JP2009049770A - Display device and display device set - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which can operate a media player connected by a user interface which a connecting destination has, and to provide a display device set used by the display device. <P>SOLUTION: A television receiver 100 has a media player connecting means 70 which can electrically connect to a media player 200; an operation signal outputted by operating a user interface 80; a correspondence relation storage means 60, associating the operation signals with various control commands for the media player 200 and storing them; and a media player control means 50 for receiving the operation signal and outputting the various control command, corresponding to the received operation signal to the media player 200 connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that can be operated using a user interface, and more particularly to a display device that can be connected to a media player and a display device set.

  Currently, media players capable of reproducing audio and video have become widespread. Here, the media player means a device capable of reproducing specific content. As an example, iPOD (registered trademark) of Apple Computer is widely known. The media player has a function of reproducing specific content in a portable small casing. The type of media player includes a game machine having an interface for accepting an operation from a user, in addition to the video data and audio data such as iPOD described above.

  In addition, the media player can exchange data by connecting to an external device. For example, the external device includes a docking station that holds a media player, and a connector that connects to a port of the held media player is disposed in the docking station. As a result, the port of the media player and the connector are connected to exchange data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition to the data input / output between the media player and the external device, there are some docking stations that function as an FM transmitter or a power supply / charging device (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

Even in a mobile phone having a function as a media player, various data stored in the mobile phone can be output to an external device by connecting to the external device using a docking station (for example, patents). Reference 3).
JP 2006-524877 A JP 2005-533477 A JP 2002-252566 A

  The techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above have the following problems. That is, when the media player is connected to an external device, the media player cannot be operated using the user interface on the external device side. Specifically, the media player connected to the external device cannot be operated with the user interface on the external device side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a display device capable of operating a connected media player by a user interface provided in a connected device, and a display device set using the display device. Objective.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in a display device whose driving is controlled by an operation signal output by operating a user interface, a medium that can be electrically connected so as to exchange signals with a media player. A correspondence connection storage means for storing correspondence relationships between the player connection means, the operation signal, and various control commands for the media player; the operation signal received and the received operation with reference to the correspondence relation; Media player control means for outputting a control command corresponding to the signal to the connected media player.

In the invention configured as described above, the media player connection means can be electrically connected so that signals can be exchanged with a predetermined media player, and the correspondence storage means can be output by operating a user interface. The operation signal to be executed and various control commands for the media player can be stored in association with each other. The media player control means receives the operation signal and outputs a control command corresponding to the received operation signal to the connected media player with reference to the correspondence relationship.
For this reason, the connected media player can control driving by operating a user interface on the display device side.
Here, the user interface may be anything that accepts user operations, and may be those that operate a remote control device or operation panel on which various operation keys are arranged, and further icons displayed on the screen. And a touch panel may be sufficient.
The operation signal means a signal output to the display device by the operation of the user interface, and the control command means a signal output to drive various devices in the display device.

Various correspondence storage means can be assumed to be stored in association with the operation signal. Therefore, in the present invention, the correspondence relationship storage means stores the operation signal and content that can be reproduced by the media player in association with each other.
In the invention configured as described above, since the operation signal input by operating the user interface and the content that can be played back by the media player are stored in association with each other, the display device is adapted to the operation of the user interface. The content of the media player can be output.
Here, the content means video data and audio data that can be reproduced by the media player.

  Further, the operability of the media player can be further improved by using a remote control device as the user interface. That is, in the present invention, the user interface is a remote control device, and the remote control device has an up / down key that is sequentially switched by a continuous operation, and by operating the up / down key, The media player control means sequentially refers to the stored correspondences.

  In the invention configured as described above, the media player control means sequentially refers to the stored correspondences and outputs control signals by sequentially operating the up / down keys of the remote control device. Accordingly, the drive of the media player can be controlled with a simple operation by sequentially operating the up / down keys.

In order to make it easier for the user to operate the media player, in the present invention, the media player control means is configured to display the correspondence on the screen.
In the invention configured as described above, by displaying the correspondence relationship on the screen, the user can operate the user interface while referring to the screen, and the media player can be operated more easily.

