JP2000350177A - Power supply control system in video image distribution system and in information distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply control system in a video image distribution system where a power-saving operation can be realized while a viewer staying in a room staying views the output of a video source installed in another room. SOLUTION: In the case of viewing video sources 111-113 with a television receiver 104 corresponding to a sub unit 20, a viewing intent display signal generating means 20a generates a viewing intent display signal. Since a viewing intent display signal detection means 10a of a main box 10 detects the viewing intent display signal and a power supply application control means 10c completely applies power in response to the result of detection, viewers staying in their own room can realize power-saving operation of the video image distribution system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply control method in a video distribution system, and more particularly to a power supply control method in a case where a viewer is in a certain room and views an output of a video source installed in another room. The present invention relates to a power supply control method in a video distribution system capable of realizing power saving operation while staying in a room.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a television and an infrared remote controller for operating the television have been installed in each room such as a children's room and a living room even in a general household. In addition, it has become possible not only to watch a terrestrial TV broadcast program as a video source, but also to select a CS tuner, a video tape recorder or a DVD player as desired to view various videos.

In such a case, a television and an infrared remote controller are installed in each room as described above, but video sources (AV equipment) such as a CS tuner, a video tape recorder and a DVD player are installed in another room. It is common to manage them centrally. Such a system is called a video distribution system. In other words, the "video distribution system" distributes the video and audio output of the AV equipment, enables viewing in a room different from the room in which the AV equipment is installed, and selects and controls the AV equipment from each room using a remote control. Means what can be done.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional video distribution system. The operation outline in FIG. 6 is that an infrared remote control signal output from a remote controller in each room (private room) in which a television is installed is converted into a remote control signal and transmitted to a room (central control room) in which an AV device is installed via a transmission line. And reproduces the infrared remote control signal at the transmission destination to control the AV equipment.

In FIG. 6, a first remote controller 101, a second remote controller 101,
The infrared remote control signal output from each of the remote control 102 and the third remote control 103 is transmitted to the first subunit 10
8, the second subunit 109, the third subunit 110
The signal is converted from the infrared remote control signal to the remote control signal by the
It is transmitted to 17 and read. Main box 117
Transmits the read remote control signal to the infrared light emitting element 11
By outputting an infrared remote control signal, which is an infrared signal, from the first video source 111,
AV such as the second video source 112 and the third video source 113
Performs device selection control.

Further, the main box 117 modulates each video and audio output received from each video source to a UHF band channel (13 to 64 ch) which is preset by the user for each video source in advance. After mixing, the first television 104, the second television 105, and the like are transmitted from the main box 117 via the first subunit 108, the second subunit 109, and the third subunit 110 using the transmission line.
The content is distributed to the third television 106.

[0007] By the way, even in the video distribution system having the above-described configuration, it is desired that the power saving operation be performed. Therefore, when a viewer in each room starts using the apparatus (main box, subunit) constituting the video distribution system from a standby state (standby state) in which the power supply is in a power saving state, first, It is necessary to turn on the power of the subunits in each room (fully powered on) and also turn on the power of the main box 117 (fully powered on).

On the contrary, the power supplies of all the subunits are O
In the case of FF (power-off state), set the main box to O
Even if the power supply is set to N (power is completely turned on), power is wasted. Therefore, it is preferable to keep the main box in a standby state (partially turned on).

In order to realize the power saving operation in the above case, conventionally, the user goes from the room where the television is installed to another room where the main box is installed, and turns off the power of the main box in a standby state. Switching from ON to a completely powered-on state, or switching from ON to a standby state (partially powered-on state). That is,
Conventionally, the realization of power saving operation has been performed by "manual operation".

[0010]

However, as in the prior art, the user goes to another room and turns on the power of the main box.
It is troublesome to switch to the standby state from ON to standby state, and in some cases, a valuable image may be missed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a power-saving operation while staying in a certain room when a viewer is in a certain room and views the output of a video source installed in another room. An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control method in a video distribution system which is enabled.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a video source and a main box for controlling the output of the video source are installed in a centralized control room, and a television and the video source are provided on the television. A sub-unit for relaying output and a remote control terminal for instructing the sub-unit are provided in each private room, and when the power of the main box is completely turned on, the video source is controlled by an input instruction to the sub-unit from the remote control terminal. In a video distribution system that can be selected, each of the subunits includes:
The main box includes a viewing intention display signal generating unit that generates a signal indicating that there is an intention to view the output of the video source on a television corresponding to each subunit. A viewing intention display signal detecting means for detecting a viewing intention display signal; and power-on control means for completely turning on the power of the main box when the viewing intention display signal detecting means detects the viewing intention display signal. It is characterized by the following.

