JP2008104131A - Information processing apparatus, video display method and os execution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set an output video format for an information processing apparatus, and compulsorily cancel the setting. <P>SOLUTION: An HDMI controller 110 executes device authentication for an HDMI device connected to a game device 10. A video format configuration part 122 sets a video format that has the highest resolution based on information transmitted from the HDMI device, and specific information on the video format is stored in a video format information storage part 142. According to the video format, an output processing part 200 outputs image signals to a display device 12. In addition, the game device mounts a plurality of OSs, and specific information on an OS that is started with high priority is stored in an OS information storage part 144. If long press of a power supply button is detected by a long press operation detector 106, an update part 130 changes storage information stored in the video format information storage part 142 and the OS information storage part 144 to a factory shipment state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing technique executed by a game device or the like, and more particularly to a video processing technique or a technique for processing a plurality of operating systems.

  In Japan, with the start of digital broadcasting services, TVs compatible with high definition television broadcasting (HD (High Definition) TV) have become widespread. HDTV has a resolution that is at least twice as high as that of SD (Standard Definition) TV, so that it is possible to depict more detailed images than analog TV and general DVD. With the spread of HDTV, the content of high-definition moving images (HD images) is also increasing. For example, in the game industry and the like, there is an active movement to provide high-resolution and high-quality game images. In addition, the performance of personal computers (PCs) has improved and the network environment has been improved, so that HD images can be handled on the network.

  The output video format of a TV or PC monitor is defined by the fineness of the video (number of scanning lines), the video display method (scanning method), the video aspect ratio (aspect ratio), etc. The video format is generally expressed using the number (the number of scanning lines) and the scanning method. In Japan, there is a unique connection standard created for connecting analog video signals of video equipment called D terminals. The following shows the correspondence standard between the D terminal and the video format.

D1: 480 (525) i
D2: 480 (525) p
D3: 1080 (1125) i
D4: 720 (750) p
D5: 1080 (1125) p
D1 to D5 guarantee compatibility not only with the video format of the category associated with each of them but also with the lower category standards. Accordingly, the D4 standard corresponds to video formats of 480 (525) i, 480 (525) p, 1080 (1125) i, and 720 (750) p.

  An information processing apparatus such as a game apparatus or a personal computer generates a video signal to be output to the screen with a set drawing resolution. At this time, it is preferable that the drawing resolution is set according to the specifications of the connected display device. In particular, game devices and the like are assumed to be carried and connected to another display device, but at that time, the drawing resolution set in the previous connection environment may not be used as it is. . In such a case, since it may not be possible to display on the screen, it is preferable to prepare a mechanism for easily returning the screen display.

  As the information processing apparatus is improved in performance, it is possible to install a plurality of operating systems for higher functionality. In general, installing a plurality of operating systems tends to complicate user operations. Especially when there is no intuitive GUI when switching the operating system to be used, or when the operating system being used is malfunctioning, the operating system being used can be easily terminated and switched. It is preferable to prepare a mechanism that can be used.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of solving the above-described problems regarding an information processing apparatus having a video processing function and an information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of operating systems.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information display device according to an aspect of the present invention has a function of displaying video on a display device by connecting to at least one display device, and maintaining the order of a plurality of video formats. A format order holding unit, a video format setting unit for setting a video format of a video to be output to the screen of the display device, and an output processing unit for outputting an image signal to the display device in the set video format. An acquisition unit that acquires video format information that can be displayed by the display device. The output processing unit outputs an image signal in a video format having the lowest resolution until the video format information is acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the video format information is acquired by the acquisition unit, the video format setting unit Refers to the order stored in the format order storage unit, sets the highest-ranked video format in the acquired video format information, and the output processing unit sets the set video Output image signal in format.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of displaying video on a display device by connecting to at least one display device. In this video display method, the order of a plurality of video formats is stored in a memory, the step of setting the video format of the video to be output to the screen of the display device, and the image signal is output to the display device in the set video format. And a step of acquiring video format information that can be displayed by a connected display device. Until the video format information is acquired, the output step outputs an image signal in a video format with the lowest resolution. When the video format information is acquired and the video format information is acquired, the video format setting step refers to the order of the video formats, sets the video format that is ranked highest in the acquired video format information, The output step outputs an image signal in a set video format. It is characterized in.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that displays a video on a display device, an input unit that receives an operation input from a user, and a video format that sets a video format of a video output to the screen of the display device A setting unit, a video format information holding unit that holds information for specifying the set video format, and an output that outputs an image signal to the display device according to the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit A processing unit and a detection unit that detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed on the input unit. When the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the output processing unit outputs an image signal in a predetermined video format.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), an input unit where operation input from a user is performed, and an OS that executes an application among the plurality of OSs An OS setting unit for setting the OS, an OS information holding unit for holding information for specifying the set OS, an OS execution unit for executing the OS specified by the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit, A detection unit that detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed on the input unit. When the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the OS execution unit causes the predetermined OS to be executed.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method of displaying video on a display device, the step of receiving an operation input from a user, the step of setting the video format of the video to be output on the screen of the display device, Information stored in the memory for specifying the specified video format, a step of outputting an image signal to the display device in accordance with the video format specifying information stored in the memory, and that a predetermined operation input has been performed. A detecting step, and when it is detected that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the output step outputs an image signal in a predetermined video format.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method of selectively switching a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) to execute an OS in order to execute an application, and receiving an operation input from a user. A step of setting an OS for executing an application among a plurality of OSs, a step of holding information for specifying the set OS in a memory, and an OS specified by the OS specification information held in the memory And a step of detecting that a predetermined operation input has been performed. When it is detected that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the OS execution step causes the predetermined OS to be executed. It is characterized by that.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the information processing technology of the present invention, it is possible to realize efficient video format setting and efficient OS startup.

