JP2001086480A - Channel auto switch system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correspond even to multi-channel broadcasting by automatically switching and outputting broadcasting programs or a video and sound signal of video contents according to a channel switching program provided by an external network. SOLUTION: This auto switching system 1 obtains a program switching program from a control center server. The center prepares a program switching program in the unit of one week and one month. In the program switching program, a date, switching time and a set channel are described with text data. The program switching program is distributed through a network. The PC 11 for control of the system 1 receives the program switching program and stores it in a prescribed storage area. When the system 1 is started, the system 1 first loads a program on that day. Then, the system 1 performs necessary initialization. The system 1 transmits a waiting channel switching command to a multi AV controller 12 till the next switching time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention receives a plurality of programs of different broadcasting systems such as terrestrial broadcasting, broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite (hereinafter, BS broadcasting), and broadcasting using a communication satellite (hereinafter, CS broadcasting). Alternatively, the video content is reproduced by a digital versatile disk (hereinafter referred to as DVD) or a VHS standard video reproducing device, and a channel switching program set in advance is used to reproduce the video content.
The present invention relates to a channel auto switch system for automatically switching a broadcast program or a reproduced video and displaying it on a monitor.
The video contents include those reproduced and displayed by a personal computer or the like, such as a display screen using dedicated software or a World Wide Web (hereinafter, Web) browser.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a business-use video display device or video distribution device which is installed in a store or the like to switch and display video from a plurality of video sources by a program for the purpose of attracting customers and customer service.

[0003]

In recent years, CS broadcasting, which is digital multi-channel broadcasting using communication satellites, has been provided. CS broadcasts are provided with programs that meet various tastes and preferences of viewers due to their multi-channel characteristics, and are therefore most suitable as video sources for business-use video display devices aimed at attracting customers and providing customer service. However, CS broadcasting has more than a hundred channels, and it is very difficult for a store manager to always appropriately set a video switching program, and it is practically impossible.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a channel auto switch system for a commercial video display device or video distribution device capable of coping with multi-channel broadcasting such as CS broadcasting. The task is to present the mechanism of

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of broadcast receivers and playback devices for video contents, and a video from the broadcast receivers and playback devices. A video / audio signal switching device for selecting and outputting one of the audio signals, and externally controlling the broadcast receiver and the playback device according to a preset channel switching program and switching the output signal of the video / audio signal switching device. instructing, comprising a control unit connectable to an external network, and the channel auto switching system for automatically switching the output video and audio signals of broadcast program or video content in accordance with said channel switching program provided from an external network The point is to configure.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a second aspect of the present invention
In the aspect, a plurality of broadcast receivers and video content playback devices, a video and audio signal switching device that selects and outputs one of the video and audio signals from those broadcast receivers and playback devices, A control unit that instructs switching of an output signal of the video / audio signal switching device according to a channel switching program, and that can be connected to an external network; and a broadcast program or video content according to the channel switching program provided from the external network. The purpose is to provide a channel auto switch system for automatically switching and outputting the video and audio signals.

[0007] By creating a channel switching program by a specialized trader, the program setting work in each store becomes unnecessary. In addition, information specific to a store to be transmitted to each store may be separately prepared as package content to be reproduced by the reproduction device.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a channel auto switch system 1 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a control personal computer. Reference numeral 12 denotes a multi AV controller. The control personal computer 11 and the multi AV controller 12 constitute a control unit of the channel auto switch system 1. Control personal computer 11
Executes the channel switching program and
Control the connected receiver or playback device through the controller. The multi AV controller 12 has a plurality of RS232C serial output ports, and in accordance with an instruction from the control personal computer 11, sends operation commands such as channel switching, playback / stop of a receiver or a playback device connected to these output ports to the receiver. Alternatively, the data is transmitted according to a command protocol defined with the playback device.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a CS tuner. 21 is VH
It is a BS broadcast / terrestrial broadcast tuner built in an S-video playback device. A VHS video is reproduced or a broadcast of a set channel is received, and a video / audio signal of a current television standard is output. Reference numeral 22 denotes a DVD playback device. 23 is an audio cassette deck. 24 is a cable TV tuner. Reference numeral 14 denotes a personal computer for reproducing original contents. Reference numeral 15 denotes a down converter, which converts a video signal to the monitor of the personal computer 14 into an NTSC signal and outputs the signal.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an AV switcher. The AV switcher 13 receives video and audio signals of the current television standard output from the video sources 20 to 24 and 15, selects one of them, and outputs it as a video signal and an audio signal. The selection switching of the video / audio signal is instructed by the multi AV controller 12. A monitor 30 displays a video signal output from the AV switcher 13. Reference numeral 31 denotes an audio amplifier, which is an AV switcher 1
3 is amplified and output from the speaker 32.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a central management server. The auto switch system 1 is connected to a central management server 2 via a network 3 and receives a channel switching program from the central management server 2.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the auto switch system 1 for obtaining a program switching program from the central management server. One program switching program at the center
It is created on a weekly or monthly basis (S10). The program switching program describes a date, a switching time, and a set channel by text data. This is distributed via the network (S12). The control personal computer 11 of the auto switch system 1 receives the program switching program and stores it in a predetermined storage area (S14).

