JP2006107014A - Display-controlling device and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user more easily and surely perform various kinds of settings. <P>SOLUTION: In a personal computer (hereinafter called a PC) which controls the display of a monitor for a PC which displays a prescribed image, a dialog display control part 143 controls the display of a dialog to a monitor for a PC, the dialog being for a user to input information relating to settings required for controlling the display of a television receiver, a setting information acquisition part 144 acquires the information relating to the settings required for controlling the display of the television receiver by the connection of the television receiver to the PC or a user's input, and a dialog display control part 152 controls, based on the acquired information relating to the settings, the display of a dialog to the television receiver, the dialog being for a user to confirm the display status of the television receiver connected to the PC. The above technology can be applied to a PC having a dual display function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control device and method, a recording medium, and a program, and in particular, a display control device and method, a recording medium, and a program that can simplify settings for using the dual display function. About.

  Conventionally, there has been a dual display (multi-monitor) function (hereinafter referred to as a dual display function) that outputs video from one personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) to two or more display devices. is there.

  When the dual display function is used, usually two PC displays (monitors) are used for one PC.

  In addition, when the dual display function is used, it is necessary to install two video cards (graphic boards) on the PC or install a video card with two video outputs.

As a technique related to a video card for a dual display function, for example, Patent Document 1 can be used for a computer having a predetermined computer bus, and includes two display channels, which are connected to the respective display channels. A dual display card technique (configuration) for simultaneously generating video images for two video displays is disclosed.
JP-A-6-175627

  However, a dual display function is used for a PC. Of the two display devices connected to the PC, one is a display for the PC and one is a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as a TV receiver). In this case, when displaying an image output from the PC on the TV receiver, if the user makes a mistake in setting the PC to the TV receiver, the image may not be displayed on the TV receiver.

  The PC outputs the image data to the TV receiver in the set method, and the TV receiver displays the image normally when displayable (processable) image data is supplied, but cannot display it. When image data (which cannot be processed) is supplied, the image cannot be displayed normally. Therefore, in order to display the image on the screen of the TV receiver, the user must set it correctly.

  Also, even if the PC outputs image data such as various setting wizards and graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI) images to the TV receiver, no image is displayed on the TV receiver screen. The user cannot see the image of the setting wizard or GUI.

  Furthermore, the user forgets that the TV receiver is turned off, and there is a possibility that the image is not displayed because the TV receiver is turned off.

  From the above, there is a problem that general users who are not so familiar with PCs find it difficult to operate settings for using the dual display function. In addition, there is a problem that such a user may misunderstand that the PC or the TV receiver is out of order without noticing the setting error.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a user to perform various setting operations more easily and reliably.

  The display control apparatus according to the present invention provides a first image of a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display apparatus, which is different from the first display apparatus. Information relating to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by the first display control means for controlling the display on the display device and the connection of the second display device to the user or the user's input Based on the acquired information on the setting information acquisition means and the acquired setting, the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the user is displayed on the second display device. And second display control means for controlling display.

  The display control device further includes a time measurement unit that measures a time during which the second image is displayed on the second display device, and the second display control unit includes the time measured by the time measurement unit, When the predetermined time limit is exceeded, the display on the first display device of the third image indicating that the setting necessary for controlling the display of the second display device has not been completed is controlled. can do.

  The second display device can be a television receiver.

  According to the display control method of the present invention, the first image of the first image for allowing the user to input information related to the setting necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. The first display control step for controlling the display on the display device, and the setting necessary for controlling the display on the second display device by connecting the second display device to the display control device or by user input A setting information acquisition step for acquiring information related to the second information, and a second image of the second image for allowing the user to check the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device based on the acquired information related to the setting. And a second display control step for controlling display on the display device.

  The program of the recording medium of the present invention is the first image of the first image for allowing the user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. Necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by the first display control step for controlling the display on the one display device and the connection of the second display device to the display control device or the user's input. A setting information acquisition step for acquiring information related to settings, and a second second image for allowing the user to check the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device based on the acquired information related to the settings. And a second display control step for controlling display on the display device.

  The program of the present invention provides a first display of a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of a second display device, which is different from the first display device. Information relating to a first display control step for controlling display on the device and settings necessary for controlling display on the second display device by connection of the second display device to the display control device or user input The second display device of the second image for allowing the user to check the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device based on the setting information acquisition step of acquiring the information and the information related to the acquired setting And causing the computer to execute a second display control step for controlling display on the screen.

  In the present invention, a first display device for a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. Display is controlled, and information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device is acquired by connection of the second display device to the display control device or user input, and the acquired setting is acquired. The display of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device is controlled based on the information on the second display device.

  According to the present invention, the dual display function can be used. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to cause the user to perform various setting operations more easily and reliably.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even though there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

  The display control apparatus according to claim 1 is a display control apparatus (for example, PC1 in FIG. 1) that controls display of a first display apparatus (for example, the PC monitor 11 in FIG. 1) that displays a predetermined image. Thus, information (for example, the pull-down menu 232 in FIG. 9 and the setting information necessary for controlling the display of the second display device (for example, the TV receiver 12 in FIG. 1) different from the first display device). First display control means (for example, FIG. 4) for controlling the display on the first display device of the first image (for example, the dialog 231 in FIG. 9) for allowing the user to input the information of the pull-down menu 233. Dialog display control unit 143) and setting information acquisition means for acquiring information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by connection of the second display device to the user or user input ( For example, 4 and a second image (for example, the dialog shown in FIG. 11) for allowing the user to check the display status of the second display device connected to him / her on the basis of the acquired setting information. 271) second display control means for controlling display on the second display device (for example, the dialog display control unit 152 in FIG. 4).

  The display control device according to claim 2 further includes a time measurement unit (for example, the time measurement unit 153 in FIG. 4) that measures the time during which the second image is displayed on the second display device. The display control means controls the display of the second display device when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time limit (for example, “30 seconds” in the dialog 271 of FIG. 11). Therefore, it is possible to control the display on the first display device of the third image (for example, the dialog 291 in FIG. 12) indicating that the setting necessary for this has not been completed.

  In the display control device according to the third aspect, the second display device may be a television receiver (for example, the TV receiver 12 in FIG. 1).

  The display control method according to claim 4 is a display control device (for example, PC1 in FIG. 1) that controls display on a first display device (for example, PC monitor 11 in FIG. 1) that displays a predetermined image. A control method, which is information related to settings (for example, FIG. 9) required to control the display of a second display device (for example, the TV receiver 12 in FIG. 1) different from the first display device. A first display control step for controlling the display on the first display device of the first image (for example, the dialog 231 in FIG. 9) for allowing the user to input the information of the pull-down menu 232 and the pull-down menu 233). For example, the information related to the settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device is acquired by the connection of the second display device to the display control device or the input of the user by the processing in step S5 in FIG. Setting information Based on the obtaining step (for example, the process of step S6 in FIG. 5) and the acquired setting information, the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device And a second display control step (for example, the process of step S47 in FIG. 7) for controlling the display on the second display device (for example, the dialog 271 in FIG. 11).

