JP2002078040A - Device selection unit and device selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device selection unit and a device selection method that uses one input changeover key so as to select an output signal of a desired device with a simple operation and outputs the selected signal to a display device even when many external devices are connected to the unit via one connection section. SOLUTION: First - third external devices 201-203 are connected to an input section 1, a RAM 10 stores ID information of the connected devices in a table form by each device, when an input changeover command is received via a remote control decode section 7, a control section 6 or the like selects a device next to the device selected at present among devices in a loop formed according to the storage sequence of the ID information of the devices stored in the RAM 10 as the device that provides an output of the output signal to the display device 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device selection device to which a plurality of devices are connected, an output signal of one device selected from the connected devices and output to a display device, and a plurality of connected devices. The present invention relates to a device selection method for selecting an output signal of one device from devices and outputting the signal to a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional television receiver, several connection sections dedicated to each external device such as a VCR are provided, and an output of an external device connected to a screen displayed on a display device of the television receiver is provided. Can be switched to For example, in a television receiver to which two video decks (video 1 and video 2) are connected, a user presses an input switching key dedicated to each device provided on a remote control device (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control). Thereby, each output of the television receiver, video 1 and video 2 can be switched.

[0003]

However, in recent years, the digitization of broadcasting has been promoted, and with the digitization of broadcasting signals, various television receivers corresponding to digital signals have been developed. It is anticipated that a large number of external devices will be connected via one connection unit as in the case of computers and the like.

In this case, it is necessary not only to switch the output signal from an analog broadcast tuner or a digital broadcast tuner, which is the output of the television receiver itself, but also to switch the output signal of a desired external device from among a large number of external devices. .

For this reason, it is conceivable to provide dedicated remote control input switching keys for all connected external devices. However, the number of remote control channels has been dramatically increased as the number of digital broadcast channels increases. Because of the increase, there is no room to provide dedicated input switching keys for a large number of external devices.

[0006] Even if there is room to provide input switching keys dedicated to each external device, if the input switching keys are provided exclusively for all external devices, the number of keys becomes too large. Cannot be easily performed.

An object of the present invention is to select an output signal of a desired device on a display device by a simple operation using one input switching key even when a large number of external devices are connected via one connection portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device selection device and a device selection method that can output the selected device.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) First invention A device selection device according to a first invention is connected to a plurality of devices and selects an output signal of one device from the connected devices. Device for outputting to a display device by means of a connection unit for connecting a plurality of external devices among a plurality of devices, and for specifying a connected device according to a connection state of the devices. Table storage means for storing the identification information of each device in a table format, detection means for detecting that an input switching command input in response to operation of an input switching key has been input, and input switching command If the input is detected, the device that is currently selected as the device that outputs an output signal to the display device from the device loop formed according to the storage order of the identification information stored in the table storage unit Selecting means for selecting a device located next to the device as a device for outputting an output signal to the display device.

In the device selecting apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of external devices among the plurality of devices are connected via one connection unit, and the connected devices are specified according to the connection state of the devices. Is stored in the table storage means in the form of a table for each device, and is stored in the table storage means when it is detected that an input switching command input in response to the operation of the input switching key is input. From the loop of the devices formed according to the storage order of the identification information, the device located next to the device currently selected as the device outputting the output signal to the display device is selected as the device outputting the output signal to the display device. ing.

Therefore, even when there are a large number of external devices connected via one connection unit, a loop of devices including a large number of external devices is formed in accordance with the storage order of the identification information of each device stored in the table storage means. Can be created.
Also, devices that output an output signal to the display device are sequentially selected from the device loop in response to the input of the input switching command, so that the user can operate the input switching key by a simple operation of operating one input switching key. The user can select a desired device from all the devices that are in use. As a result, even when a large number of external devices are connected via one connection unit,
An output signal of a desired device can be selected and output to the display device by a simple operation using one input switching key.

(2) Second invention A device selection device according to a second invention is a device selection device according to the first invention, wherein a plurality of external devices are connected via a connection unit by a serial bus interface. It includes a plurality of external devices sequentially connected to the selection device.

