Component audio/video system with timed control of plural peripheral devices

Claim 1

A component audio/video system, comprising: system controller means having an input/output port connected to a plurality of audio/video components, each for processing at least one of an audio and a video signal, via a bidirectional data bus; system master clock means coupled to said system controller means for supplying present time information thereto; keyboard means coupled to said system controller means for supplying, in response to activation by a user, a sequence of device commands and time information for selecting ones of said components for control in various operating modes at future times; and memory means in said system controller means for storing said sequence of device commands and said time information; said system controller means causing, at said future times to transmit said sequence of device commands stored in said memory means via said bidirectional data bus to said selected ones of said components for controlling said operating modes thereof; said components each including means for generating a return status message indicating a present operating mode thereof; said system controller means being responsive subsequent to transmission of a command of said sequence for monitoring said bus for detecting a received return status message from one of said selected components and in response to said status message for selectively (1) re-transmitting the last command, (2) interrupting the command transmission and (3) transmitting a further command in the command sequence.