The invention specifies a system having a plurality of devices which are connected to one another via an IEEE 1394 interface and one of which contains a control unit which, when operated appropriately by a user, polls system data for devices in this system via the interface and passes this system data to an output unit of this device. The device having the output unit is, by way of example, a set-top box having a microprocessor which a user uses to poll system data for the devices, which contains, in particular the input and output characteristics of the latter, via the interface and which the user can use to store this system data on a smart card by means of a write/read device. Alternatively or at the same time, the system data can be shown on a display or transmitted to a desired address via a modem connection. As a result, the user of the system can receive expert advice from a specialist dealer or a customer service point regarding which devices he can best add to his system; or if a point of failure or faults arise.
A controller, a system, and a method of controlling the operation of the controller of an electric device. The method comprises: sending a user interface software packet stored in the controller's memory to a first external device; disassembling the user interface software packet in the first external device into executable user interface server software and user interface client software; sending the user interface client software from the first external device to a second portable external device; the user interface client software communicating with the user interface server software via a wireless radio connection between the first external device and the second portable external device; the user interface server software converting the commands issued by the user interface client software and transferring the commands to the controller's interface; and the controller executing an operation according to the converted command received via its interface.
The invention is an architecture, a system and a method for monitoring data structures over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The data structures are portions of entries that are posted and stored to a descriptor mechanism. Preferably, the entries are schedule entries posted and stored to an AV/C resource schedule bulletin board subunit. According to the invention, a resource request is submitted by a requesting control device to the AV/C resource schedule bulletin board subunit, where request data is stored and posted as a schedule entry. The requesting control device also submits a corresponding notify command data frame to the AV/C bulletin board subunit. The notify command frame instructs the bulletin board subunit to monitor a specified data structure within the schedule entry. Preferably, the notify command frame also specifies the type of access activity that is monitored. When a competing control device performs the specified type of access activity on the specified data structure, the bulletin board subunit sends a notify response frame to the original requesting control device. The notify response frame provides an alert to the original requesting control device that the specified access activity has been performed on the specified data structure by a competing control device. The original requesting control device can then review that accessing activity performed on the data structure and any modifications made to the data structure to determine whether further scheduling is required. Preferably, the access activity of the competing device and modifications made to the schedule entry are stored within the memory unit of the bulletin board subunit to provide a detailed history of the schedule entry.