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium program stored in a display control device (for example, PC1 in FIG. 1) that controls display on a first display device (for example, the PC monitor 11 in FIG. 1) that displays a predetermined image. A program for display control, which is information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of a second display device (for example, the TV receiver 12 in FIG. 1) different from the first display device (for example, The first display for controlling the display on the first display device of the first image (for example, the dialog 231 in FIG. 9) for allowing the user to input the information of the pull-down menu 232 and the pull-down menu 233 in FIG. Information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by the control step (for example, the process of step S5 in FIG. 5) and the connection of the second display device to the display control device or the user's input A setting information acquisition step (for example, the process of step S6 in FIG. 5) to be acquired and a user for confirming the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device based on the acquired information regarding the setting. And a second display control step (for example, the process of step S47 in FIG. 7) for controlling the display of the second image (for example, the dialog 271 in FIG. 11) on the second display device. .

  The program according to claim 6 is provided in a computer of a display control device (for example, PC1 in FIG. 1) that controls display of a first display device (for example, the PC monitor 11 in FIG. 1) that displays a predetermined image. A program for performing display control, which is information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of a second display device (for example, the TV receiver 12 in FIG. 1) different from the first display device (for example, , Information on the pull-down menu 232 and the pull-down menu 233 in FIG. 9) is used to control the display on the first display device of the first image (for example, the dialog 231 in FIG. 9) for the user to input. Settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by the display control step (for example, the process of step S5 in FIG. 5) and the connection of the second display device to the display control device or the user's input A setting information acquisition step (for example, the process of step S6 in FIG. 5) for acquiring information related to the information and confirmation of the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device with the user based on the acquired information regarding the setting And a second display control step (for example, the process of step S47 in FIG. 7) for controlling the display of the second image (for example, the dialog 271 in FIG. 11) on the second display device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a PC 1 which is a display control apparatus according to the present invention.

  Connected to the PC 1 is a general-purpose PC monitor (display) (hereinafter referred to as a PC monitor) 11 and a TV receiver 12 composed of a CRT, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or the like. Yes.

  The PC monitor 11 displays an image output from the PC 1. Similarly, the TV receiver 12 displays an image output from the PC 1.

  At this time, the PC 1 can output the same image to the PC monitor 11 and the TV receiver 12 for display. Further, the PC 1 can output and display different images on the PC monitor 11 and the TV receiver 12, respectively. Further, the PC 1 can also use the screen of the PC monitor 11 and the screen of the TV receiver 12 as one monitor screen. That is, the PC 1 is a personal computer having a so-called dual display function.

  The PC 1 includes a main control unit 21, a content recording unit 22-1 and a content recording unit 22-2. The main control unit 21, the content recording unit 22-1 and the content recording unit 22-2 are connected to each other via the network 23.

The form of the network 23 is not particularly limited. For example, the Ethernet (registered trademark) is used.
Or the like. Further, the network 23 can be omitted. That is, each of the main control unit 21, the content recording unit 22-1, and the content recording unit 22-2 may perform direct communication without using the network 23.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the content recording unit 22-1 and the content recording unit 22-2 from each other, they are simply referred to as the content recording unit 22.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, two content recording units 22 are mounted on the PC 1, but the number of mounted content recording units 22 is not limited to the example in FIG. 1 and may be an arbitrary number. Similarly, the number of main control units 21 may be an arbitrary number.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the main control unit 21. In the main control unit 21 shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 51 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 52 or a program loaded from the storage unit 60 to the RAM 53. The RAM 53 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 51 to execute various processes.

The CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 are connected to each other via a bus 54. An input / output interface 55 is also connected to the bus 54.

  The input / output interface 55 includes a display control unit 56 including a video card (graphics board) having a dual display function, a speaker 57, and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays as signals from a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 71. 58, an input unit 59 composed of a keyboard and a mouse, a storage unit 60 composed of a hard disk, and other blocks via the network 23 (content recording unit 22-1 or content recording unit 22 shown in FIG. 1) -2) is connected to the communication unit 61 that controls the communication process.

  A PC monitor 11 and a TV receiver 12 are connected to the display control unit 56. That is, the display control unit 56 includes a video output terminal for the PC monitor 11 and a video output terminal for the TV receiver 12, such as a Dsub (D subminiature) terminal, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an S (Separate) terminal, And two output terminals such as a D (Detection) terminal.

  In addition, although it demonstrated that the display control part 56 which is one video card was provided with two output terminals, in order to implement | achieve a dual display function, two video cards, ie, two The display control unit 56 may be connected to the input / output interface 55, the PC monitor 11 may be connected to one display control unit 56, and the TV receiver 12 may be connected to the other display control unit 56.

  Further, the communication unit 61 can be connected to a network having a form different from that of the network 23.

  A drive 62 is connected to the input / output interface 55 as necessary, and a removable recording medium 63 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is stored. Data is installed in the storage unit 60 as necessary.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the content recording unit 22-1.

  In the content recording unit 22-1 (content recording unit 22) shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 81 executes various processes according to the program stored in the ROM 82. Alternatively, the CPU 81 receives the program transmitted from the main control unit 21 of FIG. 1 via the network 23 via the network communication control unit 88 and the bus 87 and loads it into the RAM 83. The CPU 81 may execute various processes according to the program. The RAM 83 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various processes.

The CPU 81, ROM 82, and RAM 83 are connected to each other via a bus 84. A content acquisition unit 85 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 86 are also connected to the bus 84.

  The content acquisition unit 85 is configured to be able to simultaneously receive (acquire) each broadcast program (content) broadcast from a plurality of broadcast stations in the same time period. Specifically, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the content acquisition unit 85 is configured to be able to simultaneously receive three broadcast programs broadcast from each of the three broadcast stations. That is, the content acquisition unit 85 includes three tuners 101-1 to 101-3, three A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion units 102-1 to A / D conversion unit 102-3, and three encoders. 103-1 to encoder 103-3 are provided.

  Hereinafter, the three tuners 101-1 to 101-3 are simply referred to as the tuners 101 when it is not necessary to individually distinguish them. Similarly, when there is no need to distinguish each of the three A / D conversion units 102-1 to 102-3, they are simply referred to as A / D conversion units 102. Further, when there is no need to distinguish each of the three encoders 103-1 to 103-3, they are simply referred to as encoders 103.

  The tuner 101 demodulates a terrestrial or satellite television broadcast wave received by an antenna (not shown), and supplies a video signal and an audio signal obtained as a result to the A / D converter 102.

  That is, when the broadcast wave of the channel designated by the CPU 81, more precisely, the radio wave constituting the broadcast program broadcast from the broadcast station to which the channel is assigned is received by the antenna, the tuner 101 demodulates it. Then, the analog video signal and audio signal obtained as a result are supplied to the A / D converter 102.

  As described above, a broadcast program is broadcast from a broadcast station. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the description will be made in terms of broadcasting a broadcast program from a channel (to which the broadcast station is assigned). To go.

  The A / D converter 102 performs A / D conversion on the analog video signal and audio signal supplied from the tuner 101, and supplies the resulting digital video signal and audio signal to the encoder 103. Hereinafter, digital signals output from the A / D conversion unit 102, that is, digital video signals and audio signals constituting a predetermined broadcast program are collectively referred to as content data.

