Method of controlling connection between nodes in digital interface

Abstract

A method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface whereby a first node that is a master node determines a second node to be the master and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection to another node. The first node having the display device determines the second node to be the master in accordance with a user selection, and transmits a connection command of a predetermined format for transmitting a data stream to the second node. The second node determined as the master in accordance with the transmitted connection command of the predetermined format is allocated with a channel and a bandwidth from an isochronous resource manager (IRM), and performs a point-to-point connection between the second node and the first node to transit the data stream. Thus, the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of the program can be smoothly performed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a connection between a plurality of nodes through an interface, the method comprising: transmitting control information including identification information of a destination node and a disconnection command, wherein the disconnection command represents that the destination node is released from the interface, and wherein the destination node maintains a disconnection state until a new connection command is detected, and during the disconnection state, a physical connection between the plurality of nodes is maintained to receive the new connection command through the interface; and receiving, according to the control information, a response information including identification information of a source node, wherein the identification information of the destination node is a unique physical node identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control information and the response information comprise preformatted commands.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination node is a digital versatile disc (LAID) player, a digital television (DTV), or a set-top box (STB).

4. A digital device for controlling a connection between a plurality of nodes through an interface, the device comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit control information including identification information of a destination node and a disconnection command, wherein the disconnection command represents that the destination at cn node is released from the interface, and wherein the destination node maintains a disconnection state until a new connection command is detected, and during the disconnection state, a physical connection between the plurality of nodes is maintained to receive the new connection command through the interface; and a receiver configured to receive, according to the control information, response information including identification information of a source node, wherein the identification information of the destination node is a unique physical node identifier.

5. A method for controlling a connection between a plurality of nodes through an interface, the method comprising: transmitting control information including identification information of a destination node and a disconnection command, wherein the disconnection command represents that the destination node is released from the interface, and wherein the destination node maintains a disconnection state until a new connection command is detected, and during the disconnection state, a physical connection between the destination node and another node is maintained to receive the new connection command through the interface; and receiving, according to the control information, a response information including identification information of a source node, wherein the identification information of the destination node is a unique physical node identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control information and the response information comprise preformatted commands.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the destination node is a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a digital television (DIV), or a set-top box (STB).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention:

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a connection state of a conventional 1394 system connected between nodes.

(4) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a system to which the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

(5) FIGS. 3a and 3b are views illustrating a connection command form according to the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Reference will now be made in detail to the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

(7) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a system to which the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The system comprises a digital television (DTV) 101, a set-top box (STB) 102, and a digital video disk (DVD) player 103, and a disk 104.

(8) FIGS. 3a and 3b are views illustrating a connection command form according to the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3a, the connection command is composed of a subfunction region representing whether the connection is a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection, a connection region representing whether to make or cut off the connection, a source node identification (ID) region representing a source node ID of the node which transmits a data stream, and a destination node ID region representing a destination node ID of the node which receives the data stream, a bandwidth region representing a bandwidth allocated from the source node, a source channel number region representing a source channel number allocated from the source node, an output plug control register number region representing an output plug control register (PCR) number of the source node, a destination channel number region representing a destination channel number of the destination node for receiving the data stream, and an input PCR number region representing an input PCR number of the destination node. The subfunction region in FIG. 3a is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3b.

(9) The method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface as constructed above will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(10) First, if a user selects the DTV 101 or the STB 102 which are displayed on a screen in order to view a specified program received in the STB 102 through an IEEE 1394 cable as shown in FIG. 2, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command of a predetermined format as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to the STB 102 with the STB 102 determined as a master to transmit the data stream.

(11) Specifically, before transmitting the connection command to the STB 102, the DTV 101 writes 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to record the point-to-point connection, 0x00 in the connection region to record making of the connection, the node ID of the STB 102 in the source node ID region, and its own ID in the destination node ID region, respectively.

(12) The node IDs of the nodes displayed on the screen are connected to the IEEE 1394 cable, and are stored in the DTV 101 when the power is turned on or the bus is reset.

(13) Then, the STB 102 transmits a response corresponding to the connection command to the DTV 101 in accordance with the connection command transmitted from the DTV 101.

