KR100620018B1 - Link control apparatus for video system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a technology for performing a control function more simply by transmitting and receiving necessary information through a control line between video devices related to each other, such as a V-Cal and a television receiver.

The object of the present invention is that when a link-related key is input, it is selectively linked with an image device such as a V-C 20A or a cable converter 20B and internally operated to be suitable for performing a function required by a user. A television receiver 10 for automatically switching modes or requesting mode switching from the other side; VIA 20A which is selectively linked with the television receiver 10 and communicates in an online communication method, and automatically switches an operation mode or requires a mode switching to the other party to grasp each other's state and perform a required function. And an image device such as a cable converter 20B; This is achieved by a control line (CTL) for linking a video device such as a V-C 20A or a cable converter 20B to the television receiver 10.

Description

Link Control Device of Video Equipment {LINK CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VIDEO SYSTEM}

1 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a link of a video device according to the present invention;

2 is a format diagram of a physical layer frame on a control line according to the present invention;

3A to 3C are timing diagrams of signal bits transmitted through a control line.

FIG. 4 is a table showing standards of parameters constituting each symbol in FIG. 3. FIG.

*** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings ***

10: TV receiver 11: TV microcomputer

12: memory 13: on-screen part

20A: VRT 20B: Cable Converter

21: microcomputer for VCD CTL: control line

The present invention relates to a technology for performing a control function more easily by transmitting and receiving necessary information through a control line between video devices such as V-Cal and a television receiver, and in particular, a TV receiver through a control line. The present invention relates to a link control device of a video device connected to a converter, a satellite set-top box, and the like, and communicating necessary information between video devices through its control line to perform a required function with a minimum key input.

In a conventional video equipment link system, for example, a television receiver and a link system of V-Cal, a video signal or an audio signal is simply transmitted through a dedicated transmission line to reproduce or record a required program. Therefore, in such a link system, when a user wants to perform one function related to two video devices, a user must input a corresponding control command by using a remote controller or the like.

For example, if you want to set up a scheduled recording using the recording menu screen in a link system of a television receiver and V-CAL, the user presses the power key on the remote control of the television receiver to turn on the television receiver and then turns on the TV / video key. Press to switch to video mode. In addition, press the Power key on the remote control of V-Cal to turn on the V-Cal, then press the Record Menu key to view the menu screen displayed on the TV screen, and operate the direction keys or the number keys to start and end the desired program. The time, broadcast channel number, and SP / LP were selected.

As described above, in the conventional video device link system, when two video devices want to perform a function related to each other, there is an inconvenience that a user must manually operate various keys including power keys.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a minimum key input from the user and to communicate with the other video device through the control line for the other when the two video devices are to perform one function related to each other in the video device link system. The present invention provides a link control device of an imaging apparatus that automatically switches modes by grasping states of each other.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a link control apparatus of an imaging apparatus for achieving the object of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, when a link related key is input, V 20A or a cable converter 20B is used. A television receiver (10) which is selectively linked with an image device such as) to automatically switch the operation mode or to request the mode switching to the other side to be suitable for performing a function requested by the user; VIA 20A which is selectively linked with the television receiver 10 and communicates in an online communication method, and automatically switches an operation mode or requires a mode switching to the other party to grasp each other's state and perform a required function. And an image device such as a cable converter 20B; The television receiver 10 has a control line (CTL) for linking a video device such as a V-C 20A or a cable converter 20B.

The television receiver 10 is linked with the video device through the control line (CTL) and communicates in an online communication method, and automatically switches the operation mode to the counterpart or the other side so as to grasp each other's state and perform a required function. A TV microcomputer 11 requiring mode switching; A memory 12 for managing information for displaying functions of the partner video apparatus, status information and transmission information of the television receiver 10, and status information of the partner video apparatus; An on-screen unit 13 for generating character information on-screen signals for a user under the control of the microcomputer 11; A transmission / reception port (Tx / Rx) for preventing data collision when communicating through the control line (CTL); It is composed of a pull-up resistor (R2) for maintaining the communication signal of the control line (CTL) at a constant level, it will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 attached to the operation of the present invention configured as described above.

