Sony Corporation

Futoshi Kaibuki

Satoshi Kobayashi

Hiroshi Utsunomiya

Makoto Sato

Kazuhiro Suzuki

Masahiko Sato

Yuji Kimura

Kenji Matsuoka

Kazue Sadanaka

Naoyuki Sato

Mari Horiguchi

Yoshiyuki Takaku

Yuichi Kageyama

An information outputting apparatus includes a digital interface unit that receives a digital signal transmitted through a digital bus that has a plurality of data channels, and information detecting means for detecting information indicating a source and a video format from a packet header. The information outputting apparatus also includes a signal decoding means that decodes a digital signal having a predetermined video format, display capability judgment means that judges whether the digital signal can be capable of displaying a video, and an information reporting means that reports the information on the video format and information based on the judgment of the display capability judgment means.

Information outputting apparatus, information reporting method and information signal supply route selecting method

In order to accurately display information on the format of different signals from respective different signal source apparatuses as an image, the output signals of analog signal sources are supplied through an interface, signal lines and other interfaces to an analog signal processing circuit. Also, output signals of digital signal sources and output signals of information generating circuits are synthesized by multiplexers and supplied to a demultiplexer through interfaces, buses and an interface. The signals from the separated signal sources are processed in a digital signal processing circuit. The signals from the separated generating circuits are supplied to an information processing circuit, so that an image corresponding to the information indicating the format of the apparatus and/or the output signal is formed, and is synthesized with the signals from the signal processing circuits to be supplied to a monitor.

Audio and/or video signal transmission system, transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus thereof

Electronic information equipment for recording contents are connected to a network. One of the pieces of electronic information equipment manages information of the dispersed storage state. The managing device gives output instructions to the other electronic information equipment storing the information in a dispersed manner such that each of the pieces of electronic information equipment outputs the information stored therein to output destination electronic information equipment, and in the event that the end of information output from one piece of electronic information equipment has been detected, the managing device gives output instructions to the electronic information equipment storing the subsequent information to output the information stored therein to the output destination electronic information equipment. Each of the pieces of electronic information equipment storing the information in a dispersed manner outputs information onto the network with the output destination electronic information equipment specified. Accordingly, the present invention enables contents recorded in a dispersed manner to be readily played in a continuous manner.

Method for sending information on a network, and electronic information equipment

The present invention presents an information-outputting apparatus, an information-reporting method and an information-signal-supply-route-selecting method, which provide a digital-content utilization environment giving the user a high degree of freedom to make use of the apparatus and the methods. The information-outputting apparatus receives an isochronous packet transmitted by a source external apparatus by adoption of an isochronous communication method through a digital bus connecting the external apparatus to the information-outputting apparatus. In the information-outputting apparatus, an IEEE 1394 I/F circuit extracts information on the source electronic apparatus and information on the transmission format. A control unit supplies these pieces of information to an OSD-generating circuit for displaying them on a screen of a display unit employed in the information-outputting apparatus.

A control section of an IRD sends an identification start request to a digital bus via a digital input/output terminal. The control section generates an identification display message by controlling an identification display message generation section, makes a superimposition section superimpose the identification display message on an analog video signal, and outputs a resulting signal via an analog output terminal. An information input apparatus allows a user to identify an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the IRD among a plurality of input terminals of the self apparatus by reproducing the identification display message and presenting it to the user.

Information transmission system, information output apparatus, information input apparatus, and connection relationship identification method

When a connection mode change setting instruction input entered by a user is supplied to the control unit, the control unitcontrols the IEEE 1394 I/F circuit to set the value of oPCR and iPCR of an electronic apparatus for forming a channel so that the channel between target electronic apparatus is formed in the connection mode instructed by the user. Thereby, a channel between electronic apparatus is formed flexibly and an information output apparatus that is capable of forming a convenient electronic apparatus network is provided. One electronic apparatus connected to the digital bus inquires of an electronic apparatus connected to the digital bus whether it is a monitor apparatus (first receiving apparatus) that receives the data mainly through a channel formed in the broadcast connection mode or not, and channels connected in the broadcast connection mode are allocated to monitor apparatus respectively. A receiving apparatus other than the monitor apparatus forms a channel of the PtoP mode avoiding the channel of the first connection mode allocated to the first receiving apparatus, and receives supply of the data. As the result, a transmission line using method, an information transmission system, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of utilizing a plurality of channels on the digital bus efficiently, and capable of providing the convenient digital content using environment are realized.

Electronic apparatus and connection mode setting method

An electronic device includes a subunit (e.g., monitor) for receiving and processing input data. The subunit includes one or more functional blocks, with at least one functional block operative as a termination device such as a display, printer or audio speaker to terminate (e.g., transform and output) the processed input data of the subunit. The electronic device further includes a memory for storing information pertaining to the termination device. Preferably, the electronic device is configured to communicate with other devices in a serial bus connected system employing channels for time division multiplexed communication. The information pertaining to the termination device stored in the memory preferably includes 'virtual plug' information for the termination device, indicating, for example, the number of logical connections that the termination device can maintain. The memory is accessible by an external apparatus to thereby enable the external apparatus to readily obtain the logical connection state of the termination device and facilitate operations.

Electronic device having data processing subunit with functional block termination device

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

Method of controlling device, transmission device, and medium

An information-outputting apparatus, an information-reporting method and an information-signal-supply-route-selecting method, which provide a digital-content utilization environment giving the user a high degree of freedom to make use of the apparatus and the methods. The information-outputting apparatus receives an isochronous packet transmitted by a source external apparatus by adoption of an isochronous communication method through a digital bus connecting the external apparatus to the information-outputting apparatus. In the information-outputting apparatus, an IEEE 1394 I/F circuit extracts information on the source electronic apparatus and information on the transmission format. A control unit supplies these pieces of information to an OSD-generating circuit for displaying them on a screen of a display unit employed in the information-outputting apparatus.

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Tokyo, Japan

Futoshi Kaibuki