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the channel switching operation of the auto switch system 1. When activated, the auto switch system 1 first loads the program of the day (S20). Then, necessary initial settings are performed (S22). Wait until the next switching time (S2
4). When the switching time comes, a channel switching command is sent to the multi AV controller 12 (S2).
6). The multi AV controller 12 interprets the channel switching command and sends a channel switching signal or a control signal from an appropriate output serial port to a broadcast receiver or a video playback device connected to the output port.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a channel auto switch system 4 according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. The difference from FIG. 1 described above is that the multi AV controller 12 is not shown in FIG.
S broadcast tuner 20 (plural) and BS / VHS built-in TV
It is limited to the three types of the tuner 21 and the personal computer 14, and the control personal computer directly controls the output selection of the AV switcher 13. Even in such a configuration, if the channels of the tuners are fixedly set and tuners are prepared according to the number of channels desired to be viewed, a video display device similar to the system of FIG. 1 can be realized.

Although the broadcast tuner used in the channel auto switch system 1 shown in FIG. 1 needs to be capable of externally controlling channel switching and the like, the system shown in FIG. 4 can use a type of tuner that cannot be externally controlled. However, since the channel setting of each tuner is fixed, it is necessary to prepare as many tuners as possible so that many channels can be viewed.

The operation flow of the system of FIG. 4 is basically the same as the operation flow of the system of FIG. However, step S26 in FIG. 3 is read as "switcher switching signal output".

The above-described channel auto switch system 1
The configuration and operation of the fourth and fourth embodiments have been described. Hereinafter, an application using this system will be described in order to more specifically show the significance and effects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a video providing service to stores such as a distribution and restaurant industry centering on a channel auto switch system. In a service center (hereinafter referred to as a center), a basic program common to all users is created based on a program table of CS broadcast, BS broadcast, and terrestrial broadcast. This is newly created, for example, monthly from the central management server of the center, and is distributed to the user's (store) personal computer once a month via the network. Separately, a user (store) -specific original content is produced at the center, and a user (store) individual program is created that inserts this original content at regular intervals between basic programs. It is possible to provide an in-store video providing service in such a manner that the original content is played for three minutes every time.

The original content is provided as one of programs in the form of personal computer software or VHS video. The user (store) sends a flyer or product photo, product description (product specifications), and narration manuscript to the center, and the center uses content software to be played back and displayed on a personal computer, or records this in VHS video, (Stores). The original content can be updated at any time according to individual circumstances such as the sales plan of the user (store). By using the channel auto switch system, it is possible to effectively use a multi-channel video source such as a CS broadcast and to provide such a video providing service for transmitting information unique to the store in a timely manner.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a business-use video display device which effectively utilizes satellite digital multi-channel broadcasting to effectively attract customers in a store and provide information to customers. Provide a central mechanism for doing so. The program switching program for that purpose can receive the program created by the specialized trader through the network, so that the trouble of the person in charge does not increase. In addition, since video data of content reproduced on a personal computer or content reproduced by VHS video or the like can be handled, information unique to the store can be appealed to visitors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a channel auto switch system according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation of receiving a program switching program.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the channel auto switch system.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a channel auto switch system according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an application using a channel auto switch system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 channel auto switch system 2 central management server 3 network 11 control personal computer 12 multi AV controller 13 AV switcher 14 personal computer 15 down converter 20, 20a, ..., 20n CS broadcast tuner 21 VHS video playback device built-in BS / terrestrial broadcast tuner 22 DVD playback device 23 Audio cassette playback device 24 Cable TV tuner 30 Monitor 31 Audio amplifier 32 Speaker

Claims (2)

[Claims] An apparatus for reproducing a plurality of broadcast receivers and video contents, a video and audio signal switching apparatus for selecting and outputting one of the video and audio signals from the broadcast receiver and the reproduction apparatus, A control unit connectable to an external network, which externally controls the broadcast receiver and the playback device in accordance with the channel switching program and instructs switching of the output signal of the video / audio signal switching device, provided by the external network. A channel automatic switch system for automatically switching and outputting a video / audio signal of a broadcast program or video content according to the channel switching program. 2. A plurality of broadcast receivers and video content playback devices, a video and audio signal switching device for selecting and outputting one of video and audio signals from the broadcast receivers and playback devices, A control unit connectable to an external network for instructing switching of the output signal of the video / audio signal switching device according to the channel switching program, and a broadcast program or video content according to the channel switching program provided from the external network. A channel auto switch system characterized in that the video and audio signals are automatically switched and output.