JP2007200415A - Reproducing device and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the complicatedness that a user has to change output interfaces in a reproducing device provided with an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface and another interface. <P>SOLUTION: The reproducing device 10 comprises: the IEEE1394 interface part 22 using an A & M protocol; the other interface part 24 capable of outputting at least either a sound signal or a video signal; and a control part 26 for controlling the IEEE1394 interface part 22 so as to be able to output a sound signal and controlling the other interface part 24 so as to prevent a signal from being outputted when receives a control command to start to output the sound signal from the IEEE1394 interface part 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a playback apparatus connected to other equipment through IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 and other interfaces.

  In recent years, AV devices such as AV (Audio Visual) amplifiers, televisions, optical disc players, and the like that comply with the IEEE 1394 standard and the HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) standard have come to be used. According to HDMI and IEEE 1394, video and audio digital signals can be transferred between AV devices via a network, and control signals (commands) for remote control can also be transferred (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). 3).

For example, by connecting an optical disk playback device to an AV amplifier, a television, or the like using IEEE 1394 or HDMI, a multi-channel audio signal can be transmitted from the playback device to other devices as digital data in addition to a video signal. it can. Further, it is possible to send a control signal for controlling playback / stop of the playback device from an AV amplifier or a television.
There are a wide variety of data formats in recent years, and such AV equipment having a plurality of interfaces such as IEEE 1394 and HDMI has high versatility and is preferable for users.

  In the IEEE 1394 standard, an A & M protocol (Audio and Music Data Transmission Protocol) suitable for digital audio signal transmission is standardized. In the A & M protocol, a high-quality digital audio signal is transmitted between two devices connected via IEEE1394. The A & M protocol is effective for transmitting high-quality multi-channel digital audio signals reproduced from, for example, DVD-Audio (Digital Versatile Disc-Audio) and SACD (Super-Audio Compact Disc), and is adopted in many devices. (For example, see Patent Documents 4 and 5).

  In the A & M protocol, a transmission rate control standard (AV / C Command Set for Rate Control of Isochronous Data Flow 1.0) is adopted to reduce transmission jitter. Under this standard, the transmission source (reproducing device) controls the transmission rate based on the rate control command from the transmission destination (AV amplifier or the like). As a result, the signal processing timing matches between the transmission destination and the transmission source, and transmission jitter can be reduced or eliminated.

  However, such transmission rate control under the A & M protocol is effective only between devices connected via IEEE1394. When connected to IEEE 1394 capable of controlling the transmission rate, the operation timing of the playback device changes according to the control from the transmission destination device, so that the transmission of audio signals to other devices via HDMI is also affected. End up. For this reason, the conventional playback apparatus is configured such that simultaneous connection with other devices via IEEE 1394 and HDMI is disabled, and the user selects only one of them.

For this reason, in a playback apparatus that includes both IEEE1394 and other interfaces such as HDMI, there is a limit to the output of audio signals during playback when these are connected simultaneously. For example, in a state where the playback device is simultaneously connected to other devices via HDMI and IEEE1394, the IEEE1394 interface is always prioritized and an audio signal is not output from the HDMI interface (for example, non-patent document). 1 and 2). In a state where both IEEE1394 and HDMI are connected, if the user wants to listen to audio from a television connected to the playback device via HDMI, the user needs to set the IEEE1394 connection of the playback device to OFF via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like. There is. Then, when it is desired to listen to the audio from the AV amplifier connected to the playback apparatus by IEEE 1394, it is necessary to set the IEEE 1394 connection to ON again.
This is not limited to HDMI, and the same problem occurs when other interfaces such as IEEE1394 and analog output are connected simultaneously.

JP2001-204091 JP2005-184079 Special table 2005-522903 JP 2002-199487 JP 2002-290411 A Instruction Manual (DVD-A1XV), page 20 [Search on December 20, 2005], Internet <URL: http://denon2.jp/manual/> Instruction Manual (DV-S969AVi), page 72 [Searched on December 20, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www3.pioneer.co.jp/manual/manual_select.php?p_nm=DV-S969AVi -N>

  However, switching the connection one by one according to the output destination and its connection interface is very troublesome for the user. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems in a playback apparatus including IEEE1394 using the A & M protocol and another connection interface.

