JP2012244271A - Switcher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store the HDCP connection information, e.g. the number of connections for each output, the connection number of stages, the maximum connection number excess flag, and the maximum connection number of stage excess flag, on the basis of the authentication data acquired during HDCP authentication in a switcher, and to display the HDCP connection information.SOLUTION: The switcher has a plurality of input lines for connecting with the source apparatus of audio and video based on the HDCP standard, and output lines L1, L2, L3 for connecting with one or more respective connection apparatus based on the HDCP standard, and an arbitrary source apparatus is connected with an arbitrary connected apparatus by connecting these input lines and output lines while switching appropriately via switch means. The switcher also has connection information collection and storage means for generating and storing the HDCP connection information of each output line by collecting the authentication data when performing HDCP authentication by exchanging the authentication data between the connected apparatus connected with each output line and the connection information collection and storage means, and connection information output means for indicating the HDCP connection information for each output line.

Description

    The present invention relates to a switcher that is installed between a video / audio source device and output devices such as a plurality of displays, and that can switch and distribute video / audio data output from the source device to any output device. In particular, the present invention relates to a switcher capable of connecting a source device and an output device compatible with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Contents Protection) which is a copyright protection function.

    AV system that is installed in schools, hospitals, shopping centers, etc. and outputs video / audio from video / audio source devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “source devices”) to multiple output devices via a switcher The system is known. When there are a plurality of source devices, the video / audio to be output to each output device can be selected by switching the input with a switcher (see Patent Document 1). A device having an output channel capable of inputting video / audio to a plurality of input channels and outputting to a plurality of output devices is referred to as a matrix switcher (hereinafter collectively referred to as “switcher”).

    Nowadays, video and audio signals have been shifted to the digital system instead of the conventional analog system. A video / audio signal compliant with a high-resolution multimedia interface (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, hereinafter simply referred to as “HDMI”), which is copyright-protected content that requires prevention of unauthorized copying such as digital content, Input / output is performed correctly only when authentication data is mutually exchanged between the devices at the time of connection, encrypted data is transmitted / received by HDCP, and the encryption key information included in the authentication data is mutually authenticated by each device.

    In the HDCP standard, the upper limit of the number of connected devices is 127. However, in general, there are almost no cases where it is connected to such a number, so that the number of connectable units is about 16 in the specification of the switcher manufactured by the inventors. This is due to the limitation of the IC used and the fact that the test cost is not increased.

JP 2004-172800 A

A device connected to the output side of a switcher that supports HDCP must, of course, support HDCP. This is because the HDCP authentication method is adopted in which the public key of each device including the switcher is confirmed by exchanging KSV (Key Selection Vector key selection vector) information.

    In addition, according to the HDCP standard, video can be distributed to 127 devices, but there are some source devices in which the number of connectable devices is limited to about 4 to 8. For example, in the case of a source device (input side) with a maximum connection number of 8, it is possible to connect one switcher (or distributor) that supports HDCP and up to seven displays (output side) that also support HDCP. become. At this time, if the output terminal of the switcher is surplus, if the 8th display is connected, the number of connections seen from the source device will be 9, which will exceed the maximum number of connections of the source device, Mutual HDCP authentication is not possible. Then, in the network, since the video output from the source device exceeding the maximum number of connected devices is not performed, the phenomenon that the video from the source device is not output on all eight displays connected to the switcher occurs.

    The HDCP standard has up to seven cascade connections. In this case, the number of cascade stages per output channel must not be 8 or more. In other words, it should be noted that even if the maximum number of connected devices is within the range of the device specifications, there are cases where authentication is not possible due to the excess of the cascade stage number. For example, if the switcher output channel 1 cascade stage number is 5 and the output channel 2 cascade stage number is 4, the switcher will report the cascade stage number 5 to the source device. Authentication is never disabled.