Furthermore, as a configuration of the control command stored in the correspondence relationship storage unit, in the present invention, the correspondence relationship storage unit stores the correspondence relationship in a hierarchical manner.
In the invention configured as described above, the correspondence relationship storage means stores the control commands in a hierarchy, and the media player control means receives the control commands stored in a hierarchy by accepting the operation of the user interface. Refer to them sequentially. Thus, when the correspondence is displayed on the screen, the user can easily grasp each correspondence visually.

Further, since the content stored in the media player is updated according to its use, it is also effective to update the correspondence relationship according to the content update. Therefore, in the present invention, the media player control means is configured to update the stored correspondence every time the media player is connected.
That is, the correspondence relationship is updated each time the media player is connected, so that the user can operate the media player with the user interface using the latest correspondence relationship.

Further, when a media player is connected, an additional function may be given to the display device. Therefore, in the present invention, the media player connecting means is configured to be able to charge the connected media player.
In the invention configured as described above, when the media player is connected to the display device, charging can be performed so that the user can omit an individual charging operation.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to an invention consisting of only a display device, and can also be applied to a display device set in which a media player and a display device are integrated.

  Furthermore, as a specific configuration of the present invention, the present invention has a front end unit for receiving a television broadcast signal, and the user interface includes a remote control device in which a plurality of operation keys and up / down keys are arranged, and an operation The media player connection means includes a docking station connected to the media player and can charge the connected media player. The correspondence storage means includes the operation signal, the media When the correspondence relationship with the contents that can be played by the player is stored in a hierarchical manner, and the media player is connected to the docking station, the media player control means updates the stored correspondence relationship and・ By operating the down key in sequence, Jo sequentially referring to the stored correspondence relationship, it is constituted to display the correspondence relationship on the screen.

As described above, according to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, the connected media player can be operated by the user interface provided in the connected device.
According to the invention of claim 2, data can be output to the display device in accordance with the operation of the user interface.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the drive of the media player can be controlled with a simple operation.
Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the user interface can be operated while referring to the screen, and the media player can be operated more easily.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is easy to see the correspondence when the correspondence is displayed on the screen.
Furthermore, according to the invention concerning Claim 6, it can operate by the newest correspondence according to the update of a content.
According to the invention of claim 7, the user can omit the individual charging operation.
Further, in a more specific configuration as in claim 9, it goes without saying that the same effects as those of the inventions of claims 2 to 7 described above are exhibited.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of television receiver (2) Action and effect of television receiver (3) Various modifications (4) Summary

(1) Configuration of television receiver
According to the present invention, in a television receiver connectable with a media player, driving of the connected media player is controlled by a user interface on the television receiver side.

  FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of the television receiver 100. The television receiver 100 includes a receiver 90 that outputs acquired video data and audio data, and a user interface 80 that controls driving of the receiver 90. The receiver 90 includes a media player connection means 70 that can be electrically connected to the media player 200, an operation signal output by operating the user interface 80, and various control commands of the receiver 90 corresponding to the operation signal. , And a correspondence relationship storage means 60 that stores various control commands of the connected media player 200 in association with each other, receives an operation signal, and refers to the stored correspondence to correspond to the received operation signal. Media player control means 50 for outputting various control commands to the connected media player 200.

  In the above-described television receiver 100, when the user operates the user interface 80, the media player control unit 50 refers to the correspondence storage unit 60 and controls the media player 200 corresponding to the input operation signal. The command is output from the media player connection means 70 to the media player 200. Thus, the drive of the media player 200 can be controlled by operating the user interface 80 on the television receiver 100 side.

  In the television receiver 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 80 is a remote control device 81 or an operation panel 82 disposed in the receiver 90. The media player connection means 70 is an interface for connecting the media player 200 and the television receiver 100 in a predetermined signal format. Therefore, the media player connection means 70 includes an expansion bus 71 disposed on the receiver 90 side, a cable 72 connecting the expansion bus 71 and the media player 200, and a docking station 73. The correspondence storage unit 60 includes a PROM 61 that is a writable storage medium. Further, the media player control means 50 includes a control unit 51 that controls the driving of the receiver 90 and a remote control reception unit 52 that outputs an operation signal output from the remote control device 81 to the control unit 51.