In this case, it is possible to sequentially connect a large number of external devices to a device selection device via a single connection unit by a serial bus interface, and select a desired device from a loop of devices including the large number of external devices. it can.

(3) Third invention The device selection device according to the third invention is the device selection device according to the second invention, wherein an external device is connected to or disconnected from the device selection device. In this case, the apparatus further includes a table updating unit that specifies an external device currently connected to the device selection device and updates identification information stored in the table storage unit according to the specified external device.

In this case, when the external device is connected to or disconnected from the device selecting device, the external device currently connected to the device selecting device is specified, and the table storage means is specified according to the specified external device. Is updated, the identification information of each device can always be stored in the table storage means according to the latest connection state. Therefore, since a loop of the device corresponding to the latest connection state can be created, the device can always be selected according to the latest connection state even when the connection state of the external device changes.

(4) Fourth Invention A device selection device according to a fourth invention is the configuration of the device selection device according to the second or third invention, wherein the serial bus interface is IEEE1394.

In this case, since an external device can be connected to the device selecting device by IEEE1394, the IEEE has been attracting attention as a multimedia interface that can be shared by AV devices and personal computers.
Various external devices can be easily connected by 1394, and a highly versatile device selecting device can be realized.

(5) Fifth Invention The device selection device according to the fifth invention is a television receiver having a display device therein in the configuration of the device selection device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions. is there.

In this case, a television receiver having a display device therein serves as a device selection device, and an output signal of a connected device can be directly output to the display device, so that a complicated connection between the display device and the device selection device is performed. The output of the desired device can be directly displayed on the display device from among the output signals of the plurality of devices without performing the above operation.

(6) Sixth Invention A device selection method according to a sixth invention is a device selection method for selecting an output signal of one device from a plurality of connected devices and outputting the signal to a display device. The plurality of devices include a plurality of external devices connected via one connection unit, and identification information for specifying the connected device is set in a table format for each device according to the connection state of the device. A step of storing the input switching command in response to the operation of the input switching key, and a step of detecting that the input switching command has been input. The device located next to the device currently selected as the device that outputs an output signal to the display device from the loop of the devices formed in accordance with the storage order of the identification information stored in the storage means is transferred to the display device. Selecting the device to output the output signal.

In the device selecting method according to the present invention, a plurality of external devices among the plurality of devices are connected via one connection unit, and the connected devices are specified according to the connection state of the devices. Is stored in the table storage means in the form of a table for each device, and is stored in the table storage means when it is detected that an input switching command input in response to the operation of the input switching key is input. From the loop of the devices formed according to the storage order of the identification information, the device located next to the device currently selected as the device outputting the output signal to the display device is selected as the device outputting the output signal to the display device. ing.

Therefore, even when there are a large number of external devices connected via one connection unit, a loop of devices including a large number of external devices is formed according to the storage order of the identification information of each device stored in the table storage means. Can be created.
Also, devices that output an output signal to the display device are sequentially selected from the device loop in response to the input of the input switching command, so that the user can operate the input switching key by a simple operation of operating one input switching key. The user can select a desired device from all the devices that are in use. As a result, even when a large number of external devices are connected via one connection unit,
An output signal of a desired device can be selected and output to the display device by a simple operation using one input switching key.

(7) Seventh invention In a device selection method according to a seventh invention, in the configuration of the device selection method according to the sixth invention, a plurality of external devices are sequentially connected to the connection unit by a serial bus interface. And a plurality of external devices.

In this case, a number of external devices can be sequentially connected to one connection unit by a serial bus interface, and a desired device can be selected from a loop of devices including a number of external devices.

(8) Eighth Invention The device selection method according to the eighth invention is the device selection method according to the seventh invention, wherein when an external device is connected or disconnected, the currently connected external device is connected. Identify equipment,
The method further includes the step of updating the identification information stored in the table storage means according to the specified external device.

In this case, when the external device is connected or disconnected, the currently connected external device is specified, and the identification information stored in the table storage means is updated according to the specified external device. Therefore, the identification information of each device can always be stored in the table storage means according to the latest connection state. Therefore, since a loop of the device corresponding to the latest connection state can be created, the device can always be selected according to the latest connection state even when the connection state of the external device changes.

