JP2015023384A - Source apparatus and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient source apparatus when a plurality of source apparatuses are switched, capable of connecting the plurality of source apparatuses to one external apparatus connection unit of a sink apparatus.SOLUTION: A source apparatus 1 for providing a content to a television receiver 101 includes: a control unit 6; a first connection unit 10 to which the television receiver 101 is electrically connected; at least one second connection unit 11 to which another source apparatus different from the source apparatus 1 is electrically connected; a control signal line 14 for transmitting a command from the television receiver 101 from the first connection unit 10 to the control unit 6; and a switch unit 13 for selecting one content provision source from among the source apparatus 1 and at least another source apparatus. The control unit 6 controls the switch unit 13 on the basis of the command from the television receiver 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to a source device and a communication system.

  There is an interface standard called MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) for communication between a sink device such as a television receiver or a monitor and a source device such as a mobile device such as a smartphone. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional electronic device that includes a connection portion with a source device corresponding to the MHL standard.

  The conventional electronic device (sink device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of input ports (external device connection units) corresponding to the MHL standard. Each of the plurality of input ports can be individually connected to a source device such as a portable terminal that complies with the MHL standard.

JP 2011-229110 A

  For example, according to the MHL standard, a plurality of source devices cannot be connected to one external device connection unit as in the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 (for example, a television receiver). As a result, when trying to connect a source device different from the source device currently connected to one external device connection unit of the television receiver, it is necessary to insert and remove the source device, which impairs convenience. Furthermore, when the television receiver supplies power to the plurality of source devices, the power supply is cut off every time it is plugged in and out, requiring frequent restarts.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a plurality of source devices can be connected to one external device connection unit of a sink device, and a source device excellent in convenience in switching between the source devices and An object is to provide a communication system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a source device that provides content to a sink device, and is different from the source device in the control unit, the first connection unit to which the sink device is electrically connected, At least one second connection unit to which the source device is electrically connected, a control signal line for transmitting a command from the sink device to the control unit from the first connection unit, the source device and at least one A switch unit that selectively selects a content provider from the other source devices, and the control unit controls the switch unit based on the command.

  According to this configuration, the source device switches the connection between the sink device and the source device or the connection between the sink device and the other source device based on a command received from the sink device. That is, connection switching of a plurality of source devices is performed by an operation by the sink device. Therefore, there is no need to provide a button or the like on the source device or a dedicated remote controller for switching the connection. Furthermore, it is not necessary to connect or disconnect the plurality of source devices for switching the connection, and the power supply to the source devices is not cut off.

  In the source device configured as described above, a power supply voltage line for supplying a power supply voltage from the sink device to the control unit from the first connection unit, and a ground voltage from the sink device from the first connection unit to the control. And a ground voltage line to be supplied to the unit.

  According to this configuration, when the sink device is connected to the first connection unit, power is automatically supplied to the source device. Therefore, the source device can control the operation related to the provision of content and the operation of the switch unit only by connecting to the sink device via the first connection unit.

  In the source device configured as described above, when the switch unit selectively selects a content providing source from at least one of the other source devices, the selected sink device is connected to the selected other source device. The power supply voltage and the ground voltage are supplied.

  According to this configuration, when another source device is selected as a content provider using the switch unit, power is supplied to the other source device. Accordingly, content is provided from other source devices to the sink device.

  Further, in the source device configured as described above, the control unit has a function of selectively selecting a content provider from the source device and at least one other source device. The sink device is notified through the first connection unit.

  According to this configuration, the sink device recognizes that the source device has a function of selectively selecting a content providing source from the source device and other source devices. Therefore, the sink device can transmit a command for switching between the connection between the sink device and the source device and the connection between the sink device and another source device to the source device.

  In the source device having the above-described configuration, when the other source device is connected to the second connection unit, the first connection unit is connected to the second connection unit. This is characterized in that the sink device is notified.

  According to this configuration, the display unit of the sink device, for example, the monitor of the television receiver, displays that a plurality of source devices are connected to one external device connection unit of the television receiver. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize that one external device connection portion of the television receiver can be alternatively selected from a plurality of source devices. As a result, the trouble of selecting the source device incorrectly is reduced.

  In the source device having the above configuration, when the other source device is connected to the second connection unit, information on the name of the other source device connected to the second connection unit is the first connection. The sink device is notified via a unit.

  According to this configuration, it becomes clear what source device is connected to the external device connection unit of the sink device, for example, a television receiver. Therefore, the user can select a source device to be used without making a mistake.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that a communication system includes the source device configured as described above and the sink device electrically connected to the first connection unit of the source device.

