KR20010002041A - Apparatus For Controlling Audio/Video Appratus And Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for controlling audio/video apparatuses is provided to display an on screen display(OSD) bitmap image on a screen display apparatus and to select the OSD bitmap image by using one remote control only, so as to control a source apparatus, and to use one remote control only, when many source apparatuses are connected to the screen display apparatus, so as to easily control the source apparatuses. CONSTITUTION: A screen display apparatus(D-TV(digital TV) receiver)(82) comprises as follows. A DTV controller(84) performs a control operation corresponding to a remote control signal, and generates a coordinate code. A synthesizer(92) synthesizes a video signal from a source apparatus(digital video cassette recorder(DVCR))(70) with an on screen display(OSD) bitmap image, and outputs the synthesized video signal. A display unit(94) displays an image from the synthesizer(92). An audio signal display unit(90) processes an audio signal from the DVCR(70), and outputs the processed audio signal. The DVCR(70) comprises as follows. A DVCR controller(72) generates apparatus information to interpret the coordinate code, and performs a corresponding control operation. An OSD generator(78) generates the OSD bitmap under control of the DVCR controller(72). An audio/video signal generator(tape driver)(74) outputs the audio and the video signal to the DTV receiver(82) under control of the DVCR controller(72).

Description

Apparatus For Controlling Audio / Video Appratus And Method Thereof}

The present invention relates to a control device and a method for allowing one audio / video device to control other devices in a system in which a plurality of audio / video devices are connected through an interface.

Recently, a number of products, such as VCRs, satellite receivers, cable TV receivers, etc., that can be added to a television set due to the increasing demand for multimedia, have emerged.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional analog reproduction system. The analog reproduction system of FIG. 1 includes a controller 4 for performing a control operation corresponding to an infrared signal generated from the remote controller 2, a tape driver 6 for driving a tape under the control of the controller 4, and a controller. (4) a menu generator (8) for generating a menu under the control of (4), a menu font generator (10) connected to the menu generator (8), and a menu image generated by the menu generator (8) Memory 12, NTSC encoder 14 for converting the menu image output from the memory 12 for NTSC, playback signals from the tape drive section 6, and menu images from the NTSC encoder 14 And a TV display unit 18 for displaying the synthesized image outputted from the synthesis unit 16.

As the analog reproduction system of FIG. 1, a VCR, a DVD player, a cable TV receiver, or the like may be applied. In the analog reproduction system, the remote controller 2 generates an infrared signal corresponding to the button selected by the user. The controller 4 inputs and decodes the infrared signal generated from the remote controller 2 to perform a control operation corresponding to the infrared signal. For example, the controller 4 controls the tape driver 6 to respond to a corresponding command when a signal such as 'Play', 'Search', 'FF' and 'RW' is input from the remote controller 2. do. In addition, the controller 4 causes the menu generation unit 8 to generate a menu image when the 'menu' signal is input from the remote controller 2. When the playback command is applied from the controller 4, the tape drive unit 6 drives the tape to output a composite playback signal obtained by combining the video signal and the audio signal. The menu generator 8 generates a menu image when a menu generation command is applied from the controller 4. In this case, the menu generator 8 generates a menu image using the menu font generated by the menu font generator 10. The memory 12 temporarily stores and outputs a menu image generated by the menu generator 8. The NTSC encoder 14 encodes and outputs a menu image output from the memory 12 into an NTSC image. The synthesizing unit 16 synthesizes and outputs the menu image output from the NTSC encoder 14 to the video signal reproduced from the tape driving unit 6. The TV display unit 18 displays the synthesized image output from the combining unit 16 on the screen.

2 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital reproduction system. 2 is a control unit 22 which performs a control operation corresponding to an infrared signal generated from the remote controller 20, a tape drive unit 24 for driving a tape under the control of the control unit 22, and a tape drive unit. The MPEG image decoder 26 for decoding the reproduction signal outputted from the signal 24 in the MPEG method, and the menu image to the menu generator 28 and the menu generator 28 under the control of the controller 22. The menu font generation unit 30, the memory 32 for storing the menu image generated by the menu generation unit 30, the playback signal output from the MPEG decoder 26 and the menu from the memory 32 A synthesizer 34 for synthesizing an image, an MPEG encoder 36 for encoding the synthesized signal output from the synthesizer 34 in an MPEG manner, and an MPEG signal output from the MPEG encoder 36 on the screen The digital TV receiver 38 for this purpose is configured.

