JP2000010906A - Audiovisual equipment and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To excellently control the whole system even when some equipment connected to a digital transmission line has its function extended by informing the center equipment of the contents of the extended function and updating the function information on audiovisual equipment in the center equipment. SOLUTION: A setup box(STB) 10, a digital VTR 20, and a TV 30 are connected by IEEE1394. Here, when the STB 10 is set as a center equipment, equipment information and function information on the digital VTR 20 which are stored in its nonvolatile memory 28 and equipment information and function information on the TV 30 which are stored in its nonvolatile memory 38 are read out and sent out to the STB 10 respectively, so that a list is generated in a nonvolatile memory 17 in the STB 10. Then when the functions of the VTR 20 and TV 30 are extended, the contents of the extended functions are reported to the STB 10, wherein the pieces of function information on the VTR 20 and TV 30 are updated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audiovisual apparatus connected by a communication control bus such as a serial bus and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A video tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as VTR) for recording and reproducing video signals in an analog signal form.
In general, a dedicated signal processing circuit is provided for each different television signal system such as the NTSC system or the PAL system to record and reproduce video signals in each television signal system.

[0003] For example, when an attempt is made to record a PAL video signal on an NTSC VTR, the servo circuit cannot lock to the input signal, causing a problem such as a picture flowing, and cannot perform normal recording. .

[0004] However, recently, digitalization of signal processing in video equipment has been advanced, and the future direction is to use a general-purpose media processor as hardware and perform signal processing of video signals by software using a program. Alternatively, a method has been proposed in which a detachable slot board is provided on the back of a video device, and signals are processed by a signal processing unit mounted on the slot board. Therefore, even after the purchase of the device, it is conceivable that signal processing that could not be performed before can be performed by updating the software or replacing the slot board.

[0005] Digital VTRs for recording and reproducing digital broadcasts and their signals, which are expected to develop in the future, are processed based on MPEG4, which is currently being standardized, and new compression methods such as fractal and wavelet. It is assumed that the frequency of the input signal as a data broadcast will increase, and a flexible response to the input signal is desired.

[0006] Further, regarding the connection between devices, IEEE 1
A digital interface, such as 394, has been proposed. If this digital interface is used, it is possible to transmit various data including control signals in addition to digitized video and audio data on the same line. Become.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, this IEEE
When the function of a device connected to the 1394 is expanded, it has not been considered to automatically notify other devices by communication that the function is expanded.

[0008] Therefore, the function is extended, for example, digital V
Even if TR is made compatible with recording of programs compressed by the new method,
Other devices connected to the IEEE 1394 are not aware of this, and even if they try to make a program reservation for the devices connected to the IEEE 1394 at once and try to record a program compressed by the new method. However, since it is considered that recording cannot be performed by another connected device, there is a problem that a program compressed by the new method cannot be recorded.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a video and audio device according to the present invention is connected to another device using a digital transmission line to thereby provide at least one of a video signal and an audio signal. A video and audio device capable of transmitting a control signal in both directions in addition to a signal, wherein the video and audio device transmits a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal using the digital transmission path. Interface, a function changing means for changing a function of the audiovisual device, and a recognizing means for recognizing completion of the function change, and connecting to the digital transmission path when the completion of the function change is recognized. Transmitting the function change information so that the function information of the audiovisual device stored in the center device that controls the device to be updated is updated.

[0010] Further, the audiovisual apparatus according to the present invention can bidirectionally transmit a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal by connecting to another apparatus using a digital transmission path. An audiovisual device, wherein the audiovisual device uses the digital transmission path to receive a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal, and an apparatus connected to the digital transmission path. Function information storage means for storing function information provided in the digital transmission line, when there is a change in a function of a device connected to the digital transmission line, the function change information is received by the interface, and the function information storage means An audiovisual device characterized by updating function information on a device whose function has been changed and stored therein.

[0011] In the control method for an audiovisual apparatus according to the present invention, the control signal is bidirectionally connected to at least one of the video signal and the audio signal by connecting to another apparatus using a digital transmission path. A method for controlling an audiovisual device capable of transmission, wherein when the audiovisual device is connected to the digital transmission path, identification information for identifying the audiovisual device and function information indicating a function of the audiovisual device. Is stored in a center device that controls a device connected to the digital transmission line, and when the function of the video / audio device is changed, the function information of the video / audio device stored in the center device is updated. A method for controlling an audiovisual device, comprising:

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an audiovisual apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention, and is an IEEE.
1394-compliant serial bus (hereinafter, IEEE 13
FIG. 94 illustrates a state where a plurality of audiovisual devices are connected. 1, a set-top box (hereinafter, referred to as STB) 10, a digital tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as digital VTR) 20, and a display device (hereinafter, referred to as TV) 30 are IEEE13.
An example of connection at 94 is shown.

