JP2001008277A - Av apparatus video image distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an AV apparatus video image distributing system, where load on a user at presetting is relieved and the user-friendliness of a remote controller by the user can be enhanced or the like. SOLUTION: A plurality of AV apparatus 101, 102, 103 and a main unit for controlling a plurality of the AV apparatus are installed in a room, a remote commander to control a plurality of the AV apparatus, a television receiver 131 that views an output of a selected AV apparatus from among a plurality of the AV apparatus, and a sub unit 119 relaying a remote control signal from the remote commander to the main unit are installed in other room so as to allow a viewer in the other room to operate the selected AV apparatus in the AV device video image distributing system, Main units 20, 21 are provided with a means that selects any of a plurality of the AV apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AV equipment video distribution system, and more particularly to an AV equipment video distribution system in which various types of AV equipment can be easily preset and a remote control can be easily used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video distribution system for AV equipment uses A
From the first room (one room) where the V device is installed, the video and audio output of the AV device is distributed to the second room (other room) where the viewer wants to view, and the second It enables viewing on the TV in the room. In addition, the second
This allows the viewer to operate the AV device of the video distribution source in the first room using the remote controller from the room.

The operation of a conventional AV equipment video distribution system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a video or C generally used in a home installed in a living room L is used.
This is a description of a case where video and audio of the AV device 101 such as an S tuner are distributed to the television 131 installed in the study S, and conversely, an infrared remote control signal is transmitted from the study S to the AV device 101.

[0004] First, the operation of distributing video and audio from the AV device 101 to the television 131 will be described. The network box (main unit) 110 installed in the living room L receives the video signal and the audio signal output from the AV device 101, converts the video signal and the audio signal into a signal to be transmitted to the transmission line by the modulation unit 111, and outputs the signal to the mixer 114, Distributor 115,
The video signal and the audio signal are distributed to the television 131 in the study S via the distributor 116. Thus, the viewer can view the video and audio of the AV device 101 in the living room L while in the study S.

[0005] Video signals and audio signals of the AV devices 102 and 103 are also input to the network box 110, and can be viewed on the television 131 by being distributed from the network box 110. Further, similar to the television 131, the distributors 115, 117,
By distributing the video signal and the audio signal input by 118 to the television 132 and the television 133, the television signal can be viewed on those televisions. As described above, the video and audio of each of the AV devices 101, 102, and 103 in the living room L can be viewed in the other rooms (the study S, the children's rooms CR1, CR2).

Next, the operation of the remote control will be described in the study S.
The following describes an example in which the AV device 101 is operated by using the remote control 128 in the above-described embodiment. The remote controller 128 is a remote controller attached to an AV device to be operated (for example, the AV device 101) and transmitting a predetermined infrared remote control signal, or each of the AV devices (for example, the AV devices 101 to 10).
3) It has a plurality of remote control key codes uniquely defined for each device, and can set in advance a remote control key code of each AV device of each maker, and is equivalent to a remote control attached to the AV device. This is a remote control (hereinafter, referred to as a preset remote control) that selects a remote control key code and outputs an infrared remote control signal. In existing AV video distribution systems, these remote controls are generally used.

First, the infrared remote control signal output from the remote control 128 is received by the light receiving sensor 125 in the subunit 119 and demodulated into a remote control electric signal. Next, the transmission transmission unit 122 converts the signal into a remote control transmission signal for transmission using a general modulation technique such as FSK modulation and sends the signal to a transmission line.
6, 115, and input to the transmission / reception unit 113 via the mixer 114. The mixer 114 has a function of superimposing a remote control transmission signal from the subunits 119, 120, and 121 via the distributor 115 on the video signal and the audio signal from the modulation unit 111.

[0008] The remote control transmission signal is received and demodulated by the transmission / reception unit 113, converted into a remote control electric signal, and transmitted to the infrared remote control commander 104. The infrared commander 104 receives the signal and converts the remote control electric signal into an infrared remote control signal by the internal infrared light emitting element 107 and transmits the signal to the AV device 101. Thus, the AV device 101 operates by receiving the infrared remote control signal. Infrared remote commander 10
Similarly, the remote control electric signal is transmitted to 5, 106 so that the signal is converted into an infrared remote control signal and transmitted to the AV devices 102, 103.

[0009] Infrared remote control signals transmitted from remote controllers 129 and 130 in children's room CR1 and children's room CR2 are received by subunits 120 and 121, respectively, and are supplied to distributor 117 or distributor 118, distributor 115, and distributor 115.
The information is transmitted to the infrared remote commander 104 via the network box 110, and the AV device 101 can be operated. As described above, the remote controller 12 in each room
8, 129, and 130 can control each of the AV devices 101 to 103 in the living room L.