In the digital reproduction system of FIG. 2, the remote controller 20 generates an infrared signal corresponding to a button selected by a user. The controller 22 inputs and decodes the infrared signal generated from the remote controller 20 to perform a control operation corresponding to the infrared signal. When the playback command is applied from the controller 22, the tape driver 24 drives the tape to output a composite playback signal obtained by combining the video signal and the audio signal. The MPEG decoder 26 restores the composite reproduction signal reproduced by the tape drive unit 24 in the MPEG method. The menu generator 28 generates a menu image when a menu generation command is applied from the controller 22. In this case, the menu generator 28 generates a menu image using the menu font generated by the menu font generator 30. The memory 32 temporarily stores and outputs a menu image generated by the menu generator 28. The synthesizer 34 synthesizes and outputs the menu image output from the menu generator 28 to the video signal reconstructed by the MPEG decoder 26. The MPEG encoder 36 compresses and outputs the composite image signal output from the combining unit 34 in the MPEG method. The DTV receiver 38 restores the MPEG signal output from the MPEG encoder 36 to display on the screen. By the way, such a digital reproduction system brings a quality reduction and a cost burden due to compression restoration. As a result, the actual digital system uses the configuration as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a digital audio / video playback system having a DVCR 40 and a DTV receiver 52 connected through a '1394' interface 50.

In FIG. 3, the DVCR 40 includes a DVCR controller 44 for performing a control operation corresponding to an infrared signal generated from the DVCR remote controller 42, and a storage medium for driving a storage medium under the control of the DVCR controller 44. On-screen display (OSD) under the control of the drive unit 45, the format conversion unit 48 for format-converting the output signal output from the tape drive unit 45 by the MPEG transmission method, and the DVCR control unit 44 And an OSD generator 46 for generating a bitmap image. The DVCR remote control 42 in the DVCR 40 generates an infrared signal corresponding to the button selected by the user. The DVCR controller 44 inputs and decodes an infrared signal generated from the DVCR remote controller 42 to perform a control operation corresponding to the infrared signal. The tape driver 45 drives the tape to output an MPEG signal obtained by synthesizing a video signal and an audio signal when a playback command is applied from the DVCR controller 44. The format converter 48 converts the MPEG signal reproduced from the tape driver 45 into an MPEG transport stream TS and outputs the converted MPEG signal to the DTV receiver 52 through the '1394' interface 50. The OSD generator 46 generates and outputs an OSD bitmap image when the OSD generation command is applied from the DVCR controller 44 to be transmitted to the DTV receiver 52 through the '1234' interface 50.

In FIG. 3, the DTV receiver 52 performs a control operation corresponding to an infrared signal generated by the DTV remote controller 54, and the '1394' interface 50 under the control of the DTV controller 56. Memory 58 for storing the OSD bitmap image input through the < RTI ID = 0.0 >) < / RTI > and MPEG for restoring the MPEG transport stream TS input through the '1394' interface 50 under the control of the DTV controller 56. A synthesizer 62 for synthesizing the video signal output from the decoder 60, the OSD bitmap image output from the memory 58, and the audio signal output from the MPEG decoder 60. An audio processing section 66 for signal processing and output, and a display section 64 for displaying the synthesized signal output from the combining section 62 on the screen. The DTV remote controller 54 generates an infrared signal corresponding to the key pressed by the user. The DTV controller 56 inputs and decodes the infrared signal generated from the DTV remote controller 54 to perform the corresponding control operation. The MPEG decoder 60 outputs a video signal and an audio signal by inputting and restoring an MPEG transport stream TS output from the DVCR 40 through the '1394' interface 50 under the control of the DTV controller 56. do. The memory 58 temporarily stores the OSD bitmap image output from the DVCR 40 through the '1394' interface 50 under the control of the DTV controller 56. The synthesizer 62 synthesizes the video signal output from the MPEG decoder 60 and the OSD bitmap output from the memory 58 and outputs the synthesized OSD bitmap. The display unit 64 displays the synthesized signal output from the combiner 62 on the screen. The audio processor 66 processes the audio signal output from the MPEG decoder 60 to output audio. The user selects a desired function from the menu displayed on the display unit 64, that is, the OSD bitmap image for controlling the DVCR 40, using the DVCR remote controller 42.

