Network system and electronic device

• US 7,610,609 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Shibamiya, Yoshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Beliveau; Scott
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUFFIELD, JEREMY S
• Application Number:
  US10/845,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20040240475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,992 Days
• Field of Search: 725/80, 725/151, 725/153
• US Class Current: 725/153
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/91 broadcasting computer programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/09 Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/95 for local area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40071 Packet processing; Packet format adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific network H04N21/2381, H04N21/4363, H04N21/4381; packet switches H04L49/00; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40097 Interconnection with other networks LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; single bridge functionality H04L12/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control

Abstract

A network system has a plurality of electronic devices connected to a network. At least one of the electronic devices receives a broadcast signal including data relating to an electronic device. The network system has a processing circuit that collates data contained in the broadcast signal with inherent information of an electronic device connected to the network, and generates a signal for causing at least one of the electronic devices to execute predetermined processing according to a result of the collation.

Claims

1. A network system comprising:

a TV apparatus and an electronic device connected to the TV apparatus via a network, the TV apparatus being capable of receiving a broadcast signal, wherein the broadcast signal contains identification data identifying one of electronic devices connectable to the network, which is not capable of receiving the broadcast signal, and control data for controlling a version-update of a control software to be executed on the electronic device identified by the identification data,

wherein the TV apparatus comprises;

a storage unit that stores the identification data and the control data contained in the received broadcast signal;

a control unit that collates the identification data of the electronic device with inherent information of the electronic device, inquires whether the identified electronic device is in an on-state, and in a case where the identified electronic device is in an on-state, transmits the control data stored in the storage unit to the identified electronic device via the network so as to execute a version-update of control software stored in a memory unit in the identified electronic; and

wherein the identification data contains a name of a manufacturer for the electronic device to be controlled, and the identification data and the control data are contained in a signal of a commercial message (CM) broadcast of the manufacturer.

4. A network system according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the identified electronic device is not in an on-state, the control unit controls a display unit of the TV apparatus to display a message urging a user to set the identified electronic device to an on-state.

2. A TV apparatus which can be connected to a network and is connected to an electronic device via the network, the TV apparatus comprising:

a receiver that receives a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal containing identification data identifying one of the electronic devices on the network, which is not capable of receiving the broadcast signal, and control data for controlling a version-update of a control software to be executed on the electronic device identified by the identification data;

a storage unit that stores the identification data and the control data contained in the received broadcast signal;

a control unit that collates the identification data of the electronic device with inherent information of the electronic device, inquires whether the identified electronic device is in an on-state, and in a case where the identified electronic device is in an on-state, transmits the control data stored in the storage unit to the identified electronic device via the network so as execute a version-update of control software stored in a memory unit in the identified electronic; and

wherein the identification data contains a name of a manufacturer for the electronic device to be controlled, and the identification data and the control data are contained in a signal of a commercial message (CM) broadcast of the manufacturer.

3. A method of controlling a software update for an electronic device connected to a TV apparatus on a network utilizing a broadcast signal, wherein the electronic device is not capable of receiving the broadcast signal, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a broadcast signal, wherein the broadcast signal includes identification data identifying one of electronic devices connectable to the network, which is not capable of receiving the broadcast signal, and control data for controlling a version-update of a control software to be executed on the electronic device identified by the identification data;

receiving the broadcast signal by the TV apparatus connected to the network;

storing in a storage unit of the TV apparatus, the identification data and the control data contained in the broadcast signal received by the TV apparatus;

collating, by the TV apparatus, the identification data of the electronic device with inherent information of the electronic device, inquiring whether the identified electronic device is in an on-state, and in a case where the identified electronic device is in an on-state, transmitting, by the TV apparatus to the electronic device via the network, the control data stored in the storage unit so as to execute a version-update of control software stored in a memory unit in the identified electronic device; and

wherein the identification data contains a name of a manufacturer for the electronic device to be controlled, and the identification data and the control data are contained in a signal of a commercial message (CM) broadcast of the manufacturer.