[0010]

However, the conventional AV equipment video distribution system has the following problems.
First, the first problem will be described. As shown in the example of FIG. 7, when there are a plurality of rooms for video distribution and viewing, each room has a preset remote controller, and when operating the distribution source AV device via the AV device video distribution system, Each preset remote control
It is necessary to make preset settings for each device manufacturer and each device. Here, the preset means that the desired AV device can be selected by transmitting a device selection code set in advance corresponding to the AV device desired to be viewed. Further, even when the battery of the preset remote controller is replaced, it is necessary to perform the operation of setting the preset every time, which places a heavy burden on the user and further increases the number of mistakes in the preset setting. That is, the burden on the user when presetting is large.

Next, the second problem will be described. The modulation frequency of the infrared remote control signal transmitted from the remote control varies depending on each AV device, such as 32 kHz, 38 kHz, and 4 kHz. The light receiving sensor that receives those infrared remote control signals filters out infrared remote control signals and noise other than the required modulation frequency with a filter in order to maximize the receiving characteristics such as the reach distance to the remote control and the effective range of the light receiving angle. I have. For this reason, the modulation frequency that can be converted to the remote control electric signal is limited to one. As a result, in the AV device video distribution system, it is necessary to provide a plurality of light receiving sensors provided in the subunit for each modulation frequency in order to support various AV devices, which hinders miniaturization and It causes cost increase.

Next, the third problem will be described. The infrared remote control signal transmitted from the remote control is transmitted to the light receiving section of the AV device via the subunit, the distributor, the network box, and the infrared remote control commander. Since the infrared remote control signal is transmitted via many component devices in this way, compared with a case where the signal is directly transmitted from the remote control to the AV device, errors due to each component device are accumulated,
Errors such as waveform delay and duty ratio increase.

On the other hand, due to the characteristics of the light receiving sensor, even if the irradiation angle of the infrared remote control signal to the light receiving sensor deviates from the center or the distance between the remote control and the subunit increases, the light receiving amount of the light receiving sensor decreases. The infrared remote control signal received by the light receiving sensor has a large error and distortion. Therefore, if the error accumulated by the former components is large, it is necessary to reduce the latter error element. Therefore, it is necessary to narrow the angle range in which the light receiving sensor can receive light, or to limit the distance between the subunit and the remote controller to be shorter. Also, the infrared light emitting element of the remote control can obtain sufficient output if the battery in the remote control is new, but if the battery is exhausted, the output will be small, and similarly, there is a cause of error. Therefore, it is necessary to shorten the usable period of the battery. Thus, in the conventional AV device video distribution system,
A range that can be received by the remote controller and A that is received by the remote controller
There are places where the usability of the user is limited, such as the distance to the V device and the usable period of the battery. That is, the usability of the user is poor in terms of the light receiving range of the remote controller and the like.

Next, a fourth problem will be described. FIG.
In, for example, when devices controlled by the same remote control key code and the same format are respectively installed in the living room L and the study S, the user
When you operate a device (for example, a TV) installed in the room with a remote control, an infrared remote control signal from the remote control
The signal is input not only to the device (in this case, a television) but also to the light receiving sensor 125 of the subunit 119, and
6, 115, and are sent to the living room L as infrared remote control signals by the infrared remote control commanders 104, 105, and 106 via the network box 110. Then, a device in the living room L ( AV device in this case) that is not intended by the user also receives the infrared remote control signal and operates.

As described above, in the conventional AV device video distribution system, the infrared remote control signals of devices other than the AV device controlled by the AV device video distribution system are also distributed to the living room L without any change. When the same remote control key code and the same bit 0 and bit 1 waveform timings and the same modulation frequency format are used, that is, if devices operating in the same format are installed, the infrared remote control signal is The distribution is performed by the distribution system, and the operation of the device not intended by the user causes problems such as wasteful power consumption, overheating and supercooling for an air conditioner, and noise for an acoustic device. That is, there is a possibility that a device not intended by the user may malfunction.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the user at the time of presetting, contribute to downsizing of the light receiving sensor side device, improve the usability of the user's remote controller, and operate only the device intended by the user. It is to provide an AV device video distribution system capable of performing the above.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of AV devices in one room.
A remote control for installing a main unit for controlling the devices and operating the plurality of AV devices in another room, a television for viewing the output of the AV device selected from the plurality of AV devices, and a remote control signal from the remote control And a sub unit that relays the selected AV device to the main unit, and allows the viewer to operate the selected AV device from the other room. And a means for controlling the AV device selected by the selection means in the main unit.