  In order to achieve the above object, the playback apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention can output an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface unit using an A & M protocol and at least one of an audio signal and a video signal. When an audio signal output start control command is received from another interface unit and the IEEE 1394 interface unit, an audio signal can be output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit and a signal output from the other interface unit is disabled. And a control unit that controls to

  In the above configuration, for example, when the audio signal output from the IEEE interface unit is stopped, the control unit controls the IEEE interface unit to disable the audio signal output.

  In the above configuration, the other interface unit may be configured by an interface capable of transferring a control command together with a digital audio and video signal, and an audio signal from any one of the IEEE 1394 interface unit and the other interface unit. When the control command for starting output is received, the control unit enables output of the audio signal from the one interface unit that has received the control command and disables output of the audio signal from the other interface unit. You may make it control to do.

  In the above configuration, when the control signal for starting the audio signal output is received from the other interface unit while the audio signal is output from the one interface unit, the control unit outputs the audio signal from the other interface unit. You may make it control to switch to.

  In order to achieve the above object, the reproduction method according to the second aspect of the present invention can output an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface using an A & M protocol and at least one of an audio signal and a video signal. A playback method in a playback device comprising: another interface, and when an audio signal output start control command is received from the IEEE 1394 interface, the audio signal can be output from the IEEE 1394 interface, and the other interface The signal output from is disabled.

  According to the present invention, in a playback device having an IEEE 1394 interface and another interface, the trouble that the user has to switch the output interface is eliminated.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the present invention reproduces data recorded on a recording medium, and outputs at least the reproduced audio signal to an AV (Audio Visual) amplifier or the like via IEEE1394, and also to an AV amplifier or television via HDMI. A case where the present invention is applied to a playback apparatus that outputs a video signal and an audio signal will be described as an example. In addition, embodiment shown below is an example and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a playback unit 12, a video decoder 14, an audio decoder 16, a video signal storage unit 18, an audio signal storage unit 20, an IEEE 1394 interface unit 22, an HDMI interface unit 24, And a control unit 26.

  The reproduction unit 12 reproduces a compressed digital audio signal or a digital audio signal and a digital video signal from the recording medium. The recording medium may be an optical disc such as SACD, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray Disc (Blu-Ray Disc), HD-DVD (High-Definition DVD), or a fixed or removable flash memory, HD (Hard Disk), etc. It may be a medium.

  The video decoder 14 stores a digital video signal reproduced from the recording medium in a read buffer (not shown), and decodes the digital video signal stored in the read buffer by, for example, an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) decompression protocol.

  The audio decoder 16 stores the digital audio signal reproduced by the reproduction unit 12 in a read buffer (not shown) and decodes the digital audio signal stored in the read buffer. If the signal read from the recording medium is an uncompressed signal such as linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation), it is output simply by adjusting the appearance.

  The video signal storage unit 18 stores the digital video signal decoded by the video decoder 14. The digital video signal stored in the video signal storage unit 18 is read for each predetermined frame in a predetermined order.

  The audio signal storage unit 20 stores the digital audio signal decoded by the audio decoder 16. The digital audio signals stored in the audio signal storage unit 20 are sequentially read out in a predetermined order.

The IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 is a digital interface compliant with the IEEE-1394 standard, and constitutes an interface with an AV amplifier or the like connected via a serial bus. Specifically, the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 includes an IEEE 1394 terminal and is connected to an external device through a cable including a dedicated connector.
The IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 can output digital audio and video signals to an AV amplifier or the like. Conversely, the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 receives and analyzes an operation control command from an external device such as an AV amplifier.

