JP2006039318A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide such electronic equipment that a user never misoperates while a display device is made usable. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment 1 is equipped with a video signal output means 41 of outputting a video signal etc., recorded on an HDD 21 etc., to the display device 14, a receiving means 45 which is provided on the display device and receives the video signal outputted from the output means, a discrimination means to discriminate whether or not the video signal is received by the receiving means, an operation input means 16 for inputting various operations, and a display control means 33 of making the display device 14 display control information. Further, the electronic equipment 1 is equipped with a control means 37 and changes operation input procedures of the operation input means 16 according to the result of the discrimination means 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus that records and reproduces audio data and the like.

  Electronic devices capable of reproducing audio / visual data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) have become widespread. These electronic devices can be connected to a display device such as a television to reproduce visual data. In addition, these electronic devices have a screen display function (On Screen Display: hereinafter referred to as OSD) for displaying characters on a display screen of a connected display device, and various operations can be easily performed using the OSD. There is also something like that.

  Normally, an electronic device that performs DVD playback as described above can also play a CD (Compact Disc). Such electronic devices are often in a state in which various operations such as CD playback must be performed by the OSD on the display device connected to the electronic device as well as the DVD.

JP 2002-320162 A

  By the way, in the electronic apparatus as described above, it is premised that video is enjoyed when playing a DVD, and it is normal to use it with a display device connected, but playback of a CD or the like consisting only of audio data. In that case, you only have to enjoy the audio. Therefore, a display device is not required other than performing various operations such as setting and status confirmation.

  However, if a display device is not used during CD playback, there is no way of knowing that even if the user performs an incorrect operation, and various settings are unintentionally changed by the operation. It was.

  In addition, if the operation specifications are such that the operation can be performed without looking at the display device, the wide display screen of the display device cannot be used, resulting in poor operability.

  Furthermore, there are electronic devices that can automatically switch between using the display device and not using the display device, but a signal for determining whether or not the display device is used is a dedicated signal. Since input was made via a terminal, it was impossible to connect depending on the model.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and an electronic device that can determine the usage status of a connected display device without using a dedicated control signal without impairing the user-friendliness. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device to which a display device can be connected, and a video signal output means for outputting a video signal to the display device, and an output provided in the display device. Receiving means for receiving a video signal output from the means, determination means for determining whether the video signal received by the receiving means is the same as the video signal output from the video signal output means, and various operations. Operation input means for inputting, display control means for displaying control information on the display device, control means for controlling the determination means, the operation input means, and the display control means. And the said control means changes the operation input procedure of the said operation input means according to the discrimination | determination result of the said discrimination means.

  Specifically, when it is determined that the determination unit is the same, the control unit uses an operation input procedure for performing various operations of the operation input unit using the display device, and the determination unit is not the same. If it is determined, the procedure is switched to an operation input procedure for performing various operations of the operation input means without using the display device.

  The determining means may determine whether or not the video signal received by the receiving means and the video signal output from the video signal output means are synchronized.

  According to the present invention, since the use status of the display device connected to the electronic device can be determined by the determining means, whether to display the control information on the display device according to whether the display device is used or not is used. You can choose. Therefore, regardless of the usage status of the display device, erroneous operations are reduced and usability is not impaired.

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, the video signal output from the electronic device to the display device is returned from the display device to the electronic device again, the video signal is received by the receiving means, and the two video signals are the same in the determining means. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a control signal for determination, and a highly versatile electronic device can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an audio visual apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external view of an audiovisual apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an audiovisual apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a main body unit 11, a left speaker 12 that converts a left channel audio signal into sound and outputs the sound, and a right channel audio signal as sound. A right speaker 13 that converts and outputs, a display device 14 that displays control information such as meta information of a video signal, a user interface image, and an audio signal, and a main body display unit 15 that is attached to a predetermined position of the main body unit 11. And a remote control device (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 16 for operation input.

  The main body 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing, and various devices are provided in the casing. The main body 11 is provided with an insertion slot into which various removable media (CD-ROM (including a music CD), MD (mini disk), memory card), not shown, are inserted. A CD-ROM, MD, and memory card are mounted in the main body 11. The main body 11 is provided with a hard disk (magnetic disk) inside.

