JP2011004215A - Signal supply system, signal repeater, electronic apparatus, and method and program therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use a connector when a signal repeater such as a cradle and the like is used.SOLUTION: A video camera 100 is connected to a cradle 200 by an HDMI interface. The cradle 200 is connected to a digital television set 300 via an HDMI connector 290 and to an analog television set 400 via an AV connector 280. The cradle 200 detects which connector is connected to the cradle 200, and notifies the video camera 100 of a voltage level corresponding thereto as an HPD signal. The video camera 100 determines the type of the connector from the HPD signal, and outputs a signal corresponding thereto to the cradle 200. The cradle 200 switches the connector of an output destination to the HDMI connector 290 or AV connector 280 by a signal switching part 220.

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal supply system, and more particularly to a signal supply system, a signal relay device, an electronic device, a processing method in these, and a method for connecting an electronic device and a signal relay device with a specific type of connection interface. The present invention relates to a program to be executed by a computer.

  In recent years, with the spread of AV (Audio / Visual) devices that handle digital signals such as audio signals and video signals, various types of interfaces have been proposed as interfaces for transmitting digital signals between these AV devices. As such an interface, for example, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard (HDMI is a registered trademark) is widely known.

  On the other hand, an AV device may be placed on a stand-type holder called a cradle. In this case, if an interface with the cradle is provided separately from the interface originally provided in the AV device, a plurality of connectors are required. If signals are branched directly from a single signal source to a plurality of connectors, the signal characteristics will be adversely affected, especially when high-speed differential signals such as HDMI are included. It becomes technically difficult. Therefore, it is conceivable to drive each connector by providing an individual driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-267116 A (FIG. 5)

  However, when a plurality of connectors are provided and driven by individual drivers, each installation area is required, which can be a barrier when miniaturizing AV equipment. Therefore, it is conceivable that the interface between the AV device and the other AV device and the interface between the AV device and the cradle are made common and unified into one type of connector. The interface between other AV devices is also limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to make effective use of a connector when a signal relay device such as a cradle is used.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first aspect thereof includes a plurality of connectors to which different types of connection interfaces are connected, and the connection to any one of the plurality of connectors. A connection detection unit that detects that the interface is connected, and a connection notification that generates a connection notification signal having a voltage level corresponding to the type of the connection interface detected by the connection detection unit and outputs the connection notification signal to the signal supply device A signal relay device comprising: a signal generation unit; and a signal switching unit that switches and outputs a signal from the signal supply device to a connector whose connection is detected by the connection detection unit among the plurality of connectors, a processing method thereof, or It is a program. Thus, a connection notification signal having a voltage level corresponding to the type of the connection interface is output to the signal supply device, and the signal from the signal supply device is switched to the connector in which the connection is detected.

  In the first aspect, the connection detection unit detects only the connection interface connected first when the connection interface is connected to at least two of the plurality of connectors within a predetermined period. You may make it do. Further, one connection interface may be detected according to a predetermined priority order.

  In the first aspect, the signal switching unit may not output a signal from the signal supply device to any connector in a state in which the connection is not detected by the connection detection unit. This brings about the effect | action which suppresses the malfunctioning at the time of a connector non-connecting.

  In the first aspect, the signal relay device may be a cradle device for mounting the signal supply device.

  In the first aspect, the signal relay device is connected to the signal supply device by a connection interface conforming to the HDMI standard, and the connection notification signal generation unit includes the connection notification signal. As an alternative, a voltage level conforming to the HDMI standard may be generated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a connection interface connects a signal supply unit that supplies a plurality of types of signals, a signal selection unit that selects one type of signals from the plurality of types of signals, and a connection interface. An electronic device, a processing method or a program therefor, comprising: a connector to be connected; and a selection signal generation unit that generates a selection signal for the signal selection unit based on a voltage level of a connection notification signal detected from the connection interface is there. This brings about the effect | action of switching the signal which should be supplied based on the voltage level of the connection notification signal detected from the connection interface.

