JP2002024045A - Signal processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost by making an information processing capacity of digital equipment possible to cope with future version-up in a digital equipment system. SOLUTION: The digital equipment system is constituted by connecting pieces of digital equipment 5, 6, 7, 8 with a signal processor 2 by a network 3, a signal processing means 2 can be changed to information processing functions according to each piece of the digital equipment 5, 6, 7, 8 by a programmable signal to be transmitted via the network 3, and the information processing functions can be updated in the system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital equipment system, and more particularly, to a digital equipment system connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-3044 discloses an electronic equipment system configured by connecting electronic equipment via a network.
No. 77, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-68991, and
JP-A-503592 and JP-A-6-54379. Such an electronic device system includes a network such as the Internet, and a host computer and an electronic device capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the network. The host computer is, for example, a PC (personal computer) provided with communication means for transmitting and receiving to and from a network. The electronic device is, for example, a television or a water heater in each home, and includes a communication unit for transmitting and receiving to and from a network. In such an electronic device system, data necessary for control (for example, weather information, TV program information)
And the like are transmitted from the host computer to the respective electronic devices via the network. Each electronic device stores data received via a network in a ROM or the like, and is controlled using the data. Further, when a program for controlling each electronic device is upgraded, each electronic device can acquire the upgraded program from a host computer via a network.

[0003]

It is expected that electronic devices connected to a network will be digitized in the future. As digitalized electronic devices, so-called digital devices, there are, for example, digital televisions, MDs (minidisks), and STBs (set-top boxes for receiving satellite broadcasts). These devices perform digital processing according to the device on data received from the outside or data read from a recording medium, convert the processed digital data into analog signals, and output them as images or sounds. Such digital processing is performed not by software but by hardware processing from the viewpoint of processing speed. In this case, for example, processing by MPEG2 is performed by MPEG.
In order to upgrade to the performance of 4, the conventional system LSI needs to be replaced and the digital device itself needs to be replaced. Even if a digital device is connected to a network as in the above publication, the system LSI cannot perform desired information processing only by upgrading the program. In addition, high-performance system LSIs are expensive and are expected to hinder the cost reduction of digital equipment systems.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to enable the information processing capability of a digital device to be compatible with future version upgrades in a digital device system. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital device system comprising:
The goal is to reduce costs.

[0005]

The digital equipment system according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured by connecting digital equipment and a signal processing device via a network. The digital device includes first communication means for transmitting and receiving digital signals to and from the signal processing device via a network.
The signal processing device includes second communication means for transmitting and receiving a digital signal to and from a digital device via a network, and processing means for performing a predetermined process on the digital signal from the digital device in accordance with the digital device. I have.

In such a digital equipment system,
The digital device transmits a digital signal from the first communication means to the second communication means of the signal processing device via the network. In the signal processing device, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the digital signal received by the second communication unit in accordance with each digital device. Specifically, if the digital signal is received from a digital television, the digital television performs necessary signal processing, such as performing necessary signal processing on the digital television. The processed digital data is returned from the second communication means to the first communication means of the digital device via the network. The digital device converts the signal received by the first communication unit into an analog signal, and outputs it as a sound or an image.

In this case, since the digital processing is performed by an external signal processing device, there is no need to provide an expensive signal processing unit (a portion corresponding to the signal processing device) for each digital device, and the entire digital device system is not required. However, the cost of the device itself can be reduced. In addition, since such a digital device and a signal processing unit (portion corresponding to the signal processing device) are separately configured, when replacing the device, the external signal processing device is used as it is and other components are used. You only need to buy a new part. Therefore, in the digital equipment system as a whole, an expensive system LSI can be effectively used, which can contribute to resource saving.

A digital device system according to a second aspect of the present invention
In the system according to the first aspect, the processing unit includes a plurality of logic circuits, and a connection between the logic circuits is changed by a programmable signal transmitted through a network.
In such a digital equipment system, the information processing function of the processing means can be changed by changing the connection of a plurality of logic circuits constituting the processing means. Specifically, when the digital processing is to be updated from MPEG2 to MPEG4, the hardware functions are changed from those corresponding to MPEG2 to those corresponding to MPEG4 by changing the connection of the logic circuit based on the programmable signal. I do. In this case, it is possible to change only the functions of the processing means by a programmable signal without changing the hardware. Therefore, only the function can be updated without replacing the signal processing means, and the latest function can be provided while minimizing the burden on the user.