  FIG. 1 shows a use environment of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game system 1 includes a game device 10 that executes a game application, and a display device 12 that outputs a processing result in the game device 10. The display device 12 may be a television set that includes a display unit that outputs an image and further includes an audio output unit that outputs audio. The display device 12 may be connected to the game apparatus 10 by a wired cable, or may be wirelessly connected by a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like.

  The game apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus that processes a game application and generates an image signal and an audio signal indicating the processing result of the game application. The game apparatus 10 is connected to at least one display device 12, displays video on the display device 12, and outputs sound. Note that the technique shown in the present embodiment is not limited to the game apparatus 10, and can be realized in an information processing apparatus that displays other images on the display device 12 by executing other types of applications. Therefore, in this embodiment, a game system 1 that executes a game application is shown, but a system that executes another application may be used.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the game apparatus 10. The game apparatus 10 includes a power button 20, an LED 22, a system controller 24, a device controller 30, a media drive 32, a hard disk drive 34, a switch 36, a wireless interface 38, a main controller 100, a main memory 102, and an output processing unit 200. Composed.

  The power button 20 is an input unit where an operation input from the user is performed, and is operated to turn on or off the power supply to the game apparatus 10. The power button 20 may be a push button, and the power on or off may be controlled by being pressed. The power button 20 may have another structure such as a touch sensor that allows the user to turn on / off the power. The LED 22 illuminates and displays the power on / off state. When the system controller 24 detects the pressed state or the non-pressed state of the power button 20 and detects a state transition from the power-off state to the pressed state, the system controller 24 starts up the main controller 100 and starts up the operating system boot sequence. At the same time, the lighting of the LED 22 is controlled. When the power cable is inserted into the game apparatus 10, the system controller 24 maintains the standby mode even when the power is off and monitors the pressing of the power button 20.

  The device controller 30 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) that exchanges information between devices like a south bridge. As illustrated, devices such as a system controller 24, a media drive 32, a hard disk drive 34, a switch 36, and the main controller 100 are connected to the device controller 30. The device controller 30 absorbs the difference in electrical characteristics of each device and the difference in data transfer speed, and controls the timing of data transfer.

  The media drive 32 is a drive device that drives a medium 50 that records a game program and reads the game program from the medium 50. The hard disk drive 34 is a drive device that drives a built-in hard disk to write / read data. The switch 36 is an Ethernet switch (Ethernet is a registered trademark), and is a device that transmits and receives information by connecting to an external device in a wired or wireless manner. The switch 36 is connected to a wireless interface 38, and the wireless interface 38 is connected to a game controller 40 having a wireless communication function using a communication protocol such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol or an IEEE802.11 protocol. The game controller 40 functions as an input unit through which an operation input from the user is performed.

  The main controller 100 includes a multi-core CPU, and includes one general-purpose processor core and a plurality of simple processor cores in one CPU. In this embodiment, the general-purpose processor core is called a PPU (Power Processing Unit), and the remaining processor cores are called SPUs (Synergistic-Processing Units).

  In the main controller 100, an operating system (hereinafter simply referred to as “OS (Operating System)”) that abstracts an interface to hardware and provides it to application software is executed in the game apparatus 10. In the game apparatus 10, the OS is executed on basic software called a hypervisor. In the hypervisor, software called “privileged software” is executed to provide an environment for executing an OS such as a game OS. The hypervisor is always activated when the power is turned on from the power button 20.

  The game apparatus 10 is equipped with a plurality of OSs. The main controller 100 is equipped with an LPAR (Logical Partitioning) support function for logically dividing a computer resource into a plurality, and the main controller 100 runs one or more OSs on the plurality of divided computer resources. be able to. The OS execution program is recorded in a flash memory or a hard disk, which is a nonvolatile storage device.

  The main controller 100 has a function of operating the OS on the hypervisor. For management by the main controller 100, the OS is a program executed by privileged software of the hypervisor, and the hypervisor needs to be activated in order to operate the OS. The activation of the hypervisor is executed by the PPU, but may be executed in cooperation with the SPU.

  FIG. 3A shows a hypervisor layer that is preferentially activated when the power is turned on. In this embodiment, the hypervisor has a function as privileged software that provides an environment for executing the OS. When power is turned on by the power button 20, the system controller 24 supplies power to the main controller 100 and the output processing unit 200 via the device controller 30. When power is supplied to the main controller 100, the PPU activates the hypervisor and prepares the OS activation posture.

