JP2983680B2 - Audio and video equipment interconnect control system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiver.
(TV), video tape recorder (VTR), digital audio tape recorder (DAT), laser disk player (LDP), etc.
V devices).
It relates to a video system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an audio / video system, a video signal, a left audio signal, and a right audio signal (hereinafter, referred to as a video signal) have been described.
A plurality of AV devices are interconnected via a connection device called an AV selector having a large number of input / output terminals to which AV signals are collectively connected, and various signal recording / reproducing operations are performed by switching the selector. A connection system capable of realizing the form has been proposed (for example, the magazine “Television Technology” 1984).
November 19, pp. 19-20).

[0003]

In a conventional system using an AV selector, the type of AV equipment to be connected to each input terminal and output terminal of the AV selector is set in advance by the manufacturer. That is, the AV selector is provided with an input terminal dedicated to a television receiver, an input terminal dedicated to a video tape recorder, an input terminal dedicated to a digital audio tape recorder, an input terminal dedicated to a laser disk player, and the like. It is necessary to always connect a video tape recorder to the input terminal for use. If a laser disk player is connected by mistake, a desired signal recording or reproducing mode cannot be realized.

[0004] Therefore, the user must connect the AV selector and the AV equipment according to the settings of the manufacturer, and the connection operation is complicated and troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide an AV system capable of realizing a desired signal recording or reproducing mode even when an AV signal line from an AV device is connected to any terminal of an AV selector.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention,
In an interconnection control system for video equipment, AV equipment
(1) is a terminal identification signal generating means (13) for generating a terminal identification signal indicating that the AV device has become an AV signal output side or an AV signal input side AV device to be mutually connected via the AV selector (15). ), And replaces the identification signal with the AV signal.
AV signal output terminal (9) or AV signal input terminal of device (1)
Signal switching means (10) and (12) for outputting from (11). The AV selector (15) is a signal switching means (19) for switching and setting each AV signal input / output terminal (16) to any one of an AV signal input terminal, an AV signal output terminal, and the identification signal input terminal. A terminal identification signal searching means (18) for searching which of the AV signal input / output terminals (16) the identification signal is input, and an AV signal based on a search result of the terminal identification signal searching means (18). The signal switching means (19) is controlled so as to establish an AV signal path from the AV signal output terminal (9) of the output AV device (1) to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV device on the AV signal input side. (17).

[0006]

When an AV device on the AV signal output side and an AV device on the AV signal input side to be connected to each other are selected, the terminal identification signal generating means (13) of these AV devices (1) is used for terminal identification. And the identification signal is the AV signal of the AV selector (15).
The signal is sent to the terminal identification signal searching means (18) via the signal input / output terminal (16) and the signal switching means (19). Terminal identification signal search means
(18) is a signal switching means for connecting a pair of AV signal input / output terminals (16) to which a terminal identification signal is input.
(19) is controlled. Thereby, the AV signal output side AV
From the AV signal output terminal (9) of the device (1) to the AV selector (15)
Through the AV signal input terminal (1
An AV signal path to 1) is established.

[0007]

According to the audio / video equipment interconnection control system of the present invention, the user can connect the AV signal line from the AV equipment to any terminal of the AV selector to record a desired signal or record a desired signal. A reproduction mode can be realized.

[0008]

The examples are illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. A for implementing the present invention
FIG. 4 shows the device configuration of the V system. Each AV equipment (1a)
Output terminals and input terminals of (1b), (1c), (1d), and (1e)
The AV devices (15) are intensively connected to the AV selector (15) via an AV signal line, and the respective AV devices and the AV selector are bus-connected to each other via a control line.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an interconnection control system for AV equipment according to the present invention, which is divided into blocks for each function. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an AV device on the AV signal output side, and FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an AV device on the AV signal input side. In general, an AV device (1) is composed of an AV signal output side device and A
Any position of the V signal input side device can be taken,
Actually, both of the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are provided. However, in the following description, for convenience, the positions are fixed, and only the essential components of the AV signal output side device and the AV signal input side device are illustrated. explain. Also, the same reference numerals are given to the means common to the AV signal output side device and the AV signal input side device, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, an AV device on the AV signal output side (1)
Are provided with an AV signal output terminal (9) and a control terminal section (14), and as shown in FIG.
A signal input terminal (11) and a control terminal (14) are provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the AV selector (15) is provided with an AV signal input / output terminal (16) and a control terminal section (14). AV equipment
(1) AV signal output terminal (9) and AV signal input terminal (11)
And the AV signal input / output terminal (16) of the AV selector (15)
The control terminal (14) of the AV device (1) and the control terminal (14) of the AV selector (15) are connected to each other via a control line.

