JPH09284662A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate necessity to adjacently arrange a TV receiver and a computer. SOLUTION: An internal bus 1 is provided in the TV receiver 100 and a central processing unit(CPU) 2 for processing data and an interface circuit 3 are connected to it. Compressed video data, for example, from an external computer 200 is transmitted to the interface circuit 3 with a digital bus 300. The data transmitted to the interface circuit 3 is supplied to a decoder 5 and extended video data is supplied to the image receiving part 9 of a cathode-ray tube, etc., through a D/A converter 6, an image multiplexing processing part 7 and a display processing part 8. The input part 15 of a pointing device such as a joy stick 400, etc., is connected to the internal bus 1 and manipulated variable operated by the joy stick 400 and operation information of a push button, etc., are supplied to the internal bus 1 so as to be processed in CPU 2 and to be transmitted to the external computer 200.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiver suitable for use when, for example, a computer is connected to execute an arbitrary application.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the case of executing an arbitrary application provided in a computer, conventionally, for example, a keyboard or monitor receiver provided exclusively for the computer is used and the information input to the keyboard is followed. The application is executed by displaying an image on the monitor receiver or inputting information to the keyboard according to the display on the monitor receiver.

However, with such a configuration, it is usually difficult to obtain a so-called large-screen display with a monitor receiver dedicated to a computer, for example. So, for example, a game run by multiple users,
When searching for information provided on a communication network (so-called net surfing), it is inconvenient for a plurality of users to gaze at a small screen, for example.

On the other hand, for example, the image output of a computer is supplied to a television receiver to obtain a large screen display. Therefore, even in a television receiver, a dedicated input terminal is provided for image output from a computer, etc., and when an image signal is supplied to this dedicated input terminal or by switching a switch, the image quality is optimized for image output from a computer or the like. An apparatus adapted to perform is also implemented.

However, in this case, in order to supply the image output of the analog signal from the computer to the television receiver, it is necessary to install these devices relatively close to each other. Therefore, in this case, a computer and the like are installed together with a large-sized receiver in a space such as the same room. Originally, only a display screen and an input means would be sufficient, but an extra-sensing device saves space. It will be occupied.

Further, a keyboard as an input means, a joystick or a mouse as a so-called pointing device, a keypad, etc. are conventionally connected to the main body of a computer, and such input means and the computer are installed close to each other. To be done. Furthermore, for example, when performing the above-mentioned communication, it is necessary to connect a communication line or the like to a computer or the like, and it has not been possible to easily connect such a line.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a device in which a computer is built in a large-sized television receiver to search the information provided on the above-mentioned game or communication network. However, the innovation of computer technology is rapid. On the other hand, a television receiver has a long product life, and in this case, there is a possibility that a computer whose value has been lost is built in the television receiver forever.

[0008]

This application has been made in view of such a point, and a problem to be solved is, for example, by supplying an image output of a computer to a television receiver and displaying it. In such a case, it is necessary to install these devices relatively close to each other in the conventional device, and therefore, an excessively perceptible device such as a computer main body device occupies a space, which is an obstacle to appreciation. It is a thing.

[0009]

Therefore, in the present invention, the television receiver has a digital bus function for connecting to an external computer and has an image processing function, a sound processing function and a data processing function. According to this, it is not necessary to install the television receiver and the computer in close proximity to each other, and by placing the computer in another room, it is possible to execute any application well. It can be carried out.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention has an image processing function of having a digital bus function for connecting to an external computer and decoding image information transmitted from the external computer to the image receiving means. , A voice processing function of decoding voice information transmitted from an external computer to a digital bus and reproducing a voice signal, and converting control input data from an arbitrary input means into arbitrary digital data to convert the digital bus to the external computer. And a data processing function of transmitting the data to the.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of a television receiver to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a television receiver 100 is provided with an internal bus 1, which has a central processing unit (CPU) 2 for processing data and an external computer 200 described later.
An interface circuit 3 for connecting with is connected.

That is, the interface circuit 3 is
For example, it conforms to the digital bus standard by IEEE1394. Therefore, the interface circuit 3 is provided with the connection terminal 4 conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, for example. And, for example, IEEE1394
Predetermined digital bus (cable) 3 according to the standard
It is configured to be connected to the external computer 200 via 00.

