JP2014045313A - Image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output apparatus which easily avoids such a trouble that an image display apparatus connected via digital interfaces displays no image.SOLUTION: An image output apparatus 10 is connected with an image display apparatus 20 via digital interfaces 14 and 23 in a mutually communicable manner. The image output apparatus 10 comprises: a determination part 111 for determining setting relating to an image to be outputted to the image display apparatus 20; a confirmation part 113 which, after image data set on the basis of the determination by the determination part 111 is outputted to the image display apparatus 20, confirms whether a predetermined operation has been performed; and a change processing part 114 which, after the confirmation part 113 confirms that the predetermined operation has been performed, performs change processing such that setting relating to the image becomes setting corresponding to the image display apparatus 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a video output device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video output devices that output video (video data) to a video display device (for example, a television receiver, a projector, etc.) such as an optical disk playback device and a digital video camera are known. Recently, video output devices and video display devices have an HDMI terminal conforming to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard, and both are often connected via an HDMI cable. In the HDMI standard, not only video / audio data but also setting information relating to video such as resolution can be transmitted and received via the HDMI cable.

  In some video output devices having an HDMI terminal, for example, the resolution setting is automatically set based on the performance of the video display device connected to the video output device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, the video output device acquires EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) from the video display device via an HDMI cable, selects the highest resolution obtained from the acquired EDID, and outputs video data of the resolution.

JP 2007-214830 A

  Some settings (for example, resolution) related to the video of the video output apparatus can be manually set instead of the automatic setting as described above so that the setting according to the user's preference can be performed. Some video output devices output video data to a video display device while maintaining the resolution of the recorded content, for example.

  When the resolution determined by the manual setting or the resolution determined by the recorded content is not compatible with the video display device, the video display device connected to the video output device via the HDMI cable does not display video. . In such a case, a user who is troubled to deal with must make an inquiry to the manufacturer. In such a case, the user may determine that the video output device is defective.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a video output device that can easily avoid a problem that a video is not displayed on a video display device connected via a digital interface.

  In order to achieve the above object, a video output device according to the present invention is a video output device connected to a video display device through a digital interface so as to be able to communicate with each other. A determination unit for determining, and a confirmation unit for confirming whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed after the video data set based on the determination of the determination unit is output to the video display device; A change processing unit that performs a change process so that the setting relating to the video becomes a setting corresponding to the video display device after it is confirmed that the predetermined operation has been performed by the checking unit ( First configuration). In this configuration, when the change processing unit confirms that the predetermined operation has been performed by the confirmation unit, the setting relating to the video is not a setting corresponding to the video display device. In addition, it is preferable that the change process is performed.

  According to this configuration, depending on the setting determined by the determination unit, there is a possibility that a situation in which an image is not displayed on the image display device once occurs. However, in the video output device of this configuration, a video can be displayed on the video display device triggered by a predetermined operation performed after this situation. As the predetermined operation, for example, an operation that is generally performed by the user when an image is not displayed or an operation that is automatically performed by the image output apparatus due to such an operation is selected. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid the problem that the video is not displayed.

  The video output device having the first configuration is provided to output video data to the video display device after performing mutual authentication with the video display device via the digital interface, The operation is preferably a configuration (second configuration) that is a re-authentication operation in which the mutual authentication is performed again. The re-authentication operation has a problem, for example, when the power is turned on from off, when a cable that establishes a connection between digital interfaces is connected or disconnected, or when the input of the video display device is switched. This occurs due to the actions that the user typically takes when it occurs. For this reason, according to this configuration, it is possible to easily avoid the problem that the video is not displayed.

  In the video output device having the first or second configuration, the change processing unit preferably has a configuration (third configuration) for automatically determining settings related to the video. According to this configuration, the user can avoid problems without performing input processing.

  In the video output device having the third configuration, the change processing unit may have a configuration (fourth configuration) in which a setting related to the video is set to a highest level corresponding to the video display device. According to this configuration, the quality of the video after avoiding the problem that the video is not displayed can be made as good as possible.

  In the video output device having any one of the first to fourth configurations, the setting relating to the video may include a resolution (fifth configuration). The difference in resolution is easy to understand visually, and the resolution is an important setting item among the settings related to video. In addition, the settings relating to the video may include color settings and the like.

  In the video output device having any one of the first to fifth configurations, the digital interface may have a configuration (sixth configuration) formed in conformity with the HDMI standard. A digital face conforming to the HDMI standard has a high penetration rate and is suitable for application of the present invention. In addition, for example, the digital interface may conform to an MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) standard.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the video output apparatus which can avoid easily the malfunction that a video is not displayed in the video display apparatus connected via a digital interface can be provided.