FIG. 3B shows the OS hierarchy when the game OS is operating. When the power is turned on, the hypervisor is activated as shown in FIG. When the game apparatus 10 is in the game OS execution mode, the PPU reads and executes the game OS boot loader stored in the flash memory or the like. Thereby, the PPU activates the kernel layer of the game OS and further activates a user layer such as an API that operates on the kernel layer to generate an environment in which the game application can be executed on the game OS.
FIG. 3C shows the OS hierarchy when the non-game OS is operating. When the game apparatus 10 is in the non-game OS execution mode, the PPU reads and executes the non-game OS boot loader stored in the flash memory or the like. Thereby, the PPU activates the kernel layer of the non-game OS, and further activates a user layer such as an API that operates on the kernel layer, thereby generating an environment in which the application can be executed on the non-game OS.

  The privileged software reads the priority activation flag stored in the flash memory when the OS is activated. The priority activation flag defines which OS among a plurality of OSs to execute an application at power-on. The PPU refers to the priority activation flag of the flash memory by privileged software, and determines the kernel layer to be activated according to the flag value.

  The main controller 100 includes a memory controller connected to the main memory 102. The PPU has a register and includes a main processor as an operation execution subject. The PPU efficiently assigns a task as a basic processing unit in each application to each SPU. Note that the PPU itself may execute the task. The SPU has a register, and includes a sub-processor as an operation execution subject and a local memory (dedicated RAM) as a local storage area. The SPU has a dedicated DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller as a control unit, and can transfer data at high speed by transferring data between the main memory 102 and the local memory, and is built in the output processing unit 200. High-speed data transfer can be realized between the frame memory and the local memory.

The output processing unit 200 is connected to the display device 12 and outputs a video signal and an audio signal that are processing results of the application. The application to be processed includes not only a game program read from the medium 50 but also a GUI (Graphical Use Interface) that allows the user to make various settings. The output processing unit 200 includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) and supports the following video formats.
D1: 480 (525) i
D2: 480 (525) p
D3: 1080 (1125) i
D4: 720 (750) p
D5: 1080 (1125) p
Note that the video formats shown as D1 and D2 are formats in the display device 12 corresponding to the NTSC system that is broadcast in Japan, the United States, etc. For example, for the display device 12 corresponding to the PAL system, output processing is performed. The unit 200 preferably supports an output video format of 576i or 576p.
The GPU employs HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Thereby, a video signal can be digitally output without going through analog.

The output processing unit 200 supports the following audio formats.
7.1ch LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation)
5.1ch LPCM
5.1ch DD (Dolby (registered trademark) Digital Interactive Encoding)
2ch LPCM

  FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the main controller 100 and the output processing unit 200. The main controller 100 includes an input reception unit 104, a long press operation detection unit 106, an HDMI control unit 110, a setting unit 120, an update unit 130, a flash memory 140, an execution processing unit 150, a memory controller 160, and a local memory 162. The output processing unit 200 includes an image output unit 210 and an audio output unit 230. The image output unit 210 is configured as a GPU.

  In FIG. 4, each element described as a functional block for performing various processes can be configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and other LSIs in terms of hardware. This is realized by a program such as an OS program loaded on the computer. As described above, the main controller 100 is provided with one PPU and a plurality of SPUs, and each of the PPUs and SPUs can be configured individually or in cooperation with each other. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, and is not limited to any one.

  The main controller 100 includes an input receiving unit 104 and a long press operation detecting unit 106 as means for transmitting / receiving control information to / from the device controller 30, and means for transmitting / receiving control information to / from the output processing unit 200. An HDMI control unit 110 is included. The input receiving unit 104 receives an operation input from the user's game controller 40. In the game system 1, the user uses the game controller 40 to perform various setting operations while viewing the GUI displayed on the screen of the display device 12.

  The HDMI control unit 110 executes device authentication with the HDMI device connected to the game apparatus 10. The attribute request unit 112 requests the connected device to return an EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). The EDID is an ID unique to the monitor that conveys attribute values such as the model name and setting value of the monitor to the host. For example, when the HDMI control unit 110 recognizes the connection of the HDMI device at the time of booting, reconnecting the connector, or powering on the monitor, the attribute requesting unit 112 requests a reply of EDID, and the attribute acquiring unit 114 is returned. Get the EDID.

  The long press operation detection unit 106 functions as a detection unit that detects that a predetermined operation input from the user has been performed on the input unit. In this embodiment, the long press operation detection unit 106 detects that the power button 20 has been pressed for a predetermined time. For example, the time for determining long press may be about 5 seconds. It is assumed that, for example, it takes 1 second for the system controller 24 to detect the pressing of the power button 20 from the power-off state, to supply power to the main controller 100, and for the main controller 100 to activate the hypervisor. In this case, it takes one second from the start of pressing by the user until the long press operation detection unit 106 configured as one function of the hypervisor becomes capable of monitoring the state of the power button 20. The operation detection unit 106 may determine that a long press operation for a total of 5 seconds has been performed when a pressing continuation state for 4 seconds is detected after the start of monitoring. The long press operation detection unit 106 starts a timer and measures the duration of the press. As described above, in this embodiment, the long press operation of the power button 20 causes the system reset to be executed. The user can turn the power on and off by pressing and releasing the power button 20 for a short time (short pressing operation).