Then, from the external computer 200, for example, compressed video and audio data is transmitted to the interface circuit 3 via the digital bus 300. That is, from the external computer 200, for example, a video compressed by using the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method or an ATRAC (Adaptive Transfo
Audio data compressed using the rm Acoustic Coding method is transmitted.

Further, for example, compressed video data transmitted to the interface circuit 3 is supplied to a decoder 5 of, for example, an MPEG system for expanding the data, and the expanded video data is supplied to a D / A converter 6. Supplied.
Then, the analog-converted video signal is supplied to the image multiplexing processing section 7, and the video signal in which other signals described later are multiplexed is supplied to the image receiving section 9 such as a cathode ray tube through the display processing section 8.

The compressed audio data transmitted to the interface circuit 3 is supplied to, for example, an ATRAC decoder 10 for expanding the data. Then, the compressed data is expanded and separated into, for example, left and right channels, the separated audio data is supplied to the D / A converter 11, and the analog-converted audio signal is supplied to the speaker 13 through the amplifier 12. Supplied.

In this way, the interface circuit 3 is connected from the external computer 200 via the digital bus 300.
For example, the compressed video and audio data transmitted to the device is decompressed, converted into an analog signal, and supplied to the image receiving unit 9 and the speaker 13. As a result, the video and audio data transmitted from the external computer 200 is displayed and reproduced.

In addition, for example, I /
Joystick 400 and mouse through O circuit 14,
The input unit 15 of a so-called pointing device such as a keypad (not shown) is connected. Then, the operation amount of the joystick 400 and the operation information such as the push button are supplied to the internal bus 1 through the input unit 15 and the I / O circuit 14.

Further, the internal bus 1 is connected to a ROM 16 and a RAM 17 for storing processing programs and data in the central processing unit (CPU) 2. Further, the internal bus 1 is connected with I / O circuits 18 and 19 for supplying instruction data and the like from the central processing unit (CPU) 2 to the decoders 5 and 10 and the image multiplexing processing unit 7. The I / O circuits 18 and 19 are connected to the above processing units and the like.

A so-called graphic accelerator 20 is connected to the above-mentioned internal bus 1. Then, in the graphic accelerator 20, for example, a drawn image is decoded from a drawing command from the central processing unit (CPU) 2 or a drawing command transmitted from the external computer 200 via the digital bus 300, and The decoded image is formed in the VRAM 21.

Further, the image formed in the VRAM 21 is read out at a predetermined timing to form a video signal, and the formed video signal is supplied to the image multiplexing processing section 7. As a result, an image according to the drawing command formed by the central processing unit (CPU) 2 or the external computer 200 described above is multiplexed on the video signal from the decoder 5 and displayed on the image receiving unit 9.

Therefore, in this apparatus, when an application such as a game is executed by the external computer 200, image data according to the progress of the game or the like is transmitted to the interface circuit 3 through the digital bus 300. In this case, since the video data is transmitted in a digital format, even if the digital bus 300 described above is relatively long, there is no risk of signal deterioration or the like.

Further, in this device, for example, when the joystick 400 or the like is operated in accordance with the progress of the above-mentioned game or the like, the operation amount and the operation information such as the push button are transmitted through the internal bus 1 to the above-mentioned central processing unit (CPU). )
2 is transmitted. And this central processing unit (CPU) 2
From the operation amount and operation information, for example, the external computer 20
Converted to a format that is easy to send to zero.

At the same time, in the central processing unit (CPU) 2, a predetermined packetized data is formed from the above-mentioned operation amount and operation information. Then, the packetized data is transmitted to the external computer 200 through the digital bus 300. As a result, when the above-mentioned joystick 400 or the like is operated, information corresponding to this operation is transmitted to the external computer 200.

That is, for example, A of FIG. 2 is a screen asking the user whether or not to pick up an item in the course of progress of a so-called role playing game (RPG). Here, on this screen (A), "Do you want to pick up an item?"
The texts of "Yes" and "No" and the arrow a serving as a cursor are displayed. These texts and cursors are formed by drawing commands from the external computer 200, for example.

The drawing command is, for example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 2A, first of all, an initialization command (clear screen), and thereafter, the content and display position (XY coordinate) of each text. ) Command (putte
xt) and a command (putcursor) indicating the cursor display position (XY coordinates) are transmitted. This drawing command is transmitted to the television receiver 1 through the digital bus 300.
Transmitted to 00.