  The second aspect further includes a device authentication unit that performs authentication with another device connected via the connection interface, and the selection signal generation unit performs authentication with the other device. The selection signal may be generated only when the above is successful. This brings about the effect | action of suppressing malfunctioning when apparatus other than the object apparatus is connected.

  In the second aspect, the connection interface is a connection interface that conforms to the HDMI standard, and the selection signal generation unit generates the selection signal based on a classification within a voltage level range that conforms to the HDMI standard. You may make it do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal supply system including an electronic device and a signal relay device connected to each other by a specific type of connection interface, wherein the signal relay device includes the specific type. A plurality of connectors to which different types of connection interfaces are respectively connected, a connection detection unit for detecting that the connection interface is connected to any of the plurality of connectors, and the connection detected by the connection detection unit A connection notification signal generation unit that generates a connection notification signal at a voltage level corresponding to the type of connection interface and outputs the connection notification signal to the electronic device, and the electronic device connected to the connector detected by the connection detection unit among the plurality of connectors. A signal switching unit that switches and outputs a signal from the device, and the signal relay device includes a plurality of types of signals. A signal supply unit to supply, a signal selection unit for selecting one type of signal from the plurality of types of signals, and a selection signal for the signal selection unit based on the voltage level of the connection notification signal And a selection signal generation unit. As a result, an appropriate signal is supplied by outputting a connection notification signal having a voltage level corresponding to the type of the connection interface from the signal relay device to the electronic device, and the electronic device is connected to the connector in which the connection is detected in the signal relay device. This brings about the effect of switching the signal from.

  According to the present invention, when a signal relay device such as a cradle is used, an excellent effect that the connector can be effectively used can be obtained.

It is a figure which shows the 1st structural example of the signal supply system in embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual block diagram of an HDMI interface. It is a figure which shows the pin arrangement example of the connector by HDMI specification. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the cradle 200 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the video camera 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance structure of the cradle 200 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the back surface structure of the cradle 200 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence by the cradle 200 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence by the video camera 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structural example of the signal supply system in embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description will be made in the following order.
1. First embodiment (example using cradle as signal relay device)
2. Second embodiment (example using cable as signal relay device)
3. Modified example

<1. First Embodiment>
[First Overall Configuration Example of Signal Supply System]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a signal supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a video camera 100, a cradle 200, a digital television 300, and an analog television 400. This system uses an interface based on the HDMI standard as a main data transmission path, and a video signal and an audio signal supplied from the video camera 100 are output to the digital television 300 via the HDMI interface.

  The video camera 100 is placed on the cradle 200, and both are connected by the HDMI connector 190 of the video camera 100 and the HDMI connector 210 of the cradle 200. The cradle 200 outputs the video signal and audio signal input from the HDMI connector 210 from the HDMI connector 290. A digital television 300 is connected to the cradle 200 via an HDMI interface. That is, the HDMI connector 290 of the cradle 200 and the HDMI connector 310 of the digital television 300 are connected by the HDMI interface.

  In addition, the cradle 200 includes a signal switching unit 220 so that the video signal and the audio signal input from the HDMI connector 210 can be output to the AV connector 280. The AV connector 280 conforms to an interface different from the HDMI interface. For example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, a DV (Digital Video) connector, an RCA connector, or the like is assumed. Hereinafter, this interface is generically referred to as an AV interface. In this example, the AV connector 280 of the cradle 200 and the AV connector 410 of the analog television 400 are connected by an AV interface.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram of the HDMI interface. In the HDMI standard, the transmission direction of a basic high-speed transmission line is determined as one direction, and a transmission-side device is called a source device, and a reception-side device is called a sink device. In this example, the source device 10 and the sink device 30 are connected by the HDMI cable 20. The source device 10 includes a transmitter 11 that performs a transmission operation, and the sink device 30 includes a receiver 31 that performs a reception operation.