The block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the video output apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part with which the video output device which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. The flowchart which shows the process for avoiding the malfunction that the image | video output from the said apparatus is not displayed in a video display apparatus in the video output device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the change process part with which the video output device which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. The flowchart for demonstrating the other example of operation | movement of the change process part with which the video output device which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided.

  Embodiments of a video output apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a video output apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 also shows a video display device 20 connected to the video output device 10 so as to be able to communicate with each other in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The video output device 10 and the video display device 20 are connected via an HDMI cable 30.

  As the video output device 10, for example, an BD player, a BD recorder, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a CD player, etc., an optical disc playback device capable of reproducing information recorded on an optical disc, a digital video camera, a home theater set set body, etc. Is mentioned. Examples of the video display device 20 include a television receiver and a rear projector.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the video output apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11 including a microprocessor. The control unit 11 controls the operation of each unit constituting the device 10. The control unit 11 has a function of easily avoiding a problem that the video output from the video output device 10 is not displayed on the video display device 20. Details of this point will be described later.

  A video / audio reproduction processing unit 12 included in the video output device 10 reads video and audio data from a medium (for example, an optical disk or a hard disk) on which video is recorded, and outputs a video signal and an audio signal. The signal processing unit 13 receives the video signal and the audio signal from the video / audio processing unit 12, and performs signal processing on the video data and the audio data in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11. The signal processing by the signal processing unit 13 includes signal processing for processing so that settings relating to video and audio become predetermined settings. The video signal and audio signal processed by the signal processing unit 14 are transmitted from the HDMI communication unit 14 to the video display device 20 via the HDMI cable 30.

  Note that settings related to video may include, for example, resolution setting, color setting, aspect ratio setting, video dimension (2D / 3D) setting, and the like. The settings relating to audio may include setting the type of audio file format, setting the maximum audio sampling frequency, setting the maximum number of audio channels, and the like.

  The HDMI communication unit 14 is a digital interface that enables transmission and reception of setting information related to a video signal, an audio signal, video, and audio with the video display device 20. An interface conforming to the HDMI standard has a plurality of channels. The video signal and the audio signal are transmitted and received using a TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) channel. Setting information related to video and audio is transmitted and received using a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) channel.

  The storage unit 15 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program executed by the control unit 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for providing a work area to the control unit 11, and various setting information and control information. And so on. The storage unit 15 stores recognition data such as EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). This recognition data includes settings related to video such as resolution settings and color settings that the video output apparatus 10 can handle. The control unit 11 can read the EDID stored in the storage unit 15 and specify settings related to the video that can be handled by the video output device 10.

  The video display device 20 includes a control unit 21 having a microprocessor. The control unit 21 controls the operation of each unit constituting the device 20. The video / audio processing unit 22 processes the video signal and audio signal received by the HDMI communication unit 23 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 21. The video signal processed by the video / audio processing unit 22 is output to the display unit 24. The display unit 24 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The audio signal processed by the video / audio processing unit 22 is output to the speaker 25. The video / audio processing unit 22 may process a television broadcast reception signal received by a tuner unit (not shown).

  The HDMI communication unit 23 is a digital interface that enables transmission and reception of setting information related to a video signal, an audio signal, video, and audio to and from the video output device 10. Similarly to the video output device 10, the video display device 20 includes a storage unit 26 that stores EDID related to the video display device 20.

  In the system 1 including the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 connected via the interface conforming to the HDMI standard as described above, the video output device 10 is connected to the video display device 20 by HDCP. Performs mutual authentication processing compliant with the (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) specification. Only when the mutual authentication process is successful, signal transmission from the video output device 10 to the video display device 20 is allowed, and video display and audio reproduction by the video display device 20 are possible.

  As the timing of the mutual authentication process, for example, when the power is turned on from off, when the HDMI cable 30 is connected or disconnected, the input setting in the video display device 20 receives information from the video output device 10. For example, a known configuration can be applied as the configuration.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 11 included in the video output device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 functionally includes a determination unit 111, a determination unit 112, a confirmation unit 113, and a change processing unit 114. The control part 11 demonstrates the function of each part 111-114 by reading and executing the program previously stored in the memory | storage part 15 with which the video output device 10 is provided.