The connection of the logic circuit is changed so that the function of the processing means according to the type of digital equipment (digital television, MD, etc.). In this case, a plurality of digital devices can be controlled by one processing means.
The cost of the system can be reduced. A digital equipment system according to a third aspect is the digital equipment system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the network is IEEE.
1394. In this case, since the transmission bandwidth can be ensured, it is also suitable for transmitting moving images such as digital television. Also, the plug can be inserted and removed without turning off the power of the device, which is convenient when changing the connection of the device.

A digital device system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes:
In any one of the systems according to the first to third aspects, the network is connected to the Internet, and the connection between the logic circuits of the processing unit is changed by a programmable signal transmitted via the Internet. In such a digital equipment system, for example, a user confirms an intention display by telephone, transmits a programmable signal from a host computer on the manufacturer side to a signal processing device (processing unit) via the Internet, and executes the function of the signal processing device. Update. In this case, the processing method of the signal processing device can be updated without any troublesome work.

[0011] A signal processing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a communication means for transmitting and receiving a digital signal to and from a digital device via a network, and a processing means for performing a predetermined process on the digital signal from the digital device according to the digital device. And In this case, the same effects as those of the signal processing device constituting the digital device system according to the first aspect are obtained.

A digital device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided with communication means connected to the signal processing device via a network and transmitting / receiving digital signals to / from the signal processing device via the network. In this case, the same effects as those of the digital device constituting the digital device system of the first aspect are obtained.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital equipment system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This digital equipment system 1
Are digital devices 5, 6, 7, 8 and a signal processing device 2
And a network 3 to which they are connected. In the present embodiment, the digital device is a DTV
(Digital TV) 5, MD (mini-disc player) 6, STB (set-top box for receiving satellite broadcasts) 7, and DVHS (digital video player) 8. The DTV 5 is a device that converts a digital signal received by an antenna into an image and displays the image on a monitor. The MD 6 is a device for reading digital data stored in a mini-disc by an optical means such as a semiconductor laser, converting the data into voice, and outputting the voice to a speaker. ST
B7 is a device that converts an encrypted satellite broadcast signal into an image signal and outputs it to the DTV 5 or a normal television. DV
The HS 8 is a device that reads digital data recorded on a magnetic tape, converts the digital data into an image signal, and outputs the image signal to the DTV 5 or a normal television.

The signal processing device 2 is a device that bears a part of signal processing of the digital devices 5, 6, 7, and 8, as described later. The network 3 includes digital devices 5
This is a bus-type network to which 6, 7, 8 and the signal processing device 2 are connected. For example, IEEE 1394 can be used as such a network.

The network 3 is connected to the Internet 4
It is connected to the. Generally, the network 3 is connected to the Internet 4 via a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), or a telephone line. The Internet 4 may be connected to a host computer 9 of a maker of the digital devices 5, 6, 7, and 8. in this case,
Host computer 9 and digital devices 5, 6, 7, 8
Alternatively, information can be transmitted to and received from the signal processing device 2 via the network 3 and the Internet 4.

[Configuration of Digital Equipment and Signal Processing Apparatus] FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the DTV 5 as an example of the digital equipment and a schematic configuration of the signal processing means 2. Hereinafter, transmission and reception of information between the DTV 5 and the signal processing means 2 will be described with reference to FIG. DTV
5 mainly includes an RF circuit 12, a D / A conversion unit 13, a first communication unit 11, and a storage unit 14. The RF circuit 12 performs a certain process on the signal received from the antenna, and outputs the signal to the first communication unit 11. First communication means 11
Converts the level of the signal received from the RF circuit 11 and outputs it to the network 3, and converts the level of the signal received from the network 3 and outputs it to the D / A converter 13. The DA converter 13 converts a digital signal received from the first communication unit 11 into an analog signal. A monitor (not shown) displays an image using the analog signal. The storage unit 14 is a recording medium for storing a program for changing the connection of the logic circuit of the processing unit 16 described later, and is configured by a readable and writable EEPROM or the like.