In this way, since the selection unit and the control unit are provided in the main unit, it is not necessary to preset individual remote controllers, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

The means for selecting any one of the plurality of AV devices sets in advance a correspondence relationship between a point at which each of the plurality of AV devices is connected and a selection remote control signal generated by the remote control. A connection point / selection signal correspondence table is provided, and the relationship between the connection point and the selection signal can be preset by a general user.

Further, the preset remote control signal,
And a remote control signal for selecting any of the plurality of AV devices, and an AV selected by the selected remote control signal.
The format of the remote control signal for controlling the device is a format common to all the remote controls.

In this way, only one kind of light receiving sensor is required, which contributes to downsizing of the light receiving sensor side device (subunit), user convenience is good, and the AV format intended by the user because the signal format is common. Only can work.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. (1) The entire configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and (2) the partial detailed configuration shown in FIG. Will be explained. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the parts already described in the conventional example, and redundant description is omitted.

(1) Overall Configuration of the Present Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the present embodiment. The difference from the conventional example is an infrared remote controller 11 and a microcomputer 21. The detailed configurations of the infrared remote controller 11 and the microcomputer 21 will be described below.

(2) Partial detailed configuration of the present embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a partial detailed configuration of the present embodiment.

Remote controller 11 As shown in FIG. 2, the infrared remote controller 11 arranged in the study S or the like has a preset control code generator 11a for generating a preset control code, and a device selection code for individually selecting a desired AV device. The generation unit 11b and the selected AV
It has a device control code generation unit 11c for controlling the device (operation such as start of reproduction).

The preset control code generator 11a generates a signal for creating a preset data holding table 21a, which is a "connection point / selection signal correspondence table" described later in the network box (main unit) 20. Here, the preset means that the desired AV device can be selected by transmitting a device selection code set in advance corresponding to the AV device desired to be viewed, as described above.

The device selection code generator 11b determines which AV
A code is generated by the infrared remote controller to select a device (for example, the AV device (A) 101). The device control code generator 11c generates a code for controlling (for example, starting reproduction) the selected AV device (for example, the AV device (A) 101).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an infrared remote control signal, and a leader code 3 indicating that the remote control signal starts.
1, a custom code 32 required to identify each AV device, and a data code 33 indicating a control instruction to the selected AV device. The timing definition of the modulation frequency, bit 0, and bit 1 of each AV device is shown.

The remote controller 11 includes various function keys 15 such as a preset key 15a, a reproduction key 15b, and a stop key 15c for displaying an intention to start a preset.
A ten key 16 used for presetting is provided.

Microcomputer 21 The microcomputer 21 indicates which of the AV devices 101, 102, and 103 the device number code of 00 to FF is assigned to, and makes the input code (format) common to all the remote controllers, and selects the functions of the remote controllers. Key (for example,
Pressing the (play key) causes the "control input signal / device control output signal correspondence table" to output the same function code (in this case, the playback code) regardless of which AV device is selected. A certain manufacturer key code table 2
1b (FIG. 5) and which AV device (eg, AV device 10)
Preset data holding table 21a which is a “connection point / selection signal correspondence table” in which the connection point 1) is connected to the microcomputer 21 and is stored (stored) as preset data (holding device code) as a table. 6), a remote controller code identification unit 21c for identifying what code is issued by the remote controller, and a memory buffer 21d used during various calculations. It should be noted that the remote control key code identification section 21c assigns the data codes so that the data codes do not overlap so that the preset control code, the device selection code, and the device control code can be identified.

(3) Description of Operation Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The AV device video distribution system of the present embodiment includes three AV devices 101, 102, 1
03 can be designated as a preset setting. These three are referred to as device A, device B, and device C for convenience.

Operation When Inputting Demodulated Remote Control Electric Signal When the demodulated remote control electric signal is input from the transmission / reception unit 113 (step S201), the microcomputer 21 executes the custom code 32 and the data code 33 (see FIG. 4) is stored in the memory buffer 21d that temporarily holds (step S202). Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 recognizes the data code 33 in the memory buffer 21d and compares it with a pre-programmed remote control key code.
1 controlled by AV equipment video distribution system
The remote control key code of the device is preset control code for starting the preset setting to the microcomputer 21 or the AV control code.
It is determined whether it is a device control code for controlling the device or a device selection code for selecting an AV device from the devices A, B, and C (step S203).