  The encoder 103 encodes (compresses and encodes) the content data supplied from the A / D conversion unit 102 using, for example, an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method, and then supplies the encoded content data to the recording control unit 104. Hereinafter, encoded content data output from the encoder 103 is referred to as compressed content data.

  The recording control unit 104 stores the compressed content data supplied from each of the encoders 103-1 to 103-3 in the HDD 86 in a file format.

  Further, the recording unit of the HDD 86 is not necessarily one broadcast program, but is exactly the broadcast content of a predetermined channel specified by one recording reservation. This broadcast content may include one or more broadcast programs (and not all broadcast programs are necessarily included, and only a part of the broadcast program may be included). Therefore, one file recorded on the HDD 86 may include one broadcast program broadcast from a predetermined channel, or may include two or more broadcast programs broadcast from the channel.

  Further, the HDD 86 also stores program information (metadata) of recorded broadcast programs.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that program information stored in the HDD 86 is supplied from another server (not shown) connected to the network 23. That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the CPU 81 appropriately acquires program information of each broadcast program via the network 23 and the network communication control unit 88 and stores it in the HDD 86.

  However, the program information acquisition method is not limited to the example of the present embodiment, and may be any method. For example, the content acquisition unit 85 extracts program information from a vertical blanking period of a received terrestrial television broadcast signal, or extracts program information from a received satellite wave television broadcast signal. The method may be used.

  By the way, the CPU 81 is also connected to a bus 87, and a network communication control unit 88 is also connected to the bus 87. The network communication control unit 88 controls communication processing with other blocks (such as the main control unit 21 in the example shown in FIG. 1) via the network 23.

  Since the content recording unit 22-2 is configured in the same manner as the content recording unit 22-1, the description of the content recording unit 22-2 is omitted. In the following, FIG. 3 will be referred to as the configuration of the content recording unit 22-2 as necessary.

  In the example described above, the number of tuners mounted on the PC 1 is six. That is, it is assumed that three tuners 101-1 to 101-3 are mounted on the content recording unit 22-1 and three tuners 101-1 to 101-3 are mounted on the content recording unit 22-1. It is shown as such). However, the number of tuners mounted on the PC 1 is not limited to the example described above, and may be an arbitrary number. Also, the tuner mounting location is not particularly limited. For example, any number of tuners may be mounted in the main control unit 21.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display setting program 131 and the integrated AV (Audio Visual) application program 132 executed by the CPU 51 of the main control unit 21.

  The display control program 131 performs settings for causing the TV receiver 12 to display an image output from the PC 1.

  The display setting program 131 is configured to include a user authentication unit 141, a detection unit 142, a dialog display control unit 143, and a setting information acquisition unit 144.

  The integrated AV application program 132 performs reproduction and recording of music and images.

  The integrated AV application program 132 is configured to include a window generation unit 151, a dialog display control unit 152, and a time measurement unit 153.

  The graphics driver 133 controls the display control unit 56 formed of a video card, and based on the image display instruction and image data supplied from the display setting program 131 and the integrated AV application program 132, the PC monitor 11 or TV receiver Predetermined image data is output to either the computer 12 or both the PC monitor 11 and the TV receiver 12 to display an image.

  The user authentication unit 141 of the display setting program 131 determines whether the account input by the user when logging in to the PC 1 is an account of an administrator who manages the PC 1. In addition, the user authentication unit 141 supplies the detection unit 142 with a determination result indicating whether the account at the time of login to the PC 1 is an account of an administrator who manages the PC 1. Further, the user authentication unit 141 supplies the dialog display control unit 143 with a determination result of whether or not the account at the time of login to the PC 1 is an account of an administrator who manages the PC 1.

  When the determination result indicating that the account at the time of login from the user authentication unit 141 to the PC 1 is an account of an administrator who manages the PC 1 is supplied, the detection unit 142 is a video provided in the display control unit 56. It detects (acquires) an output terminal that is a video output terminal to which the TV receiver 12 is connected. The detection unit 142 supplies information indicating the video output terminal to which the detected (acquired) TV receiver 12 is connected to the dialog display control unit 143.

  The dialog display control unit 143 generates image data such as a dialog based on the determination result from the user authentication unit 141 and the information indicating the video output terminal to which the TV receiver 12 is connected from the detection unit 142. For example, the dialog display control unit 143 is generated to execute a predetermined application program window, for example, the integrated AV application program 132, based on the determination result from the user authentication unit 141 and the information from the detection unit 142. Generate image data such as a dialog for allowing the user to input information related to settings necessary for displaying an image such as a dialog or GUI (hereinafter referred to as a window of the integrated AV application program 132) on the TV receiver 12. Then, the image data and an instruction to display the image are supplied to the graphics driver 133 to display the image.

  Further, the dialog display control unit 143 acquires an instruction for restarting the integrated AV application program 132 supplied by the user operating the icon of the displayed dialog, and the integrated AV application program 144 receives the integrated AV. The application program 132 is restarted.

  When the determination result indicating that the account at the time of login from the user authentication unit 141 to the PC 1 is not the account of the administrator who manages the PC 1 is supplied, the dialog display control unit 143 notifies the user who is logged in to the PC 1. An image such as a dialog for notifying the user that a user other than the administrator who manages the PC 1 cannot perform the setting operation necessary to display the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12. Data is generated, the image data and an image display instruction are supplied to the graphics driver 133 and displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The dialog display control unit 143 generates an image such as a dialog corresponding to predetermined data that is supplied from the dialog display control unit 152 of the integrated AV application program 132 and notifies the setting status of the integrated AV application program 132, and the like. It is displayed on the monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12.

  The dialog display control unit 143 acquires operation information indicating that the user has operated an icon or the like displayed in a dialog displayed on the PC monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12 using the input unit 59 or the like.

  The setting information acquisition unit 144 acquires information of the TV receiver 12 such as the aspect ratio of the TV receiver 12 input to the dialog displayed on the PC monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12 by the user using the input unit 59 or the like. To do.

  The setting information acquisition unit 144 restarts the integrated AV application program 132 based on the restart command of the integrated AV application program 132 supplied from the dialog display control unit 143.

  The setting information acquisition unit 144 supplies the acquired information about the TV receiver 12 to the window generation unit 151 of the integrated AV application program 132.

  The integrated AV application program 132 is restarted in response to a restart instruction from the setting information acquisition unit 144 of the display setting program 131.

  When the integrated AV application program 132 is restarted, the window generation unit 151 generates a predetermined window, supplies the generated window and an instruction to display the window to the graphics driver 133, and the PC monitor 11 or TV receiver 12. To display.

  Based on the information of the TV receiver 12 supplied from the setting information acquisition unit 144 of the display setting program 131, the window generation unit 151 gives the graphics driver 133 the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 and the TV receiver 12. Set the video output terminal to output image data.

  The dialog display control unit 152 generates an image such as a dialog for allowing the user to check the display status of the TV receiver 12, supplies the generated image data and an image display instruction to the graphic sliver 133, and the PC monitor. 11 and the TV receiver 12 display an image.

  The dialog display control unit 152 acquires operation information supplied from the input unit 59 when the user operates an image such as a dialog displayed on the PC monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12.