The AV signal output side device has an operation unit (2),
When the operation section (2) is operated, the operation identification means (3) recognizes the operation content. The device control means (4) instructs the system control means (5) to control other AV equipment based on the recognition of the operation identification means (3). Also, device control means
(4) means for generating audio / video signals in the AV signal output side device
The control of (6) and the AV signal input side device perform overall control inside the AV device such as the control of the video / audio signal processing means (7).

The system control means (5) requests the control command communication means (8) to transmit a control command for controlling other AV equipment, and the command received by the control command communication means (8). And performs a control operation according to the command. When the control of the own AV device (1) is necessary, the fact is notified to the device control means (4). Further, the system control means (5) controls the AV signal
A signal switching means (10) connected to the signal output terminal (9) is controlled, and an AV signal input terminal (11)
To control the signal switching means (12) connected to.

Signal switching means (10) of the AV signal output side device
Switches between outputting an AV signal from the AV signal output terminal (9) or outputting a terminal identification signal in accordance with an instruction from the system control means (5).
In addition, the signal switching means (12) of the AV signal input side device is connected to the AV signal input terminal in accordance with an instruction from the system control means (5).
Switching of inputting an AV signal or outputting a terminal identification signal from (11) is performed. The video / audio signal generating means (6) is a means for generating an AV signal such as a tuner or a video deck, and the video / audio signal processing means (7) is for displaying, reproducing or reproducing the AV signal from an image monitor, a speaker, a video deck or the like. It is a means for recording. The terminal identification signal generating means (13) generates a terminal identification signal required when the AV selector (15) selects a desired AV signal input / output terminal (16). The terminal identification signal is transmitted from the AV signal output terminal (9) or the AV signal input terminal (11) to the A
It is connected to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) of the V selector (15).

In the AV selector (15) of FIG. 2, an AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which an AV signal is to be input is selected, or an AV signal input / output terminal (1) to which an input AV signal is to be output is selected.
In order to select 6), a system control means (17) is provided. The system control means (17) is a control command communication means.
(8) and related AV equipment through the control terminal (14)
Controlling signal switching means (19), input signal selection means (20) and output signal selection means (21) based on information from terminal identification signal search means (18) while communicating with (1) It is.

The signal switching means (19) is provided with a system control means (1).
7), the corresponding AV signal input / output terminals (1
6) is connected to any one of the input signal selection means (20), the output signal selection means (21), and the terminal identification signal search means (18). The input signal selection means (20) includes a system control means (17)
In accordance with the instruction from, an AV signal input from the AV signal input / output terminal (16) via the signal switching means (19) is selected and output to the output signal selection means (21). or,
The output signal selection means (21) selects an AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which an AV signal from the input signal selection means (20) is to be output according to an instruction from the system control means (17).

The terminal identification signal searching means (18) searches for an AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which the terminal identification signal is input, and sets the AV signal input / output terminal (16) to the system control means (17).
To inform.

FIG. 5 shows system control means (5), control command communication means (8), signal switching means (10), AV signal output terminal (9) and control terminal of AV equipment (1) on the AV signal output side. Department
FIG. 6 shows the hardware constituting (14). FIG. 6 shows the system control means (5), control command communication means (8), signal switching means (12), AV signal input of the AV equipment (1) on the AV signal input side. 3 shows hardware constituting a terminal (11) and a control terminal section (14). The CPU (22) is in charge of system control, ROM
In (23), a program for system control of the CPU (22) is written, and in RAM (24), data necessary for executing the program is appropriately written and read.

The switch 1 (25) switches between an AV signal and a terminal identification signal and outputs it to the AV signal output terminal (9), and the switch 2 (26) receives an AV signal from the AV signal input terminal (11). Is turned on / off, and the switch 3 (27) turns on / off a terminal identification signal to the AV signal input terminal (11).
The operation of these switches is controlled by the CPU (22) via the switch control I / F (28). Control communication circuit
(29) is a circuit for communicating with the other AV equipment (1) and the AV selector (15), and supplies received data to the CPU (22) via the I / F (30), Send the data from 22).