  For transmission between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 31, serial transmission by a high-speed differential method called TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) is used. In the HDMI standard, video signals and audio signals are transmitted using three TMDS channels 21 to 23. That is, in the effective image section, a differential signal corresponding to pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen is transmitted in one direction toward the sink device 30 through the TMDS channels 21 to 23. Here, the effective image section is a section excluding the horizontal blanking section and the vertical blanking section in a section from a certain vertical synchronizing signal to the next vertical synchronizing signal. In the horizontal blanking interval or the vertical blanking interval, differential signals corresponding to audio data, control data, or other auxiliary data are transmitted in one direction toward the sink device 30 through the TMDS channels 21 to 23. Is done.

  In the HDMI standard, a clock signal is transmitted through the TMDS clock channel 24. In each of the TMDS channels 21 to 23, 10-bit pixel data can be transmitted during one clock transmitted by the TMDS clock channel 24.

  In the HDMI standard, a display data channel (DDC) 25 is provided. The display data channel 25 is used for the source device to read E-EDID (Enhanced Extended Display Identification Data) information in the sink device 30. The E-EDID information indicates information regarding settings and performance such as the model, resolution, color characteristics, and timing when the sink device 30 is a display device. The E-EDID information is held in the EDID ROM 32 of the sink device 30. Although not shown, the source device 10 can also store E-EDID information in the same manner as the sink device 30 and can transmit the E-EDID information to the sink device 30 as necessary.

  Further, in the HDMI standard, a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) line 26, a reserve line 27, an HPD (Hot Plug Detect) line 28, and the like are provided. The CEC line 26 is a line for performing bidirectional communication of device control signals. The display data channel 25 connects the devices one-to-one, whereas the CEC line 26 directly connects all devices connected to the HDMI.

  The reserved line 27 is a line that is not used in the HDMI standard. The HPD line 28 is a line for detecting that it is connected to another device (hot plug) by an HDMI cable.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a pin arrangement example of a connector according to the HDMI standard. FIG. 3A shows the correspondence between pin numbers and signal names in a pin arrangement called type C in the HDMI standard.

  The TMDS channels 21 to 23 and the TMDS clock channel 24 are each composed of three pins of a positive electrode, a shield, and a negative electrode. Pins 1 to 3 correspond to the TMDS channel 23, pins 4 to 6 correspond to the TMDS channel 22, pins 7 to 9 correspond to the TMDS channel 21, and pins 10 to 12 correspond to the TMDS clock channel 24, respectively. .

  The thirteenth pin corresponds to the common ground terminal of the display data channel 25 and the CEC line 26, and the fourteenth pin corresponds to the CEC line 26. The 15th pin corresponds to the serial clock (SCL) of the display data channel 25, and the 16th pin corresponds to the serial data (SDA) of the display data channel 25. The 17th pin corresponds to the reserved line 27, and the 19th pin corresponds to the HPD line 28. The 18th pin corresponds to the power supply line (+ 5V).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the AV connector 410 of the analog television 400 is connected to the AV connector 280 of the cradle 200, the video signal and audio are utilized using the CEC line 26 separately from the TMDS channels 21 to 23. Transmit the signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, a composite signal (video signal) is transmitted by the 14th pin, a right audio signal is transmitted by the 15th pin, and a left audio signal is transmitted by the 16th pin. . Hereinafter, these signals are referred to as AV signals. On the other hand, when the HDMI connector 310 of the digital television 300 is connected to the HDMI connector 290 of the cradle 200, a signal conforming to normal HDMI is transmitted as shown in FIG.

[Functional configuration example of cradle 200]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the cradle 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. The cradle 200 includes HDMI connectors 210 and 290, an AV connector 280, a signal switching unit 220, a connection detection unit 230, and a connection notification signal generation unit 240.

  The HDMI connector 210 is a connector connected to the video camera 100 in FIG. The HDMI connector 290 is a connector connected to the digital television 300 in FIG. The AV connector 280 is a connector connected to the analog television 400 in FIG.