  The dialog display control unit 152 supplies data for notifying the dialog display control unit 143 of the display setting program 131 of the setting status of the integrated AV application program 132 and the like.

  The time measuring unit 153 measures the time during which an image such as a dialog generated by the dialog display control unit 152 is displayed on the PC monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12. In addition, the time measuring unit 153 determines whether the time during which an image such as a dialog is displayed on the PC monitor 11 or the TV receiver 12 (hereinafter referred to as elapsed time) exceeds a predetermined time limit. Determine.

  When the time measurement unit 153 determines that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit, the time measurement unit 153 instructs the dialog display control unit 152 to end the display of the displayed image.

  Hereinafter, the processing in the PC 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the display setting process shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the flowchart of the activation process shown in FIG.

  In the display setting process shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the activation process shown in FIG. 7, FIGS. 8 to 10, FIG. 13, and FIG. 11 and 12 for explaining the dialog of the wizard by the integrated AV application program 132.

  Referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, when the PC 1 is activated, the user authentication unit 141 determines (determines) that the user operating the PC 1 is logged in to the PC 1 with the PC 1 administrator account. The display setting process by the CPU 51 of the main control unit 21 that executes the display setting program 131 will be described.

  In step S1, the detection unit 142 acquires information about the video output terminal of the PC 1 to which the TV receiver 12 is connected. That is, for example, the detection unit 142 detects the impedance that changes when the TV receiver 12 is connected to the video output terminal provided in the PC 1. For example, the detection unit 142 acquires information indicating that the video output terminal to which the TV receiver 12 is connected is the D terminal by detecting the impedance at the video output terminal.

  In step S <b> 2, the detection unit 142 determines whether the TV receiver 12 is connected to the PC 1. That is, in the process of step S2, the detection unit 142 determines whether the TV receiver 12 is connected to the PC 1 based on the result of the process of step S1.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the TV receiver 12 is connected to the PC 1, the process proceeds to step S3, where the dialog display control unit 143 displays the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12. An image notifying the start of setting is displayed on the PC monitor 11. At this time, the dialog display control unit 143 generates the dialog 211 shown in FIG. 8, for example, and causes the PC monitor 11 to display the dialog 211 via the graphics driver 133.

  Here, the window 201 shown in FIG. 8 is generated by the window generation unit 151 of the integrated AV application program 132 and displayed on the PC monitor 11 via the graphics driver 133.

  In the operation display unit 202 in the upper right part of the window 201 displayed by the integrated AV application program 132, the user operates the mouse as the input unit 59 and closes the window 201 by using a cursor (not shown), for example. A plurality of buttons (icons) for displaying the window 201, changing the size of the window 201, minimizing the window 201, and the like are displayed.

  The dialog 211 is displayed on the near side of the window 201. That is, the entire dialog 211 is displayed, and a portion of the window 201 that overlaps the dialog 211 is hidden by the dialog 211.

  Since the PC 1 and the TV receiver 12 are connected by the dialog 211 of the TV connection wizard, the user is notified that the setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12 is started. . That is, for example, in the dialog 211 of the TV connection wizard, there is a sentence such as “A TV is connected to your computer. Do you want to set the window for displaying the integrated AV application program on the TV?”. Is displayed.

  In the dialog 211, a button 212 displayed as “Next” is arranged. That is, when the user presses the button 212, a dialog 231 (see FIG. 9) of the next television connection wizard is displayed.

  In step S <b> 4, the dialog display control unit 143 determines whether or not to perform setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12 is performed, that is, the user views the dialog 211 shown in FIG. If so, the process proceeds to step S5, and the dialog display control unit 143 causes the PC monitor 11 to display an image for allowing the user to input information regarding the TV receiver 12.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a dialog 231 of the television connection wizard is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The dialog 231 is displayed in front of the window 201.

  In the dialog 231, for example, a sentence such as “Please enter information on the TV connected to the computer” is displayed in order to allow the user to input information regarding the TV receiver 12.

  The dialog 231 displays the name of the video output terminal to which the TV receiver 12 is connected. For example, the dialog 231 includes the text “terminal that outputs the screen” shown in FIG. 9 as the name of the video output terminal provided in the PC 1 and connected to the TV receiver 12. "D terminal" is displayed on the right side of. This “D terminal” is displayed in the dialog 231 based on the information of the video output terminal detected by the detection unit 142 by the process of step S1 of FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a pull-down menu 232 for allowing the user to set (select) the aspect ratio of the screen of the TV receiver 12 is arranged in the dialog 231. In the dialog 231, the type of the D terminal of the video output terminal which is the D terminal to which the TV receiver 12 is connected, that is, any one of the D 1 terminal to the D 4 terminal (may be the D 5 terminal). A pull-down menu 233 for allowing the user to set (select) is arranged.

  The dialog 232 includes a button 234 displaying “Previous” and a button 235 displaying “Next”. That is, when the button 234 is pressed by the user, the dialog 211 of the television connection wizard before the dialog 231 is displayed. Further, when the user presses the button 235, setting information necessary for causing the TV receiver 12 to display the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12, that is, information on the TV receiver 12 is displayed. After confirmation, a dialog 251 (see FIG. 10) of the next TV connection wizard is displayed.

  In addition, when the button 235 is pressed by the user through the dialog 231, the user is notified that the screen of the PC monitor 11 may be disturbed for a moment due to preparation for displaying an image on the TV receiver 12. The That is, for example, in the dialog 231, a text such as “If you click [Next] to prepare for using the television, the screen may be disturbed for a moment.” Is displayed.

  In step S6, the setting information acquisition unit 144 acquires information on the TV receiver 12 input by the user in the dialog 231 displayed by the process in step S5. That is, the setting information acquisition unit 144, for example, as shown in the dialog 231 in FIG. 9, the aspect ratio of the screen of the TV receiver 12 is “4: 3”, and the video output terminal of the TV receiver 12 is “D4”. Get information that is "terminal".

  In step S <b> 7, the dialog display control unit 143 causes the PC monitor 11 to display an image for notifying that the TV receiver 12 is ready to display the window of the integrated AV application program 132. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a dialog 251 of the television connection wizard is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The dialog 251 is displayed in front of the window 201.

  The television receiver wizard 251 is ready to display the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12, that is, the TV receiver necessary for displaying the window on the TV receiver 12. The user is notified that 12 pieces of information have been acquired. That is, for example, the dialog 251 displays a sentence such as “Ready to display on the television. Reboot the personal computer to display the integrated AV application program window on the television.”

  Also, in the dialog 251, “Check the display on the TV. * If the integrated AV application program window does not appear on the TV, wait a while and the integrated AV application program window will appear on this screen (computer monitor). A text such as “is returned. The details will be described later in the processing of step S47 to step S55 in FIG. 7, but a predetermined image is displayed on the TV receiver 12, and the image displayed on the TV receiver 12 is displayed. When the user cannot confirm, a predetermined dialog is displayed on the PC monitor 11 when a predetermined time elapses.

  The dialog 251 also includes a button 252 that displays “Restart integrated AV application program”.