  According to this configuration, the communication system switches the connection between the sink device and the source device or the connection between the sink device and the other source device based on a command received by the source device from the sink device. Therefore, in the communication system, there is no need to provide a button or the like on the source device or to provide a dedicated remote controller for switching the connection. Further, it is not necessary to connect or disconnect the plurality of source devices for connection switching, and power supply to the source devices is not cut off.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to connect a plurality of source devices to one external device connection unit of a sink device, and to provide a source device and a communication system that are highly convenient in switching between the source devices. it can.

It is a block diagram of the communication system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the source device of the communication system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen display of the television receiver of the communication system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen display of the television receiver of the communication system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen display of the television receiver of the communication system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen display of the television receiver of the communication system of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system.

  The communication system S includes a source device 1 and a television receiver 101 as shown in FIG.

  The source device 1 is an electronic device that acquires content including video and audio via the Internet, for example, and provides the content to the television receiver 101 that is a sink device. In other words, the main usage purpose of the source device 1 is to provide content configured by video and audio to the television receiver 101, and the main function of the source device 1 for realizing the provision is acquisition of content and proper content. This is a conversion to a content signal.

  In this embodiment, the source device 1 whose main function is content acquisition and signal conversion is described as an example. However, the main function of the source device 1 is not limited to content acquisition and signal conversion. An electronic device having other functions as main functions may be used.

  The television receiver 101 includes a monitor 102, a speaker 103, and a control unit (not shown), and can watch a television broadcast. Channel selection and volume adjustment for television broadcasting can be performed by operating the remote controller 104. Furthermore, the television receiver 101 includes a plurality of external device connection units including an external input connector 105. In FIG. 1, only the external input connector 105 is drawn as an example among a plurality of external device connection portions.

  The external input connector 105 is a connector compatible with the HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard. The HDMI connector has 19 terminals described in Table 1 and can be electrically connected to a corresponding HDMI cable or MHL cable. Table 1 shows each terminal function and arrangement of the HDMI connector. For the 19 terminals of the HDMI connector, the MHL cable selects necessary signal lines from the corresponding signal lines and converts them to the 5 terminals of the MHL connector. Note that a source device corresponding to the HDMI standard or the MHL standard can be directly attached to the HDMI connector.

  Next, the configuration of the source device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the source device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the source device 1 includes a radio unit 2, an antenna 3, a video processing unit 4, an audio processing unit 5, a control unit 6, a central processing unit 7, a clock unit 8, a storage unit 9, and a first connection unit 10. , A second connection unit 11, an MHL logic unit 12, a switch unit 13, a control signal line 14, a power supply voltage line 15, and a ground voltage line 16.

  For example, the wireless unit 2 receives a signal made up of video and audio related to content transmitted from a content provider via the antenna 3. The content signal received by the wireless unit 2 is input to the video processing unit 4 and the audio processing unit 5.

  The video processing unit 4 generates a video signal that can be reproduced by the television receiver 101 from the received content signal. The audio processing unit 5 generates an audio signal that can be reproduced by the television receiver 101 from the received content signal.

  The control unit 6 includes a central processing unit 7 and other electronic components, and operates based on a clock signal generated by the clock unit 8. The control unit 6 controls the operation of each component of the source device 1 based on the program and data stored and input in the storage unit 9 or the like, and acquires the content to be provided to the television receiver 101 and generates an appropriate content signal. Implement processing related to conversion.

  The first connection unit 10 is composed of, for example, an HDMI connector. The first connection unit 10 is directly electrically connected to the external input connector 105 of the television receiver 101 which is a sink device (see FIG. 1). The first connection unit 10 and the external input connector 105 may be connected via an HDMI cable.

  The second connection unit 11 is composed of, for example, a USB connector and is diverted according to the MHL standard. Another source device (not shown) different from the source device 1 is electrically connected to the second connection unit 11. In addition, the 2nd connection part 11 may provide two or more two or more.

  The MHL logic unit 12 and the switch unit 13 are provided between the first connection unit 10 and the control unit 6. The first connection unit 10, the MHL logic unit 12, the switch unit 13, and the control unit 6 are arranged in this order and are electrically connected. The second connection part 11 is directly electrically connected to the switch part 13.

  The control signal line 14 is electrically connected between the first connection unit 10 and the control unit 6 as a signal line different from the signal line passing through the MHL logic unit 12 and the switch unit 13. In addition, the power supply voltage line 15 and the ground voltage line 16 electrically connect the first connection unit 10 and the control unit 6, branch between them, and pass through the MHL logic unit 12 and the switch unit 13. The power supply voltage line 15 supplies the power supply voltage from the television receiver 101 to the control unit 6 from the first connection unit 10. The ground voltage line 16 supplies the ground voltage from the television receiver 101 to the control unit 6 from the first connection unit 10.