  The flash memory 140 has a video format information holding unit 142, an OS information holding unit 144, a video format order holding unit 146, and a boot loader holding unit 148 in its storage area. The video format information holding unit 142 holds information for specifying a video format when providing a GUI such as a setting screen. The default setting value of the video format specifying information at the time of shipment from the factory is information specifying the 480p video format. As will be described later, the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit 142 can be changed.

The video format order holding unit 146 holds the order of a plurality of video formats. In the game system 1, five types of video formats of 480 (525) i, 480 (525) p, 1080 (1125) i, 720 (750) p, and 1080 (1125) p can be used, and the video format order is maintained. The unit 146 holds a table in which these are ordered.
(1st place) 1080 (1125) p
(2nd place) 720 (750) p
(3rd place) 1080 (1125) i
(4th place) 480 (525) p
(5th) 480 (525) i
As described above, in this embodiment, the reverse order of the numbers of the D terminals is assigned as the order of the respective video formats, and a clear image can be provided in order from the highest order.

  The OS information holding unit 144 holds information for specifying an OS that executes an application. The default setting value at the time of factory shipment of the OS specifying information is a game OS. As will be described later, the OS identification information held by the OS information holding unit 144 can be changed. Note that the OS identification information only needs to be able to identify the OS to be started up to the level where the application can be executed, and the data format is not limited. For example, the OS specifying information may be a flag value of the game OS. In this case, when the flag value of the game OS is on, it is specified that the game OS is a priority boot system and the flag value is off. In this case, it is specified that the OS other than the game OS is the priority boot system. Similarly, the OS specifying information may be a flag value of the non-game OS. In this way, a flag that specifies an OS to be started may be called a priority start flag. When a plurality of OSs including a game OS are installed, the OS specifying information may be information that can specify any one OS, and may be a flag value or information that directly specifies the OS type. It may be.

  The boot loader holding unit 148 holds an OS boot loader. As described above, the hypervisor is already activated immediately after the power is turned on, and this boot loader is used to activate the OS under the circumstances. When the game apparatus 10 is equipped with a plurality of OSs, the boot loader holding unit 148 holds each boot loader.

  The setting unit 120 has a function of setting a video format and an OS to be executed. Specifically, the video format setting unit 122 sets the video format of the video to be output on the screen of the display device 12, and the OS setting unit 124 sets which OS of the plurality of OSs to execute the application. . The video format specifying information set by the video format setting unit 122 is overwritten in the video format information holding unit 142, and the OS specifying information set in the OS setting unit 124 is overwritten in the OS information holding unit 144. . The video format setting unit 122 sets the video format in the video format information holding unit 142, for example, when the game apparatus 10 is activated for the first time or when a system reset is executed. The OS setting unit 124 sets the OS in the OS information holding unit 144 when the OS to be preferentially activated is selected by the user.

  The updating unit 130 has a function of forcibly updating the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit 142 and the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit 144. Specifically, the video format information updating unit 132 forcibly updates the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit 142 to video format specifying information for specifying a predetermined video format, and the OS information updating unit 134 forcibly updates the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit 144 to OS specifying information for specifying a predetermined OS. This update is executed when the long press operation detecting unit 106 detects a long press operation of the power button 20.

The execution processing unit 150 includes an OS execution unit 152 that executes an OS and an application processing unit 154 that executes an application.
When the power is turned on, the OS execution unit 152 activates the hypervisor. The OS execution unit 152 refers to the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit 144 in a state where the hypervisor is operated, and starts the OS specified by the specifying information. That is, in the OS execution unit 152, the hypervisor activates the OS kernel identified by the OS identification information. The configuration of the setting unit 120 and the update unit 130 described above is described as a function different from the execution processing unit 150 in the drawing, but these may be configured to be operated by privileged software of the hypervisor. .

  The application processing unit 154 processes an application on the OS. In the game system 1, the game application is processed on the game OS, and GUIs of various setting screens related to the game apparatus 10 are also processed on the game OS. On the non-game OS, a program corresponding to the OS is processed.

  The memory controller 160 controls writing / reading of the external main memory 102 and the local memory 162 built in the SPU. The memory controller 160 stores the program read from the hard disk or the medium 50 in the main memory 102 or the local memory 162. The execution processing unit 150 executes each process based on programs stored in the main memory 102 and / or the local memory 162. The processing result of the execution processing unit 150 is supplied to the output processing unit 200. At this time, the execution processing unit 150 generates an image signal with a drawing resolution corresponding to the set video format. For example, when 720p is set as the video format, the execution processing unit 150 generates an image signal with a rendering resolution of 1280 × 720, and when the video format is set as 1080p, the execution resolution 150 is 1980 × 1080. To generate an image signal.

  In the output processing unit 200, the image output unit 210 includes an image control unit 212, a memory controller 216, a frame memory 218, and a display controller 220. The image control unit 212 manages the image processing function in the image output unit 210 in an integrated manner. The memory controller 216 controls writing / reading of the frame memory 218. The image data generated by the application processing unit 154 is written into the frame memory 218.

  The display controller 220 generates horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, and sequentially reads pixel data of the image frame data from the frame memory 218 in a line according to the display timing of the display device 12. The display controller 220 acquires in advance the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit 142 via the image control unit 212. The display controller 220 outputs the pixel data read in a line shape in a video format specified by the video format specifying information. The display controller 220 may have a function of up-converting or down-converting the image signal stored in the frame memory 218.