  The IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 converts the digital audio signal into a format according to the A & M protocol and transmits it. The IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 converts, for example, a multi-channel audio signal recorded on a DVD-Audio into an A & M protocol format and transmits it to an AV amplifier or the like. By using the A & M protocol, it is possible to transmit a high-quality multi-channel audio signal in a digital format to an AV amplifier or the like.

  In addition, in the IEEE 1394 standard using the A & M protocol, a transmission rate control standard (AV / C Command Set for Rate Control of Isochronous Data Flow 1.0) is adopted to reduce transmission jitter, and the transmission source (reproducing apparatus 10) is a transmission destination. A transmission rate is controlled based on a rate control command from an AV amplifier or the like. As a result, the signal processing timing matches between the transmission destination and the transmission source, and low jitter or jitterless signal transmission becomes possible.

The HDMI interface unit 24 is a digital interface compliant with the HDMI standard, and constitutes an interface with an AV amplifier or the like connected via a serial bus. Specifically, the HDMI interface unit 24 includes an HDMI terminal and is connected to an external device such as an AV amplifier or a television by a cable including a dedicated connector.
The HDMI interface unit 24 can output digital audio and video signals to an AV amplifier or the like. Conversely, the HDMI interface unit 24 receives and analyzes an operation control command from an external device such as an AV amplifier.

  The IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 and the HDMI interface unit 24 may be connected to the same external device, or may be connected to different external devices.

The control unit 26 controls the overall operation of the playback device 10. The control unit 26 controls the audio and video signals recorded on the recording medium to be reproduced and output (transmitted) to an AV amplifier or the like.
The control unit 26 is configured to receive control commands based on two different communication protocols, the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 and the HDMI interface unit 24, and to control operation from an external device.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the playback apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the playback apparatus 10 in this example. In addition, the example shown below is an example, and if the same result is obtained, it will not be restricted to this.

  While the playback device 10 is starting up, the control unit 26 detects the presence or absence of connection with an external device via the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S11). For example, the control unit 26 confirms whether a connection is established with an external device via the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22.

  The control unit 26 is in a state where an external device is connected to the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S11: YES), and when a control command for instructing output start is input from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S12: YES). The audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 is controlled to be enabled, and the audio signal output from the other interface (HDMI interface unit 24) is disabled (step S13). Specifically, the control unit 26 turns on the operation of the IEEE 1394 interface circuit and turns off the operation of the HDMI interface circuit. When a power supply dedicated for IEEE1394 and / or HDMI interface is provided, the power supply may be turned on / off.

  Thereafter, the control unit 26 controls the reproduction unit 12 and the like to start outputting an audio signal via the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S14).

  At this time, the control unit 26 controls the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 to perform signal transmission using the A & M protocol. By using the A & M protocol, high-quality digital audio signal transmission is possible. Here, since the transmission rate control standard is used to reduce transmission jitter, the control unit 26 changes the operation timing based on the rate control command from the external device. Note that the control unit 26 may perform processing based on the A & M protocol when outputting a high-fidelity multi-channel audio signal recorded on a DVD-Audio, SACD, or the like.

  When the control unit 26 determines that no external device is connected to the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S11: NO), the control unit 26 disables the audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 and controls other interfaces (HDMI interfaces). The audio signal output from the unit 24) is controlled to be possible (step S16). Specifically, the control unit 26 turns off the operation of the IEEE 1394 interface circuit and turns on the operation of the HDMI interface circuit. When a power supply dedicated for IEEE1394 and / or HDMI interface is provided, the power supply may be turned off / on.

  When a control command for instructing output start is input from another interface (HDMI) in a state where no external device is connected to the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S17: YES), the audio signal is controlled by controlling the playback unit 12 and the like. Is started (step S14).

  If there is no output start instruction (step S17: NO), the process returns to the connection monitoring state of the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S11). Therefore, in the state where no external device is connected to the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22, the audio signal is not always output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent fluctuations in operation timing due to transmission rate control employed in the IEEE 1394 A & M protocol from affecting signal output via other interfaces (HDMI).