  The signal switching unit 220 switches the video signal and audio signal input to the HDMI connector 210 to either the HDMI connector 290 or the AV connector 280 and outputs them. In the embodiment of the present invention, the 14th to 16th pins of the HDMI connector 210 are to be switched by the signal switching unit 220. That is, when outputting to the HDMI connector 290, normal HDMI standard signals (CEC, SCL, SDA) are output to the 14th to 16th pins as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when outputting to the AV connector 280, AV signals (composite signals, left and right audio signals) are output to the 14th to 16th pins as shown in FIG. Therefore, other high-speed differential signals (first to twelfth pin) and other signals (13th, 17th to 19th pins) are output to the HDMI connector 290 as they are. A switching signal for the signal switching unit 220 is supplied from the connection detection unit 230. If the switching signal is not supplied from the connection detection unit 230, malfunctions can be prevented by preventing output from any connector.

  The connection detection unit 230 detects whether or not the HDMI connector 290 or the AV connector 280 is connected, and outputs which connector is connected. In the HDMI standard, the presence or absence of connection of a plug (connection interface) to a connector can be detected by the voltage level by the above-described HPD line 28. That is, in the HDMI standard, the sink device outputs 2.4 to 5.3 V to the HPD line when connected, and 0.0 to 0.4 V when not connected. In the source device, if the HPD line is in the range of 2.0 to 5.3 V, it is determined that it is connected, and if it is in the range of 0.0 to 0.8 V, it is determined that it is not connected. It is like that. It is assumed that the AV connector 280 has a similar function. Thereby, when the connection is detected in the HDMI connector 290, the connection detection unit 230 outputs a switching signal so that the signal switching unit 220 switches the signal to the HDMI connector 290. On the other hand, when connection is detected at the AV connector 280, the signal switching unit 220 outputs a switching signal so as to switch the signal to the AV connector 280.

  In the connection detection unit 230, when the connection is detected in the HDMI connector 290 and the AV connector 280 within a predetermined period, only the connection that is connected first is detected. At that time, it is useful to set priorities in advance. For example, when connection is detected at the HDMI connector 290 and the AV connector 280 almost simultaneously, a switching signal can be output to switch the signal to the HDMI connector 290.

  The connection notification signal generation unit 240 generates a connection notification signal having a voltage level corresponding to the type of connection interface for the connector whose connection is detected by the connection detection unit 230. That is, when connection is detected at the HDMI connector 290, a voltage level corresponding to the HDMI connector 290 is output as an HPD signal, and when connection is detected at the AV connector 280, a voltage level corresponding to the AV connector 280 is output as an HPD signal. To do. For example, when connection is detected at the HDMI connector 290, 2.4 to 5.0V is used, and when connection is detected at the AV connector 280, 1.0 to 2.0V is set as the HPD signal. Output to. As a result, the type of connector (connection interface) connected to the cradle 200 can be notified to the video camera 100 via the HPD line 28. Note that these voltage levels fall within the range defined in the HDMI standard.

[Functional Configuration Example of Video Camera 100]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the video camera 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The video camera 100 includes an HDMI connector 190, an HDMI signal supply unit 110, an AV signal supply unit 120, a signal selection unit 130, an A / D converter 140, and a control unit 150.

  The HDMI connector 190 is a connector connected to the cradle 200 in FIG. The A / D converter 140 converts the HPD signal in the HDMI connector 190 from an analog signal to a digital signal.

  The HDMI signal supply unit 110 supplies a signal conforming to the HDMI standard. In this embodiment, the HDMI signal supply unit 110 outputs signals (CEC, SCL, SDA) corresponding to the 14th to 16th pins in type C to the signal selection unit 130, and sends other signals to the HDMI connector 190. Assume output.

  The AV signal supply unit 120 supplies an AV signal other than the HDMI standard. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the AV signal supply unit 120 supplies three signals of the composite signal and the left and right audio signals as AV signals.

