JPH04172898A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically connect equipment so as to easily and effectively utilize the equipment by enabling a control section to control an information signal switching section by inferring a possible information route from a connected state detected by confirming control signals outputted from plural pieces of equipment. CONSTITUTION:When the TV button of the power mode group of a commander 34 is turned on, video and sound signals are connected to a TV tuner 38, AV selector 30a, and monitor receiver 22 in this order by switching the selector 30a under the control of an AV controller 32 when the power supply to an audio amplifier in an AV selector 30b is turned off. Then videos are displayed on the monitor receiver 22 and, at the same time, sounds are outputted through a loudspeaker 23 connected to the receiver 22. When the audio amplifier in the selector 30b is turned on, the video signals are connected so that the signals can be sent to the receiver 22 by switching the selector 30a and the sound signals are connected so that the signals can be supplied to a tuner 18 and the selectors 30a and 30b by switching the selector 30b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information processing system suitable for application to a home bus in an AV (audio/video) system.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention relates to an information processing system that is suitable for use as a home bus in an AV system, and includes a plurality of devices that input and/or output information signals and input and output control signals, and an information signal switching section. , a control unit, the control unit identifies the control signal outputs of the plurality of devices,
By detecting the connection state, inferring a possible information signal path in that state, and controlling the information signal switching unit, the device can be automatically connected to a bidirectional control bus, making it easier and easier to connect the device. It is designed to be highly usable.

[Prior Art] Recently, equipment systems that have been converted into home buses, such as AV
In the C (audio, video, computer) system, connections between individual devices are predetermined and systemized.

In this case, in the A, VC system that is converted into a home bus,
VTR (video tape recorder), M on each pass line
A controller that controls these devices is connected to a DP (multi-disc player), BS tuner for satellite broadcasting, audio equipment, computer, etc., and the operation of each device is controlled by status, acknowledge processing, etc. via this hash line. is being confirmed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in conventional information processing systems,
The operation of individual devices and their connections are predetermined,
It does not allow for free applied movements. For example, if you use multiple TV monitors with picture-in-picture functionality, if you want to use the built-in amplifier of the TV monitor and a dedicated audio amplifier, or if you have two or more VTRs or audio recorders and want to use them separately. Even if the connection is physically possible, such as in cases where the connection is physically possible, it cannot be realized in a home-use AV system. In other words, it has a drawback that it cannot be easily used by anyone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information processing system that automatically connects devices in a bidirectional control system and allows easy and effective use of the devices.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides, for example, a plurality of devices (11) that input and/or output information signals and input and output control signals as shown in FIGS.
24) and an information signal switching section (30a).

(30b) and a control section (32).
) identifies the control signal outputs of the plurality of devices (11) and (24), detects the connection state, infers a possible information signal path in that state, and switches the information signal switching unit (3
0a).

(30b).

[Effect]

According to the information processing system of the present invention, the control unit (32) checks the control signals output by the plurality of devices (11) and (24), detects the connection state, and based on the detected connection state. Possible information signal paths are inferred and the information signal switching units (30a) and (30b) are controlled.

As a result, the devices connected to the bidirectional control bus are automatically connected.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the information processing system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

This example is an example in which an AV system is made into a home bus.

In Figure 1, (10) is the home pass line,
This home path line (10) is equipped with video equipment (11).
An AV system consisting of a and an audio device (24) is connected.

The video equipment (11) includes a first VTR (1
2), 2nd VTR (14), LDP (laser disc player) (16), TV chi, -1- (1B)
, B S + Yuna (20), monitor receiver (22)
) and a speaker (23) connected to this monitor receiver (22).

The audio equipment (24) is a CDP (compact disc player) (24a), a TC (tape coder) (
24b).

F M/A M tuner (24c), D A T (
digital audio recorder) (24d) (hereinafter, these will simply be referred to as equipment as necessary).

The I/F (interface) section of these devices includes:
For example, it includes a memory that stores information such as product name, model name, manufacturer name, etc.

Furthermore, an AV selector is connected to the I/F section of each of the video equipment (11) and the home hash line (10) to select the equipment and send the output of the selected equipment to the monitor receiver (22). (30a) is provided.

Furthermore, ■/F of each audio device (24)
and a home path line (10), and includes a selector for selecting and switching equipment, and an amplifier for amplification.
An audio amplifier selector (30b) is provided that supplies the audio output derived here to a speaker (31).