  When the audio output unit 230 receives the audio signal from the execution processing unit 150, the audio output unit 230 outputs the audio from the speaker of the display device 12.

The game apparatus 10 has a function of automatically setting the video format and a function of forcibly canceling the set video format. As described above, the game apparatus 10 includes a plurality of OSs and has a function of setting an OS to be preferentially activated, but also has a function of forcibly releasing the set OS.
Hereinafter, the operation of each component in the game apparatus 10 will be described in accordance with the usage situation of the user.

<Video format automatic setting function>
In the game system 1, when the game apparatus 10 is activated for the first time, the OS information holding unit 144 holds game OS specific information as a default setting value, and thus the OS execution unit 152 starts the game OS. The application processing unit 154 displays an initial GUI screen on the display device 12 on the game OS. At this time, the video format information holding unit 142 holds the specific information of the video format of 480p as a default setting value, and thus the application processing unit 154 generates an image signal with a drawing resolution of 720 × 480.

  The video format specifying information in the video format information holding unit 142 is also notified to the image control unit 212, and the display controller 220 displays the image signal generated at the resolution of 720 × 480 in the application processing unit 154 in the 480p video format. Output to the device 12. That is, the display controller 220 outputs an image signal in a video format with the lowest resolution. Since the video format with the lowest resolution is supported by almost all television apparatuses, the GUI screen can be displayed on the display regardless of the type of the display device 12. Since the display controller 220 does not know which output port the display device 12 is connected to, the display controller 220 outputs an image signal to all existing output ports.

  The user operates the game controller 40 to make initial settings. The game controller 40 is provided with an input unit such as a cross key and a plurality of buttons, and the user operates the input unit according to an instruction on the GUI screen. In the game system 1 of the present embodiment, a wireless game controller 40 is employed. Therefore, when the game apparatus 10 cannot recognize the game controller 40 at the first activation, the game controller 40 and the game apparatus 10 are first connected with a USB cable, and the game apparatus 10 and the game controller 40 are paired. Thereafter, the user uses the game controller 40 to perform initial settings such as resolution.

  FIG. 5A shows a screen when the game controller 40 is in an unconnected state. This is a setting screen displayed first when the game apparatus 10 is activated for the first time. The user connects the game controller 40 to the game apparatus 10 with a USB cable. Thereby, the user can perform screen input using the game controller 40.

  FIG. 5B shows a language selection screen. When the game controller 40 is connected to the game apparatus 10 via USB, a language selection screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. The user operates the game controller 40 to select a desired language. When this selection operation is completed, the game apparatus 10 searches for a connected HDMI device.

  FIG. 6A shows a screen for notifying that HDMI has been detected. When the user selects “Yes” on this screen, output to only the HDMI device is selected. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, processing for changing the output of the image signal to only the output port to which the HDMI device is connected is performed.

  FIG. 7A shows a screen for inquiring the user to automatically set the output resolution. This inquiry screen is displayed when an image signal is output only to an output port connected to the HDMI device after the HDMI device is detected. When the user selects “Yes” in response to this inquiry, a screen indicating that the resolution is being changed as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed, and the game apparatus 10 executes a resolution switching process.

  Specifically, the attribute request unit 112 requests attribute information from the HDMI device, and the attribute acquisition unit 114 acquires EDID as attribute information from the HDMI device. The EDID includes video format information that can be displayed by the connected HDMI device. This EDID is delivered to the video format setting unit 122.

  The video format setting unit 122 sets the video format of the video output on the screen of the display device 12 based on the video format information included in the EDID. For example, in an environment in which a plurality of HDMI devices are connected to the game apparatus 10, a plurality of video format information is acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 114. Since there are various types of HDMI devices, it is preferable to assign the display device 12 that can output the processing result by the game apparatus 10 as the most beautiful image as the output device.

  Therefore, the video format setting unit 122 refers to the order of the plurality of video formats held in the video format order holding unit 146 and selects the highest-ordered video format in the acquired video format information. And set. For example, when the acquired video format information is information indicating 720p and information indicating 1080i, since the second rank is set for 720p and the third rank is set for 1080i, the video format setting unit 122 sets 720p. Determine the output video format.

  FIG. 8A shows a screen for notifying the video format set by the video format setting unit 122. When the user selects “Yes” on this screen, the output video format to the display device 12 is automatically set to 720p. At this time, the audio format is also automatically set. Thus, the video format automatic setting process ends.

  FIG. 8B shows a time zone setting screen executed after the video format is set. At this time, the display controller 220 outputs an image signal to the display device 12 in the video format (720p) set by the video format setting unit 122. In the subsequent initial setting, the video format is fixed at 720p.

  As described above, when video format information that can be output from the connected HDMI device is acquired by the HDMI control unit 110 when the game apparatus 10 is activated for the first time, the video format setting unit 122 displays the video format order holding unit. Referring to the ranking held in 146, the highest-ranked video format is set in the acquired video format information. The application processing unit 154 generates an image signal with the same drawing resolution as the set video format, and the display controller 220 outputs the image signal with the set video format. Thereby, the game apparatus 10 can generate the most beautiful display screen in the connection environment.