(9) Ninth Invention According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the device selection method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the serial bus interface is IEEE1394.

In this case, since external devices can be connected by IEEE 1394, various external devices can be easily connected by IEEE 1394, which has attracted attention as a multimedia interface that can be shared by AV devices and personal computers. A highly versatile device selection method can be realized.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a television receiver will be described as an example of a device selection device according to the present invention. The device selection device to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited to this example, and can be similarly applied to a set-top box or the like that does not include a display device, such as a television receiver.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The television receiver 100 shown in FIG. 1 has an input section 1, a digital signal changeover switch 2, a decoder 3, an input determination section 4, a channel selection management section 5, a control section 6, a remote control decoding section 7, an OSD (on-screen). Display) control unit 8, ROM
(Read only memory) 9, RAM (random access memory) 10, input changeover switch 11, video processing unit 12
And a display device 13.

The input determination unit 4, the channel selection management unit 5, the control unit 6,
The remote control decoding unit 7 and the OSD control unit 8 are configured by a microcomputer or the like, and execute a device table updating process program and an input switching process program for executing a device table updating process and an input switching process described later by the microcomputer. The function of each block is realized.

The television receiver 100 is connected to an analog broadcast tuner 102 that receives an analog broadcast signal from an analog broadcast receiving antenna 101 and a digital broadcast tuner 104 that receives a digital broadcast signal from a digital broadcast receiving antenna 103. Analog broadcast tuner 10
2 and the digital broadcast tuner 104 are each connected to the television receiver 100 via a connection unit for each tuner. Note that the analog broadcast tuner 102 and the digital broadcast tuner 104 may be incorporated in a television receiver. In this case, the analog broadcast receiving antenna 101
The digital broadcast receiving antenna 103 is connected to the television receiver.

Also, the television receiver 100 is an IEEE1
394 connects to the first external device 201. The first external device 201 is connected to the second external device 202 by IEEE1394. The second external device 202 is an IEEE
1394 is connected to the third external device 203.

In this manner, the first to third external devices 20
1 to 203 are connected to an IEEE 1394 port, which is one connection unit of the television receiver 100, by a daisy chain method, and an IEEE 1394 interface is a serial bus interface.
First to third external devices 201 to 203 according to EE1394
Is output to the television receiver 100. In addition, the connection form of the external device is not particularly limited to the daisy-chain method described above, and any form supported by the interface used for the connection may be a star type,
Other connection forms such as a tree type may be used.

The first to third external devices 201 to 203
AV equipment conforming to EEE1394, for example, D
-A VHS video deck, a DVD drive, an AV amplifier, or the like can be used. However, an analog video deck or the like in which a dedicated connection portion is provided in the television receiver is not included in the external device and is not a target of input switching described later.

The number of external devices connected according to IEEE 1394 is not particularly limited to the above three, and various numbers of external devices can be connected. As an interface for connecting the television receiver 100 and the first to third external devices 201 to 203, the above-mentioned IEEE 13
Preferably, 94 is used, but other interfaces may be used as long as a similar function can be achieved.

The input unit 1 is an input unit for IEEE1394, and a bus reset occurs when a new external device is connected or a connected external device is removed. In response to the bus reset, the input unit 1 acquires the ID information of the currently connected external device, and outputs the acquired ID information of the external device to the input determination unit 4.

The input unit 1 is connected to the display device 13 from among the first to third external devices 201 to 203 connected according to the external device selection signal EC output from the channel selection management unit 5.
An external device that outputs an output signal is selected, and the output signal of the selected external device is output to the digital signal switch 2.

The digital signal changeover switch 2 receives the digital broadcast signal selected by the digital broadcast tuner 104, and outputs and inputs the digital broadcast tuner 104 in accordance with the digital changeover signal DC output from the tuning control section 5. One of the outputs of the unit 1 is output to the decoder 3.

The decoder 3 performs a predetermined decoding process according to the input digital signal, for example, MPEG (Moving).
A decoding process based on the Picture Experts Group) method is performed, and the decoded video signal and / or audio signal are output to the input switch 11.

