KR100467574B1 - Apparatus and method for connecting base module and function-extending module in AV system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection device and a connection method of a base module and a function expansion module included in an AV system capable of reproducing various AV source data.

The connection device according to the present invention mounts the function extension module to the module rack to connect a function expansion module detachably mounted in the module rack to communicate with a base module capable of playing AV (Audio / Video) data. A detection unit detecting whether or not; A switching unit for interconnecting the base module, the function extension module, and the function extension module; And a controller configured to control the switching unit such that the function extension modules are daisy chained to the base module based on the detection signal of the detector. Thus, even if the function expansion module is mounted randomly in the module rack, it is always daisy-chained without the need for a separate setting operation.

Description

Apparatus and method for connecting base module and function-extending module in AV system}

The present invention relates to an AV (Audio / Video) system, and more particularly, to a connection device and a method for connecting a base module and a function extension module included in an AV system capable of reproducing various AV source data.

Digital terrestrial broadcasting has already started or is being prepared in many countries around the world. Consumer electronics companies are launching a variety of digital media products, including digital TVs that can receive digital broadcasts, digital versatile disc (DVD) players that can record and play digital broadcasts, and digital camcorders. It is not easy to grasp the information.

In particular, with the advent of various digital media devices in the digital TV market, potential consumers are further confused. The various standards developed every year not only add complexity to digital TVs, but also pose a threat to the user's purchase of high-tech products into outdated products in a short time.

New digital media products, such as digital broadcast receivers, satellite broadcast receivers, DVD players, hard disk recorders, and Internet access devices, increase the number of operations that a user must learn and the number of remote controllers. What's more, you have to pay a lot to buy the digital media products you need. In addition, the space they occupy in the house is not small. Furthermore, separate power lines are needed to power each digital media product. Connecting a monitor (digital TV) to each line, like a DVD player, is very cumbersome.

Accordingly, the present applicant has previously filed an AV system having a base module capable of receiving and playing various AV sources from at least one function expansion module. According to the AV system, various functions such as a DVD player and an MP3 player can be implemented through a desired function extension module. However, if it is necessary to reset the connection between the function expansion modules and the base module every time the new function expansion module is mounted, the inconvenience of connecting each line of the conventional monitor and the DVD player is not so different from that of existing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connection method and a connection device that do not require a separate setting operation for connection in mounting a function expansion module to a module rack to be connected to a base module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connection method and a connection device for connecting the function expansion module and the base module in a daisy chain method at all times regardless of the mounting position or order in the module rack of the function expansion module. To provide.

1A and 1B are external views of a modular TV system, which is an embodiment of an AV system;

2 and 3 is a reference diagram for explaining a hardware connection structure of the base module and the function expansion module through,

4 is a block diagram of the base module 100 and the function extension module 200;

5 is a reference diagram summarizing the communication protocols employed by the base module 100 and the function extension module 200 to perform communication according to the client-server model according to the OSI reference model and the TCP / IP hierarchy.

6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reproducing AV data through the base module 100 and the function expansion module 200;

7 is an example of a main page,

8 is a block diagram of a connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

9 is an example of a circuit diagram of FIG. 8;

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of connecting the base module 100 and the function expansion module 200 in the AV system according to the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for connecting a function expansion module detachably mounted to a module rack so as to be able to communicate with a base module capable of playing AV (Audio / Video) data according to the present invention. A detector detecting whether the module is mounted; A switching unit for interconnecting the base module, the function extension module, and the function extension module; And a control unit controlling the switching unit such that the function expansion modules are daisy chained to the base module based on the detection signal of the detection unit.

Here, the base module has an IEEE 1394 terminal, and the function expansion module has a first and a second IEEE 1394 terminal,

The switching unit may include: a first switching part selectively connecting an IEEE 1394 terminal provided in the base module and any one of the first IEEE 1394 terminals of the at least one function expansion module; And a second switching part for selectively connecting one second IEEE 1394 terminal of the at least one function extension module and one IEEE 1394 terminal of the remaining function extension modules.

Meanwhile, according to another field of the present invention, the above object is a method for connecting a function expansion module detachably mounted to a module rack to be able to communicate with a base module capable of playing AV (Audio / Video) data, the method comprising: (a) Detecting whether a function extension module is mounted in the module rack; And (b) connecting the detected function extension module and the mounted function extension module to the base module in a daisy-chain manner.