    For this reason, when introducing an AV system, it is necessary to first check how many input and output devices are used and how many cascade connection stages are provided. There is no limit on the number of connected devices that do not require HDCP authentication, so there is no concern, but care must be taken when configuring an AV system with digital devices that require HDCP authentication. In the worst case, there is a risk that video will not appear on all displays after the AV system is constructed.

    Even if the system was introduced while adhering to the limit on the number of connections, it exceeded the maximum number of connections because a person other than the AV system designer connected an output device that was not originally planned, and HDCP authentication could not be performed. A case where the output is not output from all output devices is also assumed. In such cases, in order to investigate whether the cause is due to equipment such as cables or due to restrictions on the number of connected HDCPs or the number of connected stages, information can only be obtained with dedicated devices such as analyzers. There was a problem that it could not be determined and it took time to solve the problem.

There is no doubt that if the cause of the problem is indicated from the device side in such a situation, it will be of great help in restoring the AV system.

    In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention provides HDCP connection information such as the number of connections for each output, the number of connection stages, the maximum number of connected units excess flag, and the maximum number of connected stages exceeded flag in the switcher based on the authentication data acquired at the time of HDCP authentication. An object of the present invention is to provide a switcher that can be stored and displayed.

A first aspect for solving the above-described problem is to have a plurality of input lines (N1, N2, N3) to which video / audio source devices based on the HDCP standard are connected, and to connect devices based on the HDCP standard. (D1 to D8) each have a plurality of output lines (L1, L2, L3) to which one or more units are connected, and these input lines and output lines are appropriately switched and connected via the switch means (6). In the switcher (2) for connecting the arbitrary source device and the arbitrary connected device,
Collecting the authentication data and generating HDCP connection information (HCI) for each output line when performing HDCP authentication by exchanging authentication data with the connected device connected to each output line Connection information collecting and storing means (7, 10) to be stored in the memory (9),
Connection information output means (10) for displaying the HDCP connection information;
It is the point comprised by having it.

Further, a second aspect for solving the above-described problem is that the connection information output unit can display the HDCP connection information for each output line.
It is the point comprised as a feature.

A third aspect for solving the above-described problem is that the HDCP connection information includes the number of connected devices connected to each output line, the number of cascade connection stages, the maximum number of connected devices, a cascade connection excess flag, Maximum connection stage excess flag,
It is a point comprised in the form containing.

Further, a fourth aspect for solving the above-described problem is that the connection information output means refers to the HDCP connection information when the switch means switches and connects the input line and the output line. When the connection switching operation is performed, in the switcher and the connected device connected to each other, it is calculated in advance whether the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages will not be exceeded. If it is determined that it will occur, a warning will be displayed to that effect.
This is a feature.

Further, a fifth aspect for solving the above-described problem is that, when the connection information output means displays that the maximum number of connections or the maximum number of connection stages is exceeded, the switch means (6) performs the A switching operation holding means (10) for holding the execution of the switching operation between the input line and the output line;
Is a point.

    According to the first aspect described above, since the HDCP connection information is displayed by the connection information output means (10), the connection state of the HDCP connection device in the output line can be immediately recognized by referring to the display. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of connected units or the number of connected stages from being exceeded.

    According to the second aspect described above, the HDCP connection information is displayed for each output line, so that the connection state of the HDCP connection device in each output line can be immediately recognized.

    In addition, according to the third aspect, the number of connected devices connected to each output line, the number of cascade connection stages, the maximum connection number excess flag, and the cascade connection maximum connection stage excess flag are stored as HDCP connection information. Therefore, it is possible to immediately recognize for each output line that the number of connected devices exceeds the number of connected devices or the number of connected stages.

    Further, according to the fourth aspect, when it is determined that the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages is exceeded after switching when switching and connecting the input line and the output line by the switch means, Since the warning is displayed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the connection state is actually switched and video / audio is not output to the connected device.

    Further, according to the fifth aspect, when the switching operation holding means (10) exceeds the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages, the switching means (6) executes the switching operation between the input line and the output line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the connection state is actually switched and video / audio is not output to the connected device.

