Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Takeshi Goto

Masao Ikezaki

Shotaro Tanaka

Yukiko Ono

Plural information display stations, such as audio video devices, are commonly connected to an information transmission path which transmits data frames among the display stations to provide data communication therebetween. Display information from the plural display stations is readily displayed on a common display monitor of one of the display stations. The display station containing the monitor transmits an inquiry on the information path for the purpose of determining which of the other display stations contains display information. The addresses of the other stations which transmit an affirmative reply in response to the inquiry are stored. Also, the display station containing the display monitor transmits another inquiry to determine the type of contents of the display information of the other display stations. The type of contents transmitted in response to this inquiry are also stored. Additionally, the control right of the display on the display monitor may be transferred among the plural display stations.

Multistation display system for controlling a display monitor associated

An audio/video system provides communication control units on both a TV (television receiver) and a VCR (video cassette recorder) and includes an information path connected between both for executing data communications therebetween. When the VCR starts its 'play' operation, the system automatically turns the TV on and makes an inquiry regarding a connecting method between the TV and the VCR (i.e., whether the connection is an AV-connection or an RF-connection) for controlling the TV according to an input mode matched to the connecting method. When the VCR starts its 'record' operation while a user is currently watching the TV, the system turns the VCR on and then matches a channel number selected on a tuner built in the VCR to a channel selected on the TV.

Audio/video system for television receiver, video cassette recorder, and

A data management method controls the transfer of data in a communication system in which a plurality of stations are coupled to a same data transmission path. Each of the stations operates in one of a master mode and a slave mode. In the master mode, a station transmits a frame of data on the data transmission path, the frame of data including an address designating a station which is to operate in the slave mode and a command designating functions to be carried out by the station designated to operate in the slave mode. In the slave mode, a station receives the frame of data transmitted by the station operating in the master mode, and carries out data processing in accordance with the command contained in the thus received frame of data.

Data communication system having plural stations connected to a single

By the determination of the controlled device on a reception side of the remote control apparatus, all the devices connected to the system may be controlled by the transmitter of one unit of the remote control apparatus, and they also may be controlled by the transmitter of an already existing remote control apparatus even when a new device has been additionally connected to the system.

Remote control system for audio/video devices

An information transmission system having a plurality of communication control units connected to one another through an information transmission path in a communication network comprises devices for collectively transmitting and collecting broadcasting information to and from selected plural communication control units by sending one information message.

Growing community of inventors

Hirakata, Japan

Takeshi Goto