[0013] In this way, when viewing the video source on the television corresponding to each subunit, the viewing intention display signal generating means generates the viewing intention display signal. Then, the viewing intention display signal detecting means of the main box detects the viewing intention display signal, and the power-on control means completely turns on the power according to the detection result, so that the viewer can distribute the video while staying in his / her own room. Power saving operation of the system can be realized.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Explanation of the principle of the present invention FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, each of the sub-units 20 includes a "viewing intention display signal generating means" 20a for generating a signal indicating that there is an intention to view the output of the video source on a television corresponding to each sub-unit. "Subunit identification signal generating means" 20b for generating a signal for identifying between subunits
Place.

The main box 10 includes a "viewing intention display signal detecting means" 10a for detecting a viewing intention display signal generated by the viewing intention display signal generating means 20a, and a subunit identification signal generated by the subunit identification signal generating means 20b. "Subunit identification signal detecting means" 10b for detecting
And a "power-on control means" 10c for completely turning on the power when the viewing-will display signal detecting means 10a detects the viewing-will display signal.

Basic Operation When the power of the subunit 20 is turned on (power is completely turned on), a "viewing intention display signal generating means" 20a generates a viewing intention signal.

When the main box 10 is in a standby state and the "viewing intention display signal detecting means" 10a detects a viewing intention display signal, it is determined that any one of the subunits is powered on. Then, the "power-on control means" 10c completely turns on the power of the main box, and sets a control signal transmission state between the subunit and the main box. Therefore, the main box can be controlled from the remote control terminal via the subunit, and a desired video source can be selected. That is, the viewer can perform the power saving operation of the video distribution system while staying in each room.

Subunit identification The "subunit identification signal generating means" 20b generates an identification signal unique to the subunit. The "sub-unit identification signal detecting means" 10b of the main box detects the unique identification signal and determines which sub-unit it is. In this way, even if a plurality of sub-units simultaneously generate a viewing intention display signal, it is possible to determine which sub-unit is used. For example, statistics such as the use time and use frequency of a video source for each sub-unit can be obtained. Can be.

Control of power-on state or power-on state The "power-on control means" 10c of the main box turns on the power of the main box when any of the sub-units indicates the intention to view. If none of the sub-units indicates the intention to view, the power of the main box is partially turned on. In this way, a power-saving operation as a video distribution system can be performed.

(2) Embodiment The present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the already described portions, and redundant description is omitted. The video distribution system to which the present embodiment is applied is the same as that of FIG. 6 described above, and the difference is the internal configuration of the main box and the subunit of the video distribution system.

As shown in FIG. 2, first to third video sources 111 to 113 are connected to a main box 10, and the main box 10 distributes video and audio outputs of the video sources 111 to 113 from transmission lines. Output to the container 107. The distributor 107 is a device for distributing a signal in the forward direction (television antenna → television) in the same manner as a general television antenna distributor, and includes first to third subunits 108 to 1.
10 is connected. Each of the sub-units includes first to third televisions 104 to 1 connected to the respective sub-unit.
At 06, the video and audio outputs of each video source are distributed.

The infrared remote control signals transmitted from the first to third remote controllers 101 to 103 are received by the first to third subunits 108 to 110, respectively, and output to the distributor 107. The distributor 107 also functions as a mixer that mixes signals from each output terminal. The mixed remote control signal is transmitted to the main box 10 via a transmission line and transmitted to the first infrared light emitting element 114, the second infrared light emitting element 115,
From the third infrared light emitting element 116 to the first to third video sources 1
11 to 113 are controlled.

Here, the block configuration of the main box 10 will be described. 1st modulator 11, 2nd modulator 1
Second and third modulators 13 are UHF band channels (13ch to 64c) in which video and audio outputs of video sources are set.
h) and output to the transmission line via the mixer 14. The demodulator 16 demodulates sub-unit power information (information indicating that the power of the sub-unit is ON, see FIG. 5) and a remote control signal input from the transmission line, and transmits them to the microcomputer 15. If the demodulated signal is a remote control signal, the microcomputer 15 outputs the signal to the infrared light emitting element.

If the demodulated signal is the sub-unit power information, the power of the main box 10 is controlled to be ON. If there is no sub-unit power information, none of the sub-units indicates the intention to view, so that the power of the main box 10 is controlled to the standby state.

The demodulator 16 and the microcomputer 15 are "viewing intention display signal detecting means", "subunit identification signal detecting means", and "power-on control means".

