JP2000209498A - Signal switching device for monitor and video/sound system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal switching device for a monitor simplifying an operation at the time of selecting a desired signal and supplying it to the monitor and eliminating the need of being conscious of the supply state of each signal. SOLUTION: When a first switch part 110 has been controlled, based on the operation signals of each of signal selection buttons 106A-106C, a CPU 114 updates which signal is the signal supplied from the common terminal 110D of the first switch part 110 to a display 102 and a speaker 104 and stores it in a memory 116. The memory 116 is provided with a first storage area 116A for storing a latest signal switching operation state and a second storage area 116B for storing a signal switching operation state before that. When each signal selection button is operated, the CPU 114 controls a second switch part 12 so as to supply the signal corresponding to the signal switching operation state stored in the first storage area 116A to a sub monitor 200 at the point of time immediately before the operation of the signal selection buttons.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitor signal switching device for selectively supplying a signal such as a video signal to a plurality of monitors, and a video / audio system having a main monitor and a sub monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a plurality of types of video sources, that is, video signals are input to one or a plurality of display devices to display a video, the video source to be displayed is input to a desired display device. There is a need. In order to input a desired video source to a desired display device, it is necessary to select a video source and connect it appropriately to the desired display device. Therefore, the connection cord from which the video source is output must be directly connected to a desired display device, which is troublesome. Therefore, conventionally, a monitor signal switching device configured to input a plurality of video sources and switch and provide the video source selected by the operation button to the display device is used.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional monitor signal switching apparatus, for example, a video source of a monitor image of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) is input to a main monitor to display the monitor image, and a television image is displayed. Considering the case where the video source of the main monitor and the sub-monitor are input to the sub-monitor to display the television image, it is necessary to exchange the two video sources input to the main monitor and the sub-monitor with each other when the images displayed on the main monitor and the sub-monitor are switched. is there. At this time, it is necessary to perform two switching operations of switching the video source input to the main monitor to the sub-monitor and inputting the video source, and switching the video source input to the sub-monitor to the main monitor and inputting the same. There is a problem that there is. Also,
The monitor signal switching device is configured to be capable of selectively inputting a plurality of types of video signals to a main monitor, for example, a video source of a monitor image of a personal computer, a video source of a television image, and a video source of a VTR image. When one video source is selected from these video sources and given to the display device, for example, an image displayed on the main monitor is switched from a personal computer image to a television image, and then the original image is restored. Sometimes, the operator is not aware that the original image is a computer image,
If the user forgets, there is a problem that a desired video source cannot be switched and input to the main monitor, and the original image cannot be displayed. That is, in the conventional monitor signal switching device, when a user attempts to select a desired video source, that is, a signal such as a video signal and supply it to the monitor, the signal switching operation tends to be complicated, and However, since it is necessary to perform operations while being aware of the supply state of each signal, it is not easy to use. Conventionally, if the main monitor and the sub-monitor are installed at remote locations, each time the main monitor and the sub-monitor are turned on and off, the main monitor and the sub-monitor must be moved to the installation location. It was troublesome. In particular, when the sub-monitor is installed when it is difficult to reach, it is inconvenient to turn on and off the power of the sub-monitor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object the convenience of selecting a desired signal and giving it to a monitor, which is easy to use, and which does not require awareness of the supply state of each signal. An object of the present invention is to provide a monitor signal switching device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a video and audio system that can easily turn on and off the power of a main monitor and a sub monitor.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a monitor signal switch for selectively supplying each signal supplied from two or more signal supply means to first and second monitors. The apparatus includes a signal selection operation unit, a signal switching unit, and a signal switching control unit, wherein the signal selection operation unit selects a signal to be supplied to the first monitor from among the signals. An operation is performed, and the signal switching unit is configured to supply a signal selected from each of the signals to the first and second monitors based on the control of the signal switching control unit. The signal switching control unit supplies the signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on the signal selection operation unit to the first monitor, and executes the signal selection operation. Characterized in that it is configured so that the signal which has been supplied to the first monitor at a time prior to controlling said signal switching means to be supplied to the second monitor to be performed. Therefore, by simply performing the operation of switching the signal to be output to one of the first and second monitors by the signal selection operation means, the signal previously output to one of the first and second monitors is changed to the signal of the first and second monitors. The other can be automatically switched and output. Therefore,
When trying to output a signal previously output to one of the first and second monitors to the other of the first and second monitors, the operation is simple and the user can use the other of the first and second monitors. Therefore, it is not necessary to consciously select the signal to be output to the user, and the usability is improved.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
In a video and audio system comprising one main monitor and one or more sub-monitors, wherein the main monitor and the sub-monitor are configured to display video and output audio, the main monitor includes power input means, Power supply means, a sub-monitor power switch, and a sub-monitor power control means, wherein the power input means is configured to input power, and the sub-monitor power supply means is input by the power input means. Configured to supply the power to the sub-monitor,
The sub-monitor power control unit is configured to supply and disconnect power to the sub-monitor by the sub-monitor power supply unit based on an on / off operation of the sub-monitor power switch, and the main monitor includes the power input unit. And the sub-monitor is configured to operate based on the power supplied by the sub-monitor power supply means. Therefore, by turning on and off the power switch for the sub-monitor provided in the main monitor, the power can be supplied to and disconnected from the sub-monitor, and the operation of supplying and disconnecting the power to the sub-monitor can be easily performed.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a monitor signal switching device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a video / audio device to which a first embodiment of a monitor signal switching device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a main monitor and a sub-monitor in the first embodiment. Block diagram, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power control system of a main monitor and a sub monitor according to the first embodiment.