However, two remote controllers are required to drive and control the DVCR 40 and the DTV receiver 52. In addition, when additional devices such as satellite receivers and cable STBs are additionally added to the system, the number of remote controllers is required as many as the number of additional devices. As a result, the user may not only have a difficulty in managing a plurality of remote controllers but also may cause confusion in the use of the remote controller.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling an audio / video device which can control a plurality of systems connected through an interface using one remote controller.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional analog playback system.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional digital reproduction system.

3 is a block diagram showing a digital audio / video playback system actually used.

4 is a block diagram of an audio / video device control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Brief description of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

2, 20, 42, 54: remote controller 4, 22: VCR control unit

6, 24, 45, 74: tape drive unit 8, 28: menu generation unit

10, 30: menu font generator 12, 32, 58, 86: memory

14: NTSC encoder 16, 34, 62, 92: synthesis section

18: TV display unit 26, 60, 88: MPEG decoder

36: MPEG encoder 38, 52, 82: DTV receiver

40, 70: DVCR 44, 72: DVCR control unit

46, 78, 104: OSD generator 48, 76, 102: format converter

50, 80, 96: interface 56, 84: DTV control unit

64, 94: display unit 66, 90: audio processing unit

98: STB 99: Tuner

100: STB control unit

In order to achieve the above object, the audio / video device control apparatus according to the present invention is to display the on-screen display bitmap image for the control of the source device on the screen to generate the coordinate code for the item selected by the user to the source device It generates the screen display device and its own device information and transmits the on-screen display bitmap image to the screen display device and analyzes the coordinate code from the screen display device. Characterized in that it comprises a source device to perform.

The method for controlling an audio / video device according to the present invention comprises the first step of generating device information on a source device and generating an on-screen display bitmap image for controlling the source device and transmitting the image to a screen display device. Storing the device information transmitted from the source device and displaying the on-screen display bitmap image from the source device on the screen; and generating a coordinate code for the selected item of the on-screen display bitmap image by the remote controller to the source device. And a fourth step of transmitting, and a fourth step of performing a corresponding control operation by analyzing the coordinate code transmitted from the screen display device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention in addition to the above object will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

4 is a block diagram of an audio / video device control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The audio / video device controller of FIG. 4 is a DVCR 70 and DTV receiver 82 connected via a first '1394' interface 80 and a DTV receiver 82 via a second '1394' interface 96. And a remote controller 68 for controlling the DVCR 70 and the satellite receiver 98 through the DTV receiver 82.

In FIG. 4, the DVCR 70 drives a tape under the control of the DVCR control unit 72 and the DVCR control unit 72 which perform a control operation corresponding to an input signal from the DTV control unit 84 of the DTV receiver 82. The OSD bitmap under the control of the tape drive unit 74, the format conversion unit 76 for outputting the converted signal output from the tape drive unit 74 by the MPEG transmission method, and the DVCR control unit 72. OSD generation section 78 to generate. The DVCR controller 72 transmits DVCR device information, that is, a device identification code and information necessary for driving the device, through the first '1394' interface 80 to the DTV controller 84. The DVCR controller 72 controls the OSD generator 78 to display the OSD bitmap image for the DVCR menu when a code indicating that the DVCR is selected is input from the DTV controller 86 through the first '1394' interface 80. To be created. In addition, the DVCR control unit 72 controls the tape drive unit 74 when the tape drive command of the DVCR is applied from the DTV control unit 86. The OSD generator 78 generates an OSD bitmap image under the control of the DVCR controller 72 and transmits the OSD bitmap image to the memory 86 provided in the DTV receiver 82 through the first '1394' interface 80. The tape driver 74 drives the tape to output an MPEG signal obtained by synthesizing a video signal and an audio signal when a playback command is applied from the DVCR controller 72. The format converter 76 converts the MPEG signal reproduced from the tape driver 74 into an MPEG transport stream TS and outputs the converted MPEG signal to the DTV receiver 82 through the first '1394' interface 80. do.