  The receiver 90 also includes a front end unit 91 that receives various television broadcast signals, a changeover switch 92 that switches between data output from the front end unit 91 and data input via the expansion bus 71. The graphic controller 93 that performs predetermined signal processing on the data input via the changeover switch 92, the display module 94 that displays an image based on the data output from the graphic controller 93, and the input data And an audio output unit 95 for outputting audio. Thus, in the television receiver 100, the graphic controller 93 performs predetermined signal processing on the television broadcast signal acquired by the front end unit 91 or the video data as the content data output from the media player 200. The display module 94 performs digital / analog conversion to display an image. The audio output unit 95 outputs the audio data as audio.

  Here, the media player 200 connected to the television receiver according to the present invention will be briefly described. The media player in the present invention is not limited as long as it can reproduce specific contents, and examples thereof include portable audio, portable game machines, and mobile phones. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a media player as an example. The media player 200 includes a storage medium that stores various content data and a control unit that controls driving of the media player 200 in a housing. The media player 200 can display the content data stored in the storage medium on the display 202 based on the operation of the operation key 201 and can output it as sound from the earphone 203. The media player 200 also includes a port 204 that can be connected to an external device. By connecting this port 204 to an expansion bus of the external device, content data and control commands can be exchanged with the external device. it can. As an example of the standard of the port 204, IEEE 1394 can be raised.

  The media player 200 can be connected to the receiver 90 using a docking station. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the television receiver 100 and the media player 200 in the present embodiment. The television receiver 100 includes a stand 96 that supports the independence of the receiver 90, and a docking station 73 that holds the media player 200 is disposed on the front side of the stand 96. The docking station 73 is formed with a slit 73a having the same size as the lower surface of the media player 200, and a connector 73b connected to the port 204 of the media player 200 is disposed on the bottom surface of the slit 73a. Accordingly, the port 204 and the connector 73b are connected by inserting the port 204 side of the media player 200 into the slit 73a. The connector 73b is connected to the expansion bus 71 via the cable 72, and transfers contents and control commands between the media player 200 and the receiver 90. Further, when the interface including the expansion bus 71 is in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard, the connected media player 200 can be charged by using a power source from a power supply circuit (not shown). The location of the docking station 73 in the receiver 90 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The remote controller 81 and the operation panel 82 are provided with a plurality of operation keys. By operating these operation keys, channel selection, main power on / off, and menu screen switching can be executed. When the user operates the operation key, the remote control device 81 and the operation panel 82 output an operation signal corresponding to the operation key to the control unit 51. For example, when the remote control device 81 is operated, the operation signal is converted into infrared rays and transmitted to the remote control receiving unit 52. The remote control receiving unit 52 converts the infrared signal into a digital signal again, and then outputs an operation signal to the control unit 51. The remote control device 81 and the operation panel 82 include channel keys 81a corresponding to each channel number, and up / down keys 81b for sequentially selecting a channel and switching an external input each time it is operated. Further, the remote controller and operation panel 82 includes a media key 81 c for operating the media player 200.

  The media key 81 c is an operation key for controlling driving of the media player 200 connected to the receiver 90. Specifically, various control commands are output from the receiver 90 to the media player 200 by operating the media key 81c. Specifically, every time the media key 81c is operated, media play or content that can be played back by 200 is output to the receiver 90. Therefore, the media key 81c includes a video output key 81c1 for outputting video data and an audio output key 81c2 for outputting audio data. Each operation key is described based on a push-type operation key, but the configuration of the operation key is not limited to this, and it is a jog dial type or a touch panel type displayed on the screen. There may be.

  The PROM 61 stores a table 62 as a database. The table 62 stores correspondence relationships between operation signals output by operating the user interface 80 and various control commands for the receiver 90 and the media player 200 corresponding to the operation signals. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table 62 stored in the PROM 61. The table 62 stores operation of operation keys, channels selected by the operation, external output, and content that can be played back by the media player 200. In the figure, the name of the operation signal output from each operation key is stored in the left column in the figure, and the channel and external output selected in the right column in FIG. Yes. The table 62 is set in advance, but may be set by the user.