[0013] First, starting from the STB 10, a high frequency signal of a digital broadcast received by an antenna (not shown) is an RF signal.
Input via the input terminal, frequency conversion circuit and demodulation circuit,
The receiving circuit 11 composed of an error correction circuit outputs a bit stream signal.

[0014] The bit stream signal is input to the signal processing unit 12, where a signal of a desired program is selected. In the signal processing unit 12, for example, MPEG2
The D / A converter 13 outputs a video / audio signal converted into an analog signal format by decoding a compressed signal encoded and transmitted by a compression method such as that described above.

[0015] The compressed signal of the desired program selected by the signal processing unit 12 is further subjected to predetermined processing such as encryption by the signal processing unit 12, and then the digital interface 1
4 is output to the digital VTR 20 according to the signal specification of IEEE1394.

In the STB 10, a microcomputer 15 is connected to a digital interface 14 by a bus, and a memory 16 for temporarily storing processing data in the signal processing unit 12, and devices connected to an IEEE 1394 as described later. A non-volatile memory 17 for storing data related to the device information and function information of the above, and a human interface (HMI) 18 such as an operation panel are also connected, and bidirectional signal exchange is appropriately performed.

Next, the digital VTR 20 will be described. A compressed signal input from the STB 10 via the digital interface 21 is converted by the recording / reproducing signal processing unit 22 into a signal which is adjusted to a predetermined format suitable for recording a signal on a recording medium. After the processing, the recording / reproducing amplifier 2
3 is recorded on a recording medium.

At the time of reproduction, a signal reproduced from a recording medium via a recording / reproducing amplifier 23 is supplied to a recording / reproducing signal processing unit 22.
The signal processing reverse to the processing performed at the time of recording is performed, and the IEEE
A signal according to the signal specifications of E1394 is output to the display device 30 via the digital interface 21.

The output signal of the recording / reproducing signal processing unit 22 is
After compression decoding is performed by the signal processing unit 24, D /
The A-converter 25 outputs a video / audio signal converted into an analog signal form.

In the digital VTR 20, similarly to the configuration of the STB 10, a microcomputer 26 is connected to the digital interface 21 by a bus, and a memory 27 for temporarily storing processing data and a non-volatile memory for storing data are connected to the bus. 28, a human interface (HMI) 29 such as an operation panel is also connected, and bidirectional signal exchange is appropriately performed.

Next, the TV 30 will be described.
0 or a compressed signal coming from the digital VTR 20 via the digital interface 31
After the compression decoding is performed in step 2, the signal is converted into an analog signal form by the D / A converter 33.

The video signal converted to the analog signal form is input to a display driver 34 and displayed on a display panel 35 such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or a cathode ray tube. The display driver 34 has an NTS input from an analog input terminal.
A video signal of the C system or the like is also input, and the TV 30 is configured to be able to display the video signal in the analog signal format.

[0023] In the same manner, the microcomputer 3 in the TV 30
6, a memory 37, a non-volatile memory 38, and a human interface (HMI) 39 are connected to the digital interface 31 via a bus, and bidirectional signal exchange is appropriately performed.

As described above, the STB 10 and the digital VT
By connecting the R20 and the TV 30 by IEEE1394, it becomes possible to record the digital broadcast coming from the RF input terminal of the STB 10 with the digital VTR 20, and to watch the digital broadcast on the TV 30.

Next, each of these audio-visual equipment is connected to IEEE13
The connection device information created inside the center device, which is the center of these systems, when connecting to the H. 94 will be described. Here, one of the audiovisual devices connected by IEEE 1394 is set as a center device which is the center of the entire system.
Description will be made assuming that 0 is set as the center device.

When the STB 10 is set as a center device, other devices (here, the digital VTR 20 and the TV 30) except the STB 10 transmit their own device information and function information stored therein to the center device (STB 10).
10). That is, the digital VTR 20
The device information and function information stored in the non-volatile memory 28 of the TV 30 and the device information and function information stored in the non-volatile memory 38 of the TV 30 are read out and sent to the STB 10, respectively. A list is created in the non-volatile memory 17 as shown in FIG.

Each device transmits its own device information and function information when it is connected to IEEE 1394 for the first time. However, when the center device is not set, transmission of such information is suspended. When the center device is set, the center device sends data declaring that it is the center device to other devices, and each device except the center device receives its data and receives its own device information. And the function information to the center device. Further, every time the center device is changed, the device information and the function information are sent to the new center device, and a list is created.