  The main body 11 records and reproduces audio data and video data on various recording media (CD-ROM, MD, memory card, hard disk). The main body 11 receives audio data and / or video data broadcast on a broadcast network such as AM, FM radio broadcast, or satellite broadcast. The main unit 11 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and receives audio data and / or video data provided on the communication network. The main body 11 converts the reproduced or received audio data into an analog audio signal, amplifies the power, supplies it to the left speaker 12 and the right speaker 13, and outputs sound to the user. The main body 11 supplies the reproduced or received video data to the display device 14 and outputs the video. The main body 11 also displays control information such as user interface images and audio signal meta information. Further, the main body 11 performs control for copyright management of the audio data.

  The left speaker 12 and the right speaker 13 are connected to the main body 11 by an audio cable on the back side. The left speaker 12 and the right speaker 13 are supplied with an audio signal from the main body 11, convert the supplied audio signal into sound, and output the sound.

  The display device 14 is, for example, a flat panel display separate from the main body unit 11. The display device 14 includes a video input terminal 42 on the back side, and the video output terminal 41 of the main body 11 and the video input terminal 42 of the display device 14 are connected by a video cable 43 and are connected to the main body 11. The display device 14 is supplied with a video signal or the like from the main body 11 via the video cable 43, and displays the video signal and control information such as meta information of the user interface image and the audio signal.

  The display device 14 includes a video output terminal 44 on the back side, and the video input terminal 45 of the main body 11 and the video output terminal 44 of the display device 14 are connected by a video cable 46 and connected to the main body 11. Yes. The display device 14 is connected to the main body 11 via the video cable 46 and outputs a video signal and the like. Since the display device 14 is separate from the main body unit 11, the display device 14 may be installed not only in the upper part of the housing of the main body unit 11, but also anywhere within the cable reach.

  The main body display unit 15 includes a fluorescent display tube, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like, and is provided on the front surface of the main body unit 11. The main body display unit 15 is smaller than the display device 14. The main body display unit 15 displays control information such as symbols and messages indicating the operating status of the audio visual apparatus 1, user interface images, and audio signal meta information. Since the main body display unit 15 is smaller than the display device 14, the control information that can be displayed is limited. For example, even when control information such as meta information of the same audio signal is displayed, a simple display is performed.

  The remote controller 16 is a device that allows a user to input an operation to the audiovisual device 1. The remote controller 16 communicates with the main body 11 by wireless communication and supplies user input information to the main body 11.

  The audio visual device 1 having the above configuration is installed in a user's room or the like, for example, and functions as a device for providing music and video to the user.

  Next, the internal configuration of the audio visual apparatus 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of the main body 11 and the display device 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 21, a CD-ROM drive 22, a memory card drive 23, a communication interface 24, a mini disk (trademark) drive (hereinafter referred to as “disk drive”). MD drive) 25, a PCI interface circuit 26, a USB interface circuit 27, and a signal processing unit 28.

  The HDD 21 incorporates a hard disk (magnetic disk) as a recording medium, and records and reproduces audio data and / or video data on the hard disk. Specifically, the HDD 21 reproduces audio data in a predetermined compression format such as ATRAC and MP3 from the hard disk, and records audio data in a predetermined compression format on the hard disk. The HDD 21 is controlled by the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26. The HDD 21 exchanges audio data compressed in a predetermined format with the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26.

  The CD-ROM drive 22 is loaded with a CD-ROM, a CD, or the like. The CD-ROM drive 22 reproduces audio data or the like from a CD-ROM or CD. The CD-ROM drive 22 is controlled by a signal processing unit 28 via a PCI interface circuit 26. The CD-ROM drive 22 exchanges audio data and the like with the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26.

  The memory card drive 23 is loaded with a memory card having a nonvolatile semiconductor memory therein. The memory card drive 23 records and reproduces audio data and / or video data with respect to the memory card. Specifically, the memory card drive 23 reproduces audio data in a predetermined compression format such as ATRAC and MP3 from the memory card, and records audio data in a predetermined compression format on the memory card. The memory card drive 23 is controlled by the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26. The memory card drive 23 exchanges audio data and the like compressed in a predetermined format with the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26.

  The communication interface 24 is a network processing circuit that downloads voice data or the like from a server or the like on a communication network such as the Internet or uploads voice data or the like to the server. The communication interface 24 is controlled by the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26. The communication interface 24 exchanges audio data and the like with the signal processing unit 28 via the PCI interface circuit 26.