  The display controller 220 outputs an image signal in the video format with the lowest resolution until the attribute acquisition unit 114 acquires the video format information. In this embodiment, the image signal is output at 480p of rank 4 that is set as default in the video format information holding unit 142 as the video format, but may be output at 480i of rank 5. Since both 480p and 480i are supported by almost all commercially available television apparatuses, images can be displayed even if the display device 12 is not an HDMI device.

<Priority boot OS setting function>
When the user completes the initial setting, the user subsequently executes the main unit setting. In the main body setting, for example, setting of a dictionary to be used, word registration, initialization of settings, and the like can be executed. Among these, the user can install an OS other than the game OS (for example, ABC-OS). When the ABC-OS is installed, the ABC-OS program is stored in the hard disk, and the boot loader for the ABC-OS program is held in the boot loader holding unit 148.

  The user can set which OS is preferentially activated when the game apparatus 10 is activated in the main body setting. FIG. 9A shows a setting screen for main body setting. The OS information holding unit 144 holds information for specifying the game OS as a default setting value, and therefore the OS that is preferentially activated is the game OS in the default setting.

  FIG. 9B shows a setting screen for the priority activation system. A selection screen for game OS and ABC-OS, which are installed OSs, is presented to the user. When the user selects ABC-OS, the input reception unit 104 receives the selection information and notifies the OS setting unit 124 of the selection information. Upon receiving the notification, the OS setting unit 124 overwrites the information specifying the game OS in the OS information holding unit 144 with the information specifying the ABC-OS. Thereby, when the game apparatus 10 is activated, the hypervisor of the game OS can activate the ABC-OS kernel and operate the ABC-OS.

<Video format and priority release OS setting release function>
The respective setting values are written in the flash memory 140 by executing the video format setting function and the priority boot OS setting function described above. These set values are all referred to when the game apparatus 10 is activated, and are used by the OS execution unit 152 and the application processing unit 154.

  However, for example, when the user moves the room with the game device 10 and connects to another display device 12, there is no problem if the specification of the display device 12 does not change, but the specification of the display device 12 decreases. In some cases, the screen cannot be displayed with the set video format. For example, when the video format information held in the video format information holding unit 142 indicates 720p, the game apparatus 10 is connected to an analog television that supports only 480p and 480i. At this time, the analog television cannot display an image signal output at 720p and cannot display anything on the screen. Under such circumstances, it is preferable that the game apparatus 10 provides a mechanism for promptly returning the screen display to the user.

  In addition, when a non-game OS (“ABC-OS” in the above example) is set as the priority boot OS, if an operation failure occurs in the ABC-OS, the ABC-OS changes to the game OS. There are also situations where it is impossible or difficult to switch. Under such circumstances, it is preferable that the game apparatus 10 provide a mechanism that allows the user to quickly return to the game OS. In addition, although a non-game OS is set as the priority boot OS, if the user wishes to execute a game application, a mechanism that can quickly start the game OS with a simple operation when the power is turned on is desired. It is.

  For the above reasons, the game apparatus 10 has a function for forcibly releasing the setting of the video format and the priority boot OS. In order to execute the forced release function in the present embodiment, the user only has to press and hold the power button 20 for a long time. By using the long press of the power button 20 as a trigger for executing the function, the game apparatus 10 can effectively use the resource without having to have a new button for forcibly releasing the setting. In addition, the long press of the power button 20 has an advantage that it is easy for the user to remember because it is an operation that is easy for the user to perform intuitively when some deficiency occurs.

  First, the system controller 24 detects pressing of the power button 20. The system controller 24 notifies the main controller 100 of the pressing operation via the device controller 30. The long press operation detecting unit 106 monitors whether or not the pressing operation of the power button 20 is released for a predetermined time, and determines that the long pressing operation has been performed when detecting that the pressing operation has continued for a predetermined time. If it takes time for the long press operation detection unit 106 to monitor the pressed state of the power button 20 after the power button 20 is pressed, the long press operation detection unit 106 deducts the time. Judgment is made at the time. For example, when it is defined that the pressing operation has continued for 5 seconds as a long pressing operation, if it takes 1 second from the start of pressing until the long pressing operation detection unit 106 becomes in a monitorable state, the long pressing operation detection unit 106 What is necessary is just to determine that long press operation was performed when the press continuation state for 4 seconds was detected. The long press operation detection unit 106 executes the determination process after recognizing the time until the monitoring is possible. When the long press operation detecting unit 106 determines the long press operation, the long press operation detecting unit 106 notifies the update unit 130 of the determination.

  In the updating unit 130, the OS information updating unit 134 forcibly updates the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit 144 to OS specifying information for specifying the game OS. The OS execution unit 152 refers to the information for specifying the game OS updated in the OS information holding unit 144 and starts the game OS kernel. As a result, the application processing unit 154 enters a state in which an application on the game OS can be executed.

  When the game OS is activated, the video format information updating unit 132 updates the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit 142 to video format information specifying a predetermined video format. The updated video format information is notified to the image control unit 212, and the display controller 220 outputs the application processing result to the display device 12 in a predetermined video format.