The input determining unit 4 outputs the ID information of the external device output from the input unit 1 to the control unit 6. Control unit 6
Causes the ID information of the external device input through the input determination unit 4 to be stored in the RAM 10 in a table format for each device.

Various programs such as a device table update processing program and an input switching processing program are recorded in the ROM 9 in advance, and a microcomputer that realizes functions of the control unit 6 reads out the programs from the ROM 9 and executes the programs. The function of each block such as the control unit 6 is realized.

The RAM 10 stores a device table in which ID information of an external device output from the control unit 6 is recorded in a table format, and various data is used as a work area of a microcomputer for realizing the functions of the control unit 6 and the like. Stored temporarily. Note that the device table stored in the RAM 10 includes a default
When the external device is newly connected via the input unit 1, the ID information of the external device is sequentially recorded after the ID information of the television receiver 100.

The remote control decoding unit 7 includes the television receiver 1
The control unit 6 decodes the remote control signal RS output from the remote control 00 (not shown) and outputs the decoded result to the control unit 6. For example, when the user presses one input switching key provided on the remote controller, the remote controller outputs a remote control signal RS indicating an input switching command, and
An input switching command is input to the control unit 6 from. The input switching command may be directly input to the control unit 6 rather than the user pressing one input switching key provided directly on the television receiver 100.

When an input switching command is input from the remote control decoding unit 7, the control unit 6 sends an address of the RAM 10 in which ID information of a device currently selected as a device for outputting an output signal to the display device 13 is stored. Is incremented by one, and the ID information of the next device is read. The control unit 6 instructs the channel selection management unit 5 to select an output signal of the device specified by the read ID information, and displays the selected device name on the display screen of the display device 13 on-screen. To the OSD control unit 8.

The OSD control section 8 outputs an OSD signal for performing a predetermined on-screen display to the video processing section 12 in accordance with an instruction from the control section 6. The video processing unit 12 superimposes the OSD signal output from the OSD control unit 8 on the video signal output from the input changeover switch 11 and outputs it to the display device 13.

The display device 13 displays a predetermined display screen in accordance with the video signal output from the video processing unit 12 and, when on-screen display is being performed, displays the predetermined on-screen display for displaying the video. It is superimposed and displayed.

The channel selection management section 5 outputs an analog broadcast channel selection signal AC for selecting a channel selected by the user from the analog broadcast to the analog broadcast tuner 102, and outputs the digital broadcast signal from the digital broadcast to the user. The digital broadcast tuner signal BC for selecting the selected channel is output to the digital broadcast tuner 104.

For example, when a remote control signal RS for selecting an analog 4ch is output from the remote control, an analog signal for selecting the 4ch is passed through a path of the remote control decoding unit 7, the control unit 6 and the tuning control unit 5. Broadcast tuning signal AC is output to analog broadcast tuner 102. The analog broadcast tuner 102 receives the analog broadcast tuning signal AC.
Channel, that is, a 4 channel analog broadcast is selected, and the selected analog broadcast signal is input to the input switch 1.
Output to 1.

At this time, the tuning control section 5 provides an input switching control signal IC for selecting the analog broadcast tuner 102.
Is output to the input switch 11 and the input switch 1
1 selects the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 and outputs it to the video processing unit 12.

On the other hand, a digital 101 ch
When a remote control signal RS for selecting a channel is output,
A digital broadcast tuning signal BC for selecting the digital 101ch is output to the digital broadcast tuner 104 from the same path as above. The digital broadcast tuner 104
A channel corresponding to the digital broadcast selection signal BC, that is, a digital 101ch is selected, and the selected digital broadcast signal is output to the digital signal changeover switch 2.

At this time, the tuning control section 5 outputs a digital switching signal DC for selecting the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 to the digital signal switching switch 2. The digital signal changeover switch 2 is connected to the digital broadcast tuner 10.
4 is output to the decoder 3, and the digital broadcast signal decoded from the decoder 3 is output to the input switch 11. Further, the channel selection management unit 5 outputs an input switching control signal IC for selecting an output of the decoder 3 to the input switching switch 11, and the input switching switch 11
, Ie, the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104, to the video processing unit 12.