The infrared remote controller assigns different data codes to the device control code and the preset control code as described above. For example, when the user presses the preset key 15a, the data code (device number code) “00” (see FIG. 5) of the remote control electric signal is transmitted from the remote control to the microcomputer 21, and the remote control key code identification unit 21c transmits the preset control code and Identify. When a certain function key (for example, a reproduction key 15b) of the remote controller 11 is pressed, the remote controller key code identification unit 21c transmits the data code (input code) transmitted from the remote controller 11.
Is received (see FIG. 5) and identified as a device control code for the AV device.

Operation When Receiving Preset Control Code First, the operation when the microcomputer 21 receives the “preset control code” will be described.

First, a device number code such as “00” is assigned to each AV device and “01” is assigned to device 01 (see FIG. 5), and the AV device preset by the operator is assigned to each AV device. To select, first select preset key 1
The device number code is designated by pressing 5a and further pressing the numeric keypad 16. When the operator inputs the device number code, the microcomputer 21 receives the device number code (step S204). Next, the operator selects where to register the device number code of the device A, the device B, or the device C using the remote controller. The microcomputer 21 determines whether the AV device for which the preset is to be set is the device A or the device B in the preset data holding table 51 (see FIGS. 2 and 6).
Or, a data code indicating the assignment to the device C is received (step S205). Then, the microcomputer 21
In the preset data holding table 51, the devices A, B,
The device number code is written to one of the devices C, and held until a new overwrite is performed (step S206). Thereafter, the microcomputer 21 clears the memory buffer 21d (step S213), and returns to waiting for input of a demodulated remote control signal (step S214).

Operation when receiving device selection code The operation of the microcomputer 21 when receiving the device selection code will be described. The AV device video distribution system of this embodiment can set presets for up to three devices. The operator needs to specify, with a remote controller, which of the device A, the device B, and the device C the device control code for operating the AV device described later is for. Microcomputer 21
Receives the data code of the predetermined operation, and receives the device A, device B, device C in the preset data holding table (FIG. 6).
And writes the data code indicating the selected device A, device B, or device C into the selected memory buffer 21d (steps S207 and S207).
8). This content is retained until it is newly overwritten. Thereafter, the microcomputer 21 clears the memory buffer 21d (step S213), and returns to waiting for input of a demodulated remote control signal (step S214).

Operation at the time of receiving a device control code The operation of the microcomputer 21 when receiving a device control code will be described. First, the microcomputer 21 refers to the memory buffer 21d and determines which of the device A, the device B, and the device C the received device control code is for a device that has been preset (step S209). Next, the device number code of the AV device indicated by the memory buffer 21d is known by referring to the preset data holding table 51 (step S210). Next, referring to the control code table 42 corresponding to the device number code in the maker key code table 41, the format data and the output code corresponding to the device control code are obtained (step S21).
1). Then, a remote control electric signal is transmitted in accordance therewith (step S212).

For example, a case where the device A indicated by the device number code 02 is preset to the device A, the device A is selected, and the device control code 12 is input will be described. The microcomputer 21 refers to the memory buffer 21d and recognizes that the received device control code is for an AV device preset to the device A. Then, the microcomputer 21 selects the device 02 indicated by 02 in the maker key code table 41 from the device number code 02 indicated by device A in the preset data holding table 51. Next, referring to the control code table 42 of the device 02, a remote control electric signal is transmitted according to the format data in the output code "000002" indicated by the device control code 12. However,
When the output code corresponding to the input key code is not assigned, as indicated by the input code FB or FC in the control code table 42,
Since it is not converted into an output code, it does not transmit the remote control electric signal. Finally, the microcomputer 21 clears the memory buffer after the above-described first, second, and third operations (step S214).

With such an operation, the AV equipment video distribution system of the present invention can preset the remote control key codes of the three AV equipments in the network box (main unit) and operate those AV equipments. Become.

In this embodiment, the general case of the code of the infrared remote control signal has been described (for example, there is a possibility that Mr. A's house and Mr. B's house next door have the same code). Different codes may be used for all AV device video distribution systems, such as a remote-controlled door key.

[0041]

According to the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained. The first effect will be described. By providing a microcomputer with the function of setting remote controller key code presets in the network box (main unit), once the presets are set to the microcomputers in the network box by the remote control, the remote control in each room Is converted into a remote control electric signal of the AV device to be controlled by the network box preset and transmitted. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually set presets for the maker of each AV device and the remote control key code of the AV device in each remote control in each room, or to perform the preset setting operation every time the battery of the remote control is replaced. Thus, the burden on the user is reduced. In addition, mistakes in preset settings are reduced.