The television receiver 10 is connected to a plurality of video devices, for example, VIA 20A, a cable converter 20B, and the like through the control line CTL, and the communication signal maintains a constant level. Pull-up resistors R2 and R4 were used on the control line CTL.

First, the characteristics of the communication according to the present invention will be described by taking the television receiver 10 and the VR 20A as an example.

First, in the present invention, the on-line communication method was applied, and each transmission / reception port (Tx / Rx) was used as a countermeasure against data collision during communication. In addition, communication is performed in units of one word, and the data collision detection side switches to the reception mode during communication. _Wait for a predetermined time (T _WAIT = 3 bits) in the standby state (control line: 'high') before starting communication. In the case of N word data communication, a predetermined waiting time (T _WAIT = 40 to 60 msec) is maintained between each word data and transmitted from the most significant bit (MSB) at the data interface.

Second, the transmitting side detects the acknowledgment signal ACK to check whether the receiving side receives normal data. If the acknowledgment signal ACK is not detected, the transmitting side again has a predetermined waiting time (T _WAIT ≤ 1000 msec). If the same data is transmitted and the acknowledgment signal ACK is not detected continuously, the above operation is repeated after a predetermined number of times (for example, five times), and then ends.

Third, the response time at the receiving side is within a predetermined time (T _RESPONSE = 200 msec).

Fourth, according to the link chain configuration as shown in FIG. 1, each device, for example, VIA 20A, the cable converter 20B, and the like can be connected continuously, and each of these devices is independent. It can operate with upstream / downstream streams. In addition, bi-directional interconnection is possible, and signal transmission paths can be switched in the video device of the master or slave. Easy to install or replace

Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates a format of a physical layer frame on a control line CTL when two video apparatuses communicate through the control line CTL. As follows.

The start sequence has an ATV (Automatic TeleVideo) link format and includes a start bit (S) and a three mode bit (A.ID). Here, the start bit S is for checking the start and format version of the new link frame, and the application identifier A. ID is for checking the ATV link version_01 format (= '001').

The header block is for identifying the source and destination of the current communication link, which is a link master (LM), a slave address (SA), and an acknowledgment bit (ACK). ) Here, the link master LM represents information of the current link master, and the slave address SA represents information of the slave address (Destination). The acknowledgment bit ACK is a bit indicating whether the header data is normally received. The acknowledgment bit ACK outputs command block data after confirming the acknowledgment bit ACK output from the receiver. For example, if ACK = 0, it means that the receiver has processed the received data. If ACK = 1, it means that the data reception error or received data has not been processed at the receiver.

The command block is based on an interface operation code (OP code) for local device control and data checking between devices, and includes an extended command (ECT), a control command (CMD), a message end bit (EOM), and a confirmation bit ( ACK). Here, ECT = 0 means a normal control opcode, and ECT = 1 means a reserved area to be used in the future. The control command CMD is a field of a link communication opcode and includes a control, a display, and a general command.

The data block is an interface operand data block between devices, and includes a message end bit (EOM) and an acknowledgment bit (ACK) as well as control or display data. The control and display data of N words are transmitted using the control or display data.

In the command block and the data block, the message end bit (EOM) is an information bit for determining whether a control block depends on the current link block at the transmitting side. If EOM = 0, there is a dependent communication block. If EOM = 1, this means that there is no dependent communication block. In this case, the link control is completed after checking the acknowledgment bit (ACK).

The acknowledgment bit (ACK) is a bit indicating whether the communication block receives normal data on the receiving side. The transmitting side checks the acknowledgment bit (ACK) transmitted from the receiving side and takes the following control operation. For example, if ACK = 0, it means that the receiving side has processed the received data. If EOM = 0, the transmitting side transmits the next control block, and if EOM = 1, the link control is terminated in the current state. . If ACK = 1, it means that data reception error or received data could not be processed. When the acknowledgment bit (ACK) from the receiver is not detected, the transmitting side retransmits the same data after a predetermined time (e.g., 1000 msec), and the acknowledgment bit (ACK) is continuously transmitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) If not detected, terminate the communication.