Step (b) comprises (b11) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b12) connecting the base module and the newly installed function extension module when there is no equipped function extension module.

(b21) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b22) if there is one pre-installed function expansion module, connecting the pre-installed function expansion module with the newly installed function expansion module and connecting the newly installed function expansion module to the base module. More preferably, it further includes

(b31) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b32) when two or more preloaded function expansion modules exist, connecting the function expansion module constituting the last node of the daisy chain with the newly installed function expansion module and the newly installed function. It is particularly desirable to include connecting the expansion module to the base module in a connectable manner.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A and 1B are external views of a modular TV system, which is an embodiment of an AV system.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a modular TV system includes a display device 18 supported by a cradle 10. The display device 18 may be implemented as a CRT, a FLCD, a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), or the like. The module rack 16 is installed at the center of the cradle 10 placed below the display device 18, and a speaker (not shown) is disposed at the left and right sides of the module rack 16.

A plurality of module insertion holes are formed in the front of the module rack 16 so that the function expansion modules 17 can be detachably mounted. Referring to FIG. 1A, the module insertion holes are horizontally continuous so that a plurality of function expansion modules can be inserted in a line. Referring to FIG. 1B, the module insertion holes are vertically provided. At least one function expansion module 17 may be inserted into the module rack 16.

The function extension module 17 is a module for extending the function of the modular TV system. For example, if a user purchases a DVD module (an example of a function expansion module) and mounts it on the modular rack 16, the modular TV system can be equipped with a DVD player function.

The base module (not shown) is installed at the rear of the module rack 16. The base module can send and receive control commands according to the function extension module and the client-server model. In other words, the base module receives the necessary control information from the function expansion module mounted on the module rack 16, outputs it to the display device 18, displays it, and transmits a user input according to the displayed control information to the function expansion module 17. do. The function extension module 17 provides the AV data according to the received user input to the base module, and the base module processes the received AV data and outputs the received AV data to the display device 18 and / or the speaker.

The function extension module 17 stores control information about itself. When the function expansion module 17 is mounted in the module rack 16, the control information is transmitted to the base module. The base module transmits a control command to the corresponding function extension module 17 based on the received control information. As an example, the function extension module 17 may store at least one index page as control information. The base module is also provided with a browser for searching the function extension module 17. The browser displays a main page on which the selection information about the at least one function extension module 17 is displayed to the user, and requests the corresponding index page from the function extension module 17 selected by the user through the main page and displays the corresponding index page to the user. In addition, the browser transmits the control command of the user input through the displayed index page back to the corresponding function extension module 17.

2 and 3 are reference diagrams for explaining the hardware connection structure of the base module and the function extension module through.

Referring to FIG. 2, the base module 100 includes a plurality of module connection connectors 110. Each connector 110 is provided with two communication ports 112 and 114 and one power connector 116. The communication ports 112 and 114 and one power connection connector 116 are installed in the module insertion hole (not shown) provided in the module rack 16 to facilitate insertion and insertion of each function extension module.

Referring to FIG. 3, the function expansion module 200 includes two communication ports 292 and 294, and one power connector 296. The function expansion module 200 is surrounded by a casing, and the communication ports 292 and 294 and the power connector 116 are formed to protrude out of the casing. Accordingly, when the function expansion module 200 is mounted in the module mounting hole formed in the module rack 16, the corresponding ports are interconnected to electrically connect the base module 100 and the function expansion module 200. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the function expansion module 200 is daisy-chained with the base module 100 and the remaining function expansion module regardless of the mounting order and the position of the function expansion module 200 when mounted in the module rack 16. Here, the communication ports 112, 114, 292, and 294 provided in the base module 100 and the function expansion module 200 are electrically connected to the communication interface units 101 and 201, respectively.

4 is a block diagram of the base module 100 and the function extension module 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, the base module 100 includes a communication interface 101, a signal processor 110, a video processor 104, an audio processor 105, a user input 106, a memory 107, and And a control unit 108.

The memory unit 107 includes a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory according to this embodiment. The RAM is used as a buffer for processing image data constituting the main page to be described later, and the ROM is equipped with a browser for searching the function expansion module 200 and a module auto-connect program code for implementing the present invention. The IP address of the function extension module 200 is stored in the memory.