Further, an AV controller (32) is connected to the home path line (10), which automatically grasps the connection state of the AV system and controls the connection of each device. This AV controller (32) c.For example, ROM, RAM, CPU that stores the control program here
An MPU (microprocessor) is used. This RAM stores information about devices whose status has changed, such as devices that have recently been turned on, media recently installed, or source-side devices, for a certain period of time, based on counts by the timer/calendar function, etc. One week's worth is stored in memory.

Furthermore, the AV controller (32) is provided with a commander (34) that transmits infrared rays to instruct the user to select a desired function.

Figure 2 shows the external configuration of the commander (34).

This commander (34) uses well-known infrared rays to
It gives operation instructions to each device of the V system,
System key group (61), power mode key group (62)
, channel/audio mode key group (63), deck function key group (64) and VOL (volume)
-UP/DOWN, CH (channel) - [IP/DOWN
A group of keys (65) for switching N functions is provided.

The system keys (61) are always activated regardless of whether the power is on or off. ! 5TATUS/HELP
The button displays an image of the connection status on the monitor receiver (22) by superimposing when the system is on. The displayed image disappears by pressing it again (toggle operation).

Also, by turning on the SYSTEM SET button, the AV system connection state is set to mode.

The POSER10FF button of the power mode key group (62) turns on/off the power of the entire AV system and switches the selector of the AV selector (30). In this case, the AV controller (32) is always on.

And buttons corresponding to each device, i.e. TV, BS
, VTRI, VTR2, MDP, CD.

Powers on FM/AM, TC (2 decks A and B), and DAT and switches the AV selector.

In the channel/audio mode key group (63), 1 to 12C
Press the H button to select a direct channel. The MUTE button is for turning audio mute on and off.

The MAIN/SUB button switches between TV main audio and sub audio.

The deck function key group (64) is used for the first and second VTRs (12), (14) and LDP (
16), and one-touch dubbing is performed by pressing the DUB button.

In addition to using the commander (34) in this way, similar operations may be performed using dedicated remote controllers or panel keys for each device of the AV system.

Next, the operation in the above configuration will be explained.

The source from L D P (16) is connected to the first V T R
The operation for dubbing in (12) will be explained using the flowchart of FIG.

Commander (34) deck function keys (64
) is turned on.

First, decide on the recording device for dubbing.

In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 101, recording equipment, here a first VTR (12), a second VTR
(14), L D P (16), C D P (24a
), T C (24b).

The status from DAT (24d) is checked by the AV controller (32). Next, in step 5102, it is determined whether or not a medium is installed in the device.

This judgment is made by the AV controller (32) f7) MPU card
The information stored in the AM is read out and executed. If YES here, the process proceeds to the next step 3103, and if No, the process proceeds to 5107, where the process is a manual selection process by the operator. Then, in step 5103, it is determined whether or not only one device is loaded with the media, under the control of the MPU of the AV controller (32).

If the answer is No, the process advances to the next step 3104, and if the answer is YES, the process advances to 5107, resulting in a manual selection process by the operator.

Then, in 5104, it is determined whether only one device is powered on. This judgment is based on the AV controller (3
2) The MPU reads out the information stored and held in the RAM. If YES here, the process advances to 5109. If NO, the process advances to the next step 3105, where it is determined whether only one device has been recently powered on. This determination is made by reading out the information stored and held in the RAM in the same manner as described above. If YES, proceed to 5109; if NO, proceed to 5106. In step 5106, it is determined whether only one device has recently been loaded with media.

This judgment is made when the MPU of the AV controller (32)
This is done by reading out the information stored in the . YES here
If so, proceed to 5109. If No, in the next step 5107, the monitor receiver (2
2) will be displayed. In other words, it is a manual selection process by the operator.

Subsequently, in 5108, the operator instructs the recording device by manual operation, that is, by using the commander (34). 51 more
In step 09, it is determined that the designated recording device is a recording device for dubbing, in this case the first VTR (12).

Next comes the decision process on the source side, ie, L D P (16).

First, in 5ilo, the device on the source side, that is,
Here, the first VTR (12) and the second VTR (1
4), L D P (16), C D P (24a)
, T C (24b), and DAT (24d) are checked by the AV controller (32). Subsequently, in 5111, it is determined whether there is one device that has recently been turned on. If YES, the process advances to 5117; if NO, the process advances to the next step 5112. In step 5112, it is determined whether the status of only one device on the source side has recently changed. This judgment indicates that the MPU of the AV controller (32) is stored in the RAM.
This is done by reading out the information. If YES here, 511
If the answer is No, proceed to step 8113.

Then, in 5113, it is determined whether the selector, that is, the selector of the audio amplifier selector (30b) has selected any device.

