U.S. patent application number 11/356957 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for method and electronic equipment for transmitting data to other electronic equipment on a network.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Yukihiko Aoki.
Application Number | 20060165385 11/356957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 12973834 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060165385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aoki; Yukihiko |
July 27, 2006 |
Method and electronic equipment for transmitting data to other
electronic equipment on a network
Abstract
A data transmission method in which an equipment receiving data
is prohibited from displaying a noisy picture or issuing an unusual
sound which might possibly destruct a speaker. When the operating
mode is switched from the stop state (Stop) to the playback state
(PB) to start outputting data recorded on a recording medium, a
data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 sets a
broadcast connection counter or a point-to-point connection counter
from 0 to 1 on transition of the DIF mode (digital input/output
mode) from IN to OUT to set a connected state. The data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts a DIT of tf=1 before
releasing the muting.
Inventors: |
Aoki; Yukihiko; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
12973834 |
Appl. No.: |
11/356957 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09516900 |
Mar 1, 2000 |
7039293 |
|
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11356957 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/248 ;
386/E5.07; G9B/20.061; G9B/20.063 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/775 20130101;
G11B 20/24 20130101; H04L 12/2838 20130101; H04N 5/765 20130101;
H04N 9/8042 20130101; H04N 5/783 20130101; H04L 2012/2849 20130101;
G11B 20/22 20130101; H04L 12/2803 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/112 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/26 20060101
H04N007/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 1999 |
JP |
11-054551 |
Claims
1. A method for transmitting data comprising: a detection step of
detecting the timing of inserting discontinuity information data
into contents of digital audio/visual data to be recorded and/or
reproduced for a recording medium on a data receiving apparatus,
said discontinuity information data indicating the discontinuity of
said contents; and a step of inserting said discontinuity
information data into said data digital audio/video data on
detection of the timing of inserting the discontinuity information
data in said detection step, wherein said discontinuity information
data contains at least an indication of a status change of content
and position within a source data, and wherein said detection step
detects the timing of inserting discontinuity information data in
accordance with a chance in an operation mode, a timing change a
content change or a transition point in digital contents.
2. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects a transition point on the time axis of the
contents of the digital audio/video data recorded on said recording
medium as said timing.
3. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the outputting start time of the digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
4. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the outputting end time of the digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
5. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the time of seizing a channel on said
network being used by another electronic equipment on said network
and outputting data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
6. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the time of transition of digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium to variable
speed playback as said timing.
7. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the time of contents switching of digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
8. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the time of start of recording of digital
audio/video data on said recording medium as said timing.
9. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
detection step detects the time of end of recording of digital
audio/video data on said recording medium as said timing.
10. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
recording medium is a tape-shaped recording medium.
11. The data transmitting method according to claim 1 wherein said
recording medium is a disc-shaped recording medium.
12. A method for transmitting data, comprising: a detection step of
detecting the timing of inserting discontinuity information data
into contents of digital audio/video data received through a
communication medium, said discontinuity information data
indicating the discontinuity of said contents; and a step of
inserting said discontinuity information data into said digital
audio/visual data on detection of the timing of inserting the
discontinuity information data in said detection step, wherein said
discontinuity information data contains at least an indication of a
status chance of content and position within a data source, and
wherein said detecting detects the timing of inserting
discontinuity information data in accordance with a chance in an
operation mode, a timing change, a content change or a transition
point in digital contents.
13. The data transmitting method according to claim 12 wherein said
detection step detects a transition point of contents of digital
audio/video data, which has been inserted said discontinuity
information data as said timing.
14. The data transmitting method according to claim 12 wherein said
detection step detects the time of switching on station selection
from a program received over a communication medium to a different
program.
15. A data transmitting apparatus comprising: an interface unit
configured to connect to a network; a data transmission unit
configured to transmit digital audio/visual data to a data
receiving apparatus through said network: a discontinuity
information generating unit configured to generate discontinuity
information data indicating discontinuity of said digital
audio/visual data; a timing detection unit configured to detect the
timing of inserting the discontinuity information data into
contents of the digital audio/visual data on said data transmitting
apparatus to be recorded and/or reproduced for a recording medium
on said data receiving apparatus on said network; and a
discontinuity information inserting unit configured to insert said
discontinuity information data into said digital audio/visual data
on detection of the timing of inserting the discontinuity
information data by said timing detection unit, wherein said
discontinuity information data contains at least an indication of a
status chance of content and a position within a source data, and
wherein said timing detection unit detects the timing of inserting
discontinuity information data in accordance with a chance in an
operation mode, a timing change, a content change, or a transition
point in digital contents.
16. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects a transition point on the time axis of the
contents of the digital audio/video data recorded on said recording
medium as said timing.
17. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the outputting start time of the digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
18. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the outputting end time of the digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
19. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the time of seizing a channel on said
network being used by another electronic equipment on said network
and outputting data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
20. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the time of transition of digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium to variable
speed playback as said timing.
21. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the time of contents switching of digital
audio/video data recorded on said recording medium as said
timing.
22. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the time of start of recording of digital
audio/video data on said recording medium as said timing.
23. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
detection means detects the time of end of recording of digital
audio/video data on said recording medium as said timing.
24. The electronic equipment according to claim 15 wherein said
recording medium is a tape-shaped recording medium.
25. The data transmitting method according to claim 15 wherein said
recording medium is a disc-shaped recording medium.
26. A data transmitting apparatus, comprising: tuning means for
tuning digital audio/video data received from outside over a
communication medium; and generating means for generating
discontinuity information data of digital audio/video data received
through said tuning means; said generating means inserting the
generated discontinuity information data into contents of digital
audio/video data received through said tuning means, wherein said
discontinuity information data contains at least an indication of a
status change of content and position within a source data, and
wherein said generating means generates discontinuity information
data to be inserted when a chance in an operation mode, a timing
change a content change, or a transition point in digital contents
is detected.
27. The electronic equipment according to claim 26 further
comprising: detection means for detecting the point of transition
of contents of digital audio/video data having inserted therein
said discontinuity information data.
28. The electronic equipment according to claim 26 wherein said
generating means inserts said discontinuity information data when
switching from a program being received from outside through said
tuning means to a different program on station selection.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a data transmission method for
transmitting/receiving data on a network comprised of plural
interconnected electronic equipment, and to an electronic equipment
in such network.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] In recent years, it is contemplated to interconnect variable
equipment having ports for external communication, such as a set
top box, oriented to e.g., digital satellite broadcasting, to
construct a network, which is to be used.