First, the overall configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The image / audio apparatus 1000 includes a main monitor 100 (corresponding to a first monitor in the claims), a sub monitor 200
(Corresponding to the second monitor in claims), personal computer system (PC system) 300 (corresponding to signal supply means in claims), television tuner 400
(Corresponding to the signal supply means in the claims) and a video tape recorder (VTR) 500 (corresponding to the signal supply means in the claims). The main monitor 100 includes a display 102 that performs a video display operation based on the supplied video signal, a speaker 104 that performs an audio output operation based on the supplied audio signal, and a main monitor 1.
Signal selection buttons 106A, 106B, 106 operated to select a video signal and an audio signal supplied to
C (corresponding to a signal selecting operation means in the claims), a comeback button 108 described later (corresponding to a return operation means in the claims), and the like. Sub monitor 200
Includes a display 202 that performs a video display operation based on the supplied video signal, a speaker 204 (shown in FIG. 2) that performs an audio output operation based on the supplied audio signal, and the like. When the main monitor 100 is mainly used and the sub-monitor 200 is used secondarily, the display 202 of the sub-monitor 200 may have a smaller screen than the display 102 of the main monitor 100.

[0008] Personal computer system 300
Is a main unit 302 including a CPU and the like, a keyboard 30
4, a monitor 306, and the like. The main body 302
A signal S1 including a video signal supplied to the monitor 306 and an audio signal supplied to a speaker (not shown) is supplied to the main monitor 100. The television tuner 400 supplies a signal S2 including a video signal and an audio signal to the main monitor 100. The video tape recorder 500 supplies a signal S3 including a video signal and an audio signal to the main monitor 100.

Next, the configuration of the main monitor and the sub monitor will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Main monitor 1
00 is the display 102 and the speaker 1 described above.
04, signal selection buttons 106A, 106B, 106C,
In addition to the comeback button 108, a first switch unit 110
(Corresponding to the signal switching means in the claims), the second switch unit 112 (corresponding to the signal switching means in the claims), the CPU 114 (corresponding to the signal switching control means in the claims), and the memory 116 (claim). ).

[0010] The first switch section 110 is connected to each of the signals S1, S
2. Switching terminals 110A and 110 to which S3 is input
B, 110C and these switching terminals 110A, 110
B and 110C and a common terminal 110D that is selectively switched and connected. Then, the supply terminal 110D and the switching terminals 110A, 110
The connection between B and 110C is switched by a CPU 114 described later.
Is configured to be controlled by a first control signal C1. Of the signals output from the common terminal 110D, an audio signal is input to the speaker 104, and a video signal is input to the display 102.