If NO, proceed to 5114; if YES, proceed to 8116. At step 5114, "Please decide the source side device" is displayed on the monitor receiver (22) under the control of the MPU of the AV controller (32). In other words, it is a manual selection process by the operator. In the next step <3115, the operator manually operates the source side device, that is, instructs it using the commander (34).

In 5116, the device selected by the selector in 5113 is checked, and then in 5117, the source side device is determined by the above process, that is, the processing in 5111.5l12.5115.

In this way, the LDP (16) which is the device on the source side
Then, the first VTR (12), which is the recording side device, is selected and determined.

Further, in step 5119, power to the necessary equipment is turned on under the control of the AV controller (32).

Subsequently, in 5120, it is determined whether or not input/output selection switching for each device has been set. That is, the selector switching selection of the AV selector (30a) is set under the control of the AV controller (32).

After this, in 5121, the source side device LD P
(16) and the first VTR (12), which is the recording side equipment.
) so that the signal with the AV selector (3
0a) and the audio amplifier selector (30b). Subsequently, in 5122, the operation of the recording device, ie, the first VTR (12) is instructed.

Furthermore, in 5123, the source is media, in this case,
It is determined whether the laser disk of LDP (16) is a medium or not. If YES, it is the end, and N
In the case of o, the process advances to the next step 5124, instructs the operation of the source side device, that is, LDP (16), and ends.

Next, as another operation example, the operation in the case of reception by the monitor receiver (22) will be described.

First, T of the power mode group (62) of the commander (34)
The V button is turned on. In this case, the audio amplifier
The audio amplifier in the selector (30b) is turned off.
In the case of F, the selectors of the AV selector (30a) are switched and connected in the order of the TV tuner (18), AV selector (30a), and monitor receiver (22) under the control of the AV controller (32). Then, monitor receiver (
22), and audio is output from a speaker (23) connected to a monitor receiver (22).

When the power of the audio amplifier in the audio amplifier selector (30b) is ON, the selector of the AV selector (30a) is switched to connect the video signal to the monitor receiver (22), and the audio The signal is TV
Tuner (18), AV selector (30a), audio amplifier (audio amplifier selector (30b))
audio amplifier selector (30b
) selector to connect.

Further, as another example of operation, a case will be described in which the audio of the FM/AM tuner (24c) is recorded while dubbing from CD P (24a) to DAT (24d).

First, the FM/AM, DAT, and REC of the commander (34)
Each button is turned on. In this case, D A T (
24d) is recording.
) to confirm. Click here for other recording devices, here T
Search C (24b) for the AV controller (32). In this case, confirmation is performed using a signal input from the I/F section of the device. And FM/A M tuner (24c)
, audio amplifier (audio amplifier selector (3)
The selector of the audio amplifier selector (30b) may be switched so that the audio amplifier selector (30b) is connected in this order.

In this way, under the control of the AV controller (32),
It performs switching of the AV selector (30a) and audio amplifier selector (30b), and supplies audio signals and video signals to predetermined equipment. This allows an instruction from the commander (34), e.g. the press of a single button, to move the source from the final target, e.g. L D P (1,6) above, to the first V T
At R (12), the power supply of the equipment necessary for the dubbing operation, the presence or absence of media installed in the equipment, the settings of the media, the operating status, etc. are checked, and connections for supplying a predetermined signal are determined. Therefore, the connection operation is easier than in the past, when an operator who is familiar with the configuration and operation of this AV system, or who carefully reads the manual, operates the equipment to perform the desired operation. Become something that will be loved.

Furthermore, it is clear that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As can be understood from the above description, according to the information processing system of the present invention, the control unit checks the control signals output from a plurality of devices, detects their connection status, and performs this detection. Since the information signal switching unit is controlled by inferring possible information signal paths from the connected state, the device is automatically connected to the bidirectional control bus, and the advantage is that the device can be used easily and effectively. be.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external configuration of the commander in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is the implementation shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart used to explain the operation of an example. (10) is the home path line, (11) is the video equipment, (
12) is the first VTR1 (14) is the second VTR1 (1
6) is LDP, (18) is TV tuner, (20) is B
S tuner, (22) is monitor receiver, (24) is audio equipment, (24a) is CDP, (24b) is TC
l (24c) is FM/AM tuner, (24d) is DA
T, (30a) is an AV selector, (30b) is an audio amplifier selector, (32) is an AV controller, (
34) is the commander.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has a plurality of devices that input and/or output information signals and input and output control signals, an information signal switching section, and a control section, and the control section inputs and/or outputs the control signals of the plurality of devices. An information processing system characterized by identifying an output, detecting a connection state, inferring a possible information signal path in that state, and controlling the information signal switching section.