[0005] In such network system, each equipment packetizes e.g., MPEG
data, over a network cable, such as serial buses, and transmits the
packetized data as a transport stream. Meanwhile, in the
above-described network system, there lacks support in the meaning
of advising other equipment of discontinuity points in the stream,
such as data transition points.
[0006] Thus, if, in such network system, in communication between
optional equipment, an unpredictable unusual stream which will
cause changes in the time axis is suddenly inputted to a
demultiplexer or decoder in the receiving side equipment, hang-up
is occasionally produced in the demultiplexer or decoder. Also, in
such network system, there is raised such a problem that an
equipment which has received the unusual stream displays a noisy
picture or destructs a speaker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a data transmission method for data transmission/reception
in a network system in which there is no risk of an equipment
displaying a noisy picture on data reception or outputting an
abnormal sound which might destroy a speaker.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
equipment in such network system.
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for
transmitting data in which the data is transmitted/received on a
network in which a plurality of electronic equipment are
interconnected over a serial bus interface; and which includes a
detection step of detecting the timing of inserting discontinuity
information data indicating discontinuity of the contents into
contents of the data to be recorded and/or reproduced for a
recording medium and a step of inserting the discontinuity
information data into the data on detection of the timing of
inserting the discontinuity information data in the detection
step.
[0010] In this data transmitting method, the discontinuity
information data of the data recorded and/or reproduced for the
recording medium is inserted to indicate that the time axis of the
data contents is being changed.
[0011] In the method for transmitting data in which the data is
transmitted/received on a network in which a plurality of
electronic equipment are interconnected over a serial bus
interface, according to the present invention, discontinuity
information data indicating discontinuity of contents of data
recorded and/or reproduced for the recording medium is inserted
into the data on detection of the timing of insertion of the
discontinuity information data. By so doing, the electronic
equipment receiving the data outputted to outside is able to
comprehend that the time axis of the data contents is changing to
render it possible to evade hang-up of each component as well as to
evade displaying a noisy picture or outputting an unusual sound
which possibly destructs a speaker.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
for transmitting data in which the data is transmitted/received on
a network in which a plurality of electronic equipment are
interconnected over a serial bus interface and which includes a
detection step of detecting the timing of inserting discontinuity
information data indicating the discontinuity of the contents into
contents received from outside through a communication medium
different from the serial bus interface, and a step of inserting
the discontinuity information data into the data on detection of
the timing of inserting the discontinuity information data in the
detection step.
[0013] In this data transmitting method, the discontinuity
information data of the data received from outside over a
communication medium different from the serial bus interface is
inserted to indicate that the time axis of the data contents is
being changed.
[0014] In the method for transmitting data in which the data is
transmitted/received on a network in which a plurality of
electronic equipment are interconnected over a serial bus
interface, according to the present invention, discontinuity
information data indicating discontinuity of contents of data
received from outside over a communication medium different from
the serial bus interface is inserted into the data on detection of
the timing of insertion of the discontinuity information data. By
so doing, the electronic equipment receiving the data outputted to
outside is able to comprehend that the time axis of the data
contents is changing to render it possible to evade hang-up of each
component as well as to evade-displaying a noisy picture or
outputting an unusual sound which might destruct the speaker.
[0015] In still another aspect, the present invention provides an
electronic equipment in which the data is transmitted/received on a
network constructed by interconnecting a plurality of electronic
equipment over a serial bus interface, and which includes means for
generating discontinuity information data indicating discontinuity
of the data, means for detecting the timing of inserting the
discontinuity information data into contents of the data to be
recorded and/or reproduced for a recording medium and means for
inserting the discontinuity information data into the data on
detection of the timing of inserting the discontinuity information
data by the detection means.
[0016] In the electronic equipment according to the present
invention, the discontinuity information data of the data received
from outside over a communication medium different from the serial
bus interface is generated and inserted to indicate that the time
axis of the data contents is being changed.
[0017] In the electronic equipment of the present invention, in
which the data is transmitted/received on a network constructed by
interconnecting a plurality of electronic equipment over a serial
bus interface, there is provided means for generating discontinuity
information data of the data recorded on the recording medium, and
the discontinuity information data generated by this generating
means and which indicates discontinuity in the data contents is
inserted into the data on detection of the timing for inserting the
discontinuity information data. By so doing, the electronic
equipment receiving the data outputted to outside is able to
comprehend that the time axis of the data contents is changing to
render it possible to evade hang-up of each component as well as to
evade displaying a noisy picture or outputting an unusual sound
which might destruct the speaker.
[0018] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an
electronic-equipment in which the data is transmitted/received on a
network constructed by interconnecting a plurality of electronic
equipment over a serial bus interface, and-which includes tuning
means for tuning data received from outside over a communication
medium different from the serial bus interface and generating means
for generating discontinuity information data of data received
through the serial bus interface and/or the tuning means. The
generating means inserts the generated discontinuity information
data into contents of data received through the tuning means.
[0019] In this electronic equipment, the discontinuity information
data of the data received from outside over a communication medium
different from the serial bus interface is generated and inserted
to indicate that the time axis of the data contents is being
changed.
[0020] In the electronic equipment of the present invention, in
which the data is transmitted/received on a network constructed by
interconnecting a plurality of electronic equipment over a serial
bus interface, there are provided tuning means for tuning data
received from outside over a communication medium different from
the serial bus interface and generating means for generating
discontinuity information data of data received through the serial
bus interface and/or the tuning means. The discontinuity
information data generated by the generating means is introduced
into the contents of data received by the tuning means. By so
doing, the electronic equipment receiving the data outputted to
outside is able to comprehend that the time axis of the data
contents is changing to render it possible to evade bang-up of each
component as well as to evade displaying a noisy picture or
outputting an unusual sound which might destruct the speaker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating the structure of
an IEEE 1394 network embodying the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a cyclic structure of data transmission of the
equipment interconnected over IEEE 1394.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of an address space of a
CSR architecture.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates the position, name and operation of main
CSR.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates the general ROM format.
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates details of a bus information block, a
root directory and a unit directory.
[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of PCR.
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates the structure of oMPR, oPCR, iMPR and
iPCR.