As described above, when the television receiver 100 is selected by the input switching process described later, the analog broadcast tuner 10 is selected according to the channel selection state of the user.
2 and the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 are displayed on the display device 13.

Further, the tuning control section 5 instructs the user to operate the input switch key of the remote controller and to select one of the first to third external devices 201 to 203 by the control section 6. In this case, an external device selection signal EC for selecting the output of the designated external device is output to the input unit 1, and the input unit 1 is selected from the first to third external devices 201 to 203. The output of the external device is output to the digital signal switch 2.

At this time, the tuning control section 5 outputs a digital switch signal DC for selecting the output of the input section 1 to the digital signal switch 2, and the digital signal switch 2 outputs the output of the input section 1. The signal is output to the decoder 3, and the decoder 3 outputs the decoded signal to the input switch 11.

The channel selection management section 5 outputs an input switching control signal IC for selecting the output of the decoder 3 to the input switching switch 11, and the input switching switch 11 outputs the output of the decoder 3, that is, One of the three external devices 201 to 203 is output to the video processing unit 12.

At this time, the control unit 6 instructs the OSD control unit 8 to display the selected external device name on screen, and the OSD control unit 8 displays the selected external device name on screen. OSD signal of the video processing unit 1
Output to 2. The video processing unit 12 superimposes the OSD signal on the video signal of the selected external device and outputs it to the display device 13.

In this way, when one of the first to third external devices 201 to 203 is selected by the input switching process described later, the output of the selected external device is displayed on the display device 1.
3 and the name of the external device is displayed on-screen.

In the present embodiment, the input unit 1 corresponds to a connection unit, the RAM 10 corresponds to a table storage unit, the control unit 6 and the remote control decoding unit 7 correspond to a detection unit, and the input unit 1 and a digital signal switch. The switch 2, the decoder 3, the input determination unit 4, the channel selection management unit 5, the control unit 6, the input changeover switch 11 and the video processing unit 12 correspond to selection means, and the input unit 1, the input determination unit 4 and the control unit 6 It corresponds to a table updating means.

Next, a description will be given of a device table updating process of the television receiver 100 configured as described above. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the device table updating process of the television receiver 100 shown in FIG.

When an external device is newly connected or an already connected external device is removed, first, in step S1 shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 1 performs a bus reset process. Specifically, when a bus reset occurs,
The most sophisticated device among the devices connected by IEEE 1394, in this embodiment, the television receiver 100 is the central device, and the following processing is performed.

First, the input unit 1 assigns temporary ID numbers (node IDs) to all connected devices, and checks how many devices are connected. Next, the input unit 1 requests all the devices to which the temporary ID numbers are assigned to transmit their own ID information, and acquires the ID information of all connected external devices.

For example, in this embodiment, since the first to third external devices 201 to 203 are connected, the input unit 1
Receives the ID information of the first to third external devices 201 to 203. The ID information of the external device is IEEE 139
4 is generally referred to as a vendor ID, and includes, for example, a device type, a manufacturer name, a model name, and the like. Note that the ID information of the external device is not particularly limited to the above example, and other information may be used as long as the information is unique to each external device that can specify the external device.

Next, in step S2, the input unit 1
Is the ID of the received first to third external devices 201 to 203
The information is output to the control unit 6 via the input determination unit 4, and the ID information of all the connected external devices is notified.

Next, in step S3, the control unit 6
Is the ID information of the currently connected first to third external devices 201 to 203 input through the input determination unit 4 and R
I of each device in the device table stored in the AM 10
D information is compared to determine whether or not a new external device is connected.

That is, if there is any external device ID information input via the input determining unit 4 that does not correspond to the external device ID information stored in the RAM 10, the control unit 6 Is determined to be newly connected. On the other hand, if there is any external device ID information stored in the RAM 10 that does not correspond to the external device ID information input via the input determining unit 4, the control unit 6 removes the external device. Judge that

As described above, if a new external device is connected, the process proceeds to step S4. If the new external device is not connected but the connected external device is removed, the process proceeds to step S4. Move to S5.