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the hardware configuration of the AV selector (15). The CPU (31) controls the system control, a program for system control of the CPU (31) is written in the ROM (32), and the RAM (33) is
Data necessary for executing the program is written and read as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 7, a switch 4 (34) turns on / off a signal from an AV signal input / output terminal (16), and a switch 5 (3).
5) converts the signal from the switch 4 (34) to the terminal identification signal I / F.
(40) or switch 6 (36).
The switch 6 (36) and the switch 8 (38) are connected to an arbitrary AV signal input / output terminal (1) in the AV signal path formed by the input signal selecting means (20) and the output signal selecting means (21).
This is a changeover switch for connecting the signal from 6) to an arbitrary AV signal input / output terminal (16). Also, switch 7 (37)
The signal to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) is turned on / off. These switches are connected to each AV signal input / output terminal (1
6) The switch control I / O is provided by the CPU (31).
Each is controlled through F (39).

As shown in FIG. 8, a signal from each switch 5 (35) is sent to a CPU (31) via a terminal identification signal I / F (40). The control communication circuit (41) is a circuit for communicating with the AV equipment (1), and supplies data received via the I / F (42) to the CPU (31), and transmits data from the CPU (31). Send

In the configuration of the AV equipment (1) and the AV selector (15), the VTR 1 (1c) in FIG. 4 is instructed to perform a reproducing operation, and the AV signal from the VTR is supplied to the television (1a). In this case, the system control means (5) of the VTR (1c) requests the system control means (17) of the AV selector (15) to establish a signal path from the VTR (1c) to the television (1a). I do. The processing procedure of system control of the AV selector, VTR 1 and television in this case will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system control means (17) of the AV selector (15) first establishes an AV signal path from the VTR 1 to the AV selector based on the information stored in the RAM (33). It is determined whether or not there is (43). If NO, V
Request (44) TR1 to output an identification signal (eg, a high signal) from the AV signal output terminal.

The system control means (5) of the VTR 1 is shown in FIG.
After confirming the request (45) as in 1, the signal switching means (10)
To the signal from the terminal identification signal generating means (13).
It instructs (46) to output to the signal output terminal (9). At this time, the switch 1 (25) is switched to the terminal identification signal side. Thereafter, the AV signal output terminal is supplied to the AV selector.
The fact that the terminal identification signal has been output from (9) is transmitted (47).

The system control means (17) of the AV selector comprises:
As shown in FIG. 9, after confirming the output of the terminal identification signal (48), the terminal identification signal is sent to all of the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminals (16) not used at the present time. It instructs (49) to connect the search means (18) and the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) is turned on, the switch 5 (35) is switched to the terminal identification signal I / F (40), and the switch 7 (37) is turned off. Next, the system control means (17) checks the AV signal input / output terminal (16) connected to the AV signal output terminal (9) of the VTR 1 based on the information from the terminal identification signal search means (18), and stores it. (50).
After that, the VTR 1 is requested to stop outputting the terminal identification signal (51).

The system control means (5) of the VTR 1
Confirm the output stop request of the terminal identification signal as shown in (1) (52)
Then, it instructs the signal switching means (10) to output the signal from the video / audio signal generating means (6) to the AV signal output terminal (9) (53). At this time, the switch 1 (25)
Switch to signal side. Thereafter, the stop of the output of the terminal identification signal from the AV signal output terminal (9) is transmitted to the AV selector (54).

The system control means (17) of the AV selector comprises:
As shown in FIG. 9, after confirming (55) the output stop of the terminal identification signal, the input signal selecting means (20) is connected to the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the stored AV signal input / output terminal (16). Instruct (56) to connect the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 5 corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
(35) is switched to the switch 6 (36) side. Next, the system control means (17) sends the A to the input signal selection means (20).
Instruction to input signal from V signal input / output terminal (16)
(57). Thus, the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
And the corresponding switch 6 (36) is connected to the unoccupied AV signal path, and has no relation to the AV signal input / output terminal (16).
Are turned off. By the above control procedure, the path of the AV signal between the VTR 1 and the AV selector is established.

Next, the system control means (17) of the AV selector
Determines (58) whether or not an AV signal path from the AV selector to the TV has been established based on the information stored in the RAM (33) as shown in FIG. If NO, the TV is requested (59) to output an identification signal from the AV signal input terminal (11).

