JP2008053772A - Video/audio signal input/output device, video/audio device network, and output format determining method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem point that when a plurality of video/audio signal input/output devices are connected to a video/audio reproducing device, setting operations need to be performed by the video/audio signal input/output devices and then convenience is not high. <P>SOLUTION: The video/audio signal input/output devices each having a communication means of inputting and outputting signals including video or audio, a format information communication means of transmitting and receiving format information on the video or audio when the signals are output by using the communication means, and a format information managing means of determining format information at the time of output by using format information of another video/audio signal input/output device acquired through the format information communication means, is used to save the trouble to perform setting operations by the video/audio signal input/output devices, thereby improving user's convenience. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video / audio signal input / output device for inputting / outputting a video / audio signal by a communication method for transmitting / receiving a video / audio signal or accompanying data, such as the HDMI standard, and displays the video / audio signal input / output device and video. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a video / audio device network to which a video / audio reproduction device for reproducing audio is connected.

  Due to recent progress in digitization of video signals, video and audio playback devices such as televisions and projectors, and video and audio devices such as digital broadcast reception set-top boxes and DVD recorders, etc. Audio formats are being used, and video and audio devices that support these video and audio formats are also increasing. New formats have been continuously proposed, and the video / audio formats supported by the video / audio devices are expected to increase in the future.

  Currently used video formats include, for example, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, and audio formats include AAC, PCM, AC3, etc. It does not correspond to the format.

  Therefore, when connecting a video / audio signal input / output device to a video / audio reproduction device, the format that each video / audio signal input / output device can output is compared with the format that the video / audio reproduction device can receive and reproduce. Device setting work of setting was necessary.

As one method for solving this problem, a method for facilitating device setting of a video / audio signal input / output device has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
However, in recent years, various types of video / audio signal input / output devices such as digital broadcast receivers, DVD recording / playback devices, Blu-ray disc recording / playback devices, and hard disk recorders have been developed. More and more devices are connected.

For this reason, when connecting a plurality of video / audio signal input / output devices to one video / audio reproduction device, the video / audio reproduction devices compare the corresponding formats, and each video / audio signal input / output device separately There was an unsolved problem that it was necessary to perform the above-described device setting work.
JP 2005-167895 A

  When connecting a video / audio signal input / output device and a video / audio playback device, it is possible to enjoy better video / audio by making optimal settings for the video / audio playback device. When an output device is connected, it is necessary to perform a setting operation for each video / audio signal input / output device, which is not convenient.

  In view of the above problems, a video / audio signal input / output device according to the present invention uses communication means for inputting / outputting a signal including video or audio, and format information of video or audio when outputting the signal. Format information communication means for transmitting / receiving data and format information management means for determining format information at the time of output using the format information acquired through the format information communication means.

  It is possible to save the trouble of performing the setting operation for each video / audio signal input / output device, and to construct a video / audio network with higher user convenience.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a video / audio signal input / output device, a video / audio device network, and a device setting method proposed in the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video / audio signal input / output device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a case where the video / audio signal input / output device 100 proposed in the present invention is connected to a single video / audio reproduction device 150 to output video / audio. Here, such a state in which two or more devices are connected to each other is referred to as a video / audio device network.

  The broadcast radio wave received by the antenna is extracted from the frequency signal of the channel designated by the receiving means 101, demodulated into a digital video / audio signal by the demodulating means 102, and then converted into a predetermined format by the converting means 103. After that, the data is output from the communication unit 104 to the video / audio reproduction device 150.

  The receiving means 101 acquires the frequency signal of the channel designated by the CPU 110 from the broadcast signal input from the antenna, and transmits the frequency signal to the demodulating means 102.

  The demodulating unit 102 receives the frequency signal output from the receiving unit 101, acquires a video / audio signal, information on a program, and the like from the frequency signal and demodulates the digital signal.

  The conversion means 103 converts the audio / video signal demodulated into digital information by the demodulation means 102 into an arbitrary format. This format conversion is, for example, the case where the video signal demodulated by the demodulating means is converted into the 480i format when the video signal is in the 1080i format. For example, the audio signal demodulated by the demodulating means is converted into the AC3 format. In such a case, it may be possible to convert to PCM format.

  The communication unit 104 is a unit that performs signal conversion and transmission / reception when communicating with an external device, and can communicate video / audio and data with other external devices connected through an external terminal.

  The CPU 105 is a microcomputer that manages the entire system of the video / audio signal input / output device 100, and controls each means and message.

  An outputable format communication unit 106 (denoted as an outputable F communication unit in the figure) can communicate with an external device through the communication unit 104, and particularly acquires information relating to a format that can be reproduced by the connected external device.