[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates the relationship between the plug, plug
control register and an aisochronous channel.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data
recording-and/or reproducing medium equipment on the IEEE 1394
network.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a tuner
equipment on the IEEE 1394 network.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a timing chart for DIT insertion in case of
transition of the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment from a stop state to a playback state.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
in DIT insertion in case of transition of the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment from a stop state to a playback
state.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
in a tuner equipment in receiving a stream having DIT inserted
therein.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a timing chart for DIT insertion in case of
transition of the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment from the playback state to the stop state.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
in DIT insertion in case of transition of the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment from the playback state to the stop
state.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a timing chart for DIT insertion in case a data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment acquires and outputs
a channel used by the tuner equipment.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
in DIT insertion in case a data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment acquires and outputs a channel used by the tuner
equipment.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
performed by a data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment
in DIT-insertion in case a stream outputted by a data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment is unable to cope with variable
speed reproduction.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a timing chart for DIT insertion in case two
digital contents different from each other have been recorded in
succession on a recording medium of the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a timing chart for DIT insertion in case digital
contents, analog contents an non-recorded portion have been
recorded in a commingled state on a recording medium of a data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment.
[0042] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for illustrating a sequence of steps
performed by a data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment
in DIT insertion in case digital contents, analog contents an
non-recorded portion have been recorded in a commingled state on a
recording medium of a data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of
according to the present invention will be explained in detail.
[0044] The present invention is embodied in a network 10 comprised
of plural electronic equipment over an IEEE 1394 serial bus 60
conforming to the IEEE Std. 1394-1995 IEEE standard for a high
performance serial bus recognized by the IEEE (The Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.). This network is
referred to herein as IEEE 1394 network. Here, it is assumed that
two electronic equipment on the IEEE 1394 network, namely a data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 and a tuner
equipment 40, are being handled and data transmission/reception
takes place between these two equipment.
[0045] In the following explanation, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is an electronic equipment of the
so-called digital home video system (D)-VHS) such as a video tape
recorder (VTR), audio visual hard disc drive (AV-HDD) or a digital
video disc (DVD). The data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 records MPEG data, compressed in accordance with the
so-called MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system, on a tape or
a disc as a recording medium, not shown.
[0046] The tuner equipment 40, on the other hand, is an electronic
equipment having a tuner function, such as an integrated receiver
decoder for digital satellite broadcast, or a digital television
(DTV), and transmits/receives MPEG data.
[0047] In the IEEE 1394 network 10, MPEG data, reproduced and
packetized by the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20, is transmitted as a transport stream, abbreviated
herein to MPEG-TS, to the tuner equipment 40, which then
unpacketizes and expands the received MPEG-TS. Also, in the IEEE
1394 network 10; the MPEG-TS, received and unpacketized by the
tuner equipment 40, are transmitted to the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20, which then unpacketizes the
received MPEG-TS to record the unpacketized data on the recording
medium.
[0048] The IEEE 1394 interface, to which each equipment is
connected, is hereinafter explained. FIG. 2 shows the structure of
a transmission cycle of data transmitted by the IEEE 1394 network
10. In IEEE 1394, data is split into packets and time-divisionally
transmitted with the length of a cycle 125 .mu.s long as a
reference. This cycle is created by a cycle start signal furnished
from a node having a cycle master function (one of the equipment
shown in FIG. 1). An aisochronous packet secures a band necessary
for transmission (having time as unit but termed a band) as from
the leading ends of all of the cycles. Thus, in aisochronous
transmission, data transmission in a pre-set-time is assured.
However, if transmission error has occurred, there is no protective
scheme, and hence data is lost.
[0049] The node which has acquired a bus as a result of the
arbitration sends out an asynchronous packet during the time not
used for aisochronous transmission of each cycle. In asynchronous
transmission, reliable transmission is assured by employing
acknowledge and retry. However, transmission timing is not
constant.
[0050] In order for a predetermined node (electronic equipment) to
carry out aisochronous transmission, the node must be consistent
with the aisochronous function. Also, at least one of the nodes
associated with the aisochronous function must have a cycle master
function. Moreover, at least one-of the nodes connected o the IEEE
1394 network 10 must have an aisochronous resource-manager
function.
[0051] The IEEE 1394 interface is consistent with the CSR (control
and status register) architecture having a 64-bit address space
prescribed in ISO/IEC 13213; FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of
the address space of the CSR architecture, in which upper; 16 bits
are node IDs indicating the node on the IEEE 1394 interface, with
the remaining 48 bits being used for specifying the address space
accorded to each node. These upper 16 bits are further divided into
10 bus II) bits and physical 6 ID bits (node. ID in the narrow
sense of the term). Since all 1 bits are used for a specified
objective, it is possible to designate 1023 buses and 63 nodes.
[0052] In the 256 terabyte address space, defined by lower 48 bits,
the space defined by the upper 20 bits is split into an initial
register space used for a 2048 byte CSR specific register or IEEE
1394 specific register, a private space and an initial memory
space. If the space defined by the upper 20 bits is the initial
register space, the space defined by the lower 28 bits is used as a
configuration ROM (read-only memory), an initial unit space used
for a node-specific purpose, or as a plug control register
(PCR).
[0053] FIG. 4 shows an offset address, name and the function of the
main CSR. The offset in FIG. 4 denotes an offset address from the
address FFFFF0000000h where the initial register space begins (the
number with h at the trailing end denotes a hexadecimal number).
The bandwidth available register having an offset 220h indicates a
band allocatable to aisochronous communication. Only the value of
the node operating as an aisochronous resource manager is retained
to be valid. That is, although the CSR of FIG. 3 is owned by each
node, only the bandwidth available register of the aisochronous
resource manager is retained to be valid. Stated differently, the
bandwidth available register is owned substantially by solely the
aisochronous resource manager.
[0054] In the bandwidth available register, a maximum value is
stored in case no band is allocated to the aisochronous
communication, with the value stored in the bandwidth available
register being decremented each time a band is allocated.
[0055] The respective bits of the channel available register with
the offset of 224h to 228h are associated with the channel numbers
of from, 0 to 63. If the bit is 0, it, indicates that the channel
has already been allocated. Only the channel available register of
the node operating as the aisochronous resource manager is
valid.
[0056] Returning to FIG. 3, the configuration ROM, which is based
on the general ROM format, is arranged in the addresses 200h to
400h in the initial register space. FIG. 5 illustrates the general
ROM format. The node as the accessing unit on the IEEE 1394 is able
to have plural units operating independently of one another as the
address space is used in the node in common. The unit directories
can designate the version or the position of the software for the
unit. Although the positions of the bus_info_block and the
root_directory are fixed, the positions of the other blocks are
designated by the offset address. In the company ID in the
bus_info_block are stored ID numbers denoting the maker of the
equipment. In the chip_ID is stored a sole-ID (sole ID in the
world) proper to the equipment and not overlapping with other
equipment. According to the IEC61883 (International
Electrotechnical Commission) standard, 00h, A0h and 2Dh are written
in the first, second and third octets, respectively, of the unit
spec ID of the unit directory of the equipment which has satisfied
the IEC61883. 01h and 1 are written in the first octet and in the
least significant bit (LSB) of the third octet of the unit switch
version (unit_sw_version), respectively.