(14) Here, the STB 102 may transmit a command identical to the connection command as the response.

(15) Also, before transmitting the connection command to the DTV 101 as the response, the STB 102 may additionally write the bandwidth allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the bandwidth region, the channel number allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the source channel number region, its own output plug control register (PCR) number in the output PCR number region, the allocated channel number in the destination channel number region, and the input PCR number of the DTV 101 in the input PCR number region, respectively.

(16) Thereafter, the STB 102 is allocated with the channel and bandwidth from the isochronous resource manager (not illustrated), sets its own output plug control register and the input plug control register of the DTV 101 for the point-to-point connection as shown in FIG. 1, and then transmits the data stream of the program to the DTV 101 to display the data stream on the screen.

(17) Here, the DTV 101 writes 0x10, which means the broadcast connection, in the subfunction region of the connection command, and transmits the connection command, so that the data stream of the program can be broadcast from the STB 102 to not only the DTV 101 itself but also other nodes connected to the IEEE 1394 cable.

(18) If the display is completed, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command to the STB 102 after writing 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command to record the point-to-point connection, 0x10 in the connection region to record cut-off of the connection, the node ID of the STB 102 in the source node ID region, and its own node ID in the destination node ID region, so that the point-to-point connection or the broadcast connection can be released.

(19) Also, if a user selects the DVD player 103 among the DTV 101, STB 102, and DVD player 103 displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 2 to store the data stream of the program being viewed in the disk 104, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command of a predetermined format as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to the DVD player 103 with the DVD player 103 determined as a master to store the data stream.

(20) Specifically, before transmitting the connection command to the DVD player 103, the DTV 101 writes 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to record the point-to-point connection, 0x00 in the connection region to record the making of the connection, the node ID of the DTV 101 in the source node ID region, and the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the destination node ID region, respectively.

(21) The node IDs of the nodes displayed on the screen are connected to the IEEE 1394 cable, and stored in the DTV 101 when the power is turned on or the bus is reset.

(22) Then, the DVD player 103 transmits a response corresponding to the connection command to the DTV 101 in accordance with the connection command transmitted from the DTV 101.

(23) Here, the DVD player 103 may transmit a command identical to the connection command as the response.

(24) Also, before transmitting the connection command to the DTV 101 as the response, the DVD player 103 may additionally write the bandwidth allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the bandwidth region, the channel number allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the source channel number region, the output plug control register (PCR) number of the DTV 101 in the output PCR number region, the channel number allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the destination channel number region, and its own input PCR number in the input PCR number region, respectively.

(25) Thereafter, the DVD player 103 is allocated with the channel and bandwidth from the isochronous resource manager (not illustrated), sets its own input plug control register and the output plug control register of the DTV 101 for the point-to-point connection as shown in FIG. 1, and then receives the data stream outputted from the DTV 101 to store the data stream in the disk 104.

(26) Here, the DTV 101 writes 0x10, which means the broadcast connection, in the subfunction region of the connection command, and transmits the connection command, so that the data stream of the program being viewed can be broadcast from itself to not only the DVD player 103 but also other nodes connected to the IEEE 1394 cable.

(27) If the display is completed, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command to the DVD player 103 after writing 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command to record the point-to-point connection, 0x10 in the connection region to record cut-off of the connection, the node ID of the DTV 101 in the source node ID region, and the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the destination node ID region, so that the point-to-point connection or the broadcast connection can be released.

(28) Also, if a user selects the STB 102 among the DTV 101, STB 102, and DVD player 103 displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 2 to store the data stream of the program being received from the STB 102 through the IEEE 1394 cable in the disk 104, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command of a predetermined format as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to the STB 102 with the STB 102 determined as a master to store the data stream.

(29) Specifically, before transmitting the connection command to the STB 102, the DTV 101 writes 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to record the point-to-point connection, 0x00 in the connection region to record the making of the connection, the node ID of the STB 102 in the source node ID region, and the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the destination node ID region, respectively.

(30) The node IDs of the nodes displayed on the screen are connected to the IEEE 1394 cable, and stored in the DTV 101 when the power is turned on or the bus is reset.

(31) Then, the STB 102 transmits a response corresponding to the connection command to the DTV 101 in accordance with the connection command transmitted from the DTV 101.