The control unit 108 receives the IP address from the function expansion module 200 mounted in the module rack 16 and executes a browser mounted in the memory unit 107 to execute the function expansion module 200 through the communication interface unit 101. ) And client-server communication. Meanwhile, the controller 108 allows the function extension modules 200 to be connected in a daisy chain manner as described later, as the module auto connection program mounted in the memory 107 is executed.

The user input unit 106 receives a user input input through a command key (not shown) or a remote controller and transmits the received user input to the control unit 108. The communication interface unit 101 exchanges data with the outside. The signal processor 110 divides the AV data received through the communication interface unit 101 into video data and audio data and outputs them to the video processor 104 and the audio processor 105, respectively. The video processor 104 processes the video data output from the signal processor 110 and transmits the video data to the display apparatus 18. The audio processor 104 processes the audio data output from the signal processor 110 to process the speaker 12. Will output

The function extension module 200 includes a communication interface 201, a signal processor 203, a memory 204, and a controller 205.

The communication interface unit 201 communicates with the base module 100. The memory unit 204 stores an IP address assigned to the function extension module 200, an index page, a function execution program required to perform a function assigned to the function extension module 200, and the like. In addition, AV source data may be stored if necessary. The signal processor 203 signals the AV source data and outputs the signal to the communication interface 201. The control unit 205 provides the IP address and the index page to the base module 100 and transmits corresponding AV source data to the base module 100 in response to a user input received from the base module 100. In addition, if necessary, the base module 100 may transmit an install program necessary for controlling the function extension module 200 to the base module 100 in response to the function execution program.

The AV source data is data provided from the outside to the function expansion module 200 or stored in the memory unit 204 of the function expansion module 200 and indicates data required by the user. The AV source data may be variously implemented according to what the function of the function extension module 200 is. When the function expansion module 200 is a DVD module that performs a DVD player function, the AV source data is AV data recorded on a DVD, and in the case of an HDD drive module, the AV source data indicates predetermined data recorded on a hard disk.

The signal processor 203 also performs necessary signal processing according to the characteristics of the AV source data. For example, when the function extension module 200 is a cable broadcasting module that receives a cable broadcasting signal, the signal processor 203 demodulates and decodes the cable broadcasting signal received through the tuner. In the case of a DVD module, data read from the DVD is decoded and provided to the communication interface 201 or data provided from another function extension module is encoded and recorded on the DVD.

The memory unit 204 includes a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory like the base module 100. RAM may be used as a buffer, and ROM may store an application program for operating as a server for a browser mounted on the base module 100. In particular, the function extension module 200 stores the index page for the base module 100 in the ROM. The flash memory stores the IP address assigned to the function extension module 200.

When the function extension module 200 exchanges an MPEG transport stream with the base module 100, the signal processor 203 further includes a transport stream processor that multiplexes or demultiplexes the MPEG transport stream. In addition, when the communication interface 201 is implemented as an IEEE 1394 interface, the communication interface 201 processes transmission and reception of MPEG transport streams, status signals, or control signals transmitted according to the IEEE 1394 protocol.

5 is a reference diagram that summarizes the communication protocols employed by the base module 100 and the function extension module 200 to perform communication according to the client-server model according to the OSI reference model and the TCP / IP hierarchy. Referring to FIG. 5, User-Control adopts a GUI in the application layer, and the base module 100 and the function extension module 200 perform client-server communication according to HTTP. In the transport layer, TCP / It performs packet communication by IP (ARP), and it can be seen that the physical layer and the data link layer (OSI reference model) are based on the IEEE 1394 protocol. On the other hand, the protocol employed in each layer can be variously changed as necessary.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a process of reproducing AV data through the base module 100 and the function extension module 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, when power is applied to the AV system (step 601), the base module 100 as a client checks whether the function extension module 200 as a server is mounted in the module rack 16 (step 602). ).

The mounted function extension module 200 transmits the index page to the base module 100, and the base module 100 installs the provided index page (step 603). At this time, the function extension module 200 transmits the IP address together, and the base module 100 stores the received IP address.