In FIG. 4, the DTV receiver 82 performs a control operation corresponding to the infrared signal generated by the remote controller 68, and the first '1394' interface 80 under the control of the DTV controller 84. Restoring the MPEG transport stream (TS) input through the memory 86 for storing the OSD bitmap image input through the first '1394' interface 80 under the control of the DTV controller 84. The MPEG decoder 88, the synthesizer 92 for synthesizing the video signal output from the MPEG decoder 88 and the OSD bitmap image output from the memory 86, and the audio output from the MPEG decoder 88 An audio processing unit 90 for signal processing and outputting the signal, and a display unit 94 for displaying the synthesized signal output from the combining unit 92 on the screen. The remote controller 68 generates an infrared signal corresponding to the button selected by the user. The DTV controller 84 inputs and decodes the infrared signal generated from the remote controller 68 to perform the corresponding control operation. The DTV control unit 84 stores the DVCR device information and causes the DVCR icon (or possible marker) to be displayed on the DTV screen. Alternatively, pressing a specific button on the remote control 68 causes the registered device information to be displayed on the screen. Accordingly, when the user wants to operate the DVCR 70, the user selects the DVCR icon on the DTV screen by using the remote controller 68. When the user selects the DVCR icon on the DTV screen using the remote controller 68, the DTV control unit 86 transmits a code indicating that the DVCR icon is selected to the DVCR control unit 72 through the first '1394' interface 80. Done. When the user selects a desired function from the menu displayed on the DTV indicator 94 by using the remote controller 68, the DTV controller 86 generates an XY coordinate code corresponding to the selected icon to display the first '1394' interface 84. Through the DVCR control unit 72 is transmitted. In this case, the DTV control unit 86 adds and transmits a start code for notifying the start of the XY coordinate code. Accordingly, the DVCR controller 72 interprets the XY coordinate code input from the DTV controller 86 through the first '1394' interface 84 to perform a corresponding control operation. The MPEG decoder 88 inputs and restores the MPEG transport stream TS output from the DVCR 70 through the first '1394' interface 80 under the control of the DTV controller 85 to recover the video signal and the audio signal. Will print. The memory 86 temporarily stores and outputs an OSD bitmap image input from the DVCR 70 through the first '1394' interface 80 under the control of the DTV controller 86. The synthesis unit 92 synthesizes the video signal output from the MPEG decoder 88 and the OSD bitmap image output from the memory 86 and outputs the synthesized video signal. The display unit 94 displays the synthesized signal output from the combiner 92 on the screen. The audio processor 90 processes the audio signal output from the MPEG decoder 88 to output audio.

In such a digital reproducing system, when driving the tape drive unit 74 of the DVCR 70 to display the recorded contents through the DTV 82, the DVCR control unit 72 first transmits the DVCR device information to the DTV control unit 84. Is transmitted through the first '1394' interface 80. The DTV control unit 84 stores the input DVCR device information and displays a DVCR icon on the screen through the DTV display unit 94. Alternatively, when the specific button of the remote controller 68 is pressed, the DTV controller 84 displays the registered device information on the screen. Accordingly, when the user intends to operate the DVCR 70, the user selects a desired function from the menu displayed on the display 94, that is, the OSD bitmap image for controlling the DVCR 70 using the remote controller 68. When the user selects the DVCR icon on the DTV screen using the remote controller 68, the DTV control unit 86 transmits a code indicating that the DVCR icon is selected to the DVCR control unit 72 through the first '1394' interface 80. Done. In this case, the DTV controller 86 adds a start code or the like to the XY coordinate code corresponding to the selected icon and transmits it to the DVCR controller 72 through the first '1394' interface 84. Accordingly, the DVCR controller 72 interprets the XY coordinate code input from the DTV controller 86 through the first '1394' interface 84 to perform a corresponding control operation. For example, when a playback command is applied, the DVCR control unit 72 controls the tape drive unit 74 to output a playback signal. The reproduction signal from the tape driver 74 is transmitted to the DTV receiver 82 through the format converter 76 and the first '1394' interface 80 to be displayed on the display 94.