[0057] For controlling the equipment input/output through an
interface, the node has a plug control register (PCR) prescribed by
IEC61883 in the addresses 900h to 9FFh in the initial unit space of
FIG. 3. This has materialized the concept "plug" in order to
logically form a signal path similar to the analog interface. The
structure of PCR is: shown in FIG. 7 in which PCR denotes an output
plug. There are provided OPCR (output plug control register)
denoting an output plug and iPCR (input plug control register):
denoting an input plug. Also, the PCR has an oMPR (output master
Plug Register) and an iMPR (input master Plug Register) specifying
the information of the input and output plugs proper to each
equipment. Although plural pMPRs and iMPRs are not owned by each
equipment, it is possible for each equipment to own plural oPCRs
and iPCRs, associated with the respective plugs. The PCRs shown in
FIG. 7 each have 31 oPCRs and iPCRs. The flow of the aisochronous
data is controlled by operating the registers associated with the
respective plugs.
[0058] FIGS. 8A to 8D show the structure of oMPR, oPCR, iMPR and
iPCR, respectively. In 2-bit data rate capability (data rate
capability) on the MSB sides of the oPCR and iMPR, there is stored
the code denoting the maximum transmission speed of the
aisochronous data that can be transmitted or received by the
equipment. The broadcast channel base of oMPR defines the number of
the channel used for the broadcast output.
[0059] In the 5-bit number_of_output_plugs on the LSB-side of dMPR
is stored the value denoting the number of the output plugs owned
by the equipment, that is the number of oPCRs. In the 5-bit
number_of_input_plugs on the LSB side of the iMPR is stored the
value of the number of input plugs of the equipment, that is the
value denoting the number of the iPCRs. The
non-persistent_extension_field and the persistent_extension_field
are areas defined for future extension.
[0060] The on line of the MSB of the oPCR and the iPCR denote the
plug using state. If the value is 1 or 0, it indicates that the
plug is online and offline, respectively. The value of the
broadcast connection counter of oPCR and iPCR denote the
presence-and non-presence (1 and 0) of the broadcast connection,
respectively. The value of the point-to-point connection counter
(point-to-point connection counter) of the oPCR and the iPCR, with
a length of 6 bits, denote the number of point-to-point connections
owned by the plug.
[0061] The value of the channel_number of the oPCR and the iPCR,
with a length of 6 bits, denotes the number of the aisochronous
channel to which the plug is connected. The value of the data_rate
of the oPCR with a 2-bit width length denotes the actual
transmission rate of the aisochronous data outputted by the plug.
The code stored in the overhead_ID of the oPCR, with a 10-bit
length, denotes the maximum number of data contained in the
aisochronous packet that can be handled by the plug.
[0062] FIG. 9 shows the relationship among the plug, plug control
register and the aisochronous channel. The AV devices 30-1 to 30-3
are interconnected over an IEEE 1394 serial bus. The aisochronous
data, the channel for-which has been specified by the oPCR[1],
among the OPCR[0] to oPCR[2], whose transmitting rate and number of
oPCRs have been prescribed by the oMPR of the AV device 30-3, is
sent out to the channel #1 (channel #1) of the IEEE 1394 serial
bus. The AV device 30-1 reads in the aisochronous data sent out to
the input channel #1 of the IEEE 1394 serial bus by the iPCR[1],
the input channel #1 for which has been specified, from the iPCR[0]
and iPCR[1], the transmission rate and the number of iPCRs have
been prescribed by the iMPR of the AV device 30-1. Similarly, the
AV device 30-2 sends out the aisochronous data to the channel #2
specified by the oPCR[0], whilst the AV device 30-1 reads in the
aisochronous data from the channel #2 specified by the iPCR[1].
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 and the tuner equipment 40, shown
in FIG. 1, are now explained.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, the data recording and/or reproducing
medium equipment 20 includes a recording and/or reproduction
controller 21 for controlling the data recording and/or reproducing
operation for the recording medium, a data detector 22 as detection
means for detecting the point of transition of data recorded on the
recording medium, an IEEE 1394 interface, abbreviated below to IEEE
1394 I/F 23, and a control micro-computer 24 for controlling the
respective components, adapted for generating discontinuity
information data, which will be explained subsequently.
[0065] The recording and/or reproducing controller 21 controls the
operation of data recording and/or reproduction for a recording
medium, such as a tape or a disc. That is, the recording
and/or-reproducing controller 21 receives control signals
controlling the operation of the tape as a recording medium, the
playback operation, such as normal speed reproduction or variable
speed reproduction of data recorded on the recording medium, or the
stop operation, such as stop or pause of data reproduction, from
the control micro-computer 24, in order to control the operation of
the recording medium.
[0066] The data detector 22 detects transition points of data
recorded on the recording medium, such as the boundary of different
data or the boundary of analog and digital data, to transmit the
results of detection to the control micro-computer 24.
[0067] The IEEE 1394 I/F 23 includes a link IC 25, responsible for
packetization of data and unpackatization of packeted data, and a
physical layer 26 for data exchange between the link IC 25 and an
IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 as a bit string of electrical signals.
[0068] The link IC 25 includes a changeover switch 27, the state of
which is changed over depending on whether or not data reproduced
from the recording medium is to be muted, a changeover switch 28,
the state of which is changed over depending on whether or not data
is to be recorded or reproduced, and a memory 29 for transiently
storing data for recording and/or reproduction to serve as a buffer
for inserting discontinuity information table (DIT) for data
recorded from the control micro-computer 24, as later explained.
The link IC 25 also includes a packetization unit 30 for
packetizing data reproduced from the recording medium to MPEG-TS,
an unpacketization unit 31 for unpacketizing the MPEG-TS received
from outside and a physical I/F 32 as an interface with the
physical layer 26.
[0069] The IEEE 1394 I/F 23 receives the MPEG-TS transmitted from
outside over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60, while processing the data
recorded on the recording medium to form MPEG-TS to route it to the
IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 for transmission to outside.
[0070] The control micro-computer 24 controls the recording and/or
reproducing controller 21, data detector 22 and the IEEE 1394 I/F
23. That is, the control micro-computer 24 sends the control signal
for controlling the operation of the recording medium to the
recording and/or reproducing controller 21. The control
micro-computer 24 also receives the results of detection of the
data transition from the data detector 22. The control
micro-computer 24 also controls the changeover switches 27, 28
responsive to the operating modes, while setting the data
transmission, reception or concurrent transmission/reception states
to route a control signal for data input/output control for the
memory 29. The control micro-computer 24 also sends a control
signal to the memory 29 for erasure of data held in the memory 29
or the DIT to be inserted into the data. The control micro-computer
24 also routes a control signal for controlling the connection
responsible for logical connection or disconnection among the
equipment to the 1394 packetization unit 30 and the 1394
unpacketization unit 31.
