Device control with topology map in a digital network

摘要

A topology map for a digital system is generated and displayed on a display device to indicate the various components which make up the system. The various components are indicated using icons each of which represent a respective one of the components. A user specifies a source device and a receive device by manipulating the corresponding icons so as to cause a data transfer between the source device and the receive device. The data transfer may include the transfer of video data, audio data, or both. In a preferred embodiment, the digital network corresponds to the IEEE 1394 Serial Bus Standard.