  The determination unit 111 determines settings related to the video output from the video output device 10 to the video display device 20. For example, the determination unit 111 may be configured to determine settings related to video so that the fixed value is stored in advance in the storage unit 15 of the video output device 10. Further, the determination unit 111 may be configured to determine the settings related to the video so that the setting values are determined according to user preferences, for example. In this case, it is necessary to provide an input unit so that the user can select a set value. This input means may be a remote controller, for example. Furthermore, the determination unit 111 may be configured to determine settings related to video so that output is performed with the setting values of content recorded on a recording medium (for example, an optical disc).

  The determination unit 112 acquires the EDID from the video display device 20 via the HDMI communication units 14 and 23. Then, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not the setting determined by the determination unit 111 is a setting corresponding to the video display device 20.

  The confirmation unit 113 confirms whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed after the video data is output to the video display device 20 with the setting determined by the determination unit 111. The predetermined operation includes, for example, an operation of turning on the power from off, plugging / unplugging of the HDMI cable 30, and an operation of switching the input setting in the video display device 20 so as to receive information from the video output device 10. Good. The type of operation corresponding to the predetermined operation may be one type, but may be a plurality of types. The predetermined operation is an operation that is easy for the user to try when the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 are connected by the HDMI cable 30 and no video is displayed, or such a user operation. It is preferable that the operation is automatically executed due to the above.

  In this embodiment, as an example of the predetermined operation, a re-authentication operation is performed in which mutual authentication compliant with the HDCP specification is performed again. The re-authentication operation is automatically executed by performing the above-described power-on operation, plugging / unplugging of the HDMI cable 30, switching operation of the video display device 20, and the like. Note that before the video data is output to the video display device 20 with the setting determined by the determination unit 111, mutual authentication based on the HDCP specification has already been performed. For this reason, mutual authentication performed after the video data is output to the video display device 20 with the setting determined by the determination unit 111 corresponds to re-authentication.

  When the determination unit 112 determines that the setting related to the video determined by the determination unit 111 is not the setting corresponding to the video display device 20 after the predetermined operation is confirmed by the confirmation unit 113, the change processing unit 114. , Change the settings related to video. This change process is a process for changing the settings relating to the video so as to be the settings corresponding to the video display device 20, and details thereof will be described later.

  Next, a process for avoiding the problem that the video output from the video output device 10 is not displayed on the video display device 20 using the functional unit as described above (the functional unit shown in FIG. 2) will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart. Here, the case where the setting relating to the video is the resolution will be described as an example. However, the setting relating to the video is not limited to the resolution, and may be another setting (for example, color setting). Moreover, the setting regarding an image | video may not be one but may be plural.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the resolution output from the video output device 10 to the video display device 20 is determined by the determination unit 111 (step S1). The determination of the resolution here is not always determined to an appropriate resolution corresponding to the video display device 20. When the resolution is determined, the signal processing unit 13 performs processing related to the video data so that the determined resolution is obtained.

  When the resolution is determined, the determination unit 112 acquires the EDID from the video display device 20 via the HDMI communication units 14 and 23. Then, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not the determined resolution is a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (step S2).

  When the determined resolution is a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (Yes in step S2), video data is output from the video output device 10 to the video display device 20 with the determined resolution (step S3). In this case, since the correspondence relationship between the resolutions of the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 is appropriate, a video is displayed on the video display device 20. For this reason, the process for avoiding the problem that the video output from the video output device 10 is not displayed on the video display device 20 ends.

  Even when the determined resolution is a setting that does not correspond to the video display device 20 (No in step S2), the video data is output from the video output device 10 to the video display device 20 according to the determination of the determination unit 111. Prior to this, mutual authentication of the HDCP specification has been completed. By the way, in this case, since the correspondence relationship between the resolutions of the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 is inappropriate, it is normally expected that no video is displayed on the video display device 20. For this reason, when the output at the determined resolution is performed, the confirmation unit 113 starts confirming whether re-authentication has been performed (step S4).

  The confirmation unit 113 continues confirmation until it is confirmed that re-authentication has been performed (step S5). When the confirmation unit 113 confirms that re-authentication has been performed (Yes in step S5), the determination unit 112 acquires the EDID from the video display device 20 via the HDMI communication units 14 and 23 again. Then, the determination unit 112 determines again whether or not the resolution previously determined by the determination unit 111 is a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (step S6).

  The reason why the determination made in step S2 is made again in step S6 is as follows. If no video is displayed on the video display device 20 after step S4, the user may replace the target to be connected to the video output device 10 using the HDMI cable 30 with another video display device. The replaced video display device may have a corresponding resolution different from that of the previous video display device. Step S6 is performed in consideration of such points. In some cases, step S6 may be omitted.