As a result, in the receiver 100, the transmitted drawing command is read by the central processing unit (CPU) 2 through the interface circuit 3 and further transferred to the graphic accelerator 20. Then, the drawing command is decoded by the graphic accelerator 20, and the result is written in the VRAM 21,
For example, the screen of A of FIG. 2 is formed.

In this state, packetized data as shown in B of FIG. 2 is transmitted from the central processing unit (CPU) 2 to the external computer 200. That is, in the figure, a predetermined header is provided at the beginning of the packet, and subsequently, an XY coordinate (1
50, 150), operation information (0) indicating that a push button or the like is not operated, and an error detection code (CRC)
Is provided.

In this state, the joystick 400
When is operated, the operation amount according to this operation is supplied to the central processing unit (CPU) 2, and this operation amount is added to or subtracted from the XY coordinates (150, 150) indicating the position of the cursor.
Further, the XY coordinate (40, 30
The packetized data (C in FIG. 2) including 0) is transmitted to the external computer 200.

As a result, in the external computer 200, the XY coordinate values of the drawing command (putcursor) indicating the display position of the cursor are changed according to the transmitted data, for example, as shown on the right side of D in FIG. Then, by transmitting the changed drawing command to the receiver 100, the receiver 100 displays, for example, D in FIG.
A screen as shown in is formed and displayed on the image receiving unit 9.

That is, in the display of D in FIG. 2,
Above "Do you pick up item?" (XY coordinates = 20,
10), “Yes” (XY coordinates = 40,300), and “No” (XY coordinates = 300,300) are displayed in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, and this “Yes” text, for example. Position (XY coordinates = 40,300)
An arrow a to be a cursor is displayed on.

In this state, the joystick 400
When the push button or the like is operated, the operation information of the push button or the like of the packetized data is set to (1) as shown in E of FIG. This allows the external computer 200
Then, it is recognized that the push button or the like has been operated when the cursor arrow a is "YES", and the application of the game or the like is advanced to the next stage according to this recognition.

In this way, the application provided in the external computer 200 is executed. At this time, the video and audio data from the external computer 200 is digitally transmitted to the television receiver 100,
Further, operation information of the joystick 400 and the like is digitally transmitted to the external computer 2 via the television receiver 100.
00, the transmission of this information can be performed digitally.

That is, in FIG. 3, the external computer 200 is placed away from the television receiver 100, and during this period, it is connected by, for example, one cable of an IEEE 1394 digital bus 300. In this case, the external computer 200 does not have to be installed in the same room, but can be installed in any place such as near the communication line.

A joystick 400 as an input means is connected to the television receiver 100. Then, the user can execute an arbitrary application of the external computer 200 by using the joystick 400 and the like while looking at the screen of the television receiver 100. In this case, the external computer 2
00 does not need to be provided with a keyboard or monitor receiver.

Therefore, in this apparatus, the television receiver has a digital bus function for connecting to an external computer, and has an image processing function, an audio processing function and a data processing function. It is not necessary to install the computer and the like in close proximity to each other, and a computer or the like can be placed in another room to execute an arbitrary application well.

As a result, according to the present invention, such a problem can be solved that a device which is felt excessively, such as a computer main unit, occupies a space and obstructs viewing. it can. Also, install the computer main unit in a suitable place such as near the communication line,
From that location, it becomes possible to connect to the television receiver via a single digital bus (cable).

Further, any device can be connected to the external computer, and the latest computer can always be connected to technological innovation. In that case, compression techniques such as MPEG and ATRAC have been established and can be used for a long time. However, the graphic accelerator is under development, and therefore, a socket or the like in which the LSI or the like can be replaced may be provided for future changes.

In the above apparatus, for example, MPEG
A delay of about 2 frames is usually expected for decoding the image of the method. Therefore, a so-called video C is provided by providing the above-mentioned external computer with a reproducing means such as a CDROM.
Although it can be applied to an application that does not require real-time processing such as playback of D, it is not suitable for transmitting images of a game that progresses in real time.

Therefore, the above-mentioned graphic accelerator is used for transmitting an image of an application requiring such real-time property. In the graphic accelerator, an image is formed by, for example, the above-described drawing command, and in that case, a so-called polygon or the like is used to enable real-time formation of a stereoscopic image or the like.