  The signal selection unit 130 selects either the signal (CEC, SCL, SDA) output from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 or the signal (composite signal, left / right audio signal) output from the AV signal supply unit 120. Are output to the HDMI connector 190. The selection signal in the signal selection unit 130 is supplied from the control unit 150.

  The control unit 150 outputs a selection signal to the signal selection unit 130 according to the voltage level of the HPD signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 140. That is, if the HPD signal is in the range of 2.0 to 5.3V, it is determined that the connection is made to the HDMI connector 290 of the cradle 200, and if it is in the range of 0.6 to 2.0V, the AV connector of the cradle 200 is determined. It is determined that the connection is made to H.280. Then, according to the determination result, the signal output from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 is selected when connected to the HDMI connector 290, and the signal output from the AV signal supply unit 120 when connected to the AV connector 280. A selection signal is output so as to select the selected signal. The voltage level of the HPD signal falls within the range defined in the HDMI standard as described above, and the classification for determining each connection is also classified within the range of the voltage level. ing.

  The control unit 150 also has a function for controlling signal supply in the HDMI signal supply unit 110. The control unit 150 may be realized by hardware, but may be realized as a software program on a processor.

  Although an example in which the selection signal of the signal selection unit 130 is generated only from the voltage level of the HPD signal of the HDMI connector 190 has been described here, an authentication operation may be performed when the selection signal is generated. For example, it is conceivable that the control unit 150 generates a selection signal after authenticating that the device connected to the HDMI connector 190 is the cradle 200 using the reserved line 27 or the like. If the cradle 200 cannot be authenticated, the control unit 150 can perform control so as not to generate a selection signal. Thereby, when a device other than the cradle 200 is connected to the HDMI connector 190, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation.

  In this example, the control unit 150 is an example of a selection signal generation unit and a device authentication unit described in the claims.

[External configuration example of cradle 200]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of the cradle 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. An HDMI connector 210 that is connected to the HDMI connector 190 of the video camera 100 is provided on the bottom surface 203 of the cradle 200. By mounting the video camera 100 on the cradle 200, the HDMI connector 190 and the HDMI connector 210 are electrically connected.

  In addition, the figure is a figure which looked down from the front surface 201 side, and the connectors provided in the back surface 202 are hidden. The connectors on the back 202 side are shown in the following figure.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the rear configuration of the cradle 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a USB connector 281, a DV connector 282, an RCA connector 283, a power input connector 270, and an HDMI connector 290 are provided on the back surface 202 of the cradle 200. The USB connector 281, DV connector 282, and RCA connector 283 are examples of the AV connector 280 and are used for connection with the analog television 400, for example. The power input connector 270 is a terminal for supplying power to the cradle 200. The HDMI connector 290 is used for connection with the digital television 300, for example.

[Operation example of cradle 200]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the cradle 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, until the connection is detected at the HDMI connector 290 or the AV connector 280, the connection detection unit 230 turns off the switching signal so that no signal is output from the signal switching unit 220 (step S921). When a connection is detected in which connector (step S922), it is specified which connector it is (step S923).

  When the connection is detected in the HDMI connector 290, the connection notification signal generation unit 240 sets the voltage level of the HPD signal in the HDMI connector 210 to 2.4 to 5.0 V (step S924). Further, the signal switching unit 220 performs control so that the signals (CEC, SCL, SDA) from the HDMI connector 210 are output to the HDMI connector 290 as they are (step S925).

  On the other hand, when connection is detected in the AV connector 280, the connection notification signal generation unit 240 sets the voltage level of the HPD signal in the HDMI connector 210 to 1.0 to 2.0V (step S926). The signal switching unit 220 switches the AV signal from the HDMI connector 210 to the AV connector 280 (step S927).

[Operation Example of Video Camera 100]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the video camera 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the control unit 150 waits to transmit the HDMI signal from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 in the normal state (step S911). When the HPD signal is detected in the HDMI connector 190 (step S912), the HPD signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 140, and the voltage level is determined by the control unit 150 (step S913).