  The control unit 51 controls driving of the television receiver 100. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 53 as a calculation center, a mask ROM 54 for storing various programs executed by the CPU 53, and a RAM 55 for temporarily developing programs and data by the CPU 53. Note that the mask ROM 54 is used for various devices including the media player 200 connected to the basic program 54a for the CPU 53 to manage the data stored in each memory and to control various devices, and to input operation signals. The CPU 53 stores a control program 54b for the CPU 53 to output a control command. Thus, when an operation signal from the user interface 80 is input to the CPU 53, the CPU 53 outputs a control command to each device based on various programs stored in the mask ROM 54.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control program and a flowchart executed by the control unit of the media player 200. This control program is executed by the CPU 53 reading from the mask ROM 54 when the main power supply of the receiver 90 is inserted. First, when the media player 200 is connected to the docking station 73, the CPU 53 updates the table 62 stored in the PROM 61 to the latest one. Specifically, the CPU 53 acquires information on each content stored in the media player 200 from the expansion bus 71, and updates the correspondence relationship in the table 62 (step S100). Next, when the user operates the remote controller 81 and an operation signal corresponding to this operation is input to the CPU 53 (step S110), the CPU 53 refers to the table 62 stored in the PROM 61 (step S120). If a key other than the media key 81c of the remote controller 81 is operated (step S130), the CPU 53 refers to the table 62 and outputs a control command corresponding to the input operation signal to each device (step S140). ).

  When the corresponding operation signal is input by operating the media key 81c in step S130, the CPU 53 refers to the table 62 and outputs the referenced control command to the expansion bus 71 (step S150). As a result, when the control unit receives a control command input via the port 204 in the media player 200, various drives are executed in accordance with the received control command (steps S210 and S220). Specifically, the various content data stored in the storage medium is referenced and output from the port 204 to the receiver 90. In the receiver 90, the CPU 53 instructs the received data to be output to the corresponding device (steps S160 to S170). That is, when video data is input from among the content data, the CPU 53 switches the switch 92 and outputs the received video data to the graphic controller 93. Similarly, when audio data is received, it is output to the audio output unit 95.

  When the operation signal is output to the CPU 53 by operating the up / down key 81b, the CPU 53 sequentially refers to each correspondence stored in the table 62 in accordance with the operation signal. That is, according to the operation of the up / down key 81b, the control commands stored in the table 62 are sequentially output to the corresponding device. As a result, the control command output by operating the user interface 80 is output to the media player 200 to control the drive of the media player 200.

(2) Operation / Effect of Television Receiver The operation / effect of the television receiver 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Assume that the media key 81c of the remote control device 81 is operated while the media player 200 is connected to the receiver 90 using the docking station 73. At this time, if the video output key 81c1 of the media key 81c is operated, the media player 200 reads and reproduces the video data in the content data stored in the storage medium in accordance with the input control command. At this time, the reproduced video data is output from the port 204 to the expansion bus 71 of the receiver 90. As a result, the video data is subjected to predetermined signal processing by the graphic controller 93 and then displayed as video on the display module 94. Similarly, when the audio output key 81c2 of the media key 81c is operated, the media player 200 reads and reproduces the audio data stored in the storage medium in accordance with the input control command. The reproduced audio data is input from the expansion bus 71 to the receiver 90 and is reproduced by the audio output unit 95.

  In this way, by operating the user interface 80 on the television receiver 100 side in a state where the television receiver 100 and the media player 200 are connected, the drive of the media player 200 can be controlled. This eliminates the need for the user to perform an operation on the connected media player 200 side. This is very effective, for example, when the user is viewing with a distance from the television receiver 100.

(3) Various modifications Various modifications exist in the television receiver 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence stored in the PROM 61 may be displayed on the screen. Specifically, when the graphic controller 93 has a function capable of generating an OSD video for performing layer processing on video data, the CPU 53 represents the correspondence stored in the table 62 in the graphic controller 93 by operating the media key 81c. What is necessary is just to make it the structure which produces | generates a character string. Therefore, when the media key 81c is operated, the correspondence is displayed on the display module 94. Therefore, the user can operate the media player 200 while confirming which media key 81c corresponds to which content. .

  Further, the correspondence relationship stored in the PROM 61 may be stored in a hierarchical manner. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the user operates the media key 81c corresponding to the character string “POD” in the table displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. A character string indicating each content is displayed hierarchically below the character string. Therefore, when the user operates the audio output key 81c2, the icon 300 selects content indicating audio data in the character string. As a result, the selected audio data is output from the media player 200 to the receiver 90. Thereby, the user can perform an operation while visually imagining each correspondence on the screen.