After confirming the request (60) as shown in FIG. 12, the TV system control means (5) sends the signal from the terminal identification signal generation means (13) to the signal switching means (12). Instruct (61) to output to the signal input terminal (11). At this time, the switch 2 (26) is turned off and the switch 3 (27) is turned on. After that, the fact that the terminal identification signal has been output from the AV signal input terminal (11) is transmitted to the AV selector (62).
I do.

The system control means (17) of the AV selector comprises:
As shown in FIG. 10, after confirming the output of the terminal identification signal (63), the terminal identification signal is sent to all of the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminals (16) not used at the present time. Instruct (64) to connect the search means (18) to the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) is turned on, the switch 5 (35) is switched to the terminal identification signal I / F (40), and the switch 7 (37) is turned off. Next, the system control means (17) checks the AV signal input / output terminal (16) connected to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the TV based on the information from the terminal identification signal search means (18), and stores it. (65). Thereafter, the terminal requests the TV to stop outputting the terminal identification signal (66).

As shown in FIG. 12, after confirming (67) the request for stopping the output of the terminal identification signal, the system control means (5) of the TV sends the signal switching means (12) the video / audio signal processing means.
Instruct (68) to output a signal to (7) from the AV signal input terminal (11). At this time, the switch 2 (26) is turned on, and the switch 3 (27) is turned off. After that, the stop of the output of the terminal identification signal from the AV signal input terminal (11) is transmitted to the AV selector (69).

The system control means (17) of the AV selector comprises:
As shown in FIG. 10, it is confirmed that the output of the terminal identification signal is stopped (70).
After that, the output signal selecting means (21) and the AV signal input / output terminal (16) correspond to the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the stored AV signal input / output terminal (16).
Instruct (71) to connect the signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) is turned off, and the switch 7 (37) is turned on. Next, the system control means (17) sends the input signal selection means (20) to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) in response to the output signal selection means (21).
Is instructed to output the signal from (72). As a result, the switch 8 corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
(38) is connected to the AV signal path selected by the switch 6 (36), and has an unrelated AV signal input / output terminal (16).
Are turned off.

The above control procedure establishes an AV signal path between the TV and the AV selector.
This means that R1 and TV are connected in a desired signal reproduction / recording mode. Then, the system control means of the AV selector (17)
Responds (73) to VTR1 that the AV signal path has been established. As a result, the VTR 1 starts the reproducing operation.

According to the interconnection control system for AV equipment, the user can freely connect the AV signal line between the AV equipment and the AV selector, so that the connection work is not troublesome. Even when the AV signal line of the AV device (1) to be set on the AV signal output side or the input side is not connected to the AV selector (15), the state can be detected by the presence or absence of the terminal identification signal. May be issued to the user.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an AV device on an AV signal output side.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV device on an AV signal input side.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an AV device on an AV signal output side.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an AV device on an AV signal input side.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a switch unit having a hardware configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit having a hardware configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the first half of the operation of the AV selector.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the operation of the AV selector.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of an AV device on the AV signal output side.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of an AV device on the AV signal input side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) AV equipment (15) AV selector (13) Terminal identification signal generating means (18) Terminal identification signal searching means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of audio / video devices (AV devices) are connected to an AV selector (15) via an audio / video signal line (AV signal line) and a control line.
By switching (15), A of the AV device on the AV signal output side is
From the V signal output terminal (9) to the A of the AV equipment on the AV signal input side
In a system in which an AV signal path to the V signal input terminal (11) can be established and a desired signal recording or reproducing mode can be configured, the AV devices (1) are interconnected via an AV selector (15). Terminal identification signal generating means for generating a terminal identification signal indicating that the AV device to be an AV signal output side or an AV signal input side is to be provided
(13), and signal switching means (10) (12) for outputting the identification signal in place of the AV signal from the AV signal output terminal (9) or the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV device (1). AV selector (1
5) is an AV signal input / output terminal (16)
A signal switching means (19) for switching and setting to one of a signal output terminal and an input terminal of the identification signal; and exploring which AV signal input / output terminal (16) the identification signal is input to. A terminal identification signal exploring means (18) and, based on a search result of the terminal identification signal exploring means (18),
The signal switching means (19) is configured to establish an AV signal path from the AV signal output terminal (9) of the AV device (1) on the V signal output side to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV device on the AV signal input side. )
And a system control means (17) for controlling the audio and video equipment.