  If it is determined that the resolution previously determined by the determination unit 111 is a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (Yes in step S6), video data is output at the resolution determined by the determination unit 111. (Step S7). In this case, since the correspondence relationship between the resolutions of the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 is appropriate, a video is displayed on the video display device 20. For this reason, the process for avoiding the problem that the video is not displayed on the video display device 20 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the resolution previously determined by the determination unit 111 is not the setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (No in step S6), the change processing unit 114 sets the resolution corresponding to the video display device 20. As described above, the resolution changing process is performed (step S8). Then, the video data according to the changed resolution is output to the video display device 20 (step S9). Since the correspondence between the resolutions of the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 is appropriate by the resolution changing process, the video is displayed on the video display device 20. Thereby, the process for avoiding the problem that the video is not displayed on the video display device 20 ends.

  In addition, step S2 (accompanying step S3) in the flowchart shown above (refer FIG. 3) may not be provided depending on the case. However, it is preferable to provide step S2 as in this embodiment because the processing when the determination unit 111 determines an appropriate resolution is easy to understand.

  Here, the resolution change processing performed by the change processing unit 114 will be described a little more. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the change processing unit 114 included in the video output device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined that the resolution previously determined by the determination unit 111 is not a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (No in step S6), the change processing unit 114 determines the output resolution. The video display device 20 automatically determines the corresponding predetermined resolution (step S8a). Examples of the predetermined resolution include a maximum resolution supported by the video display device 20, a resolution recommended by the video display device 20, and the like.

  After the resolution is automatically determined, the change processing unit 114 controls the signal processing unit 13 to perform video data change processing so that the automatically determined resolution is obtained (step S8b). Thereafter, the video output process in step S9 (see FIG. 3) is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the change processing unit 114 included in the video output device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the resolution previously determined by the determination unit 111 is not a setting corresponding to the video display device 20 (No in step S <b> 6), the change processing unit 114 allows the user to select a resolution. Processing is prompted (step S8c). In this case, selectable resolutions are limited to those supported by the video display device 20. As the selection screen, for example, a display unit (not shown) included in the video output device 10 can be used.

  Thereafter, it is continuously checked whether or not the user has input resolution using an input means such as a remote controller (step S8d). This confirmation may be performed only for a predetermined time. Then, when the user does not select within a predetermined time, the change processing unit 114 may automatically determine the resolution.

  When the resolution is input (Yes in step S8d), the change processing unit 114 controls the signal processing unit 13 to perform the video data change process so that the input resolution is obtained (step S8e). Thereafter, the video output process in step S9 (see FIG. 3) is performed.

  As described above, in the video output device 10 according to the present embodiment, the video is not displayed on the video display device 20 by outputting the video according to the forcibly set resolution (an example of settings related to the video). This can lead to a situation. However, even in this case, the video can be displayed on the video display device 20 in response to a countermeasure (such as turning on / off the power supply) that the user normally takes. For this reason, according to the video output device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will be troubled when the video output from the video output device 10 is not displayed on the video display device 20.

  The embodiment described above is an exemplification of the present invention, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above.

  For example, in the above description, the digital interface for connecting the video output device 10 and the video display device 20 is configured to conform to the HDMI standard. However, the digital interface of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other digital interfaces such as those conforming to the MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) standard and those conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard may be used. Good.

10 Video output device 14, 23 HDMI communication unit (digital interface)
20 video display device 111 determination unit 113 confirmation unit 114 change processing unit

Claims (6)

A video output device connected to a video display device through a digital interface so as to be capable of mutual communication,
A determination unit for determining a setting related to a video to be output to the video display device;
A confirmation unit for confirming whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed after the video data set based on the determination of the determination unit is output to the video display device;
A change processing unit that performs a change process so that the setting related to the video becomes a setting corresponding to the video display device after it is confirmed that the predetermined operation has been performed by the checking unit;
A video output device comprising: After mutual authentication with the video display device via the digital interface, provided to output video data to the video display device,
The video output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a re-authentication operation in which the mutual authentication is performed again.   The video output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change processing unit automatically determines settings related to the video.   The video output device according to claim 3, wherein the change processing unit sets a setting relating to the video to a highest level corresponding to the video display device.   5. The video output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting relating to the video includes a resolution.   The video output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital interface is formed in conformity with a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard.

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