[0071] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
receives the MPEG-TS from outside over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60
to perform the above-described variable processing operations to
record the processed data on the recording medium, while
reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium to perform
variable processing operations thereon to route the resulting
MPEG-TS over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 to outside.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, the tuner equipment 40 includes an
IEEE 1394 I/F 41 for data interfacing with outside, and a
multiplexer 42 adapted for separating the multiplexed data received
from outside into plural signals, and having the function as
detection means for detecting the transition of the time axis of
the data. The tuner equipment 40 also includes a decoder 43 for
decoding the received data and a tuner unit 44 as tuning means for
data tuning for data received through other recording mediums, such
as digital broadcasting satellite. The tuner equipment 40 also
includes a changeover switch 45 for making selection between a
demultiplexer 42 and the tuner unit 44 depending on the operating
mode and a control-micro-computer 46 adapted for controlling
variable components and having the function as means for generating
the DIT as the above-mentioned discontinuity information data
(DIT).
[0073] The IEEE 1394 I/F 41 also includes a physical layer 47 for
data exchange between a link IC 48 and an IEEE 1394 serial bus 60
as bit strings of electrical signals and the link IC 48 for
performing the processing of data packetizing and unpacketizing the
packeted data.
[0074] The link IC 48 includes a physical I/F 49, as an interface
with the physical layer 47, an IEEE 1394-packetization unit 50 for
packetizing the data recorded by the tuner unit 44 to the MPEG-TS,
and a 1394 unpacketization unit 51 for unpacketizing the MPEG-TS
received from outside over the IEEE-1394 serial bus 60. The IEEE
1394 I/F 41 also includes a memory 52 for storing the received data
and for operating as a buffer for inserting the DIT received from
the control micro-computer 46 into data, a changeover switch 53,
the state of which is changed over depending on whether the data
received over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 is to be decoded or the
data received by the tuner unit 44 is to be outputted to a monitor
or a speaker, not-shown, a VTR handling analog data, not shown, or
to outside, and a changeover switch 54, the state of which is
changed over depending on whether the data received over the IEEE
1394 serial bus 60 or the data received by the tuner unit 44 is to
be muted.
[0075] The IEEE 1394 I/F 41 receives the MPEG-TS transmitted from
outside over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60, while processing the data
received by the tuner unit 44 to route it over the IEEE 1394 serial
bus 60 for transmission to outside.
[0076] The demultiplexer 42 separates the multiplexed data received
from outside into plural signals. The demultiplexer 42 detects data
transition, such as the boundary of different data obtained on
separation and the boundary of analog and digital data, to transmit
the detected result to the control micro-computer 46.
[0077] The decoder 43 decodes the data separated by the
demultiplexer 42.
[0078] The tuner unit 44 receives data through other recording
mediums, such as broadcasting-satellite, while performing tuning
control under control by the control micro-computer 46.
[0079] The changeover switch 45 switches between the demultiplexer
42 and the tuner unit 44, under control by the control
micro-computer 46, to change over the data route. That is, the
changeover switch 45 connects to the demultiplexer 42 if the data
received over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 is to be decoded. The
changeover switch 45 connects to the tuner unit 44 if the data
received by the tuner unit 44 is to be outputted to a monitor, a
speaker, a VTR or to outside.
[0080] The control micro-computer 46 controls the IEEE 1394 I/F 41,
demultiplexer 42, decoder 43 and the tuner unit 44. That is, the
control micro-computer 46 transmits control signal for connection
control supervising logical connection and disconnection among the
equipments to the 1394 packetizing unit 50 and to the 1394
unpacketizing unit 51 in accordance with the connection management
consistent with the IEC 1883. Also, the control micro-computer 46
transmits control signals for erasing data held by the memory 52
and DIT for insertion into data to the memory 52. The control
micro-computer 46 also transmits control signals for changing the
operating mode depending on whether the data received over the IEEE
1394 serial bus 60 or data received by the tuner unit 44 is to be
outputted to the monitor, speaker, VTR or to outside, while
transmitting control signals to the changeover switch 54 for
controlling whether or not these data is to be muted. In addition,
the control micro-computer 46 receives the result of data
transition detection from the demultiplexer 42, while transmitting
tuning control signal to the tuner unit 44.
[0081] The tuner equipment 40 receives the MPEG-TS from outside
over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60 to perform variable processing
operations thereon, while performing variable processing operations
on data received by the tuner unit 44 to output the resulting
MPEG-TS to the monitor, speaker, VTR or to outside.
[0082] In the IEEE 1394 network 10, the control micro-computers 24,
46 of the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 and
the tuner equipment 40 send the DIT to the respective-memories 29,
52 to insert the DIT into the data in case the time axis or the
services of the contents have been changed. This DIT is a sort of
the service information prescribed in the digital video
broadcasting (DBS) system which is the European digital
broadcasting system. This DIT has a one-bit flag transition_flag,
abbreviated to tf, as the syntax.
[0083] This tf indicates the sort of the status transition in the
MPEG-TS. If tf is 1, it indicates that status transition has
occurred due to changes in the source data in the MPEG-TS. These
changes in the source data can be changes in the MPEG-TS itself,
while it can be changes in the position in the MPEG-TS as in the
case of time shift. That is, tf equal to 1 indicates that the
source data is discontinuous. If tf is 0, it indicates that the
status transition has been produced due to changes in only the
selection, that is that the data stays at the same position in the
same TS and is continuous.
[0084] The method for DIT insertion into data is hereinafter
explained according to different cases in which the DIT should be
introduced.
[0085] First, the DIT should be inserted into data for transmission
when the DIT recorded on the recording medium is being reproduced,
specifically, when the DIT accompanying the discontinuous MPEG-TS
recorded on the recording medium of the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is being reproduced.
[0086] In such case, the tuner equipment 40 inserts the DIT, when
changing over the channel, to the data received from the data
recording and/or reproducing medium. equipment 20 over the IEEE
1394 serial bus 60 and unpacketized.
[0087] The DIT should be inserted into data and transmitted when
starting data outputting, specifically, when the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 causes operating mode
transition from the stop state to the playback (PB) state to start
outputting of data recorded on the recording medium.