When the user drives the browser installed in the base module 100 (step 604), the main page as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (step 605). In the main page, icons indicating the aforementioned various function extension modules M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, and M8 are displayed. M1 is the digital broadcasting receiver module, M2 is the digital satellite broadcasting receiver module, M3 is the cable broadcasting receiver module, M4 is the Internet access module, M5 is the DVD module, M6 is the hard disk drive module, and M7 is the MP3 module. M8 denotes the D-VCR module. The icon may be displayed after being transmitted from each function extension module or stored in the base module 100. When the main page is configured such that an icon is called by a browser mounted on the base module 100 and transmitted from each function extension module, the creator of the function extension module prepares and mounts various icons to variously display icons displayed on the main page. You can change it.

When the user selects any one of the function extension modules displayed on the main page (step 606), the browser mounted on the base module 100 retrieves and displays the index page of the function extension module 200 (step 607). In this case, step 603 may be omitted and the index page may be directly loaded from the corresponding function extension module 200 in step 607. Since the GUI interface is displayed on the displayed index page, an icon for performing a specific function is performed. In step 608, the selected control command (user input) is transmitted to the corresponding function extension module 200 (step 609), and the function extension module 200 performs an operation according to the received control command. For example, when a specific content is selected on the index page of the corresponding function extension module 200 and the "play" icon is selected, the selected content name and the "play" control command are transmitted to the corresponding function extension module 200 and the corresponding function extension is performed. The module 200 reads the selected content and transmits the selected content to the base module 100. The base module 100 processes and outputs data received from the corresponding function extension module 200 (step 610).

8 is a block diagram of a connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the connection device according to the present embodiment is integrally formed with the base module 100. More specifically, the connection device may be embedded in the control unit 108 and the communication interface unit 101 of the base module 100, the control unit 108, the IEEE 1394 module 111, the switching unit 112, and n detectors 113 are included.

The n detection units 113 detect whether the corresponding function expansion module 200 is mounted in the module rack 16 and notify the control unit 108. As the above-described module automatic connection program is executed, the controller 108 controls the switching unit 112 when the function expansion module 200 is mounted, so that the function expansion module 200 and the base module 100 mounted are daisy chained. To be connected in such a way. The switching unit 112 switches each connection node such that the IEEE 1394 module 111 and the mounted function expansion module 200 are connected in a data chain manner based on a control signal of the controller 108.

9 is an example of a circuit diagram of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the detection unit 113 DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, ..., DTn indicates whether each of the function extension modules 200 FM1, FM2, FM3, FM4, ..., FMn are mounted in the module rack 16. The detection signal D1, D2, ..., Dn informing the signal is transmitted to the control unit 108.

The switching unit 112 includes a first switching part MUX0 and n second switching parts MUX1, MUX2, MUX3, MUX4,..., MUXn. The IEEE 1394 module 111 is connected to the first switching part MUX0. The first switching part MUX0 is a server of the function extension module 200 FM1, FM2, FM3, FM4, ..., FMn, which is a server, in the connection terminal provided in the base module 100, which is a client, in response to the control signal S0 of the control unit 108. 1 Optionally connect with any one of IEEE 1394 connector U1, U2, ..., Un. The second switching parts MUX1, MUX2, MUX3, MUX4, ..., MUXn correspond to the function extension modules FM1, FM2, FM3, FM4, ..., FMn, respectively. The common terminal of each switching part MUXi is connected to the second IEEE 1394 connection terminals P1, P2, P3, P4, ..., Pn of the function expansion module FMi, and connects the i th terminal of the n selection terminals provided in each switching part MUXi. The remaining n-1 selection terminals are the first IEEE1394 connectors U1, ..., Ui-1, Ui + 1, of the corresponding function extension modules FM1, ..., FMi-1, FMi + 1, ..., FMn, respectively. It is connected to ..., Un respectively. Each switching part MUXi connects one of the selection terminals with the common terminal in response to the control signal Si from the control unit 108.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of connecting the base module 100 and the function expansion module 200 in the AV system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, regardless of the order and positions of the module insertion holes provided in the module rack 16, when the function expansion module FMi is mounted, the controller 108 executes the module auto connection program to newly install the function expansion module FM. Daisy chain the installed function expansion module FMi.