  In step S8, the dialog display control unit 143 determines whether the restart of the integrated AV application program 132 has been instructed. If it is determined in step S8 that the integrated AV application program 132 has been instructed to restart, that is, if the user presses the button 252 of the dialog 251 shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step S9 to obtain setting information. The unit 144 restarts the integrated AV application program 132.

  At this time, the setting information acquisition unit 144 is connected to the restart instruction and the information of the TV receiver 12 acquired by the process of step S6, that is, the aspect ratio of the screen of the TV receiver 12 and the TV receiver 12. Information on the video output terminal being supplied is supplied to the integrated AV application program 132.

  In step S <b> 9, the setting information acquisition unit 144 supplies the integrated AV application program 132 with parameters for setting the TV receiver 12 to display a window.

  Here, processing of the restarted integrated AV application program 132 will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a process of starting the integrated AV application program 132 when the CPU 51 of the main control unit 21 that executes the integrated AV application program 132 is instructed by the user or the display setting program 131 to start the integrated AV application program 132. It is a flowchart explaining these.

  In step S <b> 41, the window generation unit 151 determines whether or not the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is set to be displayed on the TV receiver 12. That is, for example, the window generation unit 151 determines whether or not the window is set to be displayed on the TV receiver 12 based on the parameter supplied from the display setting program 131.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is set to be displayed on the TV receiver 12, the process proceeds to step S42, and the window generation unit 151 displays the window on the TV receiver 12. Create a window.

  That is, for example, the window 201 shown in FIG. 11 is generated. At this time, the window 201 shown in FIG. 11 is a window after the integrated AV application program 132 is restarted, but the same contents as the window 201 displayed on the PC monitor 11 shown in FIG. The

  In step S43, the window generation unit 151 adjusts the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12. That is, the window generation unit 151 obtains the information of the TV receiver 12 supplied from the setting information acquisition unit 144, that is, the aspect ratio of the screen of the TV receiver 12 and the TV receiver 12 by the process of step S9 in FIG. Based on the information of the connected video output terminal, the graphics driver 133 is made to set the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 and the video output terminal for outputting image data to the TV receiver 12.

  For example, when the TV receiver 12 is connected to the D1 terminal of the PC 1, the total number of scanning lines is 525i, and the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is 720, which is the number of effective pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines 525i. Adjusted to x480 pixels.

  When the TV receiver 12 is connected to the D2 terminal of the PC 1, the total number of scanning lines is 525i or 525p, and the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is the number of effective pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines 525i. Of 720 × 480 pixels or 720 × 480 pixels of effective pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines of 525p.

  Further, when the TV receiver 12 is connected to the D3 terminal of the PC 1, the total number of scanning lines is either 525i, 525p, or 1125i, and the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is 525i of the total number of scanning lines. The effective number of pixels corresponding to 720 × 480 pixels, the total number of scanning lines corresponding to 525p of 720 × 480 pixels, or the total number of scanning lines corresponding to 1125i of 1920 × 1080 pixels It is adjusted.

  Furthermore, when the TV receiver 12 is connected to the D4 terminal of the PC 1, the total number of scanning lines is either 525i, 525p, 1125i, or 750p, and the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is the total scanning line. The number of effective pixels corresponding to the number 525i is 720 × 480 pixels, the number of effective pixels 720 × 480 pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines 525p, and the number of effective pixels 1920 × 1080 pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines 1125i Or the effective number of pixels corresponding to the total number of scanning lines of 750p is adjusted to 1280 × 720 pixels.

  Note that “i” in the above-described 525i and 1125i indicates that the scanning method is an interlace method, and “p” in 525p and 750p indicates that the scanning method is a progressive method.

  Further, although the window generation unit 152 has been described to cause the graphics driver 133 to set the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 and the video output terminal for outputting image data to the TV receiver 12, the TV receiver 12 has been described. For example, the adjustment (setting) of the screen resolution is performed on the basis of the information of the TV receiver 12 acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 144 by the process of step S6 of FIG. 5 in the process of step S9 of FIG. The screen driver 133 may be configured to set the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 and a video output terminal for outputting image data to the TV receiver 12.

  In step S44, the window generator 151 causes the TV receiver 12 to display the window 201 generated in step S42.

  In step S <b> 45, the dialog display control unit 152 displays an application button on the PC monitor 11. The application button will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In step S <b> 46, the dialog display control unit 152 determines whether or not the user's judgment is obtained regarding the screen state of the TV receiver 12. That is, the dialog display control unit 152 determines whether or not the setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12 has already been completed when the integrated AV application program 132 is started last time. For example, in the previous execution of the integrated AV application program 132, it is determined whether or not a flag indicating that the user has determined that the screen state of the TV receiver 12 is appropriate is set (stored). .

  If it is determined in step S46 that the user's judgment is not obtained with respect to the screen state of the TV receiver 12, that is, if the correct TV receiver 12 information is not set in the PC 1, the process proceeds to step S47. The dialog display control unit 152 causes the TV receiver 12 to display a message image for confirming the screen state of the TV receiver 12.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a wizard dialog 271 by the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12.

  The dialog 271 is displayed in front of the window 201. The dialog 271 also includes a button 272 displaying “Yes” and a button 273 displaying “No”.

  In step S48, the dialog display control unit 152 determines whether a confirmation result has been input from the user.

  That is, the image (dialog 271) output from the PC 1 is correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12 on the screen of the TV receiver 12 by the wizard dialog 271 by the integrated AV application program 132 shown in FIG. Let the user confirm that That is, for example, the dialog 271 displays a sentence such as “The display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program has been changed to the television. Is the screen displayed correctly?”.

  Here, whether the image is correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12 is, for example, whether an image such as the dialog 271 is displayed on the TV receiver 12, or the entire dialog 271 is within the screen of the TV receiver 12. It means that it is.

  If it is determined in step S48 that the confirmation result from the user has not been input, that is, if the user has not pressed the button 272 or the button 273 of the dialog 271, the process proceeds to step S49, where the time measuring unit 153 The elapsed time that has elapsed while the dialog 271 is being displayed is provided to allow the user to confirm that the dialog 271 is correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12, that is, a preset time limit. It is determined whether or not the confirmation time has been exceeded.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the dialog 271 displays a sentence such as “returns to display on a computer monitor in 30 seconds”. This “30 seconds” is a preset time limit, that is, a confirmation time provided to allow the user to confirm that the dialog 271 is correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12. The confirmation time is not limited to 30 seconds.

  Further, “30 seconds” displayed in the dialog 271 is counted down.

  If it is determined in step S49 that the elapsed time does not exceed the confirmation time, that is, if the countdown of “30 seconds” displayed in the dialog 271 has not ended, the procedure returns to step S47 and is described above. The process is repeated.

  When it is determined in step S49 that the elapsed time exceeds the confirmation time, that is, when the countdown of “30 seconds” displayed in the dialog 271 is completed, the process proceeds to step S50, where the dialog display control unit 152 Then, an image notifying that the setting of the information of the TV receiver 12 to the PC 1 has not been completed is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, a dialog 291 by the wizard of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The wizard dialog 291 of the integrated AV application program 132 presumed that the user could not confirm that the dialog 271 was correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12, and the image was displayed on the PC monitor 11. The user is notified that the output has been returned. That is, for example, the dialog 291 displays a sentence such as “The setting of the display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program has been returned to the computer monitor”.