As a countermeasure to prevent data collision caused by the two video apparatuses, for example, the television receiver 10 and the VCA 20A, simultaneously occupying the control line CTL, the control line CTL is continuous for at least 3 bits. Checks whether the status is 'high' (standby state). If the check indicates that the device remains 'high' for more than 3 bits, the new link master can occupy its control line (CTL) and send a new message.

If the control line (CTL) is occupied by the current link master and the control line (CTL) remains inactive for 7 bits or more, the new link master can occupy the control line (CTL) and transmit a new message. Will be.

If the control line CTL remains inactive for more than 9 bits after a message has already been transmitted through the control line CTL by the current link master, the link master continues to occupy the control line CTL. You will be able to send messages.

If the control line (CTL) remains inactive for 5 bits or more after one frame of message (Frame_1) is transmitted through the control line (CTL) by the current link master, the link master is the control line (CTL). Can continue to occupy and transmit the message Frame_1 again.

Meanwhile, FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates the format and timing of signal bits transmitted through the control line CTL. Here, (a) is a start bit (S), (b) is a logic '0', (c) is a logic '1'. 4 exemplarily shows specifications of parameters constituting each symbol in FIG. 3.

In the above description, the link master means the TV microcomputer 11 or the VCD microcomputer 21, and the slave also means the TV microcomputer 11 or the VCD microcomputer 21. That is, the link master and the slave are not fixed to the TV microcomputer 11 or the VCD microcomputer 21, but can be changed according to a given situation.

When the mutually correlated functions of the two video apparatuses, for example, the television receiver 10 and the VR 20A, are required through the control line CTL, the physical layer frames of the above format are communicated. Since the mode is automatically switched to perform the operation, the user does not require many key operations as in the prior art.

For example, upon request for link play, the microcomputer 21 of the VCA 20A checks whether the television receiver 10 is powered on through the communication path, and performs power on and channel switching (CH3 or CH4). On request, the microcomputer 11 of the television receiver 10 turns on the power of the television receiver 10 or switches channels according to the request.

As another example, when the link record request is made, the microcomputer 11 of the television receiver 10 receives the state information of the V-Cal 20A, that is, the local device, that is, the state information such as power, tape presence, and the deck state. After checking the current state of 20A, if the condition is established, the link record command is outputted to the VRC 20A side.

In addition, when performing the timer record function, the play function, the text function, or the like, the television receiver 10 and the VR 20A automatically switch modes so as to be suitable for performing the required functions while communicating with each other.

To this end, the microcomputer 11 of the television receiver 10 manages information for displaying the function of the external device using the first area 12A of the memory 12, and uses the second area 12B. It manages its own status information and information to be transmitted, and manages the status information, slave address (SA), etc. of the partner video device by using the third area 12C.

In addition, since the microcomputer 11 of the television receiver 10 generates its own on-screen information to notify the user through the on-screen unit 13, the microcomputer 11 of the television receiver 10 is separately connected to the counterpart image device (eg, BC-AL). It is not necessary to have an on-screen part.

In the above description, the transmission channel is described using a wired control line (CTL) as an example. However, the same effect can be obtained when the wireless transmission channel is used.

As described in detail above, in the video device link system, when two devices are required to perform one function related to each other, a minimum key input is received from a user and the remaining communication is performed between the two devices through a control line. It is possible to maximize the convenience of use by automatically switching modes so as to grasp the state of each other and perform the required functions.

Claims (6)

When the link-related key is inputted, the first video device attempts to communicate with the other video device to identify the state of each other, and automatically switches the operation mode to perform the corresponding function, or requests the other device to switch the mode. ; When the communication connection is completed by the first video device or by the self, a method for internally switching the operation mode or requesting mode switching to the other party to grasp the state of each other and perform the required function while communicating in a predetermined manner. 2 imaging device; And a control line (CTL) for linking a plurality of video devices including a second video device to the first video device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first video device is a television receiver. The link control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second image device is VRC. The method of claim 1, wherein the first video device comprises a memory for managing information for displaying a function of the other video device, its own state information or information to be transmitted, and status information of the other video device. Link control device of video equipment. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first image device comprises an on-screen unit for generating an on-screen signal for text information for a user. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control lines have pull-up resistors on both sides of the control line.

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