In FIG. 4, the satellite receiver 98 includes a set top box (STB) controller 100 for performing a control operation corresponding to an input signal from the DTV controller 84 of the DTV receiver 82, and the STB controller 100. Format conversion unit 102 for converting and outputting the MPEG signal input through the tuner 99 in accordance with the control by the MPEG transmission method, and OSD generation to generate an OSD bitmap image under the control of the STB control unit 100 The unit 104 is provided. The STB control unit 100 transmits DVCR device information, that is, a unique identification code and information necessary for driving the device, to the DTV control unit 84 through the first '1394' interface 80. The DTV control unit 84 stores the device information of the input STB 98 and causes the display unit 94 to display icons for EPG display related to satellite reception of the STB 98. Alternatively, pressing a specific button of the remote control 68 causes the device information of the STB 98 registered in the DTV control unit 84 to be displayed on the screen. Accordingly, when the user wants to operate the STB 98, the user selects the STB icon on the DTV screen using the remote controller 68. When the user selects the STB icon on the DTV screen using the remote controller 68, the DTV controller 86 transmits a code indicating that the STB icon is selected to the STB controller 100 through the second '1394' interface 96. Done. In this case, the DTV controller 86 adds a start code or the like to the XY coordinate code corresponding to the selected icon and transmits it to the STB controller 100 through the second '1394' interface 96. Accordingly, the STB control unit 100 analyzes the XY coordinate code input from the DTV control unit 86 to perform the corresponding control operation. For example, when a code indicating that the STB icon is selected from the DTV controller 86 is input, the STB controller 100 controls the OSD generator 104 to generate an OSD bitmap image for displaying an EPG related to satellite reception. To be. In addition, the STB controller 100 controls the tuner 99 when a command such as displaying a satellite signal and selecting a channel is received from the DTV controller 86 to output the received signal of the selected channel, that is, the MPEG signal. The format converter 102 converts the MPEG signal input from the tuner 99 into an MPEG transport stream TS and outputs the converted MPEG signal to the DTV receiver 82 through the second '1394' interface 96. . The MPEG decoder 88 of the DTV receiver 82 receives and restores the MPEG transport stream TS output from the STB 98 through the second '1394' interface 96 under the control of the DTV control unit 85. The video signal and the audio signal are output. The memory 86 temporarily stores and outputs an OSD bitmap image input from the STB 98 through the second '1394' interface 96 under the control of the DTV controller 86. The synthesis unit 92 synthesizes the video signal output from the MPEG decoder 88 and the OSD bitmap image output from the memory 86 and outputs the synthesized video signal. The display unit 94 displays the synthesized signal output from the combiner 92 on the screen. The audio processor 90 processes the audio signal output from the MPEG decoder 88 to output audio.

As described above, the apparatus and method for controlling audio / video devices according to the present invention displays an OSD bitmap image on a screen displayable device for controlling and setting a source device generating an audio / video source signal. In addition, the source device can be controlled by selecting an OSD bitmap image using only one remote controller of the display device. Furthermore, even when a plurality of source devices are connected to the screen displayable device, the same control method can be used by using a single remote controller.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (5)

An audio / video device control apparatus comprising a screen display device and at least one source device for generating an audio / video source signal connected through the bidirectional interface with the screen display device. A screen display device for displaying an on-screen display bitmap image for controlling the source device on a screen, generating a coordinate code for the item selected by the user, and transmitting the coordinate code to the source device; A source device which generates its own device information and transmits the on-screen display bitmap image to the screen display device by generating information and interprets the coordinate code from the screen display device to perform a corresponding operation. And an audio / video device control device. The method of claim 1, The screen display device A control unit which performs a control operation corresponding to a remote control signal and generates the coordinate code; A synthesizer which synthesizes and outputs the video signal from the source device and the on-screen display bitmap image; A display unit which displays an image from the synthesis unit; And an audio signal processor for processing and outputting an audio signal from the source device. The method of claim 1, The source device A control unit for generating the device information and analyzing the coordinate code from the screen display device to perform a corresponding control operation; An on-screen display generator for generating the on-screen display bitmap image under the control of the controller; And an audio / video signal generator for outputting an audio / video signal to the screen display device under the control of the controller. An audio / video device control method comprising a screen display device and at least one source device generating an audio / video source signal connected to the screen display device through a bidirectional interface. Generating a device information of the source device and generating an on-screen display bitmap image for controlling the source device and transmitting the generated on-screen display bitmap image to the screen display device; A second step of storing device information transmitted from the source device and displaying an on-screen display bitmap image from the source device on a screen; Generating a coordinate code of a selected item of an on-screen display bitmap image by a remote controller and transmitting the generated coordinate code to the source device; And a fourth step of interpreting the coordinate code transmitted from the screen display device to perform a corresponding control operation. The method of claim 4, wherein And in step 3, adding a start code to the coordinate code and transmitting the start code to the source device.