  In addition, the video output terminal provided in the PC 1 and connected to the TV receiver 12 by the dialog 291 is changed to a video output terminal that does not match the TV receiver 12 by mistake by the user. The user is notified of the content for confirming whether or not the TV receiver 12 is connected. That is, for example, in the dialog 291, a text such as “If it is not displayed on the television, check the capability of the terminal of the connected television” is displayed.

  Note that the image display (dialog 271) is not correctly output from the PC 1 to the TV receiver 12 when "30 seconds" of the dialog 271 is counted down and the display of the image is returned to the PC monitor 11 when the count-down is completed. For example, the cable connecting the PC 1 and the TV receiver 12 may not be correctly connected to the video input terminal of the TV receiver 12, or the TV receiver 12 may be turned off. This is for the user to notice.

  The dialog 291 has a button 292 on which “Retry again” is displayed. When the user presses the button 292, the procedure returns to step S1 in FIG. 5, and the display setting process is started again from the process in step S1 described above.

  In step S <b> 51, the window generation unit 151 closes the window 201 of the integrated AV application program 132 displayed on the TV receiver 12.

  In step S52, the window generation unit 151 generates a window of the integrated AV application program 132 to be displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  In step S53, the window generating unit 151 displays the window generated by the process of step S52 on the PC monitor 11.

  Here, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 generated by the process of step S52 and displayed on the PC monitor 11 by the process of step S53 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  After step S53, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is not set to be displayed on the TV receiver 12, that is, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11. If it has been set, the process proceeds to step S52, and the above-described processing is executed.

  If it is determined in step S46 that the user's judgment has been obtained regarding the state of the screen of the TV receiver 12, that is, the integrated AV application program is already installed in the TV receiver 12 when the integrated AV application program 132 is started last time. If the setting for displaying the 132 windows has been completed, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S48 that the confirmation result from the user has been input, that is, if the user presses the button 272 or the button 273 of the dialog 271, the process proceeds to step S54, and the dialog display control unit 152 It is determined whether or not the screen state is determined to be appropriate.

  The dialog display control unit 152 looks at the image such as the dialog 271 and determines whether the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is optimal for the TV receiver 12, that is, It is determined whether or not the button 272 displayed as “Yes” in the dialog 271 is pressed.

  In the dialog 271, for example, if “*“ No ”is selected, the window of the integrated AV application program is returned to the computer monitor and displayed. Is displayed in order to prevent the information on the TV receiver 12 from being set in the PC 1 when the dialog 271 is not correctly displayed on the TV receiver 12. If the screen is not correctly displayed on the device 12, that is, if the set (adjusted) screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is not optimal for the TV receiver 12, a button displayed as "No" to the user This is because 273 is pressed.

  At this time, since the set screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is not optimal for the TV receiver 12, if an image such as the dialog 271 is not correctly displayed, the process of step S6 in FIG. This means that the TV receiver 12 information entered by the user in the displayed dialog 231 is incorrect.

  If it is determined in step S54 that the user has determined that the screen state is not appropriate, that is, if the user presses the button 273 of the dialog 271, the process returns to step S50 and the above-described processing is executed.

  If it is determined in step S54 that the user has determined that the screen state is appropriate, that is, if the button 272 of the dialog 271 is pressed by the user, the process proceeds to step S55, and the dialog display control unit 152 performs integration. The result of display determination of the AV application program 132 is notified to the display setting program 131, and the process ends.

  At this time, the dialog display control unit 152 sets (stores) a flag indicating that the screen state of the TV receiver 12 is determined to be appropriate by the user.

  Here, returning to step S10 of FIG. 5, the dialog display control unit 143 of the display setting program 131 acquires the result of the display determination notified in the process of step S55 of FIG.

  In step S11 of FIG. 6, the dialog display control unit 143 causes the TV receiver 12 to display an image corresponding to the display determination result acquired by the process of step S10.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a TV connection wizard dialog 311 is displayed on the TV receiver 12.

  The television connection wizard dialog 311 notifies the user that the setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12 has been completed. That is, for example, in the dialog 311, a text such as “Setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program on the television has been completed” is displayed.

  Further, when the user instructs to start the integrated AV application program 132 next by the dialog 311 of the TV connection wizard, the user is notified that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12. Is done. For example, the dialog 311 displays a sentence such as “The window of the integrated application program will be displayed on the television from the next startup”.

  Further, the television connection wizard dialog 311 notifies the user of how to set the change of the display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program 132. For example, the user presses the start button displayed on the task bar in Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation, displays a list of application programs, and changes the settings of the integrated AV application program 132 to thereby change the integrated AV application program. The user is notified that the display destination (output destination) of the window of the program 132 can be changed.

  That is, for example, in the dialog 311, “* To change the TV display destination setting, select [Start]-[All Programs]-[Integrated Application Program]-[Integrated Application Program Settings] to change the setting. "You can do it" is displayed.

  After step S11, the process ends.

  In step S4, when it is determined that the setting for displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12 is not performed, that is, for example, the window 211 in which the dialog 211 is displayed in front is displayed by the user. When the “close” icon of “×” in the operation display unit 202 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the dialog display control unit 143 indicates that the display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be changed later. Is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  That is, for example, the TV connection wizard dialog 331 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The television connection wizard dialog 331 notifies the user that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 will continue to be displayed on the PC monitor 11. For example, the dialog 331 displays a text such as “The window of the integrated AV application program will continue to be displayed on the monitor”.

  Also, the TV connection wizard dialog 331 notifies the user that the display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be changed later by a setting dialog of the predetermined integrated AV application program 132. The For example, the dialog 331 displays a sentence such as “The display destination can be changed from the [Setting] dialog”.

  In the television connection wizard dialog 331, a button 332 displayed as “complete” is arranged, and when the user presses the button 332, the dialog 331 is closed.

  Further, a check box 333 is displayed on the right side of the dialog 331 of the TV connection wizard, “Do not display this dialog from the next time”. The user checks the check box 333 and displays “Complete”. When the pressed button 332 is pressed, the dialog 331 is not displayed when the display setting program 131 is activated next time.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the restart of the integrated AV application program 132 has not been instructed, that is, the user displays, for example, “×” in the operation display unit 202 of the window 201 in which the dialog 251 is displayed in front. When the “close” icon is pressed, the process proceeds to step S12 and the above-described processing is executed.

  Note that the processing in step S12 is always executed when the “close” icon “×” in the operation display unit 202 of the window 201 shown in FIGS. 8 to 14 is pressed.

  After step S12, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the TV receiver 12 is not connected to the PC 1, the process ends.

  In the process of step S47 in FIG. 7, the TV receiver 12 displays the dialog 271 shown in FIG. 11, and allows the user to check whether the dialog 271 is correctly displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 12. However, the dialog 271 is displayed on the PC monitor 11, and a predetermined image (different from the dialog 271) or characters are displayed on the TV receiver 12, thereby allowing the user to check the state of the screen of the TV receiver 12. You may do it.