[0088] In such cases, the operating mode in the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20, the data input/output mode,
abbreviated below to DIF mode, in the connection management portion
of the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20,
control signals for muting control sent from the control
micro-computer 24 of the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 to the switch 27, and time changes in the MPEG-TS
packet, are shown in the timing chart shown in FIG. 12. That is, if
the DIF mode is changed from the input ON) to the output (OUT), the
data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 sets a
broadcast connection counter, abbreviated below to Bcc, or the
point-to-point connection counter, abbreviated below to Pcc, in the
oPCR of the own output plug, as the logical data-entrance/exit,
from 0 to 1 to set the connection state. The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts one DIT tf=1 before
releasing the muting. In the drawing, Empty means an empty
packet.
[0089] The above cases in which the DIT should be introduced
include such a case when the data starts to be outputted in the
connected state, specifically, such a case in which the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 changes the
operating mode from the stop state to the playback state during
dubbing to start outputting the data recorded on the recording
medium.
[0090] In such case, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 inserts a DIT tf=1 before-releasing the muting.
[0091] The sequence of operations in the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is as shown in FIG. 13. That is,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step
S1 sends a control signal from the control micro-computer 24 to the
switch 27, in order to set the muting on state to prevent data from
being inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23. The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 also sends a control signal to the
memory in the IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to clear data held in the memory
29.
[0092] The data-recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
then deciphers at step S2 whether the operating mode is pause,
playback pause (PB pause), fast feed (cue), fast rewind (review) or
variable speed playback state, such as slow reproduction
(slow).
[0093] If the operating state is the pause or variable speed
playback, the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
checks at step S5 whether the Bcc or Pcc at oPCR is not less than
1, that is whether or not the connected state persists.
[0094] If Bcc and Pcc in oPCR are both 0, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 proceeds to step S7.
[0095] If Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 proceeds to the processing
at step S6.
[0096] If the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
at step S2 has verified that the pause or variable speed playback
does not persist, it checks at step S3 whether or not Bcc and Pcc
in OPCR are both 0.
[0097] If Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 proceeds to the processing
at step S6.
[0098] If Bcc and Pcc in oPCR are both 0, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S4 increments Bcc or Pcc in
oPCR by 1.
[0099] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S6 sends the DIT tf=1 from the control micro-computer 24 to
the memory 29 to insert this DIT to the data.
[0100] After transfer to the playback state at step S7, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 sends at step S8 a
control signal from the control micro-computer 24 to the switch 27
to turn off the muting to permit data to be inputted to the IEEE
1394 I/F 23. The data recording and/or reproducing: medium
equipment 20 then terminates the sequence-of operations.
[0101] Meanwhile, if, in the data recording and/or reproducing
medium equipment 20, the DIF mode is for outputting and the own
oPCR is set by remote control to Bcc=0 or to Pcc=0, then DIT is not
inserted.
[0102] By this sequence of operations, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts the DIT into the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at the
aforementioned timing. The data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 unpacketizes the data, having the DIT introduced
therein, in the 1394 packetizing unit 30, and outputs the packeted
data as MPEG-TS to outside over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0103] On the other hand, the tuner equipment 40 receives the
MPEG-TS sent from the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 to perform a sequence of operations shown in FIG. 14
to reproduce and output data.
[0104] That is, the tuner equipment 40 issues at step S11 a command
to set the input and output stages of the decoder 43 and the
digital to analog (D/A) converter to the muting on state to pause
the output processing of unusual images or sound as well as a
command to set the input and output stages of the demultiplexer 42
to the muting on state to prevent the inputting of unusual
streams.
[0105] The tuner equipment 40 at step S12 transmits a control
signal from the control micro-computer 46 to the memory 52 in the
IEEE 1394 I/F 41 to clear the data held by the memory 52. If there
is any memory, not shown, used in various portions in the tuner
equipment 40 for data working, such memory also is cleared.
[0106] The tuner equipment 40 at step S13 sets data required at the
time of initialization or reversion from the paused state of the
variable portions or units as necessary.
[0107] The tuner equipment 40 at step S14 commands the control
micro-computer 46 to set the input stages of the demultiplexer 42
to the muting off state and, after detecting the synchronization
byte of an input stream unpacketized by the unpacketizing unit 51,
confirms that the stream is being inputted in stability.
[0108] The tuner equipment 40 at step S15 commands the control
micro-computer 46 to set the output stages of the demultiplexer 42
and the decoder 43 to the muting off state to confirm that the
input stream to the decoder 43 has been decoded in stability.
[0109] The tuner equipment 40 at step S16 issues a command to set
an output stage of the decoder 43 and the input and output stages
of the D/A converter to the muting off state to re-output data to
the electronic equipment, such as a monitor, a speaker or a VTR,
connected thereto, to re-initiate reproduction of normal picture or
sound.
[0110] By so doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to decode the
data appropriately under control by the control micro-computer 46,
such that there is no risk of hang-up of e.g., the demultiplexer 42
or the decoder 43, nor the risk of displaying a noisy picture or
outputting unusual sound which might destruct the speaker.
[0111] The above cases in which the DIT should be introduced
include such a case when the data outputting is to be halted, as
when the operating state of the data recording and/or reproducing
medium equipment 20 is changed from the playback state to the
halted state.
[0112] In such case, the operating mode in the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20, the DIF mode in the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20, the control
signal sent from the control micro-computer 24 of the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 to the switch 27,
and time-changes of the MPEG-TS packet, are shown by the timing
chart shown in FIG. 15. That is, if the DIF mode is changed from
the output to the input, the data recording and/or reproducing
medium equipment 20 inserts a DIT of tf=1 after setting the muting
and before setting Bcc>0 or Pcc>0 in the own oPCR to 0.
[0113] The above cases in which the DIT should be introduced
include such a case when the data outputting is halted in the
connected state, specifically, such a case in which the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 changes its
operating mode from the playback state to the operating mode in the
course of dubbing.
[0114] In such case, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 inserts a DIT tf=1.
[0115] The sequence of operations in the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is as shown in FIG. 16. That is,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step
S21 sends a control signal from the control micro-computer 24 to
the switch 27 to set the muting on state to prevent data from being
inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23. The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 also sends a control signal from
the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 in the IEEE 1394 I/F
23 to clear the data held in the memory 29.
[0116] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
then deciphers at step S22 whether or not the operating mode is the
playback state. If the operating mode is not the playback state,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 verifies
at step S26 whether or not the Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than
1, that is whether or not the operating state is the connected
state.
[0117] If the Bcc and Pcc in oPCR are both 0, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 transfers to the processing
of step S28.
[0118] If the Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S27
decrements Bcc or Pcc in OPCR by 1.