The second switch section 112 controls each of the signals S1, S
2. Switching terminals 112A and 112 to which S3 is input
B, 112C and these switching terminals 112A, 112
And a common terminal 112D that is selectively switched and connected to one of B and 112C. Then, the supply terminal 112D and the switching terminals 112A, 112
The connection switching between B and 112C is performed by a CPU 114 described later.
Is configured to be controlled by the second control signal C2. The signal output from the common terminal 112D is
The signal is supplied to the sub-monitor 200 via the connection cable 118, and among the above signals, the audio signal is input to the speaker 204 and the video signal is input to the display 202.

Signal selection buttons 106A, 106B, 10
6C selects the signals S1, S2, and S3 and displays the display 102 and the speaker 104 of the main monitor 100, respectively.
It is configured to be operated at the time of supply to the device. CP
U114 specifies the signal selection button operated based on the operation signal of each signal selection button, and the signals S1, S2, S3 corresponding to the specified signal selection button are displayed on the display 10.
2. The first control signal C to be supplied to the speaker 104
1 is generated and input to the first switch unit 110. When the CPU 114 controls the first switch unit 110 based on the operation signals of the signal selection buttons 106A, 106B, and 106C, the “signal switching operation state” of the first switch unit 110,
The memory 11 determines which of the signals S1 to S3 the signal supplied to the display 102 and the speaker 104 from the common terminal 110D of the first switch unit 110 is.
6 and is stored.

The memory 116 stores the main monitor 1
It is configured by, for example, a battery-backed RAM or the like that retains the stored contents even when the power supply to 00 is turned off. It has a first storage area 116A for storing the latest signal switching operation state and a second storage area 116B for storing the previous signal switching operation state. Further, the CPU 114 operates when each of the signal selection buttons 106A, 106B, 106C is operated.
Immediately before the operation, the first storage area 11 of the memory 116
It is configured to generate a second control signal C2 for controlling the second switch unit 112 so that a signal corresponding to the signal switching operation state stored in 6A is supplied to the sub-monitor 200. When the comeback button 108 is operated, the CPU 114 outputs a signal corresponding to the signal switching operation state stored in the second storage area 116B of the memory 116 immediately before the operation of the comeback button 108 to the main monitor 10.
It is configured to generate a first control signal C1 for controlling the first switch unit 110 so as to be supplied to 0.

Next, the configuration of the power supply system will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and an embodiment of the video / audio system of the present invention will be described together. The main monitor 100 includes a power input terminal 120 (corresponding to a power input unit in the claims), a main power switch 122 (corresponding to a main monitor power switch in the claims), and a power supply unit 123 (claim). , A sub-power switch 124 (corresponding to a sub-monitor power switch in the claims), and a power output terminal 126 (corresponding to a sub-monitor power supply in the claims). ing. The power input terminal 120 is an AC power supply 600
For inputting the power supplied from the The main power switch 122 is configured to turn on and off the supply of power input from the power input terminal 120 to a power supply unit 123 (power unit) built in the main monitor 100. That is, the main monitor 100
It is configured to operate based on the power input to the power input terminal 120. The sub power switch 124 is provided with a power output terminal 126 for power input from the power input terminal 120.
Is turned on and off. The power output terminal 126 is configured to supply power to the power input terminal 206 of the sub monitor 200 via the power supply cable 128. The power input to the power input terminal 206 of the sub-monitor 200 is configured to be supplied to an unillustrated power supply unit (power supply unit). That is, the sub monitor 200 is configured to operate based on the power input to the power input terminal 206. The video / audio system includes the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG.
The power supply output terminal 126 of the sub monitor 200 and the power supply input terminal 206 of the sub monitor 200 are connected via a power supply cable 128, and both the main power supply switch 122 and the sub power supply switch 124 are off. In this state, when the main power switch 122 of the main monitor 100 is turned on, the power supplied from the AC power supply 600 via the power input terminal 120 is supplied to the power supply unit 123 which is the power supply unit 123 via the main power switch 122. The necessary power is supplied from the power supply unit to each part of the main monitor 100, and the main monitor 100 becomes operable.