  As described above, in the setting for displaying the image data output from the PC 1 on the TV receiver 12, the user sets the information of the TV receiver 12 while watching the dialog displayed on the PC monitor 11, An image for confirming the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12 is displayed on the TV receiver 12 and the user confirms the image.

  As a result, the user can connect the TV receiver 12 to the PC 1 and perform settings for causing the TV receiver 12 to display image data output from the PC 1 according to a predetermined wizard. At the stage of setting for display on the TV 12, the output status of the image data from the PC 1 to the TV receiver 12, the input error of the information of the TV receiver 12 that needs to be set to the PC 1, etc. Judgment can be made simply by looking at the images displayed on the 12 screens. Thereby, the user can perform various setting operations more easily and reliably.

  Further, the time limit is displayed on the image (dialog 271) for confirming the screen resolution of the TV receiver 12, the time limit is counted down, and the display of the image is returned to the PC monitor 11 when the countdown is completed. Thus, the image (dialog 271) is not correctly output from the PC 1 to the TV receiver 12, for example, the cable connecting the PC 1 and the TV receiver 12 is not correctly connected to the video input terminal of the TV receiver 12. Alternatively, the user can be made aware that there is a possibility that the power of the TV receiver 12 may be turned off. Thereby, the user can perform various setting operations more reliably.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 15, when the user authentication unit 141 determines that the user operating the PC 1 is not logged in to the PC 1 with the account of the administrator of the PC 1 when the PC 1 is activated. The display setting process by the CPU 51 of the main control unit 21 that executes the display setting program 131 will be described.

  In step S <b> 71, the dialog display control unit 143 displays an image notifying that the display setting of the TV receiver 12 cannot be performed by a user other than the administrator of the PC 1 although the PC 1 and the TV receiver 12 are connected. To be displayed on the PC monitor 11. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a television connection wizard dialog 351 is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  Here, the window 201 shown in FIG. 16 is generated by the window generating unit 151 of the integrated AV application program 132 and displayed on the PC monitor 11 via the graphics driver 133.

  The dialog 351 is displayed on the front side of the window 201.

  The TV connection wizard dialog 351 notifies the user that the PC 1 and the TV receiver 12 are connected, so that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be displayed on the TV receiver 12. That is, for example, the dialog 351 displays a text such as “A TV is connected to your computer. The window of the integrated AV application program can be displayed on the TV”.

  Further, the TV connection wizard dialog 351 indicates that the user who is currently using the PC 1 is not logged on to the PC 1 with an account having the administrator authority, so the window of the integrated AV application program 132 output from the PC 1 is displayed on the TV. The user is notified that settings for displaying on the receiver 12 cannot be made. That is, for example, in the dialog 351, “To make this preparation, you need to log on as a computer administrator. Ask a user who has an account of this computer administrator, or use the account of the computer administrator. "Please log on again."

  After step S71, the process ends. That is, for example, until the user presses (selects) the “close” button “352” displayed in the dialog 351 shown in FIG. 16 or the “close” icon “×” in the operation display unit 202 of the window 201. The dialog 351 continues to be displayed on the PC monitor 11, and the window 201 and the dialog 351 are closed by pressing (selecting) the “close” icon of the button 352 or “×” on the operation display unit 202. .

  As described above, settings for displaying the image data output from the PC 1 on the TV receiver 12 cannot be performed unless the PC 1 is logged into the PC 1 with the administrator account of the PC 1.

  FIGS. 17 to 19 are diagrams showing examples of a GUI image 371 that is a window of the integrated AV application program 132 generated by the process of step S52 of FIG. 7 and displayed on the PC monitor 11 by the process of step S53. It is. A GUI image 371, which is a window of the integrated AV application program 132 described below, is generated by the process of step S42 in FIG. 7 and displayed in the window 201 of the integrated AV application program 132 displayed by the process of step S44. There may be.

  In the operation display unit 381 in the upper right part of the GUI image 371 shown in FIG. 17, for example, the user operates the mouse as the input unit 59 and uses, for example, a cursor (not shown) to close the GUI image 371. A plurality of buttons (icons) for changing the size of the GUI image 371, minimizing it, and displaying a help screen or the like are displayed. In addition, a guidance display 382 for guiding an operation method using the remote controller 71 is displayed below the GUI image 371.

  Further, an icon selection area 383 is provided in the GUI image 371. The user operates the remote controller 71 according to the guidance display 382 to move the icons 391-1 to 391-5 in the vertical direction, and the icons (icons 391-1 to 391) displayed in the icon selection area 383 are displayed. -5)) (application program) can be executed.

  That is, when the “TV / video” icon 391-1 is selected by the user, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, an icon 392-2 for starting an application program for recording a television program from the program guide. 1. An icon 392-2 for starting an application program for making a recording reservation by designating a date and time when a TV program is broadcast, and an icon 392-3 for starting an application program for displaying a reservation list are displayed. .

  When the “music” icon 391-2 is selected by the user, an application program for playing music recorded in the storage unit 60, the HDD 86, or the like is executed, and the “photo” icon 391-3 is executed. When is selected, an application program or the like is executed for taking a photograph (still image data) or reproducing a slide show of images recorded in the storage unit 60, the HDD 86, or the like.

  Furthermore, when the “personal video” icon 391-4 is selected by the user, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, playback of a moving image data file recorded in the storage unit 60, the HDD 86, or the like is performed. The application program to be executed is executed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19, thumbnails 393-1 to 393-4 that are reproduced by the user selection are displayed in the icon selection area 383.

  When the “CD / DVD” icon 391-5 is selected by the user, an application program for recording and reproducing a music CD (Compact Disc) or reproducing a DVD video is executed.

  Next, the application button 411 displayed on the PC monitor 11 in the process of step S45 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a mouse cursor 403, a start button 404, and an application button 411 are displayed on the operation display unit 402 of the screen 401 of the PC monitor 11.

  Here, the operation display unit 402 corresponds to, for example, a task bar in Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), and the start button 404 corresponds to a start button displayed on the task bar in Windows (registered trademark).

  The application button 411 displays a name (application name) of the integrated AV application program 132 and a word indicating that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is being displayed on the TV receiver 12.

  The application button 411 corresponds to, for example, an icon for displaying a list of active application programs displayed on the task bar in Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation. When the mouse cursor 403 is moved on the application button 411, a notification window 412 indicating that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is being displayed on the TV receiver 12 is displayed together with the application name of the integrated AV application program 132. Is done.

  Thus, the user can easily know that the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is being displayed on the TV receiver 12 by viewing the screen 401 of the PC monitor 11. Therefore, for example, even when the power of the TV receiver 12 is turned off or the screen of the TV receiver 12 is out of the user's eyes, the user can open the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the TV receiver 12. You can see immediately that it is set to display.

  As a result, the user can immediately take action such as turning on the power of the TV receiver 12 or displaying the window of the integrated AV application program 132 on the PC monitor 11. Also, by not displaying the application button 411 on the TV receiver 12, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be displayed on the entire screen of the TV receiver 12.