  If the voltage level of the HPD signal is less than 0.6 V, it is determined that the HDMI connector 290 or the AV connector 280 is not connected, and a standby state for transmitting the HDMI signal again is entered (step S911).

  If the voltage level of the HPD signal is 0.6 V or more and less than 2.0 V, it is recognized that the AV connector 280 is connected, and a selection signal for selecting the AV signal from the AV signal supply unit 120 is generated. (Step S914). Then, the AV signal from the AV signal supply unit 120 is selected by the signal selection unit 130 (step S915).

  If the voltage level of the HPD signal is 2.0 V or more and less than 5.3 V, it is recognized that the connection is made to the HDMI connector 290, and a selection signal for selecting a signal from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 is generated ( Step S916). Then, the signal from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 is selected by the signal selection unit 130 (step S917). That is, in this case, control is performed such that signals (CEC, SCL, SDA) from the HDMI signal supply unit 110 are output to the HDMI connector 190 as they are.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the output signal is switched according to the interface connected to the cradle 200 while the video camera 100 and the cradle 200 are connected by the HDMI interface. Can do. That is, when connection is detected in the HDMI connector 290 or AV connector 280 of the cradle 200, switching is performed in the signal switching unit 220, and which connector is output to the HDMI connector 210 as an HPD signal. The control unit 150 of the video camera 100 determines which of the HDMI connector 290 and the AV connector 280 is connected from the HPD signal in the HDMI connector 190, and outputs a signal corresponding to the connector via the signal selection unit 130. . In this manner, signals other than the HDMI interface can be transmitted using the HDMI interface between the video camera 100 and the cradle 200.

<2. Second Embodiment>
[Second Overall Configuration Example of Signal Supply System]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the signal supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a video camera 100, a cable 500, a digital television 300, and an analog television 400. That is, the cradle 200 in the first configuration example is replaced with the cable 500, and the other points are the same as in the first configuration example.

  The cable 500 includes HDMI connectors 510 and 590 and an AV connector 580. The HDMI connector 510 is a connector used for connection with the video camera 100. The HDMI connector 590 is a connector used for connection with the digital television 300. The AV connector 580 is a connector used for connection with the analog television 400.

  This cable 500 has the same configuration as that of the cradle 200 shown in FIG. 4 in the first configuration example, detects a connection in either the HDMI connector 590 or the AV connector 580, and performs HPD corresponding to the connector. The signal is output to the HDMI connector 510. Then, the signal supplied from the video camera 100 is output by the signal switching unit 520 to the connector where the connection is detected.

  Thus, even when the cable 500 is used instead of the cradle 200 of the first embodiment, an HPD signal can be generated according to the connected interface.

<3. Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the cradle 200 and the cable 500 are used as the signal relay device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the cradle 200 and the cable 500, another device such as a recorder may be provided to generate an HPD signal according to an interface connected to the recorder.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the example using the video camera 100 as an electronic device, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a digital still camera or a mobile phone may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which either of two types of connectors, an HDMI connector or an AV connector, is connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be assumed that any of the three types of connectors, the HDMI connector and the first or second AV connector, is connected. In this case, in the connection notification signal generation unit 240, for example, 0.7 to 1.3 V is applied when the first AV connector is connected, and 1.4 to 3 is connected when the second AV connector is connected. It is possible to discriminate by generating 2.0V as an HPD signal.

  The embodiment of the present invention shows an example for embodying the present invention. As clearly shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the matters in the embodiment of the present invention and the claims Each invention-specific matter in the scope has a corresponding relationship. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims and the matters in the embodiment of the present invention having the same names as the claims have a corresponding relationship. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be embodied by making various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The processing procedure described in the embodiment of the present invention may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, and a program for causing a computer to execute the series of procedures or a recording medium storing the program May be taken as As this recording medium, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a memory card, a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