When a new external device is connected, the control unit 6 records the ID information of the newly connected external device at the end of the device table of the RAM 10 in step S4, The connection flag recorded corresponding to the ID information is turned on ("1" is recorded as the connection flag), and the device table is updated.

On the other hand, when the connected external device is removed, in step S5, the control unit 6 turns off the connection flag recorded in association with the ID information of the removed external device (connection flag). Is recorded as “0”), and the connection flag in the device table is updated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device table created by the device table updating process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the RAM 10, the ID of the television receiver 100, which is its own ID information, is stored at the top of the device table.
Information is recorded, and “1” is recorded as a connection flag.

Also, as in the present embodiment, the first to third
When the external devices 201 to 203 are connected,
Each ID information of the third external devices 201 to 203 is recorded together with the connection flag “1”.

By referring to this device table,
The first to third external devices 201 to 203 are currently connected, and the output of the television receiver 100 (the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 or the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104) and the first to third external devices 201 to 203 are output. You can select one of the outputs.

If the fourth external device is connected to the third external device 203 before the bus reset, and the fourth external device is removed from the third external device 203, a bus reset occurs. "0" is recorded in the connection flag recorded corresponding to the ID information of the device, indicating that the fourth external device has been removed.

The device table recorded in the RAM 10 is not particularly limited to the above example, and various modifications are possible as long as the external device connected via the input unit 1 can be specified. For example, when a new external device is connected without recording a connection flag, the ID information of the connected external device is sequentially recorded. On the other hand, when the connected external device is removed, the disconnected external device is disconnected. In addition to deleting the ID information of the device, the external device recorded under the deleted column is moved up by one and stored, and only the ID information of the external device actually connected after the bus reset is recorded. You may.

In this case, in place of the processing in step S5 shown in FIG. 2, the ID information of the extracted external device is deleted from the device table, and the ID of the deleted external device is deleted.
A process is performed in which the ID information of each external device after the information is moved up and stored. Further, the process of step S13 in the input switching process described later becomes unnecessary.

Further, the TV table 10 can be read from the device table.
It is also possible to omit the ID information of the television receiver 100 itself and arrange the television receiver 100 at the beginning of a loop of a selected device to be described later. Further, the timing of acquiring the ID information of the connected external device is not particularly limited to the timing by the bus reset, and the ID information of the connected external device may be acquired regularly or irregularly. Good.

Next, the input switching process of the television receiver 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the input switching process of television receiver 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, at step S11
In, the control unit 6 determines whether or not an input switching command has been input from the remote control decoding unit 7. That is,
When the user operates the remote controller and presses one input switch key provided on the remote controller, and a remote controller signal RS indicating an input switching command is input to the remote controller decoding unit 7, the remote controller signal RS is decoded and input. The switching command is input to the control unit 6. In this case, the process proceeds to step S12, and if an input switching command has not been input, step S11 is repeated to wait for input of the input switching command.

When an input switching command is input, the control unit 6 advances the device selection pointer of the device table by one in step S12. Specifically, the RAM 10 records, together with the device table, a pointer indicating an address at which ID information of a device that outputs an output signal to the display device 13 is recorded. This pointer is incremented by one each time is received.

When the pointer indicates the address at which the ID information of the external device stored at the end of the device table is recorded, the control unit 6 sets the ID information recorded at the beginning of the device table, that is, the television reception information. I of machine 100
The content of the pointer is changed to the address where the D information is recorded.

By advancing the pointer by one, a device loop is formed in accordance with the storage order of the devices stored in the device table. Each time an input switching command is input in accordance with this device loop, The pointer is advanced by one, and the address at which the ID information of the device stored next is recorded is indicated.

Next, in step S13, the control unit 6
Reads the connection flag recorded corresponding to the device ID information recorded at the address specified by the pointer advanced by one, and turns on the connection flag (“1” is recorded). If yes, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, the connection flag is turned off (“0”).
Is recorded), the process proceeds to step S12, the pointer of the device table is further advanced by one, and the subsequent processing is continued.