[0119] If the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
has verified at step S22 that the operating state is the playback
state, it deciphers at step S23 whether or not the Bcc or the Pcc
in oPCR are not less than 1.
[0120] If the Bcc and Pcc in oPCR are both 0, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 transfers to the processing
of step S28.
[0121] If the Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S24 sends
a DIT tf=1 from the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 to
insert the DIT into data.
[0122] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S25 decrements the Bcc or Pcc in oPCR by 1.
[0123] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S28 transfers to the stop state, after which it sends a
control signal at step S29 from the control micro-computer 24 to
the switch 27 to turn the muting off to permit data to be inputted
to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to terminate the sequence of
operations.
[0124] Meanwhile, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 is able to apply this processing to the case of
transitions of the operating state from the playback state to the
fast feed or fast rewind state.
[0125] It is by the above-described sequence of operations that the
data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 introduces
the DIT at the aforementioned timing. The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 packetizes the data, having
introduced therein the DIT indicating that the data being
reproduced has been halted, in the packetizing unit 30, and outputs
the packetized data as MPEG-TS to outside over the IEEE 1394 serial
bus 60.
[0126] The tuner equipment 40, which has received the MPEG-TS,
performs the sequence of operations, shown in FIG. 14, to reproduce
data. By so doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to decode data
appropriately under control by the control micro-computer 46,
without the risk of hang-up of each component, such as the
demultiplexer 42 or the decoder 43, even on abrupt transition from
the playback state to the halt state. Thus, it is possible to
prevent display of a noisy picture or outputting of an unusual
sound which might destruct a speaker.
[0127] The data output seizure based on a connection rule
consistent with the IEC 61883, for which the DIT should be inserted
into data-for transmission, is explained. It is assumed here that
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 seizes a
default channel used by the tuner equipment 40 and outputs on the
seized channel.
[0128] In such case, the operating mode in the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20, and time changes in the DIF
mode in the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20,
Bcc in oPCR of the tuner equipment 40 and in the MPEG-TS packet,
are shown as in the timing chart of FIG. 17. That is, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 sets Bcc of oPCR
of the tuner equipment 40 from 1 to 0, while setting Bcc or Pcc in
the own oPCR from 0 to 1. Before releasing the muting, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts a sole DIT
tf=1.
[0129] The sequence of operations in the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is as shown in FIG. 18. That is,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step
S31 turns on the muting, to prevent data from being inputted from
the control micro-computer 24 to the switch 27, at the same time as
it transmits a control signal from the control micro-computer 24 to
the memory 29 in the IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to clear the data held in the
memory 29.
[0130] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
then sets at step S32 the operation state to, the playback and
outputting state.
[0131] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S34 sets Bcc or Pcc of the own-oPCR from 0 to 1.
[0132] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S35 sends a DIT tf=1 from the control micro-computer 24 to the
memory 29 to insert this DIT into data.
[0133] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S36 transmits a control signal from the control micro-computer
24 to the switch 27 to turn off the muting to permit data to be
inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to terminate a sequence of
operations.
[0134] By the above-described sequence of operations, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts two DITs
data at the aforementioned timing to packetize the data to output
the resulting data to outside as MPEG-TS over the IEEE 1394 serial
bus 60.
[0135] On reception of the MPEG-TS, the tuner equipment 40 performs
the sequence of operations shown in FIG. 14 to reproduce the data.
By so doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to decode the data
appropriately under control by the control micro-computer 46, so
that there is now no risk of hang-up of each component, such as the
demultiplexer 42 or the decoder 43, even on abrupt transition from
the playback state to the halt state. Thus, it is possible to
prevent display of a noisy picture or outputting of an unusual
sound which might destruct a speaker.
[0136] Such a case is now explained in which the MPEG-TS outputted
by the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 cannot
cope with variable speed playback, in which case it is necessary to
insert DIT into data for transmission, as explained previously.
[0137] In such case, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 inserts the DIT when the mechanical mode transfers to
the variable speed-playback state, and sets the muting to output an
empty packet during variable speed playback. Specifically, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts a DIT data
of tf=1 when transferring from the usual playback state to the
playback pause, fast feed, fast rewind or slow playback. The data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 also inserts a DIT
data of tf=1 when transferring from the playback pause, fast feed,
fast rewind or slow playback to the usual playback state. However,
it is unnecessary for the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 to insert the DIT in transferring from the playback
pause, fast feed, fast rewind or slow playback to the stop
state.
[0138] The sequence of operations in the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 is as shown in FIG. 19. That is,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step
S41 transmits a control signal from the control micro-computer 24
to the switch 27 to turn on the muting to prevent data from being
inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23, while transmitting a control
signal from the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 in the
IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to clear the data held in the memory 29.
[0139] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
the deciphers at step S42 whether or not the operating state is the
playback state.
[0140] If the operating state is the playback state, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S46
deciphers whether or not Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1,
that is whether or not the connection state persists. If Bcc and
Pcc in oPCR are 0, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 transfers to the processing at step S48.
[0141] If Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S47 sends a DIT tf=1
from the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 to insert this
DIT into data, before proceeding to the processing of step S48.
[0142] If the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
at step S42 deciphers that the operating state is not the playback
state but is a paused state, it transfers to step S43 to decipher
whether or not Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1.
[0143] If both Bcc and Pcc in oPCR are both 0, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 proceeds to the processing
at step S48.
[0144] If Bcc or Pcc in oPCR is not less than 1, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S44 sends a DIT
tf=1from the control-micro computer 24 to the memory 29 to insert
this DIT into data.
[0145] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S48 transfers to the variable speed playback to transmit a
control signal at step S49 from the control micro-computer 24 to
the switch 27 to turn off the muting to permit data to be inputted
to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to terminate the sequence of
operations.
[0146] Meanwhile, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 is able to apply this processing to the case of
transition of the operating mode to the paused state.
[0147] By this sequence of operations, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts the DIT at the
aforementioned timing. The data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 packetizes the data, having the DIT introduced
therein, in the 1394 packetizing unit 30, to output the packetized
data to outside as MPEG-TS over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0148] On reception of the MPEG-TS, the tuner equipment 40 performs
the sequence of operations shown in FIG. 6 to reproduce data. By so
doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to decode data appropriately
under control by the control micro-computer 46, without the risk of
hang-up of each component, such as the demultiplexer 42 or the
decoder 43, even on abrupt transition from the playback state to
the halt-state, such that it is possible to prevent display of a
noisy picture or outputting of an unusual sound which might
destruct a speaker.