  The outputable format management means 107 (denoted as outputable F management means in the drawing) determines the outputable format by selecting the outputable format information from the outputable format communication means 106 or the output format specified by the user interface. The arrangement result is stored and managed in a storage area as outputable format information 108 (described as outputable F information in the drawing) that can be output by the video / audio signal input / output device 100.

  The GUI drawing unit 109 can display a GUI in video output in accordance with an instruction from the CPU, and can superimpose audio related to the GUI on the video / audio signal.

  The video / audio reproduction device 150 includes a communication unit 151 capable of transmitting and receiving a video / audio signal and data, and a reproduction unit 152 that reproduces a video / audio signal obtained by the communication unit. The list is held internally as reproducible format information 153 (described as reproducible F information in the figure).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the video / audio signal input / output device 100 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 in detail. In the following, for the sake of specific description of the connection method, a case where connection conforming to the HDMI standard is used will be described as an example.

  The HDMI standard refers to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface standard, which was established in December 2002 by seven companies: Matsushita, SONY, Hitachi, Toshiba, Philips, Thomson, and Silicon Image. In the HDMI standard, it is possible to input / output incidental information in addition to digital data.

  As one of the incidental information, for example, there is information about video / audio that can be received as an input signal by the video / audio reproduction device, and an example of the format of this information is the EDID standard established by VESA. EDID means the Extended Display Identification Data standard, and uses the data format defined by the EIA / CEA-861B standard.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the video / audio signal input / output device 100 includes an HDMI transmission unit 210 as a unit equivalent to the internal communication unit 104.

  The HDMI transmission means 210 includes a TMDS signal line based on TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) standard for outputting video and audio, a DDC (Display Data Channel) signal line for transmitting / receiving setting information and status information, and a CEC. (Consumer Electronics Control) A signal line is provided for connection to an external device such as the video / audio reproduction device 150.

  First, the flow of the video signal via the TMDS signal line will be described.

  The HDMI transmission unit 210 can receive the video / audio signal from the conversion unit 103, and the received video / audio signal is output from the TMDS signal line through the HDMI transmitter 211 provided in the HDMI transmission unit 210. The format output at this time is instructed by the CPU.

  The video / audio signal output from the TMDS signal line is input to the HDMI receiving means 250 provided on the video / audio reproduction device 150 side. The video / audio signal input to the HDMI receiving unit 250 is received by the HDMI receiver 251 and is reproduced as actual video / audio by the reproducing unit 152.

  Next, EDID information acquisition through the DDC signal line and an outputable format management method in the video / audio signal input / output device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the DDC signal line is a signal line used for transmitting and receiving setting information and status information. One setting information includes transmission and reception of EDID information. The EDID information means data held in a video / audio reproduction device such as a television or a display, and defines a format that can be reproduced by the video / audio reproduction device having the EDID information.

  EDID information is described in detail by a detailed timing data descriptor and a short video descriptor that can be displayed on the screen of the audio / video reproduction apparatus or can be input.

  FIG. 3 shows a simplified version of the EDID information owned by the video / audio reproduction device 150 according to this embodiment. The EDID information in FIG. 3 describes 480i, 480p, and 1080i, which clearly indicates that the video / audio reproduction device 150 in this embodiment can receive and reproduce the video format of 480i, 480p, and 1080i. To do. Similarly, with regard to the audio format, corresponding format information is described in a format defined in the EIA / CEA-861B standard.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a format in which the video / audio signal input / output device 100 acquires and outputs the EDID information 260 from the video / audio reproduction device 150 and determines the format from the video / audio signal input / output device 100 to the video / audio reproduction device 150. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure at the time of outputting.

  When the user connects the video / audio signal input / output device 100 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 with an HDMI standard cable, the video / audio signal input / output is enabled after a predetermined connection process (S401) after the cable connection. The apparatus reads the EDID information 260 from the video / audio reproduction apparatus (S402). The read EDID information 260 is sent to the outputable format management means 107 via the outputable format communication means 106.

  Next, as a result of analyzing the received EDID information 260, the outputable format management unit 107 analyzes the format that can be reproduced by the video / audio reproduction device 150 and the format that can be output by the conversion unit 103 of the video / audio signal input / output device 100. Are compared to determine a format that can be output by the audio / video signal input / output device 100 (S403).

  FIG. 5 compares the result 501 obtained from the EDID information 260 with the corresponding format by the video / audio reproduction device 150 and the format 502 that can be output by the conversion means 103 of the video / audio signal input / output device 100 to determine the corresponding output format. The result of the above (corresponding format determination result 503) is shown.