  Specifically, the video format information updating unit 132 updates the video format specifying information for specifying the video format having the lowest resolution. This video format may be 480p, which is set by default, or may be 480i. By forcibly changing to the lowest resolution, the image signal output from the image output unit 210 can be displayed on the display device 12. Thereafter, the game apparatus 10 causes the user to execute an initial setting starting from the resolution setting. In this initial setting, the GUI screen shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is displayed. As described above, when the setting value of the resolution in the main controller 100 is returned to the factory default state by the system reset, the attribute acquisition unit 114 is executed by executing the initial setting again and executing the video format automatic setting function. The video format setting unit 122 can reset the video format based on the EDID acquired from the HDMI device.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow of setting release operation of the priority boot OS. The system controller 24 monitors the pressed state of the power button 20 (N in S10), and when the user presses the power button 20 (Y in S10), the long press operation detecting unit 106 continues the pressed state for a predetermined time. If it has not elapsed (N in S12), it is detected whether the pressing of the power button 20 is released based on information from the system controller 24 (S14). If the press is not released (N in S14), the time elapse determination in S12 is performed. If the press is released (Y in S14), the power is on normally, so the OS execution unit 152 refers to the OS identification information in the OS information holding unit 144 (S16). When the OS identification information is an ABC-OS flag value and the flag value is on (Y in S16), the OS execution unit 152 causes the boot loader for ABC-OS held in the boot loader holding unit 148. Is started (S20), the ABC-OS program is read from the hard disk, the ABC-OS kernel is started (S24), and the ABC-OS application is started (S26).

  On the other hand, when the pressed state continues for a predetermined time in S12 (Y in S12), the flag value of ABC-OS is forcibly set to OFF (S18). As a result, the game OS is started. The same applies when the flag value of ABC-OS is OFF in S16 (N in S16). The OS execution unit 152 reads a game OS program from the hard disk, starts a game OS kernel (S28), and starts a game OS application (S30).

  In the above flowchart, the OS setting cancellation operation is shown. However, as described above, the video format setting cancellation operation may be performed simultaneously. The image format setting release operation may be executed when the flag value of the ABC-OS is forcibly set to OFF in S18.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment, the OS specific information forced update process by the OS information update unit 134 is executed when a long press operation by the power button 20 is detected, and the hypervisor layer is updated in the OS information holding unit 144. The kernel layer of the game OS is activated with reference to the OS identification information. As a modified example, when the hypervisor layer detects a long press operation by the power button 20, for example, the hypervisor layer sets a forced update flag indicating whether or not to execute the forced update process to ON, and based on the forced update flag value, The kernel layer of the game OS may be activated. At this time, the forced update process by the OS information update unit 134 may be executed at an arbitrary timing based on the ON value of the forced update flag, for example, after the kernel layer or the user layer of the game OS is started. Also good. In this modification, the hypervisor layer notifies the image controller 212 of 480p (or 480i) video format specifying information based on the on-value of the forced update flag, and the display controller 220 is specified. Output images in video format. The forced update processing of the video format specifying information by the video format information updating unit 132 may be executed at an arbitrary timing based on the on value of the forced update flag. For example, after the kernel layer or the user layer of the game OS is started May be executed. When the video format is newly set by the video format setting unit 122 after the video format is changed to 480p, the forcibly set 480p video format specifying information is overwritten in the video format information holding unit 142. Instead, the newly set video format specifying information may be overwritten in the video format information holding unit 142.

It is a figure which shows the use environment of the game system concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a game device. It is a figure which shows OS hierarchy. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a main controller and an output process part. (A) is a figure which shows a screen when a controller is in an unconnected state, (b) is a figure which shows a language selection screen. (A) is a figure which shows the screen which notifies that HDMI was detected, (b) is a figure which shows the screen which notifies that the output of an image signal is being switched. (A) is a figure which shows the screen which asks a user to set an output resolution automatically, (b) is a figure which shows that the resolution is being changed. (A) is a figure which shows the screen which notifies the video format set automatically, (b) is a figure which shows the initial setting screen performed after the setting of a video format. (A) is a figure which shows the setting screen of a main body setting, (b) is a figure which shows the setting screen of a priority starting system. It is a figure which shows the flow of setting cancellation | release operation | movement of priority booting OS.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system, 10 ... Game device, 12 ... Display apparatus, 20 ... Power button, 32 ... Media drive, 34 ... Hard disk drive, 36 ... Switch, 40. ..Game controller 50 ... Media 100 ... Main controller 102 ... Main memory 104 ... Input accepting unit 106 ... Long press operation detecting unit 110 ... HDMI control unit , 112 ... Attribute request part, 114 ... Attribute acquisition part, 120 ... Setting part, 122 ... Video format setting part, 124 ... OS setting part, 130 ... Update part, 132 ..Video format information updating unit 134... OS information updating unit 140... Flash memory 142... Video format information holding unit 144. Holding unit, 146... Video format order holding unit, 148... Boot loader holding unit, 150... Execution processing unit, 152... OS execution unit, 154. Controller ... 162 Local memory 200 ... Output processing unit 210 ... Image output unit 212 ... Image control unit 218 ... Frame memory 220 ... Display controller 230 ... -Audio output unit.