In more detail, the controller 108 receives the detection signal Di from the detector DTi and checks whether the new function extension module FMi is mounted in the module rack 16 (step 1001). When the installation of the new function extension module FMi is confirmed, it is checked whether the installed function expansion module FM exists (step 1002). When the equipped function expansion module FM does not exist, the controller 108 transmits a control signal S0 to the first switching part MUX0, and the first switching part MUX0 bases the connection terminal Ui of the newly installed function expansion module FMi. The connection terminal CC of the IEEE 1394 interface module 111 of the module 100 is connected (step 1003).

If there is a function extension module FM installed, connect the connector P of the function expansion module FM that constitutes the last node of the daisy-chain among the function expansion modules equipped with the connection terminal Ui of the newly installed function expansion module FMi. . First, when the number of the function expansion module 200 installed is one and the new function expansion module FMi is mounted when it is displayed as FM1, the controller 108 transmits the control signal S1 to the second switching part MUX1 and thereby switches the second. Part MUX1 connects the i-th selection terminal and the common terminal. Therefore. Since the terminal P1 of the function expansion module FM1 and the terminal Pi of the function expansion module FMi are interconnected through the second switching part MUX1, the function expansion modules FM1 and FMi are daisy chained (step 1004).

When the number of the installed function expansion module 200 is two and the new function expansion module FMi is mounted when the number of the function expansion module 200 is displayed as FM1 and FM2, the control unit 108 transmits the control signal S2 to the second switching part MUX2 and thus the second The switching part MUX2 connects the i-th selection terminal and the common terminal. Therefore. Since the terminal P2 of the function expansion module FM2 and the terminal Pi of the function expansion module FMi are interconnected through the second switching part MUX2, the function expansion modules FM1, FM2, and FMi are connected in a daisy chain manner (step 1004).

In this state, if the function extension module FM2 is separated from the module rack 16, the control unit 108 transmits the control signal S1 so that the common terminal of the second switching part MUX1 is connected to the i-th selection terminal at the second selection terminal. . Accordingly, the function expansion modules FM1 and FMi can maintain the daisy chain connection. Similarly, when FM1 is removed from the module rack 16 instead of the function extension module FM2, the controller 108 transmits a control signal S0 to the first switching part MUX0 so that the first switching part MUX0 is selected from the first selection terminal to the i-th selection terminal. To be switched. Thus, the function expansion modules FM2 and FMi can maintain the daisy chain connection.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a connection method and a connection device that do not require a separate setting operation for connection in mounting the function extension module to the base rack to be connected to the base module. Furthermore, when the function expansion module and the base module are connected by the IEEE 1394 interface, when the user installs the function expansion module, the module is always automatically daisy-chained regardless of the mounting position or order in the module rack.

Claims (6)

An apparatus for connecting a base module capable of playing AV (Audio / Video) data and a function expansion module detachably mounted in a module rack to communicate control information according to a client-server model, comprising: A detection unit detecting whether the function extension module is mounted on the module rack; A switching unit for interconnecting the base module, the function extension module, and the function extension module; And And a control unit controlling the switching unit such that the function expansion modules are daisy-chained with respect to the base module based on the detection signal of the detection unit. The method of claim 1, The base module includes an IEEE 1394 terminal, the function extension module includes first and second IEEE 1394 terminals, The switching unit A first switching part selectively connecting an IEEE 1394 terminal provided in the base module and any one of the first IEEE 1394 terminals of the at least one function expansion module; And And a second switching part for selectively connecting one second IEEE 1394 terminal of the at least one function extension module and one IEEE 1394 terminal of the other function extension module. A method of connecting a base module capable of playing AV (Audio / Video) data and a function extension module detachably mounted in a module rack to communicate control information according to a client-server model, (a) detecting whether a function extension module is mounted in the module rack; And (b) connecting the detected function extension module and the equipped function extension module to the base module in a daisy-chain manner. The method of claim 3, Step (b) is (b11) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b12) connecting the base module and the newly installed function extension module if the function extension module does not exist. The method of claim 3, Step (b) is (b21) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b22) if there is one installed function expansion module, connecting the installed function expansion module and the newly installed function expansion module and connecting the newly installed function expansion module to be accessible to the base module. Connection method characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 3, Step (b) is (b31) checking whether there is a built-in function extension module; And (b32) If there are two or more installed function expansion modules, connect the function expansion module constituting the last node of the daisy-chain among the installed function expansion modules with the newly installed function expansion module, and the newly installed function expansion module. Connecting the module so as to be accessible to the base module.