If the connection flag is ON, the control unit 6 reads the ID information of the device recorded at the address indicated by the pointer from the RAM 10 and outputs an output signal to the display device 13 in step S14. To identify. As described above, by determining whether the connection flag is on or off, it is possible to select a device that outputs an output signal to the display device 13 from currently connected devices.

Next, in step S15, the control unit 6
Instructs the OSD control unit 8 to display the device name of the specified device. The OSD control unit 8 outputs an OSD signal for displaying the device name to the video processing unit 12, and outputs the OSD signal to the display device 13. The device name of the selected device is displayed on-screen. For example, when the first external device 201 is selected, the display screen of the display device 13 displays DV-
HS1 is displayed and the name of Panasonic
c is displayed, and NV-DM100 is displayed as the model name. Therefore, the user can know what the currently selected device is.

Next, in step S16, the control unit 6
Determines whether the selected device is an external device,
If it is an external device, the process proceeds to step S17. If it is not an external device, that is, if the television receiver 100 is selected, the process proceeds to step S18.

If the selected device is an external device, the control unit 6 instructs the channel selection management unit 5 to select the selected external device in step S17. Tuning management section 5
Outputs an external device selection signal EC and a digital switching signal DC for selecting an external device to the input unit 1 and the digital signal switching switch 2, respectively. The input unit 1 extracts a packet corresponding to the output of the selected external device according to the external device selection signal EC, and outputs the packet to the digital signal switch 2. The digital signal switch 2 outputs the output of the input unit 1 to the decoder 3 according to the digital switch signal DC.

The channel selection management section 5 outputs an input switch control signal IC for selecting the output of the decoder 3 to the input switch 11. The input switch 11 selects the output of the decoder 3 and Output to the processing unit 12. In this way, the output of the selected external device is displayed on the display device 13, and the external device name is displayed on-screen.

On the other hand, when the selected device is not an external device, that is, when the television receiver 100 is selected,
In step S18, the control unit 6 sets the television receiver 1
It instructs the tuning control unit 5 to select 00. When selecting the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 in accordance with the user's channel selection state, the tuning control unit 5 sends an input switching control signal IC for selecting the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 to the input switch 11. When the output is selected and the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 is selected, the digital switch signal DC and the input switch control signal IC for selecting the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 are output to the digital signal switch 2 and the input switch 11.

The input changeover switch 11 selects the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 or the output of the decoder 3 in accordance with the input changeover control signal IC, and outputs it to the video processing section 12. In this manner, one of the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 and the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 is displayed on the display device 13.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device loop formed by the input switching process shown in FIG. In the case of the present embodiment, the device loop shown in FIG. 5 is formed. For example, when the currently selected device is the television receiver 100, the user presses the input switch key and an input switch command is input. With the above processing, the output of the first external device 201 is selected, and the output signal of the first external device 201 is output to the display device 13.

Next, when an input switching command is input, the second
An output signal of the external device 200 is output to the display device 13,
When an input switching command is further input, the third external device 20
3 is output to the display device 13, and when an input switching command is further input, the television receiver 1 is output again.
Returning to 00, one of the output of the analog broadcast tuner 102 and the output of the digital broadcast tuner 104 is output to the display device 13.

As described above, each time an input command is input, a loop of devices configured according to the storage order of device ID information in the device table stored in the RAM 10 is input.
The input is switched to the next device, and the user can easily select a desired external device from a large number of external devices using one input switching key.

Further, since the latest connection state is always stored in the device table in response to the bus reset by the device table update process shown in FIG. 2, the user can connect an external device newly or connect an external device. Even if an external device is disconnected, the user can select a desired device from the currently connected devices without considering the change in the connection status, and the input switching operation is extremely simple. Become.

In the above description, devices that output output signals to the display device are sequentially selected from among the device loops configured in accordance with the storage order of the device ID information stored in the device table. It is also possible to change to

First, the television receiver 100 detects whether the power supply of the external device is on, off, or standby, and disconnects the external device whose power is off from the loop of the device. When the switching key is pressed, the external device may be skipped and the next device may be selected.