  Further, the arrangement position of the docking station 73 of the receiver 90 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 3 and the like, but as shown in FIG. The structure arrange | positioned on the upper surface of the receiver 90 shown may be sufficient.

(4) Summary The television receiver 100 according to the present invention includes a receiver 90 that displays acquired video data, and a user interface 80 that controls driving of the receiver 90. The receiver 90 includes a media player connection means 70 that can be electrically connected to the media player 200, an operation signal output by operating the user interface 80, and various control commands for the media player 200 corresponding to the operation signal. Are stored in association with each other, and the operation signal is received, and various control commands corresponding to the received operation signal are output to the connected media player 200 with reference to the stored correspondence. Media player control means 50.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It goes without saying for those skilled in the art,
-Applying the combination of the mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments as appropriate-The above-described embodiments are not disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but are publicly known techniques. The members and structures that can be mutually replaced with the members and structures disclosed in the above are appropriately replaced, and the combination is changed and applied. It is an embodiment of the present invention that a person skilled in the art appropriately replaces the members and configurations that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments, and changes the combination to apply. It is disclosed as.

It is a block block diagram of a television receiver. It is a perspective view which shows the media player as an example. It is a perspective view showing the television receiver and media player in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the table memorize | stored in PROM. It is the flowchart of a control program, and the flowchart performed by the control part of a media player. It is a perspective view which shows the media player connected to the television receiver as an example. It is a perspective view which shows the media player connected to the television receiver as a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the media player connected to the television receiver as a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the television receiver as a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Media player control means 51 ... Control part 52 ... Remote control receiving part 53 ... CPU, 54 ... Mask ROM, 54a ... Basic program, 54b ... Control program, 55 ... RAM, 60 ... Correspondence storage means 61 ... PROM, 62 ... table, 70 ... media player connection means, 71 ... expansion bus, 72 ... cable, 73 ... docking station, 73a ... slit, 73b ... connector, 80 ... user interface, 81 ... remote control device, 81a ... channel key, 81b ... Up / Down key, 81c ... Media key, 81c1 ... Video output key, 81c2 ... Audio output key, 82 ... Operation panel, 90 ... Receiver, 91 ... Front end unit, 92 ... Switch, 93 ... Graphic controller, 94 ... Display module, 95 ... Audio output Parts, 96 ... stand, 100 ... television receiver, 200 ... media player, 201 ... operation keys, 202 ... display, 203 ... earphone, 204 ... port, 300 ... icon

Claims (9)

In a display device whose drive is controlled by an operation signal output by operating a user interface,
A media player connection means electrically connectable to exchange signals with the media player;
Correspondence storage means for storing the correspondence between the operation signal and various control commands for the media player;
And a media player control means for receiving the operation signal and outputting a control command corresponding to the received operation signal to the connected media player with reference to the correspondence relationship. .   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence storage unit stores the operation signal and content that can be reproduced by the media player in association with each other. The user interface is a remote control device,
The remote control device has an up / down key that is sequentially switched by a continuous operation. By operating the up / down key, the media player control means sequentially refers to the stored correspondences. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is followed.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the media player control means displays the correspondence on a screen.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence relationship storage unit stores the correspondence relationship in a hierarchical manner.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the media player control unit updates the stored correspondence every time the media player is connected.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the media player connection unit is capable of charging the connected media player. A television receiver whose drive is controlled by an operation signal output by operating a user interface;
In a display device set comprising a media player capable of reproducing predetermined content, a media player connection means electrically connectable so as to exchange signals with the media player;
Correspondence storage means for storing the correspondence between the operation signal and various control commands for the media player;
Media player control means for receiving the operation signal and referring to the correspondence relationship and outputting a control command corresponding to the received operation signal to the connected media player Equipment set. Having a front end for receiving television broadcast signals;
The user interface is a remote control device and an operation panel in which a plurality of operation keys and up / down keys are arranged,
The media player connection means includes a docking station for connecting to the media player and can charge the connected media player,
The correspondence storage means stores the correspondence between the operation signal and the content that can be reproduced by the media player in a hierarchical manner,
When the media player is connected to the docking station, the media player control means updates the stored correspondence relationship,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein by sequentially operating the up / down keys, the correspondence relationships stored in a hierarchical manner are sequentially referred to, and the correspondence relationships are displayed on a screen.

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