicating the help menu as operation information, so that the user can easily perform each function and each menu. Can be displayed and an easy-to-use operation screen can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a function table according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device in the network control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller in the network control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a network control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a display component according to a second embodiment.

7A is an explanatory diagram showing display components and related information in the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a normal screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 7C is a small-screen display in the second embodiment. (D) Second explanatory diagram at the time of small screen display in the second embodiment

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a display component according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a function menu and constituent components in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a normal screen display in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10B is a first diagram illustrating a small screen display in the fourth embodiment. Second explanatory diagram at the time of display

11A is a configuration diagram of a display component having one piece of operation information in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of a main menu display screen in the fifth embodiment. Illustration of the menu 1 display screen

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a display component according to a fifth embodiment.

13A is an explanatory diagram showing display components and operation information in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram of a screen display in an initial state in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13C is a right key in the fifth embodiment. Illustration of screen display when selecting

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission path 2 Packet transmitting / receiving means 3 Synchronous data transmitting / receiving means 4 Device signal processing means 5 Asynchronous data transmitting / receiving means 6 Device asynchronous data processing means 7 Device configuration information 8 Function table 9 Device internal control means 10 Controller signal processing means 11 Controller asynchronous data processing Means 12 Function table management means 13 Display / function selection means 14 Function database 15 ROM 16 RAM 17 Function information management means 50 Device information component 51 Function menu 52 Display component

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04Q 9/00 301 H04L 11/00 310Z

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An AVC system in which at least two devices handling at least one of video, audio, and information data are connected via a transmission line, a controller having a user interface, and a device to be controlled. The device has a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen of the device, the display components have arrangement information indicating an arrangement relationship to be taken with other display components, and the controller Reads the display component from the device and displays the display component on a display screen according to the arrangement information. 2. The network control system according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement information is related information having the same information for a plurality of display components to be arranged close to each other. 3. The network control system according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement information is an identifier of a display component to be arranged in proximity. 4. The network control system according to claim 3, wherein the display component has an identifier of a display component to be arranged close to each of the upper, lower, left, and right directions. 5. The network control system according to claim 2, wherein one display component has a plurality of arrangement information. 6. An apparatus for handling any one or more of video, audio, and information data has a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen in an AVC system connected via at least two or more transmission paths. The device, wherein the display component has arrangement information indicating an arrangement relationship to be taken with another display component. 7. An AVC system connected via at least two or more transmission lines, wherein a device that handles at least one of video, audio, and information-related data has a user interface, and is controlled by a device to be controlled. Reading arrangement information indicating an arrangement relationship to be taken between a display component constituting an operation screen of the device and another display component of the display component, and displaying the display component on a display screen according to the arrangement information; A controller, characterized in that: 8. A controller having a user interface and a device to be controlled in an AVC system in which at least two devices handling at least one of video, audio, and information data are connected via a transmission line. The device comprises: a plurality of display parts constituting an operation screen of the device; and a set of display parts among the display parts, and information indicating a display priority order. A network control system comprising an assembly component, wherein the controller reads the display component and the assembly information from the device, and displays the display component on a display screen according to the information of the configuration assembly component. 9. The network control system according to claim 8, wherein the controller displays each page of the operation screen in units of information of each component. 10. The network control system according to claim 8, wherein the constituent parts have a hierarchical structure. 11. A device that handles at least one of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
An AVC system connected via a transmission path as described above, comprising: a plurality of display parts constituting an operation screen of the device; and a constituent part indicating a set of some display parts among the display parts. Features device. 12. A device that handles any one or more of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
In the AVC system connected via the transmission line, a user interface is provided, a plurality of display components constituting an operation screen of the device are provided from a device to be controlled, and some of the display components are displayed. A controller reads a constituent set part indicating a set of parts and displays the display part on a display screen according to the information of the constituent set part. 13. A device that handles any one or more of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
An AVC system connected via a transmission path as described above includes a controller having a user interface, and a device to be controlled, wherein the device has a menu including a plurality of display components indicating an operation screen of the device. The controller reads the display component from the device, and, when the size of the menu is larger than the display screen of the controller, a plurality of pages having the controller smaller than or equal to the display screen. A network control system, wherein the display is divided and displayed, and navigation information between the plurality of pages is created by a controller and displayed on the display screen. 14. An apparatus which handles any one or more of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
In the AVC system connected via the transmission path as described above, a user interface is provided, and a menu including a plurality of display components indicating an operation screen of the device is read from a device to be controlled. When the display screen is larger than the display screen of the controller, the controller divides the display screen into a plurality of pages smaller than or equal to the display screen and displays the same, and creates navigation information between the plurality of pages. A controller for displaying on the display screen. 15. A device that handles any one or more of data related to video, sound, and information is at least two devices.
An AVC system connected via a transmission line as described above, comprising: a controller having a user interface; and a device to be controlled, wherein the device has control information for changing a display of an operation screen by a user operation. And a menu comprising a plurality of the display components indicating the operation screen, wherein the controller reads the display component from the device, displays the menu of the device on a display screen, and controls the operation. A network control system, wherein the display on the display screen is changed by an operation of the user according to information. 16. The network control system according to claim 15, wherein the control information is an identifier indicating another display component. 17. The network control system according to claim 15, wherein the menu has constituent parts, and the operation information is an identifier indicating the constituent parts. 18. The network control system according to claim 15, wherein the device has a plurality of menus, and includes a display component having an identifier indicating another menu as operation information in the menus. 19. The network according to claim 15, wherein the device has a help menu in which a description of a function indicated by each display component is written, and the display component has an identifier indicating the help menu as operation information. Control system. 20. A device that handles at least one of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
In the AVC system connected via the transmission path as described above, the device to be controlled includes a display component having operation information for changing the display of the operation screen by a user's operation, and a plurality of operation parts indicating the operation screen of the device. A device comprising a menu including the display component. 21. An apparatus which handles any one or more of video, audio, and information data is at least two devices.
In the AVC system connected via the transmission path, a display component having a user interface and having operation information for changing a display of an operation screen from a device to be controlled by a user operation, and operation of the device Reading a menu including a plurality of the display components indicating a screen; displaying the menu of the device on a display screen; and changing a display of the display screen by an operation of the user according to the control information. controller.