Since the amount of data originally transmitted is small, the so-called PCM data may be transmitted as it is without using the compression technique such as the above-mentioned ATRAC. Alternatively, for performance transmission, for example, MIDI
By using an acoustic command such as (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) method, it is possible to significantly compress the data of the transmitted voice and expand the transmission capacity of other data.

Further, for example, an audio signal from a microphone (not shown) connected to the television receiver 100 is A / D converted and transmitted to the external computer 200, where special effects such as reverb and echo are applied. It can also be transmitted again to the television receiver 100 for reproduction. By applying such a function, it is possible to execute an application such as so-called online karaoke by connecting to a communication line.

Further, the above-mentioned central processing unit (CPU) 2 also performs control such as original tuning of the television receiver 100, volume adjustment, image quality adjustment, and the like. In this case, in order to display these control states on the screen (OSD), for example, a drawing command formed by the central processing unit (CPU) 2 is supplied to the graphic accelerator 20 and the formed image is image-multiplexed. It can be performed by supplying it to the processing unit 7.

Further, in the above-described apparatus, for example, the aspect ratio of the screen of the image receiving unit 9 is converted into data and transmitted from the central processing unit (CPU) 2 to the external computer 200. It is also possible to form an image according to the aspect ratio. This eliminates the need for the user to set the spectral ratio and the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned device, the joystick 400 and the television receiver 100 can be connected by wireless communication using infrared rays or the like. In this case, the input unit 15 of the pointing device becomes, for example, an infrared signal receiving device. According to this, the joystick 400 and the television receiver 100 can be installed separately from each other.

Thus, according to the above-mentioned television receiver, the image processing is provided with the digital bus function for connecting to the external computer, and decoding the image information transmitted from the external computer to the digital bus and outputting it to the image receiving means. Function, voice processing function to decode voice information transmitted from external computer to digital bus and reproduce voice signal, and control input data from arbitrary input means to arbitrary digital data to convert from digital bus By having a data processing function to transmit to an external computer,
The television receiver and the computer can be installed separately from each other.

[0046]

According to the present invention, a television receiver is provided with a digital bus function for connecting to an external computer and has an image processing function, a sound processing function and a data processing function. It is no longer necessary to install the machine and the computer in close proximity to each other, and the computer or the like can be placed in another room so that an arbitrary application can be executed well.

As a result, according to the present invention, such a problem can be solved that a device such as a main body of a computer, which is conventionally felt, occupies a space and obstructs viewing. it can. Also, install the computer main unit in a suitable place such as near the communication line,
It is possible to connect from that place to a television receiver via one digital bus (cable).

Further, any device can be connected to the external computer, and the latest computer can always be connected to technological innovation. In that case, compression techniques such as MPEG and ATRAC have been established and can be used for a long time. However, the graphic accelerator is under development, and therefore, a socket or the like in which the LSI or the like can be replaced may be provided for future changes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a television receiver to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an entire configuration for the explanation.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 television receiver, 200 external computer, 300 digital bus (cable), 400 joystick, 1 internal bus, 2 central processing unit (CP)
U), 3 interface circuits, 4 connection terminals, 5
MPEG decoder, 6 D / A converter, 7 image multiplex processing unit, 8 display processing unit, 9 image receiving unit, 10 A
TRAC decoder, 11 D / A converter, 12
Amplifier, 13 speaker, 14 I / O circuit, 15 Input part of pointing device, 16 ROM, 17
RAM, 18, 19 I / O circuit, 20 graphic accelerator, 21 VRAM

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A digital bus function for connecting to an external computer, an image processing function of decoding image information transmitted from the external computer through the digital bus and outputting the image information to an image receiving unit, and a digital bus function through the digital bus. A voice processing function of decoding the transmitted voice information from the external computer to reproduce a voice signal, and converting control input data from any input means into any digital data and transmitting the data to the external computer through the digital bus. A television receiver having a data processing function for transmitting. 2. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the image processing function is provided with a processing function of expanding compressed digital image information transmitted through the digital bus to form an image signal. A television receiver characterized in that 3. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the image processing function is provided with a processing function of reconstructing image information from an image command transmitted through the digital bus to form an image signal. A television receiver characterized in that 4. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the audio processing function is provided with a processing function of expanding compressed digital audio information transmitted through the digital bus to form an audio signal. A television receiver characterized in that 5. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the voice processing function is provided with a processing function of reconstructing voice information from a voice command transmitted through the digital bus to form a voice signal. A television receiver characterized in that