  Next, the video / audio signal input / output device 100 displays a GUI for the user to determine the format using the usable format determination result in S403 (S404). This GUI displays the corresponding format obtained in S403, and the user can select which format to use from the corresponding formats. An example of this GUI is shown in FIG. Next, an operation for selecting an output format desired by the user is performed on this GUI. By this selection operation, the user selects a desired format from the corresponding format determination results 503 (S404). The selection is performed by an input device such as a key operation of the remote controller.

  The output format is determined by the user's selection (S405), and the outputable format management means 107 receives the result designated by the user from the CPU 105, adds it to the corresponding format determination result 503, and records it (S406).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the output format management unit 107 determines an output format for the corresponding format determination result 503 based on a user specification result. This outputable format information 701 in FIG. 7 clearly indicates that the 1080i format can be used in the connection between the video / audio signal input / output device 100 and the video / audio reproduction device 150.

This outputable format information 701 is stored in a storage area in the video / audio signal input / output device 100 (S406).
The format used for connection between the video / audio signal input / output device 100 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 is determined through the processing of S401 to S406. The format described as usable in the outputable format information 701 is an outputable format that can be output from the video / audio signal input / output device 100. When a video signal is received, the format is output by the conversion means 103. Converted to a possible format.

  Although the above mainly describes the information about the video format using an example, the determination about the more detailed video format and the audio format are also recorded in the outputable format information 701 in the same procedure.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a configuration when a second video / audio signal input / output device is connected in a video / audio device network including a video / audio signal input / output device and a video / audio reproduction device.

  In FIG. 8, there is a video / audio device network in which one video / audio reproduction device and one video / audio signal input / output device are already connected and are operable, and another video / audio signal input / output device. Shows the state of trying to connect.

  Here, for the purpose of explanation, the video / audio signal input / output device already connected is referred to as the first video / audio signal input / output device 801, and the video / audio signal input / output device to be connected from now on is the second video / audio signal input / output device. The signal input / output device 802 is assumed. In this case, the video / audio reproduction device 150 is a video / audio reproduction device capable of simultaneously connecting two or more video / audio signal input / output devices.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state of the video / audio device network of FIG. 8 only for the CEC signal line for explanation.

  In the video / audio device network shown in FIG. 9, the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 which are already connected to the video / audio device network are connected. In the state shown in FIG. 9, the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 determine the format that the video / audio signal input / output device 801 can output by the output format determination procedure shown in FIG. Is in a state.

  When the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 is connected to the video / audio device network in this state, the CEC signal line connecting the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 and the video / audio reproduction device 150 in accordance with the HDMI standard is the first. Are present on the same signal line as the CEC signal line connecting the video / audio signal input / output device 801 and the video / audio reproduction device 150. That is, the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 and the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 can perform bidirectional communication. The state of the video / audio device network in this state is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows how the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 performs bidirectional communication with the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 through the CEC line in the video / audio device network in the state of FIG. It explains using.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a format that can be output by the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 through two-way communication between two video / audio devices on the video / audio device network.

  When the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 is connected to the video / audio device network, the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 performs connection processing to the network in accordance with the HDMI standard (S1001). Next, the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 searches for the same type of device on the video / audio device network (S1002).

  This device type is a device type classified for each type of video / audio signal input / output device such as a recording device or an audio system. For example, a logical address of a device defined by the HDMI standard may be used. FIG. 14 shows a logical address of a device defined by the HDMI standard as an example. For example, if the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 is an STB, the video / audio device network in the procedure after the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 is connected to the video / audio device network. Is searched for whether there is a device using logical addresses 3, 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 corresponds to the same type of device as the second video / audio signal input / output device 802.

  As a result, when there is a device similar to the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 on the video / audio network, the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 is a similar device. A command for requesting outputable format information held by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 is transmitted to the signal input / output device 801 through the connected CEC line (S1003).

  When the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 receives the outputable format information request command from the second video / audio signal input / output device 802, the outputable format held in the first video / audio signal input / output device 801. The information is transmitted to the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 through the CEC line (S1004). An example of this communication content is shown in FIG. The outputable format information 813 stored in the outputable format management means 812 by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 is output from the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 as outputable format communication means 811 and CEC communication. It is transmitted as outputable format information transfer data 1201 using means 810. On the other hand, the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 receives the outputable format information transfer data 1201 through the CEC communication unit 820 and transfers it to the outputable format management unit 822 by the outputable format communication unit 821. The output format information transfer data 1201 includes an output format 1202 currently used by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 and a usable output format 1203.