Further, the loop of the device may be changed according to the user's preference. For example, users may be classified as children, mothers, fathers, families, etc., and devices constituting a loop at the time of input switching may be changed for each of the classified users. A loop may be formed from only the devices to be used, and a device may be selected from the loop.

Further, the order of selecting devices at the time of input switching may be changed according to the operation mode of the television receiver 100.
For example, if the input switch key is pressed while the user is viewing the program guide and an input switch command is input, it is determined that the input switch key has been pressed to record the program,
The D-VHS video deck may be selected first.

Further, the order of selecting devices at the time of input switching may be determined according to the frequency of use of external devices. For example, in the case of a user who frequently performs dubbing, D-VHS
Since VCRs are frequently used, D-VH
The S video deck may be selected.

Further, the selection order at the time of input switching may be determined according to the genre of the program displayed on the television receiver 100. For example, if the input switch key is pressed while the user is watching a music program, the AV amplifier may be selected first.

Further, regardless of the physical connection of the external devices, the external devices may be grouped and the selection order of the devices may be determined for each group.

[0101]

According to the present invention, it is possible to create a loop of devices including a large number of external devices in accordance with the storage order of the identification information of each device stored in the table storage means, and to input an input switching command. The device that outputs an output signal to the display device is sequentially selected from among the device loops according to, so that the user can operate all input devices by a simple operation of operating one input switching key. A desired device can be selected from among them. As a result, even when a large number of external devices are connected via one connection unit, the output signal of the desired device can be selected and output to the display device by a simple operation using one input switching key. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a device table updating process of the television receiver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device table created by a device table update process shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an input switching process of the television receiver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device loop formed by the input switching process illustrated in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input part 2 Digital signal changeover switch 3 Decoder 4 Input judgment part 5 Channel selection management part 6 Control part 7 Remote control decode part 8 OSD control part 9 ROM 10 RAM 11 Input changeover switch 12 Video processing part 13 Display device 100 Television receiver 101 Analog broadcast receiving antenna 102 Analog broadcast tuner 103 Digital broadcast receiving antenna 104 Digital broadcast tuner 201 First external device 202 Second external device 203 Third external device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A device selection device to which a plurality of devices are connected and which selects an output signal of one device from the connected devices and outputs the selected signal to a display device, wherein a plurality of external devices among the plurality of devices are provided. A connection unit for connecting the devices, table storage means for storing identification information for specifying the connected devices in a table format for each device according to the connection state of the devices, and an input switching key. Detecting means for detecting that an input switching command input in response to an operation has been input; and detecting the input stored in the table storage means when the detecting means detects that the input switching command has been input. A device located next to the device currently selected as a device that outputs an output signal to the display device from a device loop formed in accordance with the information storage order is output to the display device. Device selection device characterized by comprising a selecting means for selecting as a force for equipment. 2. The device selection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of external devices include a plurality of external devices sequentially connected to the device selection device via the connection unit by a serial bus interface. . 3. When the external device is connected to or disconnected from the device selection device, an external device currently connected to the device selection device is specified, and the external device is specified according to the specified external device. 3. The device selection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a table updating unit for updating the identification information stored in the table storage unit. 4. The serial bus interface according to claim 1, wherein
The device selection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the device selection device is EEE1394. 5. The device selection device according to claim 1, wherein the device selection device is a television receiver including the display device therein. 6. A device selection method for selecting an output signal of one device from a plurality of connected devices and outputting the signal to a display device, wherein the plurality of devices are connected via one connection unit. Storing, in a table format, identification information for identifying connected devices in a table format for each device in accordance with the connection state of the devices, including a plurality of connected external devices; Detecting that an input switching command has been input, and detecting that the input switching command has been input,
A device located next to a device currently selected as a device that outputs an output signal to the display device from a loop of devices formed according to the storage order of the identification information stored in the table storage means is displayed. Selecting a device that outputs an output signal to the device. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of external devices include a plurality of external devices sequentially connected to the connection unit by a serial bus interface. 8. When the external device is connected or disconnected, a step of specifying the currently connected external device and updating the identification information stored in the table storage means according to the specified external device. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. The serial bus interface according to claim 1, wherein:
The device selection method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the device selection method is EEE1394.