  When the user moves the mouse cursor 403 to the application button 411 using the mouse which is the input unit 59 and left-clicks, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12. A warning dialog 431 for notifying the user that it is being displayed is displayed on the PC monitor 11. For example, the warning dialog 431 displays a sentence such as “The integrated AV application is displayed on the television”.

  Further, an OK button 432 is displayed in the warning dialog 431, and the warning dialog 431 is closed when the user presses the OK button 432.

  When the user moves the mouse cursor 403 to the application button 411 using the mouse as the input unit 59 and right-clicks, an operation menu 441 is displayed on the PC monitor 11 as shown in FIG. 22, for example. The

  The user can perform an operation related to the window of the integrated AV application program 132 by selecting an item displayed on the operation menu 441. For example, when “adjust display position” displayed on the operation menu 441 is selected by the user, the display position of the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be adjusted, or “on the computer monitor” in the operation menu 441 can be selected. When “Display” is selected, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11, or when “Version information” of the operation menu 441 is selected, the version information of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed. By displaying or selecting “Close”, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be closed.

  When the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12, the item “Adjust display position” of the operation menu 441 cannot be selected. When the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11, the item “display on the computer monitor” in the operation menu 441 cannot be selected.

  When the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12, the item “display on the computer monitor” is selected from the operation menu 441 displayed on the PC monitor 11 by the user. A switching operation dialog 461 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the PC monitor 11.

  The switching operation dialog 461 notifies the user whether or not to change the display destination of the window of the integrated AV application program 132 to the PC monitor 11. That is, for example, in the switching operation dialog 461, “the integrated AV application is currently displayed on the television. Do you want to switch the display destination to the computer monitor 11? (The integrated AV application will be terminated and restarted”). Will be displayed.

  In the switching operation dialog 461, when the user presses a button 462 displayed as “Yes”, the window display of the integrated AV application program 132 is switched from the TV receiver 12 to the PC monitor 11. When the user presses the button 463 displayed as “No”, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 remains displayed on the TV receiver 12. Thereby, the user can easily switch the display of the window of the integrated AV application program 132 from the TV receiver 12 to the PC monitor 11.

  In addition, a check box 464 is arranged in the switching operation dialog 461, and a sentence such as “Display window on computer monitor when integrated AV application is activated” is displayed on the right side of check box 464. That is, when the user checks the check box 464 and presses the button 462 or the button 463, the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11 from the next startup of the integrated AV application program 132. Is set as follows.

  In addition, when the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the TV receiver 12, the application button 411 is displayed on the PC monitor 11, but the window of the integrated AV application program 132 is displayed on the PC monitor 11. In such a case, the application button 411 may be displayed on the TV receiver 12.

  As described above, since the window of the integrated AV application program 132 can be easily switched between display devices (PC monitor 11 and TV receiver 12) for displaying images output from the PC 1 while the PC 1 is running, The operability of the PC 1 can be improved.

  The embodiment of the display control apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the PC 1 shown in FIG. 1, and any image processing apparatus capable of controlling recording and reading of a recording medium may be used. Specifically, for example, various embodiments such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a cellular phone are possible.

  As described above, when two or more display devices are connected to one PC and an image is displayed, the display area where the image is displayed can be widened or increased. Controls the display of the first image on the first display device for allowing the user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. Then, by connecting the second display device to the display control device or by the user's input, obtain information related to the settings necessary to control the display of the second display device, and based on the information related to the obtained settings, When the display on the second display device of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device is controlled, the user can perform a simple operation. Can make various settings.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, various functions can be executed by installing a computer that is built in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  This recording medium is a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer, like the removable recording medium 63 shown in FIG. Consists of package media consisting of optical disks (including compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD (digital versatile disc)), magneto-optical disks (including MD (mini disc) (trademark)), or semiconductor memory In addition, it is configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a hard disk or the like on which a program is recorded, which is provided to the user in a state of being pre-installed in the computer.

  The program for executing the series of processes described above is installed in a computer via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. You may be made to do.

  In addition, in this specification, the step of describing the program stored in the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is included.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the personal computer which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the main control part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the content recording part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a function structure of a display setting program and an integrated AV application program. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a display setting. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a display setting. It is a flowchart explaining a starting process. It is a figure explaining the dialog of a television connection wizard. It is a figure explaining the dialog of a television connection wizard. It is a figure explaining the dialog of a television connection wizard. It is a figure explaining the dialog of the wizard by an integrated AV application program. It is a figure explaining the dialog of the wizard by an integrated AV application program. It is a figure explaining the dialog of a television connection wizard. It is a figure explaining the dialog of a television connection wizard. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a display setting. It is a figure which shows the example of a television connection wizard. It is a figure which shows the example of the window of an integrated AV application program. It is a figure which shows the example of the window of an integrated AV application program. It is a figure which shows the example of the window of an integrated AV application program. It is a figure which shows the example of an application button and a notification window. It is a figure which shows the warning dialog displayed by an integrated AV application program. It is a figure which shows the operation menu of the window of an integrated AV application program. It is a figure which shows the switching operation dialog which switches the monitor which displays the window of an integrated AV application program.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer, 11 PC monitor, 12 Television receiver, 21 Main control part, 51 CPU, 131 Display setting program, 132 Integrated AV application program, 141 User authentication part, 142 Detection part, 143 Dialog display control part, 144 Setting information acquisition unit, 151 window generation unit, 152 dialog display control unit, 153 time measurement unit, 231 dialog, 232 pull-down menu, 233 pull-down menu, 271 dialog, 291 dialog

Claims (6)

In a display control device that controls display of a first display device that displays a predetermined image,
Displaying on the first display device a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. First display control means for controlling
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device by connection of the second display device to the user or input by the user;
A second display for controlling the display on the second display device of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the user based on the acquired setting information. And a display control device. A time measuring means for measuring a time during which the second image is displayed on the second display device;
The second display control means completes the setting necessary for controlling the display of the second display device when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time limit. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display of the third image indicating that the display has not been performed is controlled on the first display apparatus. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second display device is a television receiver. In a display control method of a display control device for controlling display of a first display device that displays a predetermined image,
Displaying on the first display device a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. A first display control step for controlling
A setting information acquisition step of acquiring information related to settings necessary for controlling display of the second display device by connection of the second display device to the display control device or input by the user;
Based on the information related to the acquired setting, a second control for controlling the display on the second display device of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device. A display control method comprising: two display control steps. In a display control program of a display control device that controls display of a first display device that displays a predetermined image,
Displaying on the first display device a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. A first display control step for controlling
A setting information acquisition step of acquiring information related to settings necessary for controlling display of the second display device by connection of the second display device to the display control device or input by the user;
Based on the information related to the acquired setting, a second control for controlling the display on the second display device of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device. A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. In a program for causing a computer of a display control device that controls display of a first display device that displays a predetermined image to perform display control,
Displaying on the first display device a first image for allowing a user to input information related to settings necessary for controlling the display of the second display device, which is different from the first display device. A first display control step for controlling
A setting information acquisition step of acquiring information related to settings necessary for controlling display of the second display device by connection of the second display device to the display control device or input by the user;
Based on the information related to the acquired setting, a second control for controlling the display on the second display device of the second image for allowing the user to confirm the display status of the second display device connected to the display control device. And a display control step.

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