  Next, in the outputable format management means 822, among the received outputable format information, the format information of the output format 1202 currently used by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 is input to the second video / audio signal input. It is determined whether or not the output device 802 has a format that can be output (S1005).

  As a result of the comparison, if the format information of the output format 1202 currently used by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 can be used also by the second video / audio signal input / output device 802, the second information The video / audio signal input / output device 802 determines the format information acquired from the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 as an output format (S1007), and the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 transfers the information to the video / audio reproduction device 150. The format is set as the output format (S1008), and the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 can start the video / audio output to the video / audio reproduction device 150.

  Note that the second video / audio signal input / output device 802 asks whether or not to use the output format used by the first video / audio signal input / output device 801 on the OSD screen as shown in FIG. And confirming to the user (S1006), the output format may be set in the outputable format management means 822.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of video / audio signal input / output devices are connected by using HDMI connection as an example, it is possible to save the trouble of performing a setting operation for each video / audio signal input / output device, and to improve user convenience. Provide a high-quality video / audio network.

  In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, an example in which broadcast radio waves are used to acquire a video / audio signal is used. However, this is a video / audio signal input / output device for reproducing a video / audio signal recorded on a medium such as a DVD. It may also be a video / audio signal input / output device that receives a video / audio signal using an Internet line, wireless communication, or the like.

  In this embodiment, the method for determining the output video format using the video / audio network using the HDMI connection and the CEC line has been described as an example. However, the method for determining the output video format described in the present invention is limited to the HDMI connection. Instead, it may be an output video format using wired / wireless communication.

  When multiple video / audio signal input / output devices are connected to the video / audio playback device, the setting information is exchanged between the video / audio signal input / output devices, eliminating the need for setting operations for each video / audio signal input / output device. Therefore, it is possible to construct a video / audio network with higher user convenience, which is useful.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video / audio signal input / output device and a video / audio reproduction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; The figure explaining the connection of a video / audio signal input / output device and a video / audio reproduction device The figure explaining the EDID information which a video / audio reproduction device owns Flow chart showing output format determination procedure Diagram showing supported output format judgment result The figure which shows corresponding format decision GUI Diagram showing output format determination Diagram of a video / audio device network to which a second video / audio signal input / output device is connected Figure when connecting the second video / audio signal input / output device to the video / audio device network The figure which shows the constitution of the video / audio device network The flowchart which shows the determination procedure of the format which can output the 2nd video / audio signal input / output device. Diagram showing format information transfer data that can be output The figure which shows GUI which asks whether the output format is used or not Diagram showing the logical address of the device defined by HDMI

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Video / audio signal input / output apparatus 101 Receiving means 102 Demodulating means 103 Conversion means 104 Communication means 105 CPU
106 Outputable format communication means 107 Outputtable format management means 108 Outputable format information 150 Video / audio playback device 151 Communication means 152 Playback means 153 Playable format information 210 HDMI transmission means 211 HDMI transmitters 212 and 252 CEC communication control means 250 HDMI reception Means 251 HDMI receiver 260 EDID information 801 First video / audio signal input / output device 802 Second video / audio signal input / output device 810, 820 CEC communication means 811, 821 Output format communication means 812, 822 Output format management means 813 Format information that can be output

Claims (5)

Communication means for inputting and outputting signals including video or audio;
Format information communication means for transmitting and receiving format information of video or audio when outputting the signal using the communication means;
A video / audio signal input / output device comprising: format information management means for determining format information at the time of output using the format information of another video / audio signal input / output device acquired through the format information communication means. Using the communication means, having a connected device discriminating means for discriminating the type of the connected device;
2. The video / audio according to claim 1, wherein the format information management means determines the format information at the time of output based on the device type acquired by the connected device determination means and the format information acquired by the format information communication means. Signal input / output device. The communication means is a communication means conforming to the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard,
3. The video / audio signal input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the format information communication unit uses a CEC line (The Consumer Electronics Control Line) which is one of signal lines defined by the HDMI standard. A communication step for inputting and outputting a signal including video or audio;
Format information communication step for transmitting and receiving video or audio format information when outputting the signal by the communication step;
An output format determination method including a format information management step of determining format information at the time of output using format information of another video / audio signal input / output device acquired in the format information communication step. In a video / audio device network in which a video / audio reproduction device that reproduces video or audio and a plurality of video / audio signal input / output devices that input / output video or audio signals are connected,
The first video / audio signal input / output device transmits the format information when the second video / audio signal input / output device on the video / audio device network outputs to the video / audio reproduction device through the video / audio device network. A video / audio device network that is acquired from a second video / audio signal input / output device, and that outputs to the video / audio reproduction device using the acquired format information.

Images