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. Infrared light receiving element 21
Converts an infrared remote control signal from a remote control into a remote control signal, transmits the signal to the microcomputer 22, and outputs the signal to the transmission line via the modulation circuit 23. The microcomputer 22 outputs the value set by the ID setting switch 24 to the transmission line via the modulation circuit 23 as subunit power supply information. Also,
The period T1 (see FIG. 5) is set by the ID setting switch 24.
, For example, by multiplying by a certain constant. On the other hand, the video and audio outputs input to each subunit from the transmission line are output from the first television 104, the second television 105, and the third television 1 connected to each subunit.
In 06, a signal from the transmission line is directly output.

The ID setting switch 24 and the microcomputer 22 are "subunit identification signal generating means" and "viewing intention display signal generating means".

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the viewer (or the contractor) operates the ID setting switch 2 of each subunit 20.
4 is set with an identification code for identifying each subunit (step S1). In this state, when the power of a certain subunit is turned on (power is completely turned on), the subunit generates subunit power information (see FIG. 5) (step S2). Assuming that the three subunits are the first to third subunits 20A, 20B, and 20C, the subunit power supply information itself is different (for example, a binary code) and the cycle is different for each subunit. That is, the first subunit 20A has a period T1, the second subunit 20B has a period T2, and the third subunit 20C.
Is the cycle T3. In this way, for example, even if the ON timings of the subunits match, it is possible to reliably identify which subunit has been turned ON.

When the sub-unit power information is generated,
If the main box 10 is in the standby state (step S3: YES) and the sub-box 10 detects the sub-unit power supply information (step S4: YES), the power of the main box 10 is turned on (power supply is completely turned on) ( Step S5). In this state, subunit 2
Since both the power supply 0 and the main box 10 are turned on (power is completely turned on), it is possible to select a desired video source by operating a remote controller in each private room (step S6).

If the sub-unit power information cannot be detected within a predetermined time in step S4 (step S4: NO), the power of all the sub-units is turned off.
Is determined (step S7), and the process returns to step S2.

Although the present embodiment has described the power saving operation in the case of video source distribution, for example, in a factory or the like, various information providing devices (information sources) for processing data and the like are installed in the central control room. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a case where the information source is selected and used in each section of the site.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a video source is viewed on a television corresponding to each subunit, the viewing intention display signal generating means generates a viewing intention display signal. Then, the viewing intention display signal detecting means of the main box detects the viewing intention display signal, and the power-on control means completely turns on the power according to the detection result, so that the viewer can distribute the video while staying in his / her own room. Power saving operation of the system can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the principle configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main box and the like constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a subunit and the like constituting the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing that periods of subunit power information in the embodiment are different.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional video distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main box 10a Viewing intention display signal detecting means 10b Subunit identification signal detecting means 10c Power supply control means 20 Subunit 20a Viewing intention display signal generating means 20b Subunit identifying signal generating means 111, 112, 113 Video source

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video source and a main box for controlling the output of the video source are installed in a central control room, a television, a subunit for relaying the video source output to the television, and a remote control terminal for instructing the subunit. And a video distribution system capable of selecting the video source by an input instruction to a subunit from the remote control terminal when the power supply of the main box is completely turned on. Comprises a willingness display signal generating means for generating a signal indicating that there is an intention to view the output of the video source on a television corresponding to each subunit, and the main box includes: Viewing intention display signal detecting means for detecting the generated viewing intention display signal; Power control method detecting means is in the video distribution system is characterized in that a power-on control means for the power supply of the main box completely charged when detecting the viewing intention display signal. 2. A power supply control method in a video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein each of said sub-units includes a sub-unit identification signal generating means for generating a signal for identifying each sub-unit. . 3. The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said power-on control means includes a power-on partial power-on means for partially powering on said main box. Power control method. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub-units is provided with a generation unit for each of the sub-units, the generation unit configured to vary a generation cycle of the identification signal generated by the sub-unit identification signal generation unit. A power supply control method in the video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The power supply control method in a video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said video source is plural. 6. The power supply control method according to claim 1, wherein the remote control terminal is an infrared remote control terminal. 7. The power supply control method in a video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a UHF band is used for distribution of said video source. 8. An information source and a main box for controlling the output of the information source are installed in a central control room, an information utilization terminal, a subunit for controlling the output of the information utilization terminal, and a remote controller for instructing the subunit. A terminal in each private room, and when the power of the main box is completely turned on, an information distribution system capable of selecting the information source by an input instruction to a subunit from the remote control terminal; The unit includes utilization intention display signal generating means for generating a signal indicating that the information utilization terminal corresponding to each subunit has an intention to utilize the output of the information source, and the main box includes the utilization intention display signal. Utilization intention display signal detecting means for detecting a utilization intention display signal generated by the generating means, and utilization utilization indication Power control method in an information distribution system, wherein a No. detecting means and a power-on control means for the power supply of the main box completely charged when detecting the utilization will display signals.