  The MD drive 25 is mounted with an MD. The MD drive 25 reproduces ATRAC audio data from the MD, and records ATRAC audio data on the MD. The MD drive 25 is controlled by the signal processing unit 28 via the USB interface circuit 27. However, the MD drive 25 exchanges audio data with the signal processing unit 28 without going through the USB interface circuit 27.

  The signal processing unit 28 performs various digital processes. Specifically, encoding processing and decoding processing corresponding to each recording medium, and encoding and decoding processing for audio data and video data transmitted / received via a communication network such as the Internet are performed. The signal processing unit 28 performs recording control of audio data and video data for the hard disk, the memory card, and the MD. The signal processing unit 28 controls reproduction of audio data and video data from a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD, etc., a memory card, and an MD.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 includes a tuner 30, an amplifier 31, a remote controller interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as a remote control I / F) 32, a video signal generation circuit 33, a video processor 34, , A video buffer 35, a synchronous comparison circuit 36, and a platform 37.

  The tuner 30 is a receiving device that receives audio data broadcast on a broadcasting network such as AM, FM radio broadcasting, and satellite broadcasting.

  The amplifier 31 receives an audio signal and amplifies the power of the audio signal. The amplifier 31 supplies the amplified audio signal to the speakers 12 and 13 via an audio cable.

  The remote control I / F 32 exchanges information with the remote control 16 by wireless communication. The remote control I / F 32 supplies the information received from the remote control 16 to the platform 37 and transmits the information given from the platform 37 to the remote control 16.

  The video signal generation circuit 33 receives a control signal (for example, an information signal for displaying a user interface, an information signal for displaying content metadata, etc.) given from the platform 37, and receives the input control signal. Convert to a video signal of a predetermined video format. The video signal generation circuit 33 supplies the generated video signal to the video processor 34.

  The video processor 34 is a circuit that generates a video signal to be displayed on the display device 14 and the main body display unit 15. The video processor 34 receives a video signal (for example, a video signal recorded in the HDD 21) given through the platform 37, and converts the input video signal into a video signal of a predetermined video format. The video processor 34 also receives the video signal generated by the video signal generation circuit 33. The video processor 34 supplies the video signal generated for output to the display device 14 to the video buffer 35, and supplies the video signal generated for output to the main body display unit 15 to the main body display unit 15 via the platform 37. To do.

  The video buffer 35 buffers a signal from the video processor 34. The video buffer 35 outputs the buffered signal to the display device 14 via the video output terminal 41.

  The synchronous comparison circuit 36 receives an output signal from the video processor 34 and an output signal output from the video buffer 14 b of the display device 14. The synchronization comparison circuit 36 outputs a synchronization state of signals input from the video processor 34 and the video buffer 14b to the platform 37 at a predetermined timing. Although the synchronization comparison circuit 36 has been described with reference to confirming the synchronization state at a predetermined timing, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a predetermined operation is performed, for example, when the operation is performed with the remote controller 16 It may be.

  The platform 37 converts the audio data out of the audio data and video data output from the signal processing unit 28 and the audio data output from the tuner 30 into an analog audio signal, outputs the analog audio signal, and outputs the video data to the amplifier 31. Output to the video processor 34. Further, when recording the audio data or the video data on any recording medium, the platform 37 outputs the audio data output from the tuner 30 or the audio data or video data output from the signal processing unit 28 as a signal. The data is output to the processing unit 28. Further, the platform 37 performs overall control of the audio visual device 1 such as output of a video signal or the like to the display device 14 or output of control information or the like to the main body display unit 15.

  The main body 11 further includes a video output terminal 41 that outputs a signal from the video buffer 35 to the display device 14 and a video input terminal 45 that receives a video signal from the display device.

  The video output terminal 41 is a video output terminal that outputs a signal from the video buffer 35. The video output terminal 41 of the main body 11 is connected to the video input terminal 42 of the display device 14 via a video cable 43.

  The video input terminal 45 is a video input terminal for inputting a signal from the outside, for example, a signal from the display device 14. The video input terminal 45 of the main body 11 is connected to the video output terminal 44 of the display device 14 via a video cable 46.

  Next, the display device 14 will be described. The display device 14 includes a video selector 14a, a video buffer 14b, a video input terminal 42, and a video output terminal 44.