Next, when the sub power switch 124 is turned on, the power input from the power input terminal 120 is supplied to the power output terminal 126, and this power is supplied via the power supply cable 128 to the power input terminal 206 of the sub monitor 200.
Supplied to As a result, the electric power supplied via the power input terminal 206 is supplied to a power supply unit (not shown), which is a power-supplied unit, and the electric power is supplied from the power supply unit to a necessary portion such as the display 202 and the speaker 204 of the sub monitor 200. Is supplied, and the sub monitor 200 becomes operable.

On the other hand, when the main power switch 122 is turned off, the supply of power to the power supply unit of the main monitor 100 is stopped, so that the main monitor 100 is in a non-operation state. When the sub-power switch 124 is turned off, the supply of power to the power supply unit of the sub-monitor 200 is stopped, so that the sub-monitor 200 is in a non-operation state. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the main power switch 122 and the sub power switch 124 provided on the main monitor 100 are provided.
The main monitor 10 is turned on and off.
0 and power supply to the sub-monitor 200 can be turned on and off, respectively. That is, the main monitor 10
0 by the sub power switch 124 provided in the sub monitor 2
Since the power can be supplied to and disconnected from the sub-monitor 200, the power switch of the sub-monitor 200 does not need to be individually operated, which facilitates the operation. When the main monitor 100 and the sub-monitor 200 are installed in separate places, or when the sub-monitor 1
Even when the sub monitor 2 is installed when it is difficult to reach the sub monitor 2, the user only operates the main monitor 100.
There is an advantage that the on / off operation of the power supply can be easily performed.

Next, the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 2
The signal switching operation at 00 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the first and second storage areas 116A of the memory 116 of the main monitor 100,
116B is assumed to be initialized in advance. First,
When the user operates a desired signal (source), for example, the signal selection button 106B corresponding to the television tuner 400, the CPU 114 generates the first control signal C1 based on the operation signal input from the signal selection button 106B. Input to the first switch unit 110. First switch unit 110
Is a common terminal 11 based on the input first control signal C1.
0D is switched to the switching terminal 110B for connection. As a result, the signal S2 from the TV tuner 400
The video signal is selected by the switch unit 110 and supplied to the display 102 and the speaker 104, and the video display operation and the audio output operation based on the signal S2 from the television tuner 400 are performed.

Here, the CPU 114 stores the signal switching operation state (corresponding to the signal S2) of the first switch unit 110 switched by operating the signal selection button 106B in the first storage area 116A of the memory 116. Also,
In this state, the second storage area 116B of the memory 116
Since nothing is stored in the initialized state, the CPU
Reference numeral 114 denotes a second switch 112 that supplies a predetermined second control signal C2 to the sub-monitor 200 to output signals S1, S2, and S3.
And providing one of them. The memory 116
The signal selected in a state where the second storage area 116B is initialized is arbitrary. For example, the same signal as the signal selected by the first switch unit 110 may be selected. Alternatively, the second storage area 116B of the memory 116
Are initialized so that none of the signals S1, S2, and S3 are input to the common terminal 112D of the second switch unit 112 and the second switch unit 112 is in a no-signal state.
May be configured.

Next, it is assumed that the user operates the signal selection button 106A to switch the signal output to the main monitor 100 from the television tuner 400 to the personal computer system 300. Then, CPU
114 generates a first control signal C1 based on an operation signal input from the signal selection button 106A and inputs the first control signal C1 to the first switch unit 110. The first switch unit 110 switches and connects the common terminal 110D to the switching terminal 110A based on the input first control signal C1. This allows
Signal S1 from personal computer system 300
Is selected by the first switch unit 110 and the display 10
2 and the speaker 104, and the video display operation and the audio output operation based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300 are performed.