  The MHL logic unit 12 corresponds to the MHL connector with 18 signal lines including the power supply voltage line 15 and the ground voltage line 16 except for the control signal line 14 out of 19 signal lines constituting the HDMI connector of the first connection unit 10. To five signal lines. The control signal line 14 is connected to the 13th terminal (see Table 1) of the HDMI connector of the first connection unit 10. The control signal line 14 is used when a command from the television receiver 101 based on a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) control signal is transmitted to the control unit 6.

  The switch unit 13 can switch the electrical connection of the five signal lines converted by the MHL logic unit 12 with either the control unit 6 or the second connection unit 11, and can select the content provider. Select When the other source device connected to the second connection unit 11 is selected as the content providing source, the switch unit 13 supplies the power source voltage and the ground voltage from the television receiver 101 to the selected other source device. To do.

  The operation of the switch unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 6. When another source device is connected to the second connection unit 11 in a state where the switch unit 13 does not connect the first connection unit 10 and the second connection unit 11, the second connection unit 11 and the unillustrated The control unit 6 communicates with another source device via the signal line, and the control unit 6 recognizes that another source device is connected to the second connection unit 11.

  Subsequently, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams for explaining examples of screen display of the television receiver 101 of the communication system S. FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where a normal source list is displayed on the monitor 102 of the television receiver 101. Here, it is assumed that the source device 1 is connected to the external input connector 105 (see FIG. 1) called HDMI3 in FIG.

  When the source device 1 is connected to the external input connector 105, the television receiver 101 recognizes that the source device 1 is connected to the external input connector 105. The source device 1 acquires from the television receiver 101 EDID (Extended display identification data), which is information related to performance unique to the television receiver 101. The source device 1 obtains information related to CEC (HDMI communication function) and MSC command (MHL communication function) from the EDID.

  Then, the source device 1 uses the CBUS to notify the television receiver 101 that there is a source device switching function by the switch unit 13. Receiving this, the television receiver 101, with respect to the external input connector 105 called HDMI3, as shown in FIG. 4, the HDMI 3-1 corresponding to the first connection unit 10, that is, the source device 1 itself, and the second connection The monitor 102 displays that there are two connections to the HDMI 3-2 corresponding to the unit 11.

  When the user operates the remote controller 104 or the like to select HDMI 3-1 or HDMI 3-2 as a source for the television receiver 101, the control unit 6 is based on a command received from the television receiver 101 via the control signal line 14. Then, connection switching of the switch unit 13 is controlled.

  As described above, the source device 1 is a source device that provides content to the television receiver 101, and includes the control unit 6, the first connection unit 10 to which the television receiver 101 is electrically connected, and the source. At least one second connection unit 11 to which another source device different from the device 1 is electrically connected, and a control signal line for transmitting a command from the television receiver 101 from the first connection unit 10 to the control unit 6 14 and a switch unit 13 that selectively selects a content provider from among the source device 1 and at least one other source device. Then, the control unit 6 controls the switch unit 13 based on a command from the television receiver 101. Thereby, connection switching of a plurality of source devices is performed by an operation by the television receiver 101. Therefore, there is no need to provide a button or the like on the source device 1 or a dedicated remote controller for switching the connection. Furthermore, it is not necessary to connect or disconnect the plurality of source devices for switching the connection, and the power supply to the source devices is not cut off.

  In addition, the source device 1 includes a power supply voltage line 15 that supplies a power supply voltage from the television receiver 101 to the control unit 6 from the first connection unit 10, and a ground voltage from the television receiver 101 to the first connection unit 10. And a ground voltage line 16 to be supplied to the control unit 6. Thereby, when the television receiver 101 is connected to the first connection unit 10, power is automatically supplied to the source device 1. Therefore, the source device 1 can control the operation related to the provision of the content and the operation of the switch unit 13 only by connecting to the television receiver 101 via the first connection unit 10.

  In addition, when the switch unit 13 selectively selects a content provider from at least one other source device, the switch unit 13 supplies the selected power source voltage and ground voltage from the television receiver 101 to the other source device. Supply. Thus, when another source device is selected as a content provider using the switch unit 13, power is supplied to the other source device. Therefore, it is possible to provide content to the television receiver 101 from another source device.

  Further, the control unit 6 has a function that the source device 1 has a function of selectively selecting a content provider from the source device 1 and at least one other source device via the first connection unit 10. Notify television receiver 101. Accordingly, the television receiver 101 recognizes that the source device 1 has a function of selectively selecting a content provider from the source device 1 and other source devices. Therefore, the television receiver 101 instructs the source device 1 to switch between the connection between the television receiver 101 and the source device 1 and the connection between the television receiver 101 and another source device. Can be sent.