  The video selector 14a selects a video signal input from a plurality of video input terminals 42 and outputs it to a signal processing circuit (not shown). The video selector 14a also outputs the selected video signal to the video buffer 14b.

  The video buffer 14b buffers the signal from the video selector 14a. The video buffer 14 b outputs the buffered signal to the synchronous comparison circuit 36 of the main body 11 via the video output terminal 44.

  In the main body 11 configured as described above, when audio and video are output, audio data and video data reproduced from each recording medium or audio data and video data received from a communication network are output to the platform 37. Alternatively, audio data or video data received from a broadcast network is input. The platform 37 supplies the input audio data to the amplifier 31 and supplies the video data to the display device 14 via the video processor 34 or the like, thereby performing audio output from the speakers 12 and 13, and outputting video from the display device 14. Output. Further, the platform 37 outputs a control signal to the display device 14 and the main body display unit 15, and displays control information such as user interface image and meta information of the audio signal by the control signal.

  The platform 37 receives an operation input from the remote controller 16 and performs various controls such as output and recording of sound and the like, and display control on the display device 14 and the main body display unit 15.

  The audio visual apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied has the above-described configuration, so that recording of audio data, etc., to the hard disk, MD, memory card, reproduction from the hard disk, MD, memory card, CD, etc., the Internet Download data, receive audio broadcasts, etc.

  Furthermore, since the audio visual apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied has the video signal generating circuit 33 and the display device 14 separated from the main body 11 in the main body 11, the user interface and content meta information Can be displayed in a user-friendly manner. In addition, since the audio visual apparatus 1 includes the synchronization comparison circuit 36, when the display apparatus 14 is not connected, the operation display using the display apparatus 14 is not used, but the main body display unit 15 is used. Switch to simple operation input procedure. Note that the above-described simple operation input procedure can be switched by a user switching operation even when the display device 14 is connected.

  Hereinafter, the procedure of the two operation inputs as described above will be described. First, a display screen displayed on the display device 14 will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, a CD reproduction by the audio visual apparatus 1 will be described as an example.

  First, in the display device 14, the display device 14 is connected to the audio visual device 1 via the video cables 43 and 46, and a video signal output from the main body 11 and a video signal input from the display device 14 are displayed. Are synchronized, a display screen as shown in FIG. 3I is displayed. As shown in FIG. 3 (i), on the display screen of the display device 14, the disc information 51 and the song information 52α, 52β, 52γ,. ) Is displayed. In addition, on the display screen of the display device 14 shown in FIG. 3I, a cursor 53 for displaying the current cursor position is displayed.

  The disc information 51 displays information recorded on the currently played CD such as a disc title. FIG. 3 (i) shows a state in which the music α is being reproduced.

  The song information 52 displays information (eg, song number, song name, song time, etc.) about the song recorded on the CD being played.

  While viewing the display screen as described above, the user can play the desired music by operating the remote controller 16.

  Specifically, for example, when the user wants to interrupt the currently playing song α and want to play the song γ, the user inputs an operation to move the cursor 53 of the remote controller 16 down twice, and the cursor 53 is moved to the music γ, and the music γ is temporarily selected (FIGS. 3 (ii) and (iii)). Next, when the user inputs an operation for determining the remote controller 16, the music γ is reproduced (FIG. 3 (iv)). In other words, the audio visual device 1 is controlled so that the current music α continues to be played when the cursor 53 is moved, and the music γ is played when an operation for determining is input. (Hereinafter referred to as provisional selection input).

  Further, the user can select a case where the temporary selection input as described above is validated and a case where it is not so, by a predetermined operation of the remote controller 16. That is, when the temporary selection input is not used, an operation for moving the cursor 53 of the remote controller 16 is input, and when the cursor 53 is moved, a song at the moved position is selected and played (hereinafter referred to as direct selection input). .) Specifically, when the user wishes to interrupt the playback of the currently played song α and to play the song γ in the same manner as described above, the user is in a state where the song α shown in FIG. Then, an operation for moving the cursor 53 of the remote controller 16 downward is input once, the cursor 53 is moved downward, and the music β is reproduced when the music information 52β is matched (FIG. 3 (vi)). Next, the user inputs an operation of moving the cursor 53 of the remote controller 16 down once, moves the cursor 53 down, and matches the music information 52γ, the music γ is reproduced (FIG. 3 (vii)). ). That is, in the direct selection input, when the cursor 53 is moved, the music at the moving position of the cursor 53 is reproduced. On the other hand, in the temporary selection input, the next music is not reproduced until the determination operation is performed. The operation input procedure is as follows.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body display unit 15 displays the song number 54, the song title 55, the song elapsed time 56, and the current operation status 57 on the display screen. The main body display unit 15 displays only the song information of the currently played song.