Here, the CPU 114 stores in the first storage area 116A of the memory 116 the latest signal switching operation state (corresponding to the signal S1) of the first switch section 110 switched by operating the signal selection button 106A. In the second storage area 116B, the previous signal switching operation state of the first switch unit 110 (corresponding to the signal S2) is stored.
Is stored in the second storage area 116B of the memory 116. Then, the CPU 114 executes the second storage area 1 of the memory 116.
Based on the signal switching state (corresponding to the signal S2) stored in 16B, the common terminal 110D is switched to the switching terminal 110B and connected based on the second switch unit 112. Thereby, the signal S2 from the TV tuner 400
Is selected by the second switch unit 120 and the sub-monitor 200
Supplied to Therefore, the signal S2 is
0 to the display 202 and the speaker 204,
The sub monitor 200 performs a video display operation and an audio output operation based on the signal S2 of the TV tuner 400. Therefore, in the main monitor 100, a video display operation and an audio output operation are performed based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300, which is a signal selected based on the latest operation. TV tuner 4 that was the signal
The video display operation and the audio output operation based on the signal S2 from 00 are performed.

Next, when the user enters the main monitor 1
It is assumed that the signal selection button 106C is operated to switch the signal output to 00 from the personal computer system 300 to the video tape recorder 500. Then, the CPU 114 generates a first control signal C1 based on the operation signal input from the signal selection button 106C and inputs the first control signal C1 to the first switch unit 110. First switch unit 11
0 is a common terminal 1 based on the input first control signal C1.
10D is switched and connected to the switching terminal 110C.
Thus, the signal S from the video tape recorder 500
3 is selected by the first switch unit 110 and the display 1
02 and the speaker 104 to perform a video display operation and an audio output operation based on a signal S3 from the video tape recorder 500.

Here, the CPU 114 stores the latest signal switching operation state (corresponding to the signal S3) of the first switch unit 110 switched by operating the signal selection button 106A in the first storage area 116A of the memory 116, and In the second storage area 116B, the previous signal switching operation state of the first switch unit 110 (corresponding to the signal S1) is stored.
Is stored in the second storage area 116B of the memory 116. Then, the CPU 114 executes the second storage area 1 of the memory 116.
Based on the signal switching state (corresponding to the signal S1) stored in 16B, the common terminal 110D is switched to the switching terminal 110A and connected based on the second switch unit 112. Thereby, the personal computer system 30
The signal S1 from 0 is selected by the second switch unit 120 and supplied to the sub monitor 200. Therefore, the signal S1
Is the display 202 of the sub monitor 200 and the speaker 2
04, and the sub-monitor 200 performs a video display operation and an audio output operation based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300. Therefore, in the main monitor 100, a video display operation and an audio output operation are performed based on the signal S3 from the video tape recorder 500, which is a signal selected based on the latest operation. The video display operation and the audio output operation are performed based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300, which has been the signal thus performed.

As described above, the operation of switching the signal output to the main monitor 100 is performed by the signal selection button 106.
The signal output from the main monitor 100 last time can be automatically switched to the sub-monitor 200 and output by simply performing the process for A to 106C. For this reason, when trying to output the signal previously output to the main monitor 100 to the sub-monitor 200, the operation is simple, and the user needs to consciously select the signal to be output to the sub-monitor 200. There is an effect that convenience is improved because there is no need.

Next, the user checks the previous state, that is,
If it is desired to return the main monitor 100 to the state where the video display operation and the audio output operation based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300 have been performed, the comeback button 108 may be operated. That is, when the comeback button 108 is operated, the CPU 114
Switches the common terminal 110D to the switching terminal 110A based on the first switch unit 110 based on the previous signal switching state (corresponding to the signal S1) stored in the second storage area 116B of the memory 116, and connects. . Thereby, the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300 is selected by the first switch unit 110 and supplied to the main monitor 100. As a result, the signal S1 is supplied to the display 102 and the speaker 104 of the main monitor 100, and the main monitor 100 performs a video display operation and an audio output operation based on the signal S1 from the personal computer system 300. Therefore, the signal output to the main monitor 100 can be automatically returned to the previous signal only by operating the comeback button 108, and the user is conscious of the signal output to the main monitor 100 last time. There is an effect that it is not necessary to select and the usability is improved.