The list shown in FIG. 2 describes the device information and function information of each device, that is, the type of the compressed signal that can be decoded by each device and the type of the compressed signal that can be converted by each device. The STB 10 and the TV 30 can decode the compressed signals of the MPEG1 and the MPEG2, but the digital VTR has a DV system (a digital video signal system employed in a camera-integrated video tape recorder or the like) in addition to the compressed signals. It is shown that the compressed signal can also be decoded.

As for the types of compressed signals that can be converted by each device, the STB 10 can convert compressed signals from MPEG1 to MPEG2, and the digital VTR 20
EG2 to DV, DV to MPEG2, MPEG1 to analog NTSC, MPEG2 to analog NTS
It is shown that the conversion into C is possible, and the TV 30 cannot convert the compressed signal.

The digital VTR 20 is configured to record and reproduce a compressed signal which can be decoded by itself in a recording format for the compressed signal.

Now, as a new compression method, for example, MPEG4
Has been standardized, and this MP
It is assumed that the broadcast of the program compressed by EG4 has started. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, any one of the STB 10, the digital VTR 20, and the TV 30 is an MP
Because the compressed signal of EG4 cannot be decoded,
In this system, it is not possible to view a program compressed by MPEG4.

However, for example, the signal processing unit of each device is constituted by a general-purpose media processor in which the processing of the video signal is performed by software, so that only the software for operating this processor is changed. It is possible to process signals that could not be processed.

[0033] When the software is changed, for example, data making up new software is transmitted through digital data broadcasting, and the transmitted data is received by the STB 10 and transmitted to the STB 10.
Digital VTR20 or TV through EEE1394
30 is performed. Then, the digital VTR 20 or TV 30 receiving this transmission data
Updates the software in its own signal processing unit.

[0034] Here, the case where the software to be updated is software for operating a media processor in the digital VTR 20 (hereinafter referred to as update data) will be described as an example. Digital VTR on STB10
When the update data of 20 is input, the STB 10 detects a flag in the header of the input update data and automatically detects that the input data is update data of the digital VTR 20.

If the user has previously recognized from the program guide or the like that the update data of the digital VTR 20 will be transmitted through the data broadcast, the update data is supplied to the digital VTR 20 by manual operation using a remote controller or the like. No problem.

Then, the digital VTR 20 detects that the updated data is its own by detecting that the header portion of the input data is in a predetermined form. And
The updated data is written to the signal processing unit 24, and when the microcomputer 26 recognizes that the writing has been completed, the function information stored in the nonvolatile memory 28 is updated.

As described above, when the version of its program is upgraded, the digital VTR 20 first disconnects the digital VTR 20 from the current system in order to update its own function information stored in the nonvolatile memory 28. In this case, the latest function information of the digital VTR 20 can be quickly confirmed even when the center device in the current system is changed.

The digital VTR 20 includes a nonvolatile memory 28
When the update of the function information of the STB 10 is completed, the STB 10 communicates with the STB 10 through the IEEE 1394, and the STB 10
From the state of the header part of the data input from TR20,
It identifies that this data is the function information of the digital VTR 20, and rewrites the data in the list stored in the nonvolatile memory 17. In this way, the upgraded digital VTR 20 can decode the compressed signal that can be processed by the upgraded version, and can record and reproduce the signal in the recording format for the compressed signal. It becomes possible.

Next, a case will be considered in which a program is reserved by this system. First, the EPG (Electronic
A program is selected by a program guide or the like, and further a viewing reservation or a recording reservation is selected. At this time, the STB 10 confirms whether or not the selected program can be viewed or recorded, based on the list including the device information and the function information stored in the nonvolatile memory 17.

When it is determined that the compressed signal of the program cannot be decoded using any of the devices currently connected to the IEEE 1394, the user is notified through the display panel 35 of the TV 30 or other display means. Inform

Here, there is no problem if all devices connected to IEEE 1394 can decode the compressed signal of this program, but if only STB 10 can decode this compressed signal, STB 10 Is received, the compressed signal of this program is transmitted to the digital VTR 20
Alternatively, the signal processing unit 1 converts the compressed signal that can be decoded by the TV 30 into a compressed signal.
After the conversion in step 2, it is also possible to send out the converted compressed signal.