    Note that the numbers in parentheses are for the sake of convenience indicating the corresponding elements in the drawings, and therefore the present description is not limited to the descriptions on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an AV system centering on a switcher to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of a switcher. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HDCP information map.

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

    As shown in FIG. 1, the AV system 1 includes a switcher 2, and the switcher 2 includes three (plural) input lines N1, N2, N3 and three (plural) output lines L1, L2. , L3 are provided. Source devices related to video / audio based on the HDCP standard such as a DVD player, a video player, and a personal computer are connected to the input lines N1, N2, and N3 as a source 1, source 2, and source 3, respectively. Each output line L1, L2, L3 is provided with one or more connected devices based on the HDCP standard so as to be freely connectable. That is, the output line L1 is connected to a connection device D1 such as a display, HDMI extender, switcher or the like as a video / audio output device, and the connection devices D2 and D3 form a two-stage cascade connection to the connection device D1. Connected in the form of Also, one connection device D4 is connected to the output line L2, the connection device D5 is connected to the output line L3, and the connection devices D6 and D7 are cascade-connected to the connection device D5. Are connected in a form to form. The connection device D8 will be described later.

    As shown in FIG. 2, the switcher 2 has a main control unit 3, and the main control unit 3 includes a switch control unit 6, a communication control unit 7, an HDCP information memory 9, and network management via a bus line 5. The unit 10 and the display 11 are connected. In addition, the figure shown in FIG. 2 has shown only the part relevant to this invention, and does not show all the components of the switcher 2. FIG.

    Since the switcher 2 has the above-described configuration, the switcher 2 performs switch control as a switch unit based on a switching instruction from an operator input via an input unit such as a panel key (not shown) or an external control receiving unit. The unit 6 arbitrarily switches the connection state of the input lines N1, N2, N3 to which the sources 1, 2 and 3 are connected and the output lines L1, L2, L3 to which the connected devices D1 to D7 are connected. Any source 1 to 3 and any output line L1, L2, L3 are connected. Then, for example, the video / audio signal output from the source 1 is output to the connected devices D5 to D7 of the output line L3 connected by the switcher 2, and the video / audio signal output from the source 2 is output from the switcher 2. The video / audio signals output to the connected devices D1 to D3 of the connected output line L1 and output from the source 3 are output to the connected device D4 of the output line L2 connected by the switcher 2. This connection mode is completely arbitrary, and can be freely set between the input line and the output line via the input unit of the switcher 2.

    In this way, when one or more connected devices connected to a certain source and a certain output line are connected by the switcher 2, authentication data is exchanged between the source and the connected device connected by the switcher 2 and the switcher 2. Thus, only when the HDCP authentication is successful and the HDCP authentication is successful, the video / audio signal from the source is transmitted to the connected device connected to the source via the switcher 2 and displayed.

    At the time of this authentication, the main control unit 3 of the switcher 2 stores in the HDCP information memory 9 based on the authentication data exchanged between the source and the connected device via the communication control unit 7 with respect to the network management unit 10. To create and store the HDCP information map MAP.

    In the HDCP information map MAP, as shown in FIG. 3, HDCP connection information HCI related to the output line is created and stored for each output line L1, L2, L3 of the switcher 2, and specifically, for each output line. This is information such as the number of connected devices connected to the output line, the number of cascade connection stages, the maximum connection number excess flag, and the cascade connection maximum connection stage excess flag. Since these pieces of information can be acquired as a part of the authentication data exchanged with each connected device by the switcher 2 via the communication control unit 7, the network management unit 10 uses the HDCP information memory based on such authentication data. 9 generates and stores an HDCP information map MAP. The HDCP information map MAP may have any format, and is not limited to the table format as shown in FIG. 3, and each HDCP connection information HCI is assigned with a flag and other attribute data on the software. It is also possible to generate in an associated form.