When the comeback button 108 is operated, the CPU 114 operates the first storage area 11 of the memory 116.
The signal switching state stored in 6A and the signal switching state stored in the second storage area 116B are exchanged and stored. This allows the sub monitor 200 to output the signal output to the main monitor 100. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, every time the comeback button 108 is operated, the signals of the main monitor 100 and the sub-monitor 200 are interchanged.

In the first embodiment, the contents stored in the memory 116 are retained even when the main power switch 122 is turned off. Therefore,
When the main power switch 122 is turned on after being turned off once, the CPU 114
The first and second control signals C1 and C2 are generated based on the storage contents of the second storage areas 116A and 116B and provided to the first and second switch units 110 and 112, respectively, and are output to the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200. This signal is held before and after the main power supply 122 is turned on and off.

In the above-described first embodiment, the first and second storage areas 116A, 116A are stored in the memory 116 in order to store the “signal switching operation state” by the first switch unit 110.
116B, the first switch unit 110
"Signal switching operation state" corresponding to the latest signal switching operation, and "signal switching operation state" corresponding to the history of the signal switching operation for one operation performed before the latest signal switching operation. It was made to memorize. However, if a plurality of storage areas for storing the “signal switching operation state” corresponding to the history of the signal switching operation performed before the latest signal switching operation are provided,
It is also possible to return the switching operation history by a plurality of times.

The main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 2
The selection of the signal to be output to 00 is not limited to the example in the above-described embodiment, but may be as in the second and third embodiments described below. A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the CP
U114 indicates that the signal selected in advance is the main monitor 100.
And a fixed selection mode in which first and second control signals are generated so as to be fixedly supplied to at least one of the sub-monitor 200 and are supplied to the first and second switch units 110 and 112 for control. ing. And the CPU 114
Is set to the fixed selection mode, the signal fixedly supplied to at least one of the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200 is configured not to be switched by the signal selection operation on each of the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C. ing. When the CPU 114 is set to the fixed selection mode, for example, a mode setting switch may be provided, and the fixed selection mode may be selected by operating the mode setting switch. In the second embodiment, a signal selected in advance is fixedly supplied to at least one of the main monitor 100 and the sub-monitor 200 by setting the CPU 114 to the fixed selection mode. Since the signal fixedly supplied to at least one of the signals cannot be switched by the signal selection operation on each of the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C, the signal output from at least one of the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200 is held in a fixed state. Useful when you need to.

In the third embodiment, the CPU 114
The signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on each of the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C is displayed on the main monitor 100.
First and second control signals are generated so as to be supplied in common to both the
It is configured to be able to set a common selection mode that is given to and controlled by the control units 10 and 112. When setting the CPU 114 to the common selection mode, similarly to the second embodiment, for example, a mode setting switch may be provided, and the common selection mode may be selected by operating the mode setting switch. You should be able to do it. In the third embodiment, by setting the CPU 114 to the common selection mode, the signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on each of the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C is shared by both the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200. This is convenient when it is desired to output a signal common to both the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200.

In the first to third embodiments of the above-described monitor signal switching device of the present invention, the first and second switch units 110 and 112, the CPU 114, the memory 116, the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C, the comeback button Although 108 is provided on the main monitor 100, at least one of them may be provided separately from the main monitor 100.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the signal selection buttons 106A to 106C constitute the signal selection operation means, and the comeback button 108 constitutes the return operation means. The signal switching device is not limited to these. For example, the signal selection operation unit and the return operation unit may be configured to operate by selecting an icon displayed on the display 102 of the main monitor 100 by a predetermined operation. Alternatively, it may be configured to operate by wireless communication such as an infrared remote controller. In the first to third embodiments, the main monitor 10
0 and signals S1, S2, S3 supplied to the sub monitor 200
Includes a video signal and an audio signal, but may include, for example, only a video signal or only an audio signal. The number of signals supplied to the main monitor 100 and the sub monitor 200 is not limited as long as it is two or more.

