Communication command system and method

A communication command system for establishing communications between sub-devices of different pieces of audio/video equipment, said sub-devices outputting different types of communications, comprising:

• a bus having different channels connected to input/output ports of said audio/video equipment for providing pathways for the communications;
• switching means, responsive to category names of said sub-devices, within said pieces of audio/video equipment for switching connections between said sub-devices and said bus channels via said input/output ports;
• and
• a command master for commanding sub-devices to communicate with each other by sending a first category name of a first one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a first piece of audio/video equipment, thereby causing said switching means of said first piece of audio/video equipment to switch said first sub-device to a predetermined channel, and by sending a second category name of a second one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a second piece of audio/video equipment causing said switching means of said second piece of audio/video equipment to switch said second sub-device to said predetermined channel, thereby establishing communication between sub-devices of said pieces of audio/video equipment,
• wherein the switching means further comprises:
• a first switch for selectively outputting communications from said input port or signals from a tuner sub-device of said sub-devices;
• a second switch for selectively outputting to said output port signals from a deck sub-device of said sub-devices;
• and
• a third switch for selectively outputting to the second switch communication information input to a digital I/F port or the communications selected by the first switch,
• wherein, said second switch selectively outputs the selected communications from the first switch or the communication information to said output port and to said third switch, and selectively outputs the communication information or the selected communications from the first switch to the deck sub-device,
• wherein, said third switch selectively outputs the signals received from the second switch.

A communication command system for establishing communications between sub-devices of different pieces of audio/video equipment, said sub-devices outputting different types of communications, comprising:

• a bus having different channels connected to input/output ports of said audio/video equipment for providing pathways for the communications;
• switching means, responsive to category names of said sub-devices, within said pieces of audio/video equipment for switching connections between said sub-devices and said bus channels via said input/output ports;
• and
• a command master for commanding sub-devices to communicate with each other by sending a first category name of a first one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a first piece of audio/video equipment, thereby causing said switching means of said first piece of audio/video equipment to switch said first sub-device to a predetermined channel, and by sending a second category name of a second one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a second piece of audio/video equipment causing said switching means of said second piece of audio/video equipment to switch said second sub-device to said predetermined channel, thereby establishing communication between sub-devices of said pieces of audio/video equipment,
• wherein the switching means further comprises:
• a first switch selectively outputting communications from said input port or a tuner sub-device of said sub-devices;
• and
• a second switch selectively outputting the selected communications from the first switch or a communication from a deck sub-device of said sub-devices to said output port, and selectively outputting the selected communications from the first switch to the deck sub-device.

A communication command system for establishing communications between sub-devices of different pieces of audio/video equipment, said sub-devices outputting different types of communications, comprising:

• a bus having different channels connected to input/output ports of said audio/video equipment for providing pathways for the communications;
• switching means, responsive to category names of said sub-devices, within said pieces of audio/video equipment for switching connections between said sub-devices and said bus channels via said input/output ports;
• a command master for commanding sub-devices to communicate with each other by sending a first category name of a first one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a first piece of audio/video equipment, thereby causing said switching means of said first piece of audio/video equipment to switch said first sub-device to a predetermined channel, and by sending a second category name of a second one of said sub-devices to said switching means of a second piece of audio/video equipment causing said switching means of said second piece of audio/video equipment to switch said second sub-device to said predetermined channel, thereby establishing communication between sub-devices of said pieces of audio/video equipment;
• and
• a memory having registers for storing different digital representations assignable to respective ones of said input/output ports for simulating a plurality of said input/output ports by indicating which of said bus channels are connected to said registers.

A communication command system for establishing communications between sub-devices of different pieces of audio and video equipment, said sub-devices outputting different types of communications, comprising:

• a bus having different channels connected to input and output ports of said audio/video equipment which provides pathways for the communications;
• a number of switching devices each arranged within a respective piece of audio and video equipment;
• and
• a command master coupled to a number of said sub-devices;
• wherein, in response to category names of said sub-devices, said number of switching devices switch connections between said sub-devices and said bus channels via said input/output ports;
• and
• wherein said command master commands sub-devices to communicate with each other by sending a first category name of a first sub-device to a respective one of the switching devices of a first piece of audio/video equipment, thereby causing said switching device of said first piece of audio/video equipment to switch said first sub-device to a predetermined channel, and by sending a second category name of a second sub-device to the switching device of a second piece of audio/video equipment causing said switching device of said second piece of audio/video equipment to switch said second sub-device to said predetermined channel, thereby establishing communication between sub-devices of said pieces of audio/video equipment.