    The HDCP connection information HCI is appropriately displayed on each of the output lines L1, L2, and L3 on the display 11 or the like when an operator operates an input unit such as a panel key or an external control receiving unit (not shown) to input a display command. It can be made. Therefore, the operator refers to the HDCP connection information HCI displayed on the display 11 or the like, so that the HDCP connection information for each of the output lines L1, L2, and L3, that is, the number of connected devices, the number of cascade connections, the maximum number of connections The presence / absence of an excess flag and the presence / absence of a cascade connection maximum connection stage excess flag can be easily confirmed. In particular, the maximum connected number excess flag is output when the maximum connectable number set internally is reached in any of the connected devices connected to the output line. The stage number excess flag is output when any of the connected devices connected to the output line reaches the internally set maximum number of connectable stages. It is extremely effective because it can recognize in advance the existence of connected devices that have reached the set maximum connectable number or maximum connectable number of stages (mainly smaller than the standard number of HDCP standards and standard stage number). . Note that the display of the HDCP connection information on the output means such as the display 11 may be configured to always display the HDCP connection information on the display 11 regardless of an instruction from the operator. Note that the connection information output means for outputting the connection information is not limited to the display 11 and may be configured to output HDCP connection information to the outside via a communication line such as RS-232C / LAN. is there.

    In addition, when creating the HDCP information map MAP, the network management unit 10 searches for an output line in which the maximum connection number excess flag or the maximum connection stage number excess flag is ON, and the output line that is ON. If it matches, a message to that effect is displayed on the display 11 to warn the operator. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, with the maximum connected number excess flag being ON for the output line L1, as shown in FIG. A situation in which the maximum number of connected devices exceeds the maximum number of connected devices D2 connected to the output line L1, and video / audio output is impossible in all of the connected devices D1 to D3 and D8 connected to the output line L1. Can be prevented in advance. The warning on the display 11 can take various forms. For example, “Don't connect the connected device to the output line X (X is a specific value) any more” or “More than the output line X Please do not connect the connected device by cascade connection "or the like. Further, such a warning may be transmitted to an external device to notify an operator at a remote location. The output mode of this warning is not limited to the display 11, and if the above-described connection information output means is used, for example, a warning signal or the like is output to the outside via a communication line such as RS-232C / LAN. Any aspect may be sufficient.

    The same applies to the maximum connection stage number excess flag. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, with the maximum connection stage number excess flag being ON for the output line L3, as shown in FIG. Inadvertently trying to cascade the extension connection device D8 to the connection device D7 connected to the output line L3, the maximum number of connection stages is exceeded, and all of the connection devices D5 to D8 connected to the output line L2 It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where video / audio output is impossible.

    Further, in the network management unit 10, the switch control unit 6 attempts to switch and change the connection state between the input lines N1, N2, and N3 and the output lines L1, L2, and L3 based on a switching command via the operator's input unit. If it is possible (a plurality of output lines can be connected to a single input line), the HDCP information map MAP in the HDCP information memory 9 is referred to and the connection is switched when the connection switching operation is performed. In the switcher 2 and the connected device, whether or not the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages is exceeded is calculated in advance, and if it is determined that the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages is exceeded, the switching is performed. The execution of the instruction is suspended, a warning is displayed on the display 11 and a warning is given, and the video / audio output is switched to the output line. To prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the video and audio output becomes impossible Te. This warning is performed via the connection information output means described above, and the output mode is not limited to the display 11, and for example, a warning signal or the like is output to the outside via a communication line such as RS-232C / LAN. Any mode may be used. Further, as the output mode of the connection information output unit, various modes such as lighting of a warning lamp, driving of a warning buzzer, and warning by warning sound can be considered. Since the switcher 2 can connect a plurality of output lines to a single source, such a function is effective.