  Next, the platform 37 switches the temporary selection input and the direct selection input as described above according to the connection state of the display device 14 and specifically changes the operation input with reference to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the platform 37 determines whether the display device 14 (external input) and the output signal of the video processor 34 are synchronized in step S1. If the synchronization is established, the process proceeds to step S2. If the synchronization is not established, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 2, the platform 37 uses the display device 14 to switch to an operation input that validates the temporary selection input. Specifically, a display screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display device 14, and even if the cursor 53 is moved by the user's remote control 16, provisional selection is made and selection is not performed unless a determination operation is performed. Like that. At this time, the main body display unit 15 is a display screen as shown in FIG.

  In step S3, the platform 37 switches to the operation input that enables the direct selection input. Specifically, a display screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the main body display unit 15, and when a cursor movement operation is performed by the user's remote control 16, the operation state is changed in accordance with the operation.

  As described above, in the audio visual apparatus 1, the video signal from the connected display device 14 is input, the output signal from the video processor 34 is confirmed, and the synchronization state is confirmed. 14 is determined to be usable, the temporary selection input is validated, and the operation input using the display device 14 is made. If the synchronization is not established, it is determined that the display device 14 is in an unusable state, the direct selection input is validated, and the operation input is performed using the simple display screen of the main body display unit 15. To do. Therefore, since the temporary selection input is not valid when the user is not synchronized with the display device 14, the user can prevent an erroneous operation without performing an operation without knowing which cursor is currently being temporarily selected. Further, since the audio visual apparatus 1 is synchronized with the output signal from the display device 14, it is not necessary to provide a device for outputting a special control signal.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, as described above, when the output signal from the main unit 11 and the input signal from the display device 14 are not synchronized, the main unit display unit 15 is provided to directly enable the selection input. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main display unit 15 may not be provided, and the current operation status may be confirmed by voice or the like when the user operates the remote controller 16.

  In addition, the display device 14 has been described with respect to a flat panel display, but is not limited thereto, and may be any monitor as long as it has a video output terminal.

  The present invention has been described by taking an audio visual apparatus as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various electronic devices such as an audio apparatus.

1 shows an external view of an audiovisual apparatus to which the present invention is applied with a front panel closed. FIG. It is a block block diagram of the audio visual apparatus with which this invention was applied. It is a figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on a display apparatus and demonstrated temporary selection input and direct selection input. It is the figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on a main body display part. It is a figure which shows the control flow which judges a synchronous state with a display apparatus and switches an operation method.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Audio visual apparatus, 11 Main part, 11a Front panel, 11b Insertion slot, 12 Left speaker, 13 Right speaker, 14 Display apparatus, 14a Video selector, 14b Video buffer, 15 Main body display part, 16 Remote control, 21 HDD, 22 CD -ROM drive, 23 memory card drive, 24 communication interface, 25 MD drive, 26 PCI interface circuit, 27 USB interface circuit, 28 signal processing unit, 30 tuner, 31 amplifier, 32 remote control interface, 33 video signal generation circuit, 34 video Processor, 35 Video buffer, 36 Synchronous comparison circuit, 37 Platform, 41, 44 Video output terminal, 42, 45 Video input terminal, 43, 46 Video cable

Claims (3)

In an electronic device to which a display device having an output means for outputting a video signal is connectable,
Video signal output means for outputting a video signal to the display device;
Receiving means for receiving a video signal output from output means provided in the display device;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the video signal received by the receiving means is the same as the video signal output from the video signal output means;
Operation input means for inputting various operations;
Display control means for displaying control information on the display device;
Control means for controlling the determination means, the operation input means and the display control means,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes an operation input procedure of the operation input means in accordance with a determination result of the determination means.   When the control means determines that the determination means are the same, the control means uses an operation input procedure for performing various operations of the operation input means using the display device, and the determination means determines that the determination means are not the same 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation input procedure for performing various operations of the operation input means without using the display device is performed. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the video signal received by the receiving unit and the video signal output from the video signal output unit are synchronized.

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