  When there is an instruction to end data to be reproduced or to terminate reproduction, the control unit 26 stops reproduction (step S15). Thereafter, the process returns to the connection monitoring state to the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S11).

  In order to change the transmission interface during playback, the output from the current interface is temporarily stopped, and then the connection interface is changed in the external device and the output is started again. For example, if the connection is changed from “IEEE1394” to “HDMI” in the GUI of the AV amplifier, the control command transmitted from the AV amplifier to the playback device 10 changes, and the playback device 10 automatically sets the transmission interface according to the control command. Switch. In addition, when connected to a plurality of external devices via the IEEE 1394 interface and HDMI, the setting can be changed for each external device or by turning it off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an external device is connected via the IEEE 1394 interface, the audio signal output from another interface (HDMI) is automatically disabled and the IEEE 1394 interface is disabled. Audio signal output is possible only from Further, when connected to an external device via another interface, the audio signal output from the IEEE1394 interface is automatically disabled and the audio signal output from the other interface is enabled.

Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the audio output is automatically set according to the connection state with the external device via IEEE1394, and the troublesomeness of the user who has to set the transmission interface according to the transmission destination is eliminated. can do.
In addition, when the audio signal output through the IEEE 1394 interface is disabled, and when the IEEE 1394 interface circuit power supply is turned off, the power consumption can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the connection of an external device to the IEEE 1394 interface is monitored, and the transmission interface is set according to the connection state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be set so that audio signal output via the IEEE1394 interface is disabled by default and audio signal output via another interface is enabled. A flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the playback apparatus 10 in this case is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 26 always disables audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 in a state where signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 is stopped, and outputs audio signals from other interfaces. Is set to be possible (step S21).

  Only when a control command instructing output start is received from an external device via the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S22: YES), the control unit 26 enables output of an audio signal from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22, Control is performed to enable audio signal output from the interface (step S23). Next, the control unit 26 controls the playback unit 12 and the like to start outputting an audio signal from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 (step S24). Thereafter, when the data to be reproduced is completed, the output is stopped (step S25), and the audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit 22 is again disabled (step S21).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the other interface combined with the IEEE1394 interface, the playback apparatus 10 including the HDMI interface capable of transmitting and receiving digital audio / video and control commands has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to the playback apparatus 10 including an analog signal transmission interface and / or an interface that does not transmit / receive control commands, or a combination thereof, and an IEEE 1394 interface.
Specifically, other interfaces combined with the IEEE 1394 interface include stereo audio signal terminals, analog signal output terminals such as color difference input terminals, digital signal output terminals such as optical axis cable terminals and coaxial cable terminals, or a combination of these. It may be a thing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: playback device, 22: IEEE 1394 interface unit, 24: HDMI interface unit, 26: control unit

Claims (5)

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface unit using A & M protocol;
Another interface unit capable of outputting at least one of an audio signal and a video signal;
When receiving a control command for starting audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit, the control unit controls the audio signal output from the IEEE 1394 interface unit and disables the signal output from the other interface unit. When,
A playback apparatus comprising: The control unit controls the IEEE interface unit to disable the audio signal output when the audio signal output from the IEEE interface unit is stopped.
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. The other interface unit includes an interface capable of transferring a control command together with digital audio and video signals.
When an audio signal output start control command is received from either the IEEE 1394 interface unit or the other interface unit, the control unit outputs an audio signal output from the one interface unit that has received the control command. And control to disable the audio signal output from the other interface unit,
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that When the audio signal output start control command is received from the other interface unit during the audio signal output from the one interface unit, the control unit is controlled to switch to the audio signal output from the other interface unit. To
The playback apparatus according to claim 3. A playback method in a playback device comprising an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface using an A & M protocol and another interface capable of outputting at least one of an audio signal and a video signal,
When a control command for starting audio signal output is received from the IEEE 1394 interface, an audio signal output is enabled from the IEEE 1394 interface and signal output from the other interface is disabled. .

Images