If the STB 10 does not have a function of converting a compressed signal, the signal processing unit 12 decodes the compressed signal of the program and transmits the signal of the program in the form of an analog signal. It is also possible to record the compressed signal of this program by the digital VTR 20 without decoding it by the STB 10, decode the compressed signal using the signal processing unit 12 in the STB 10 at the time of reproduction, and then display it on the TV 30 with an analog signal. is there.

In the above description, an example has been described in which the correspondence to a new compressed signal is performed by updating the software of a general-purpose media processor in the signal processing unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, as an example, a slot board (PC card) equipped with a signal processing unit corresponding to a new compressed signal is inserted into an insertion slot provided in a video device, or a hardware such as a board in the device is used. The correspondence may be made by replacing the wear.

As shown in FIG. 3, a slot board (PC card) 2 equipped with a signal processing unit corresponding to a new compressed signal
When the 4 'is inserted, the digital VTR 20 recognizes this, updates the function information stored in the nonvolatile memory 28, and updates the list stored in the center device. Then, a signal processing unit (not shown) in the slot board 24 'operates instead of the signal processing unit 24, or operates in cooperation with the signal processing unit 24.

In addition, when hardware that is relatively easy to attach and detach, such as the slot board 24 ', is inserted to respond to a new compressed signal, the function information in the list in the center device is changed every time attachment and detachment is performed. Without being controlled to be rewritten, flags corresponding to the functions related to the digital VTR 20 are separately provided in the list of the center devices, and the flags are set only for the functions corresponding to the inserted slot board 24 '. You may make it control so that it may hit.

Further, assuming that the user owns a plurality of different slot boards, the function information of each slot board owned by the user is stored in advance in a list of center devices, and the compression signal If a slot board different from the currently inserted slot board is required at the time of decoding or converting a compressed signal, control may be made to display a message prompting replacement of the slot board.

[0047] In the above description, an example in which the STB 10 is set as the center device has been described.
May be set as the center device, that is, another device connected to the digital VTR 20 or the TV 30. Here, an example in which communication between devices is performed using IEEE 1394 is shown, but a transmission path based on another standard such as SCSI or USB may be used. Further, the connected device may be an audio system such as an audio tuner, an MD recorder, and an amplifier.

[0048]

According to the present invention, when the function of an audiovisual device connected via a digital transmission line is expanded, the contents of the expanded function are notified to the center device, and the image is stored in the center device. Since the function information of the audio device is updated, there is an effect that optimal device control can always be performed even when a program reservation is made collectively for a group of devices connected to the digital transmission path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a video and audio device and a control method thereof according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a list showing device information and function information of each device connected to a digital transmission path.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining another configuration of the audiovisual apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Set-top box (STB) 11 ... Receiving circuit 12, 24, 32 ... Signal processing part 13, 25, 33 ... D / A converter 14, 21, 31 ... Digital interface 15, 26, 36 ... Microcomputer 16, 27 , 37 ... Memory 17, 28, 38 ... Non-volatile memory 18, 29, 39 ... Human interface (HM
I) 20: Digital tape recorder (digital VTR) 22: Recording / reproducing signal processing unit 23: Recording / reproducing amplifier 30: Display device (TV) 34: Display driver 35: Display panel

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 5B014 HA03 HC11 5B077 BB06 NN02 5K032 AA09 BA08 DA01 DB15 DB19 EC02 5K048 AA04 BA02 DA05 EB02 EB14 EB15 HA04 HA06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An audiovisual device capable of bidirectionally transmitting a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal by connecting to another device using a digital transmission path. The device has an interface for transmitting a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal using the digital transmission path; a function changing unit that changes a function of the audiovisual device; Recognizing means for recognizing the completion, and when the completion of the function change is recognized, the function information of the audiovisual device stored in the center device controlling the device connected to the digital transmission path is updated. An audiovisual apparatus characterized in that function change information is transmitted so that the function change information is transmitted. 2. An audiovisual device capable of bidirectionally transmitting a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal by being connected to another device using a digital transmission path. The device includes an interface for receiving a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal using the digital transmission path; and function information for storing function information included in the device connected to the digital transmission path. Storage means, wherein when a function of a device connected to the digital transmission path is changed, the function change information is received by the interface, and the function stored in the function information storage means is changed. An audiovisual device characterized by updating function information about a device. A method for controlling an audiovisual device capable of bidirectionally transmitting a control signal in addition to at least one of a video signal and an audio signal by connecting to another device using a digital transmission path, When the audiovisual device is connected to the digital transmission line, the identification information for identifying the audiovisual device and the function information indicating the functions of the audiovisual device are controlled by the device connected to the digital transmission line. And controlling the function information of the audiovisual device stored in the center device when the function of the audiovisual device is changed. .