Claims (17)

An information processing apparatus for connecting to at least one display device and displaying video on the display device,
A format order holding unit holding the order of a plurality of video formats;
A video format setting unit for setting a video format of video output to the screen of the display device;
An output processing unit for outputting an image signal to the display device in a set video format;
An acquisition unit that acquires video format information that can be displayed by the connected display device,
The output processing unit outputs an image signal in a video format with the lowest resolution until the video format information is acquired by the acquisition unit,
When the video format information is acquired by the acquisition unit, the video format setting unit refers to the order stored in the format order storage unit and ranks the highest among the acquired video format information. The information processing apparatus is configured to set a video format, and the output processing unit outputs an image signal in the set video format.   The output processing unit acquires video format information from the acquisition unit when the information processing device is first activated or when a resolution setting value in the information processing device is returned to a factory default state by a system reset. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image signal is output in a video format having the lowest resolution.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires video format information that can be displayed by a connected High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) device. A method of displaying video on a display device by connecting to at least one display device,
Storing the order of the plurality of video formats in a memory;
Setting the video format of the video to be output to the display device screen;
Outputting an image signal to a display device in a set video format;
Obtaining video format information that can be displayed by a connected display device, and
Until the video format information is acquired, the output step outputs an image signal in the video format with the lowest resolution,
When the video format information is acquired, the video format setting step refers to the order of the video formats, sets the video format that is ranked highest in the acquired video format information, and the output step Outputs a video signal in a set video format. To a computer that outputs image signals to a display device,
A function for storing the order of multiple video formats in a memory;
A function to set the video format of the video to be output to the screen of the display device;
A function to output the image signal to the display device in the set video format;
Realize the function to acquire video format information that can be displayed by the connected display device,
The image signal output function outputs the image signal in the lowest resolution video format until the video format information is acquired,
When the video format information is obtained, the video format setting function refers to the order of the video formats, sets the highest ranked video format among the obtained video format information, and displays the video format. A program for realizing the function of outputting image signals to devices. An information processing apparatus for displaying video on a display device,
An input unit for operation input from the user;
A video format setting unit for setting a video format of video output to the screen of the display device;
A video format information holding unit for holding information for specifying the set video format;
An output processing unit for outputting an image signal to the display device according to the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit;
A detection unit that detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed on the input unit,
An information processing apparatus, wherein when the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the output processing unit outputs an image signal in a predetermined video format.   7. The information according to claim 6, wherein when the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the output processing unit outputs an image signal in a video format having the lowest resolution. Processing equipment. When the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit is updated to video format specifying information for specifying a predetermined video format. A video format information update unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output processing unit outputs an image signal with the updated video format specifying information.   9. The video format information updating unit updates the video format specifying information held in the video format information holding unit to video format specifying information for specifying a video format having the lowest resolution. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus includes a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter referred to as “OS”),
An OS setting unit for setting an OS for executing an application among a plurality of OSs;
An OS information holding unit for holding information for specifying the set OS;
An OS execution unit that executes an OS identified by the OS identification information held in the OS information holding unit,
10. The information processing according to claim 6, wherein the OS execution unit causes a predetermined OS to be executed when the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed. apparatus.   OS information update for updating the OS specifying information held in the OS information holding unit to the OS specifying information for specifying the predetermined OS when the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a unit. An information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter “OS”),
An input unit for operation input from the user;
An OS setting unit for setting an OS for executing an application among a plurality of OSs;
An OS information holding unit for holding information for specifying the set OS;
An OS execution unit for executing an OS identified by the OS identification information held in the OS information holding unit;
A detection unit that detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed on the input unit,
The information processing apparatus, wherein when the detection unit detects that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the OS execution unit executes a predetermined OS. The input unit is a power button for turning on or off the power,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit detects that the power button has been pressed for a predetermined time. A method of displaying video on a display device,
Receiving an operation input from the user;
Setting the video format of the video to be output to the screen of the display device;
Holding information identifying the set video format in memory;
Outputting an image signal to the display device in accordance with video format specifying information held in a memory;
Detecting that a predetermined operation input has been performed, and
When it is detected that a predetermined operation input is performed, the output step outputs an image signal in a predetermined video format. To a computer that outputs image signals to a display device,
A function to accept operation input from the user;
A function for setting a video format of video to be output to the screen of the display device;
A function for storing information for specifying a set video format in a memory;
A function of outputting an image signal to the display device in accordance with video format specifying information held in a memory;
A function for detecting that a predetermined operation input has been performed, and
A program for causing the display device to output an image signal by outputting the image signal in a predetermined video format when the output of the image signal is detected when a predetermined operation input is performed. In order to execute an application, a method of selectively switching a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter “OS”) to execute the OS,
Receiving an operation input from the user;
Setting an OS for executing an application among a plurality of OSs;
Holding information for identifying the set OS in a memory;
Executing the OS identified by the OS identification information held in the memory;
Detecting that a predetermined operation input has been performed, and
An OS execution method characterized in that, when it is detected that a predetermined operation input has been performed, the OS execution step executes a predetermined OS. In order to execute an application, a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter “OS”) are selectively switched,
A function to accept operation input from the user;
A function of setting an OS for executing an application among a plurality of OSs;
A function for holding information for identifying a set OS in a memory;
A function for executing the OS specified by the OS specifying information held in the memory;
A function for detecting that a predetermined operation input has been performed, and
A program characterized by causing the OS execution function to execute a predetermined OS when it is detected that a predetermined operation input has been performed.

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