(32) Here, the STB 102 may transmit a command identical to the connection command as the response.

(33) Also, before transmitting the connection command to the DTV 101 as the response, the STB 102 may additionally write the bandwidth allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the bandwidth region, the channel number allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the source channel number region, its own output plug control register (PCR) number in the output PCR number region, the allocated channel number in the destination channel number region, and the input PCR number of the DVD player 103 in the input PCR number region, respectively.

(34) Thereafter, the STB 102 is allocated with the channel and bandwidth from the isochronous resource manager (not illustrated), sets its own output plug control register and the input plug control register of the DVD player 103 for the point-to-point connection as shown in FIG. 1, and then transmits the received data stream to the DVD player 103.

(35) Then, the DVD player 103 stores in the disk 104 the data stream of the program transmitted from the STB 102 through the point-to-point connection.

(36) Here, the DTV 101 writes 0x10, which means the broadcast connection, in the subfunction region of the connection command, and transmits the connection command, so that the data stream of the program received from the STB 102 is not only stored in the disk 104 through the DVD player 103 but also broadcast to other nodes connected to the IEEE 1394 cable.

(37) If the display is completed, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command to the STB 102 after writing 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command to record the point-to-point connection, 0x10 in the connection region to record cut-off of the connection, the node ID of the STB 102 in the source node ID region, and the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the destination node ID region, so that the point-to-point connection or the broadcast connection can be released.

(38) Meanwhile, if a user selects the DVD player 103 among the DTV 101, STB 102, and DVD player 103 displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 2 to reproduce through the DVD player 103 and view through the DTV 101 the data stream of the program stored in the disk 104, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command of a predetermined format as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to the DVD player 103 with the DVD player 103 determined as a master to reproduce the data stream of the program stored in the disk 104 and transmit the data stream to the DTV 101 itself.

(39) Specifically, before transmitting the connection command to the DVD player 103, the DTV 101 writes 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to record the point-to-point connection, 0x00 in the connection region to record the making of the connection, the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the source node ID region, and its own node ID in the destination node ID region, respectively.

(40) The node IDs of the nodes displayed on the screen are connected to the IEEE 1394 cable, and stored in the DTV 101 when the power is turned on or the bus is reset.

(41) Then, the DVD player 103 transmits a response corresponding to the connection command to the DTV 101 in accordance with the connection command transmitted from the DTV 101.

(42) Here, the DVD player 103 may transmit a command identical to the connection command as the response.

(43) Also, before transmitting the connection command to the DTV 101 as the response, the DVD player 103 may additionally write the bandwidth allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the bandwidth region, the channel number allocated from the isochronous resource manager in the source channel number region, its own output plug control register (PCR) number in the output PCR number region, the allocated channel number in the destination channel number region, and the input PCR number of the DTV 101 in the input PCR number region, respectively.

(44) Thereafter, the DVD player 103 is allocated with the channel and bandwidth from the isochronous resource manager, sets its own output plug control register and the input plug control register of the DTV 101 for the point-to-point connection as shown in FIG. 1, and then reproduces the data stream of the program stored in the disk 104 to transmit the reproduced data stream to the DTV 101.

(45) Then, the DTV 101 displays on the screen the data stream of the program transmitted from the DVD player 103 through the point-to-point connection.

(46) Here, the DTV 101 writes 0x10, which means the broadcast connection, in the subfunction region of the connection command, and transmits the connection command, so that the data stream of the program being reproduced and transmitted from the DVD player 103 can be not only displayed on the screen but also broadcast to other players connected to the IEEE 1394 cable.

(47) If the display is completed, the DTV 101 transmits the connection command to the DVD player 103 after writing 0x01 in the subfunction region of the connection command to record the point-to-point connection, 0x10 in the connection region to record cut-off of the connection, the node ID of the DVD player 103 in the source node ID region, and its own node ID in the destination node ID region, so that the point-to-point connection or the broadcast connection can be released.

(48) As described above, according to the method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface, one node among nodes connected to the digital interface, that is a master, determines another node to be the master, and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection among the nodes, so that the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of a certain program can be smoothly performed.

(49) While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.