The signal processing means 2 comprises: a second communication means 15;
It mainly comprises processing means 16 and rewriting means 17. The second communication unit 15 converts the level of the signal received from the network 3 and outputs it to the processing unit 16, and converts the level of the signal received from the processing unit 16 and outputs it to the network 3. The processing means 16 includes an FPGA (Field
d Programmable Gate Arra
y) and CPLD (Complex Programma)
system L such as ble Logic Device)
It is composed of an SI, a microcomputer, a DSP, or a combination thereof, and performs processing according to each digital device on a digital signal. A system LSI such as an FPGA or a CPLD is a programmable IC that includes a plurality of logic circuits and can change the connection between the logic circuits by an external digital signal (programmable signal). The rewriting means 17 receives the programmable signal from the second communication means 15 and changes the connection of the logic circuit of the processing means 16 based on this signal.

[Flow of signal processing] Signal transmission and reception in such a digital equipment system is as follows. The high frequency signal (RF) received from the antenna is RF
The signal is detected by the circuit 12 and converted into a digital signal. The first communication unit 11 converts the level of the digital signal into a level suitable for the network 3 and outputs the digital signal to the network 3. The second communication means 15 of the signal processing means 2
The digital signal output from the communication means 11 is received via the network 3, and the level of the digital signal is converted to a signal level suitable for the processing means 16. Processing means 16
Performs the necessary processing on the DTV 5 on the digital signal and returns it to the second communication means 15. The second communication unit 15 converts the level of the processed digital signal into a level suitable for the network 3 again, and outputs it to the network 3. DTV
The first communication means 11 receives the processed digital signal via the network 3 and converts the digital signal to a level suitable for the D / A converter 13. The D / A converter 13 converts the received digital signal into an analog signal and outputs it to a monitor, and the monitor displays an image based on the signal.

[Function Update] When the function of the processing means 16 is updated to a new function, the first communication means 11 reads a program (digital data) stored in the storage means 14 and converts the level. Output to the network 3 as a programmable signal. Second communication means 15
Converts the level of the programmable signal received via the network 3 and outputs it to the rewriting means 17. The rewriting means 17 is a processing means 16 based on the programmable signal.
Change the connection of the logic circuit.

For example, the function of the processing means 16 may be updated by rewriting the contents of the storage means 14 from the manufacturer's host computer via the Internet in response to a user's intention to update via telephone. it can. In this case, the user can update the processing method of the processing unit 16 only by making an intention display by telephone or the like without troublesome labor. Alternatively, the application may be made available on the manufacturer's homepage. Alternatively, the function may be registered in advance and automatically updated via the Internet each time the function of the processing unit 16 is updated. If a plurality of methods are prepared in this way, the user can select the most suitable method and display the intention.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the IEEE 1394 is used as the network 3, but Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, or the like may be used.

[0022]

According to the present invention, in the digital equipment system, only the functions of the processing means 16 can be changed by the programmable signal without changing the hardware constituting the processing means 16. Therefore, only the function can be updated without replacing the signal processing device, and the latest function can be provided while minimizing the burden on the user.

Further, according to the present invention, in a digital processing system, digital processing is performed by an external signal processing device, so that it is necessary to provide a signal processing unit (a portion corresponding to the signal processing device) for each digital device. Cost reduction. Further, according to the present invention, the digital device main body does not have an expensive signal processing unit, and when replacing a device, the external signal processing device may be used as it is and only the other portions may be replaced. Therefore, an expensive system LSI can be effectively used, which can contribute to resource saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital system employing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital device and the signal processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 digital equipment system 2 signal processing device 3 network 4 Internet 5 DTV (digital television) 6 MD (mini-disc player) 7 STB (set-top box) 8 DVHS (digital video deck) 11 first communication means 15 second communication means 16 Processing means

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Claims (6)

[Claims] A digital device and a signal processing device are connected by a network, and the digital device includes first communication means for transmitting and receiving a digital signal to and from the signal processing device via a network. A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving a digital signal to and from the digital device via a network; and a process for performing a predetermined process on the digital signal from the digital device in accordance with the digital device. Means,
Digital equipment system. 2. The digital equipment system according to claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises a plurality of logic circuits, and a connection between said logic circuits is changed by a programmable signal transmitted through said network. 3. The digital device system according to claim 1, wherein said network is IEEE1394. 4. The network according to claim 1, wherein the network is connected to the Internet, and the processing unit changes the connection between the logic circuits by a programmable signal transmitted via the Internet. 2. The digital device system according to item 1. 5. A communication device for transmitting and receiving a digital signal to and from a digital device via a network, and a processing device for performing a predetermined process on the digital signal from the digital device according to the digital device.
Signal processing device. 6. A digital device connected to a signal processing device via a network and comprising communication means for transmitting and receiving digital signals to and from the signal processing device via the network.