Audio-visual network connection system and method using gateways

Abstract

A network system wherein any device in all networks can be represented using addresses set in the individual networks without relying upon the concept of a network number is disclosed. A first network (1) includes first to third devices (A, B, C) to which the addresses of '1', '2' and '3' are allocated, respectively. A second network (2) includes first to third devices (D, E, F) to which the addresses of '1', '2' and '3' are allocated, respectively. A third network (3) includes first and second devices (G and H) to which the addresses '1' and '2' are allocated, respectively. The first and second networks (1, 2) are connected to each other by way of a gateway (GW1) for which the address 4 in the first network (1) and the address 5 in the second network (2) are allocated. The second and third networks (2 and 3) are connected to each other by way of another gateway (GW2) for which the address 4 in the second network (2) and the address 3 in the third network (3) are allocated to build up a network system. A pass from within a network to another device in another network is represented in a compound representation using the addresses set in the individual networks. For example, the pass from the first device (A) in the first network 1 to the second device (H) in the third network (3) is represented as '4.4.2'.