  Next, the communication system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a screen display example of the television receiver of the communication system. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment. The description of the drawings and the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the name of the source device 1 itself will be described as “MHL1”, and the name of another source device connected to the second connection unit 11 will be described as “MHL2”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system S according to the second embodiment relates to the HDMI 3 (the external input connector 105) of the television receiver 101, and the name of the source device 1 itself corresponding to the HDMI 3-1 (first connection unit 10). “MHL1” and “MHL2” which is the name of another source device corresponding to HDMI 3-2 (second connection unit 11) are displayed on the monitor 102.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to clarify what source device is connected to the external input connector 105 of the television receiver 101. Therefore, the user can select a source device to be used without making a mistake.

  In this embodiment, when no other source device is connected to the second connection unit 11, the name of the other source device is not displayed on the monitor 102, but there is an HDMI 3-2 corresponding to the second connection unit 11. This is displayed on the monitor 102.

  Next, the communication system of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a screen display example of the television receiver of the communication system. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment. The description of the drawings and the description thereof will be omitted.

  When no other source device is connected to the second connection unit 11 of the source device 1, the communication system S of the third embodiment monitors the HDMI 3-2 corresponding to the second connection unit 11 as shown in FIG. 6. Is not displayed. Among the HDMI 3-1 corresponding to the first connection unit 10 and the HDMI 3-2 corresponding to the second connection unit 11, the monitor 102 indicates that the HDMI 3-1 corresponding to the first connection unit 10, that is, the source device 1 itself exists. Is displayed. As a result, regarding the HDMI 3 (external input connector 105) of the television receiver 101, only a device that can be used as a source among the HDMI 3-1 and the HDMI 3-2 is displayed on the monitor 102. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble that the user makes a mistake in selecting the source device.

  Here, when another source device is connected to the second connection unit 11 of the source device 1, since the switch unit 13 does not connect the first connection unit 10 and the second connection unit 11, the source device 1 Recognize the source device as a USB device. Subsequently, since communication between the source device 1 and another source device starts, the source device 1 recognizes that the other source device is compatible with MHL.

  The source device 1 notifies the television receiver 101 via the control signal line 14 that another source device compatible with MHL is connected to the second connection unit 11. Receiving this, the television receiver 101, as shown in FIG. 5, regarding the HDMI 3 (external input connector 105), the first connection unit 10, ie, the HDMI 3-1 corresponding to the source device 1 itself, and the second connection unit 11 The monitor 102 displays that there are two connections to the HDMI 3-2 corresponding to other source devices connected to the.

  According to this configuration, it is displayed on the monitor 102 of the television receiver 101 that a plurality of source devices including the source device 1 and other source devices are connected to the HDMI 3 (external input connector 105). . Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the HDMI 3 (external input connector 105) of the television receiver 101 can be selected from a plurality of source devices. As a result, the trouble of selecting the source device incorrectly is reduced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention can be used in source devices and communication systems.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Source apparatus 6 Control part 10 1st connection part 11 2nd connection part 13 Switch part 14 Control signal line 15 Power supply voltage line 16 Ground voltage line 101 Television receiver (sink apparatus)
102 Monitor 105 External input connector (external device connection part)
S communication system

Claims (7)

A source device that provides content to a sink device,
A control unit;
A first connection part to which the sink device is electrically connected;
At least one second connection part to which another source device different from the source device is electrically connected;
A control signal line for transmitting a command from the sink device to the control unit from the first connection unit;
A switch unit that selectively selects a content provider from the source device and at least one other source device;
With
The source device, wherein the control unit controls the switch unit based on the command. A power supply voltage line for supplying a power supply voltage from the sink device to the control unit from the first connection unit;
A ground voltage line for supplying a ground voltage from the sink device to the control unit from the first connection unit;
The source device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The switch unit supplies a power supply voltage and a ground voltage from the sink device to the selected other source device when selectively selecting a content provider from at least one of the other source devices. The source device according to claim 2.   The control unit has a function of selectively selecting a content provider from the source device and at least one other source device via the first connection unit. The source device according to claim 1, wherein the source device is notified to the sink device.   When the other source device is connected to the second connection unit, the sink device is notified via the first connection unit that the other source device is connected to the second connection unit. The source device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the source device is a device.   When the other source device is connected to the second connection unit, information on the name of the other source device connected to the second connection unit is notified to the sink device via the first connection unit. The source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The source device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The sink device electrically connected to the first connection portion of the source device;
A communication system comprising:

Images