10 Source device 20 Cable 30 Sink device 100 Video camera 110 HDMI signal supply unit 120 AV signal supply unit 130 Signal selection unit 140 A / D converter 150 Control unit 190, 210, 290, 310, 510, 590 HDMI connector 200 Cradle 210 HDMI connector 220, 520 signal switching unit 230 connection detection unit 240 connection notification signal generation unit 270 power input connector 280, 410, 580 AV connector 300 digital television 400 analog television 500 cable

Claims (12)

A plurality of connectors each connected to a different type of connection interface;
A connection detection unit for detecting that the connection interface is connected to any of the plurality of connectors;
A connection notification signal generation unit that generates a connection notification signal of a voltage level corresponding to the type of the connection interface whose connection is detected by the connection detection unit, and outputs the connection notification signal to the signal supply device;
A signal relay device comprising: a signal switching unit that switches and outputs a signal from the signal supply device to a connector whose connection is detected by the connection detection unit among the plurality of connectors.   2. The signal relay device according to claim 1, wherein the connection detection unit detects only the connection interface connected first when the connection interface is connected to at least two of the plurality of connectors within a predetermined period. .   The signal according to claim 1, wherein the connection detection unit detects one connection interface according to a predetermined priority when the connection interface is connected to at least two of the plurality of connectors within a predetermined period. Relay device.   The signal relay device according to claim 1, wherein the signal switching unit does not output a signal from the signal supply device to any connector in a state where a connection is not detected by the connection detection unit.   The signal relay device according to claim 1, wherein the signal relay device is a cradle device for mounting the signal supply device. The signal supply device is connected by a connection interface conforming to the HDMI standard,
The signal relay device according to claim 1, wherein the connection notification signal generation unit generates a voltage level conforming to an HDMI standard as the connection notification signal. A signal supply unit for supplying a plurality of types of signals;
A signal selection unit for selecting one type of signal from the plurality of types of signals;
A connector to which the connection interface is connected;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a selection signal generation unit that generates a selection signal for the signal selection unit based on a voltage level of a connection notification signal detected from the connection interface. A device authentication unit that performs authentication with another device connected via the connection interface;
The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the selection signal generation unit generates the selection signal only when authentication with the other device is successful. The connection interface is a connection interface conforming to the HDMI standard,
The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the selection signal generation unit generates the selection signal based on a division within a voltage level range that conforms to the HDMI standard. A signal supply system comprising an electronic device and a signal relay device connected to each other by a specific type of connection interface,
The signal relay device
A plurality of connectors to which different types of connection interfaces including the specific type are respectively connected;
A connection detection unit for detecting that the connection interface is connected to any of the plurality of connectors;
A connection notification signal generation unit that generates a connection notification signal of a voltage level according to the type of the connection interface whose connection is detected by the connection detection unit and outputs the connection notification signal to the electronic device;
A signal switching unit that switches and outputs a signal from the electronic device to the connector detected by the connection detection unit among the plurality of connectors;
The signal relay device
A signal supply unit for supplying a plurality of types of signals;
A signal selection unit for selecting one type of signal from the plurality of types of signals;
A signal supply system comprising: a selection signal generation unit that generates a selection signal for the signal selection unit based on a voltage level of the connection notification signal. A signal switching method in a signal relay device including a plurality of connectors to which different types of connection interfaces are connected,
A connection detection procedure for detecting that the connection interface is connected to any of the plurality of connectors;
A connection notification signal generation procedure for generating a connection notification signal having a voltage level corresponding to the type of the connection interface in which connection is detected in the connection detection procedure and outputting the connection notification signal to the signal supply device;
A signal switching method comprising: a signal switching procedure for switching and outputting a signal from the signal supply device to a connector in which connection is detected in the connection detection procedure among the plurality of connectors. A signal selection method in an electronic device including a connector to which a connection interface is connected and a signal supply unit that supplies a plurality of types of signals,
A selection signal generation procedure for generating a selection signal based on the voltage level of the connection notification signal detected from the connection interface;
And a signal selection procedure for selecting one type of signal from the plurality of types of signals based on the selection signal.

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