In the embodiment of the video and audio system described together with the first embodiment of the monitor signal switching apparatus of the present invention, the video and audio system includes one main monitor 100 and one sub monitor 200. However, the video and audio system according to the present invention may have a configuration in which one main monitor is provided with two or more sub-monitors. Further, in the video / audio system of the present invention, the main monitor and the sub-monitor may perform the display operation based on the video signal supplied to each, and how the video signal is supplied to each of the main monitor and the sub-monitor is particularly important. Not limited. It is optional whether each of the main monitor and the sub-monitor has a function of performing an audio output operation based on an audio signal.

[0034]

According to the present invention, there is provided a monitor signal switching device for selectively supplying signals supplied from two or more signal supply means to first and second monitors. And a signal switching control unit, wherein the signal selection operation unit is configured to perform a signal selection operation for specifying a signal to be supplied to the first monitor among the signals, and the signal switching operation is performed. The means is configured to supply a signal selected from each of the signals to the first and second monitors based on the control of the signal switching control means, respectively, and the signal switching control means is provided to the signal selection operation means. The signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on the first monitor is supplied to the first monitor, and supplied to the first monitor at a time before the signal selection operation is performed. And the signal had had to be configured to control the signal switching means to be supplied to the second monitor. Therefore, the first and second
By simply performing the operation of switching the signal to be output to one of the monitors by the signal selection operation means, the signal previously output to one of the first and second monitors is automatically switched to the other of the first and second monitors. Can be output. Therefore, when trying to output the signal previously output to one of the first and second monitors to the other of the first and second monitors, the operation is simple, and the user can use the first and second monitors. This eliminates the need to consciously select the signal to be output to the other side, thereby improving usability.

The present invention also relates to one main monitor and one main monitor.
In a video and audio system comprising at least one sub-monitor and configured to perform video display and audio output by the main monitor and the sub-monitor, the main monitor includes a power input unit, a sub-monitor power supply unit, A power switch for sub-monitor, and a power control unit for sub-monitor, wherein the power input unit is configured to input power, and the sub-monitor power supply unit converts the power input by the power input unit into It is configured to supply to the sub-monitor, the sub-monitor power control means is configured to supply and disconnect power to the sub-monitor by the sub-monitor power supply means based on the on-off operation of the sub-monitor power switch, The main monitor is based on the power input by the power input means. Is configured to operate Te, the sub-monitor is configured to operate based on electric power supplied by the sub-monitor for the power supply means.
Therefore, by turning on and off the power switch for the sub-monitor provided in the main monitor, the power can be supplied to and disconnected from the sub-monitor, and the operation of supplying and disconnecting the power to the sub-monitor can be easily performed. For example, even if the main monitor and sub-monitor are installed in remote places or the sub-monitor is difficult to reach, simply turning on the main monitor makes it easy to turn the sub-monitor on and off. There is an advantage that it can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a video and audio device to which a first embodiment of a monitor signal switching device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main monitor and a sub monitor according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control system of a main monitor and a sub monitor according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1000 image / audio device, 100 main monitor (first monitor), 110 first switch unit, 112
... Second switch unit, 114, CPU, 116, memory, 106A to 106C, signal selection button (signal selection operation means), 108, comeback button (return operation means), 120, power input terminal (power Input means), 1
22... Main power switch (main monitor power switch), 123... Power supplied part (power supplied means), 1
24... Sub-power switch (sub-monitor power switch), 126... Power output terminal (sub-monitor power supply means), 200... Sub-monitor (second monitor), 300
...... Personal computer system (signal supply means), 400 TV tuner (signal supply means), 5
00: Video tape recorder (signal supply means).