    In addition, the HDCP information map MAP is updated by the network management unit 10 every time HDCP information is exchanged between the input lines N1 to N3 and the output lines L1 to L3 with the switcher 2 as the center. In the memory 9, the HDCP information map MAP is always generated and stored according to the switching connection state of the switcher 2.

    If for some reason the video / audio is no longer output from the connected device, the operator refers to the warning display on the switcher 2. In this case, the display 11 of the switcher 2 has each output line L1, L2, L3 or each combination of the output lines L1, L2, L3 connected to the current source 1, source 2, source 3 for each combination. It is calculated whether or not the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages has been exceeded, and if any has been exceeded, the fact is displayed to warn the outside. For example, when the switcher 2 connects the source 1 and the output lines L 1 and L 2, no output line is connected to the source 2, and the output line L 3 is connected to the source 3, the output It is calculated whether or not the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages has been exceeded in the entire lines L1 and L2, and if any has been exceeded, that fact is indicated through a warning means such as the display 11. Warn outside.

    Therefore, a person who does not know the HDCP standard inadvertently connects the additional connection device D8 to the output line L1, L2, or L3 without giving any notification to the operator of the switcher 2, and the output line L1 or L2 Or, even if video / audio is not output to all connected devices connected to L3, refer to the warning display on the switcher 2 to determine whether the accident is caused by a violation of HDCP restrictions. By referring to the warning display on the display 11, it is possible to easily determine whether it is caused by other causes, such as disconnection of the signal transmission circuit of the output line.

    In particular, in shopping centers and large-scale retail stores, such connection / replacement, expansion, and relocation of connection devices such as video / audio output devices are frequent, and this can easily occur. Therefore, such troubles can be easily dealt with. As already described, the HDCP information map MAP is normally used when the switcher 2 performs HDCP authentication with a connected device such as a video / audio output device connected to the output lines L1, L2, and L3 of the switcher 2. Since it is created based on the authentication data to be exchanged, no special software or hardware is required for the connection devices D1 to D8 connected to the output lines L1, L2, and L3, and the switcher 2 of the present invention is already installed. There is an advantage that the present invention can be easily implemented simply by introducing it into a network composed of source devices and connected devices.

2 …… Switcher 6 …… Switching means (switch control unit)
7. Connection information collection and storage means (communication control unit)
9 …… Memory (HDCP information memory)
10... Connection information collection storage means, connection information output means, switching operation hold means (network management unit)
D1 to D8 ... connected devices L1, L2, L3 ... output lines N1. N2, N3 …… Input line HCI …… HDCP connection information

Claims (5)

It has multiple input lines to which video / audio source devices based on the HDCP standard are connected, and multiple output lines to which one or more connected devices based on the HDCP standard are connected. These input lines and output lines In a switcher that connects any of the source devices and any of the connection devices by appropriately switching and connecting via the switch means,
When performing HDCP authentication by exchanging authentication data with the connected device connected to each output line, the authentication data is collected to generate HDCP connection information for each output line, and Means for collecting and storing connection information stored in
Connection information output means for displaying the HDCP connection information;
A switcher characterized by comprising: The connection information output means can display the HDCP connection information for each output line.
The switcher according to claim 1, wherein: The HDCP connection information includes the number of connected devices connected to each output line, the number of cascade connection stages, a maximum connection number excess flag, a cascade connection maximum connection stage excess flag,
The switcher according to claim 1, wherein the switcher is configured to include The connection information output means refers to the HDCP connection information when switching and connecting the input line and output line by the switch means, and the switcher connected to each other when the connection switching operation is performed. In connection equipment, it is calculated in advance whether the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages will not be exceeded, and if it is determined that the maximum number of connected units or the maximum number of connected stages will be exceeded, this will be displayed. Warn,
The switcher according to claim 3. A switching operation holding means for holding the execution of the switching operation between the input line and the output line by the switch means when the connection information output means displays that the maximum number of connections or the maximum number of connection stages is exceeded. Have
The switcher according to claim 4.

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