Next, the second effect will be described. In the conventional AV equipment video distribution system, as described in the “prior art”, it is necessary to provide a plurality of light receiving sensors in the subunit. Since only one type of modulation frequency is required for a remote control key code of a device video distribution system and a single format, only one light receiving sensor of a subunit is required. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of light receiving sensors corresponding to the modulation frequency of the infrared remote control signal of each maker in the subunit, and it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the subunit.

Next, the third effect will be described. The infrared remote control signal of the conventional AV equipment video distribution system is
As described in "Prior Art", the cumulative error of each component, and the larger the irradiation angle of the infrared remote control signal to the light receiving sensor and the distance from the remote control to the light receiving sensor, the smaller the light receiving amount of the light receiving sensor, and the light receiving sensor Of the infrared remote control signal received by the receiver, and errors such as a duty ratio. However, between the remote control and the subunits of the AV device video distribution system of the present invention, a remote controller key code unique to the AV device video distribution system and a common format are transmitted and preset by the microcomputer in the network box. Since it is sent to the AV equipment by the infrared remote control commander,
Since the error due to the configuration up to the device is sufficient, the cumulative error of each component device is smaller than that of the conventional AV device video distribution system. As to other errors, errors due to the relationship between the light-receiving sensor and the infrared remote control signal, which are other factors, reduce the allowable error range, thereby improving the usability of the remote control. Similarly, if the battery of the remote control was exhausted, the output also became small, causing errors.
The limitation on the battery usable period is also eased.

Next, a fourth effect will be described. Between the remote control and the sub-unit, a unique remote control key code dedicated to the AV equipment video distribution system and a single format are transmitted, and the microcomputer sets presets and converts them to infrared remote control signals for the first time. It can be distributed. For example, in a living room and a study shown in FIG. 1, when devices operating in the same remote control key code and the same format are installed, respectively,
Even if the infrared remote control signal of the device is received by the sub-unit of the study, the microcomputer does not set a preset, and thus is rejected by the microcomputer and is not distributed. As described above, in the AV device video distribution system of the present invention, since the infrared remote control signal without the preset setting is not distributed, the infrared remote control signal not intended by the user is distributed from the study to the living room by the AV device video distribution system. It is possible to avoid the problem of wasteful power consumption, overheating and undercooling in an air conditioner, and noise in an audio device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a partial detailed configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an example of an infrared remote control signal used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a maker key code table and a control code table in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a preset data holding table in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional AV device video distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 12, 13 Infrared remote controller 11a Preset control code generator 11b Device selection code generator 11c Device control code generator 15 Function key 15a Preset key 15b Play key 15c Stop-16 numeric keypad 20 Network box (main unit) 21 Microcomputer 21a Preset Data holding table 21b Manufacturer key code table 21c Remote control code identification unit 21d Memory buffer 101, 102, 103 AV equipment 119 Subunit 125 Light receiving sensor 131 Television

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of AV devices and a plurality of A
A main unit for controlling the V equipment, a remote controller for operating the plurality of AV equipment in another room, a television for viewing the output of the AV equipment selected from the plurality of AV equipment, and a remote control from the remote control A sub-unit for relaying a signal to the main unit is installed,
In an AV device video distribution system that enables a viewer to operate the selected AV device from the other room, a means for selecting any of the plurality of AV devices and controlling the AV device selected by the selection unit An AV device video distribution system, comprising: 2. The means for selecting any one of the plurality of AV devices sets in advance a correspondence relationship between a point where each of the plurality of AV devices is connected and a selection remote control signal generated by the remote control. 2. The AV device video distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a connection point / selection signal correspondence table, wherein a relationship between the connection point and the selection signal can be preset by a general user. 3. The format of the remote control signal for presetting, the remote control signal for selecting one of the plurality of AV devices, and the remote control signal for controlling the AV device selected by the selected remote control signal are all of the formats. The AV device video distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the format is common to a remote controller. 4. The control means for controlling the selected AV device includes: a control remote control signal input from the remote control;
4. A control input signal / device control output signal correspondence table in which a correspondence relationship between output signals output for controlling the selected AV device is set in advance. An AV device video distribution system according to any one of the above. 5. The AV device video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control signal is a unique signal included only in the AV device video distribution system. 6. The AV equipment video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control signal is an infrared remote control signal.