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A monitor signal switching device for selectively supplying signals supplied from two or more signal supply units to first and second monitors, comprising: a signal selection operation unit; a signal switching unit; Control means, and the signal selection operation means, among the signals, the first
A signal selection operation for specifying a signal to be supplied to a monitor is performed, and the signal switching unit selects a signal selected from the signals based on the control of the signal switching control unit in the first,
The signal switching control unit is configured to supply the signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on the signal selection operation unit to the first monitor, and The signal switching unit is configured to control the signal switching unit so that the signal supplied to the first monitor before the signal selection operation is performed is supplied to the second monitor. Characteristic signal switching device for monitor. 2. A return operation means is provided, and when the return operation means is operated, the signal switching control means switches the signal supplied to the second monitor to supply the signal to the first monitor. 2. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 1, wherein the signal switching means is controlled as described above. 3. The signal switching control unit includes a storage unit, and the storage unit updates a signal switching operation state of the signal switching unit each time the signal switching operation is performed on the signal switching unit. And the control of the signal switching means by the signal switching control means is configured to be performed based on the signal switching operation state stored in the storage means. 2. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The signal switching operation state of the signal switching means stored in the storage means is the latest signal switching operation state of the signal switching means, and is performed at a time before the latest signal switching operation. The signal switching device for monitoring according to claim 3, further comprising a signal switching operation state corresponding to a history of the signal switching operation. 5. A return operation means is provided, and when the return operation means is operated, the signal switching control means causes a signal switching operation state corresponding to the history of the signal switching operation stored in the storage means. 5. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 4, wherein the signal switching means is controlled so as to switch and supply the signal to the first monitor based on the following. 6. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the signal includes a video signal, and the first and second monitors are configured to perform a display operation based on the video signal. Signal switching device. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the signal further includes an audio signal, and the first and second monitors are configured to perform an audio output operation based on the audio signal. Monitor signal switching device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said signal selection operation means, said signal switching means, and said signal switching control means is provided in one of said first and second monitors. The signal switching device for monitoring according to the above. 9. The signal switching control unit controls the signal switching control unit such that the signal selected in advance is fixedly supplied to at least one of the first and second monitors, and It is configured to be set to a fixed selection mode in which the signal fixedly supplied to at least one of the first and second monitors is prevented from being switched by a signal selection operation performed on the signal selection operation means. 2. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The signal switching control unit controls the signal so that the signal selected by the signal selection operation performed on the signal selection operation unit is supplied to both the first and second monitors in common. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is configured to be set to a common selection mode for controlling the switching control means. 11. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 1, wherein the signal supply means comprises at least one of a personal computer, a television tuner, and a video tape recorder. 12. One of the first and second monitors is a main monitor, and the other is a sub-monitor, provided with a power input unit, a sub-monitor power supply unit, and a sub-monitor power switch. Is configured to input power, the sub-monitor power supply unit is configured to supply the power input by the power input unit to the sub-monitor, and the sub-monitor power switch is turned on and off. The main monitor is configured to supply and disconnect power to the sub-monitor by the sub-monitor power supply unit, and the main monitor is configured to operate based on the power input by the power input unit; Is configured to operate based on the power supplied by the sub-monitor power supply means. The signal switching device for monitoring according to claim 1, wherein 13. The power supply unit that operates based on the power input by the power input unit, and supplies and disconnects the power to and from the power supply unit based on an on / off operation. 13. The monitor signal switching device according to claim 12, further comprising a main monitor power switch configured as described above. 14. A video and audio system comprising one main monitor and one or more sub-monitors, wherein video display and audio output are performed by the main monitor and the sub-monitor, wherein the main monitor comprises: A power input unit, a sub-monitor power supply unit, and a sub-monitor power switch, wherein the power input unit is configured to input power, and the sub-monitor power supply unit is input by the power input unit. The sub-monitor power switch is configured to supply and disconnect power to the sub-monitor by the sub-monitor power supply unit based on an on / off operation of the sub-monitor. The monitor operates based on the power input by the power input means. Is configured, the sub-monitor is video and audio system, characterized in that, is configured to operate based on the power supplied by the sub-monitor for the power supply means. 15. The main monitor operates according to the power input by the power input unit, and supplies and disconnects the power to and from the power supply unit based on an on / off operation. 15. The video and audio system according to claim 14, further comprising a main monitor power switch configured as described above. 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the main monitor and the sub-monitor are configured to perform a display operation based on a video signal supplied to each of the main monitor and the sub-monitor.
Video and audio system as described. 17. The video / audio system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of said main monitor and said sub-monitor is configured to perform an audio output operation based on a supplied audio signal.