[0149] As a case in which it is necessary to insert DIT into-data
for transmission, such a case is now explained, in which there is a
transition of changes in contents thus requiring DIT insertion into
data for transmission. This is such a case in which digital
contents of a program A and a program B, different from each other,
such as junction of the MPEG contents or overwrite recording of the
MPEG contents, are recorded in succession on a recording medium of
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20.
[0150] In such case, time changes in the MPEG contents and MPEG-TS
packets recorded on the recording medium of the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 and control signals for
muting control sent from the control micro-computer 24 of the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 to the switch 27,
are shown in a timing chart of FIG. 20. That is, the data recording
and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts a DIT of tf=1 in
transition from the program A to the program B.
[0151] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
similarly inserts the DIT when the transition in the MPEG contents
in the recording medium is on the boundary between the contents and
an unrecorded portion or on the boundary between the digital and
analog contents when both the digital and analog contents are
recordable as in D-VHS, the recording portions of these contents
existing together.
[0152] In this case, time changes in the MPEG contents and the
MPEG-TS packets recorded on the recording medium of the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 and control
signals for muting control sent from the control micro-computer 24
of the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 to the
switch 27 are indicated by the timing chart shown in FIG. 21. That
is, when the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
reproduces the recording medium from the portion thereof having the
digital contents recorded thereon to the portion thereof having the
analog contents recorded thereon, it inserts a sole DIT.
[0153] The sequence of operations in the data recording and/or
reproducing medium-equipment 20 is as shown in FIG. 22. That is,
the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step
S51 sends a control signal from the control micro-computer 24 to
the switch 27 to turn the muting on to prevent data from being
inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23, while transmitting a control
signal from the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 in the
IEEE 1394 I/F 23 to clear the data held in the memory 29.
[0154] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S52 checks whether or not there is a transition point in the
digital contents.
[0155] If there is a transition point in the digital contents, the
data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S56
transmits a DIT of tf=1 from the control micro-computer 24 to the
memory 29 to insert the DIT into the data The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 then shifts to the processing of
step S57.
[0156] If there is no transition in the digital contents, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 checks whether or
not recording is made on the recording medium from the digital
contents to an unrecorded-portion or analog contents
continuously.
[0157] If recording is made on the recording medium from the
digital contents to an unrecorded portion or analog contents
continuously, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 at step S55 transmits a DIT of tf=1 from the
control-micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 to insert this DIT into
data. The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20
then transfers to the processing of step S57.
[0158] If recording is made from an unrecorded portion or the
analog contents to the digital contents, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 at step S54 transmits a DIT if tf=1
from the control micro-computer 24 to the memory 29 to insert this
DIT into the data.
[0159] The data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 at
step S57 sends a control signal from the control micro-computer 24
to the switch 27 to set the muting off state to permit data to be
inputted to the IEEE 1394 I/F 23. The data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 then terminates the sequence of
operations.
[0160] By this sequence of operations, the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts the DIT into data at the
aforementioned timing, responsive to the transition point of the
MPEG contents, and packetizes the data in the 1394 packetizing unit
30 to output the packetized data as MPEG-TS to outside over the
IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0161] On reception of the MPEG-TS, the tuner equipment 40 performs
the above-described sequence of operations, shown in FIG. 6, to
reproduce data. By so doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to
decode data appropriately under control by the control
micro-computer 46, without the risk of hang-up of each component,
such as the demultiplexer 42 or the decoder 43, even on abrupt
transition from the playback state to the halt state, such that it
is possible to prevent display of a noisy picture or outputting of
an unusual sound which might destruct a speaker.
[0162] The cases of data recording starting and data recording
stop, in which it is necessary to insert the DIT into data to
transmit the resulting data, are hereinafter explained. Examples of
these cases include a case wherein the data recording and/or
reproducing medium equipment 20 changes its operating mode from the
stop mode to the recording state or from the recording state to the
operating mode.
[0163] If, in these cases, data is to be recorded on the recording
medium, a DIT of tf=1 is first inserted before proceeding to data
recording. If the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20 stops or pauses the data recording on the recording
medium, it records a DIT of tf=1 at the trailing end of the
recorded data before proceeding to the stop state or paused
state.
[0164] By performing this sequence of operations, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 inserts the DIT at
the aforementioned timing. When reproducing these data, the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 packetizes the
data in the 1394 packetizing unit 30 to output the resulting data
as MPEG-TS to outside over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0165] On reception of the MPEG-TS, the tuner equipment 40 performs
the above-described sequence of operations, shown in FIG. 6, to
reproduce data. By so doing, the tuner equipment 40 is able to
decode data appropriately under control by the control
micro-computer 46, without the risk of hang-up of each component,
such as the demultiplexer 42 or the decoder 43, even on abrupt
transition from the playback state to the halt state, such that it
is possible to prevent display of a noisy picture or outputting of
an unusual sound which might destruct a speaker.
[0166] Thus, the data recording and/or reproducing medium equipment
20 inserts the DIT into data responsive to changes in the operating
mode or in the contents. This processing can, of course, be applied
to the tuner equipment 40.
[0167] The tuner equipment 40 also inserts the DIT into data when
changing the services received by the tuner unit 44 over the
satellite or cable to different services of a selected station to
output the service stream over the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0168] That is, the tuner equipment 40 is responsive to changes in
the services received by the tuner unit 44 to transmit the DIT from
the control micro-computer 46 to the memory 52 to insert the
transmitted DIT into the data. The tuner equipment 40 inserts the
data, into which has been introduced the DIT, by the 1394
packetizing unit 50, to output the packetized data as MPEG-TS over
the IEEE 1394 serial bus 60.
[0169] By so doing, the data recording and/or reproducing medium
equipment 20, receiving this MPEG-TS, is able to record stable data
on the recording medium under control by the control micro-computer
24
[0170] With the IEEE 1394 network 10, embodying the present
invention, as described above, it is possible to evade hang-up of
an electronic equipment receiving the data by inserting the DIT
into data. Thus, an undesirable picture, such as a noisy picture,
or an unusual sound, which might destruct the speaker, may be
eliminated.
[0171] By applying the present invention, it is possible to set a
guideline in managing the DIT such as a timing of introducing the
DIT.
[0172] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiment and may be applied not only to the IEEE 1394 network but
to a network constructed by a digital serial bus such as so-called
Ethernet or universal serial-bus (USB).
[0173] The present invention is applicable not only to the data
recording and/or reproducing medium equipment 20 or tuner equipment
40 but to a household electronic equipment having a function of
communication with outside or to an electronic equipment capable of
transmission/reception of MPEG-TS, such as a computer.
[0174] The present invention is also applicable to a MPEG-pure
embodiment adapted to process received DIT. In other respects, the
present invention can similarly be modified without altering its
technical concept.
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